Effects of vibration therapy and vitamin D supplement on eccentric exercise-induced delayed onset muscle soreness in female students

Abstract

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) appears after unaccustomed exercise and peaks 24-48 h after exercise. Vitamin D micronutrient and vibration therapy may have an effect on DOMS. The present study investigated the effects of vitamin D micronutrient and vibration therapy on DOMS. Sixty female students were randomly assigned to one of the four groups (n=15 in each group): vitamin D, vibration therapy, vitamin D + vibration therapy, and control. The participants of vitamin D groups received vitamin D (3,800 IU, 1 session daily for 7 days), while the participants of the control groups received placebo. The participants of vibration therapy groups received vibration therapy (50 Hz; 3 sets of 1 min, 1 session daily for 7 days). One day later, the participants performed eccentric exercise (a quadriceps leg extension exercise). Immediately after this exercise protocol, the participants received vitamin D or vibration therapy on basis of their groups. Pain perception, creatine kinase (CK), interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were measured at baseline (before 7 days of intervention), after 7 days of intervention (before eccentric exercise) and 24, 48 and 72 h after eccentric exercise. Statistical analysis was employed and P≤0.05 was considered as the significant level. CK and IL-6 concentrations, as well as pain perception, were significantly lower in the vibration therapy and vitamin D groups compared to the control group 24 to 48 h after eccentric exercise. MDA concentration was significantly lower in the vibration therapy and vitamin D groups compared to the control group 48 to 72 h after eccentric exercise. In conclusion, the present study suggests that vibration therapy and vitamin D supplement may have effects against eccentric exercise-induced delayed onset muscle soreness in female students.