Effects Of Methol Gel On Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) In Sedentary Young Adults

Abstract

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is common 24 hr after engaging in resistance training. Topical analgesics containing menthol are often used to treat DOMS but little is known about their effectiveness. PURPOSE: To determine how long menthol gel may reduce pain associated with DOMS. METHODS: Sedentary young men (n=3) and women (n=6) (age = 23.9 yr; wt = 70.1 kg) participated in the study and were instructed to refrain from exercise and consuming or applying any type of anti-inflammatory medication 24 hr before, and throughout the duration of, the study. After determining 1-RM, participants performed 10 sets of 10 repetitions of barbell back squats at 60% of their 1RM to elicit DOMS. Squats were performed to a predetermined depth using stacked 5-cm spacers so the femurs were parallel to the floor at the end of the eccentric phase. 24 hr later, a gel containing 4.0% menthol was applied (1ml of gel per 200 cm2 of surface area) to one quadriceps and the same dose of a menthol-scented placebo gel was applied to the other quadriceps. Application was randomized to each leg and participants were blinded to the gel identity. Prior to application, participants rated pain in each leg using a scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (pain as bad as it could be). Following application, participants completed this rating scale every 30 min for 8 hr. RESULTS: Pain was reported to be exactly the same for both legs at 24 hr (6.67 - severe pain). After application of the menthol gel, pain declined (p<0.05) to a minimum at 60 min (pain rating = 5.28; 21% decline) that was classified as moderate pain. Although pain tended to increase after 1 hr, pain remained less (p<0.05) than placebo for 5 hr. CONCLUSION: A 4.0% menthol gel reduces DOMS-related pain by ~20% 60 min after application in sedentary young adults and then a lower plateau of pain perception is achieved for 5 hr following application. Our previous study using the same protocol with recreational athletes who had lower (p<0.05) levels of pain (4.65) 24 hr after exercise also reported maximum pain relief 1 hr after application. Although a 31% relative decline, their absolute pain scores declined similarly (1.4 points) compared to the current study. Further research is needed to determine whether declines in pain can be attained in less time and/or if a greater decline can be achieved. Supported by Performance Health.