Abstract
ObjectivesCompare the immediate effects of a Neurodynamic Mobilization (NM) treatment or foam roller (FR) treatment after DOMS.DesignDouble blind randomised clinical trial.SettingThe participants performed 100 drop jumps (5 sets of 20 repetitions, separated by 2 min rests) from a 0.5-m high box in a University biomechanics laboratory to induce muscle soreness. The participants were randomly assigned in a counter-balanced fashion to either a FR or NM treatment group.ParticipantsThirty-two healthy subjects (21 males and 11 females, mean age 22.6 ± 2.2 years) were randomly assigned into the NM group (n = 16) or the FR group (n = 16).Main Outcome MeasuresThe numeric pain rating scale (NPRS; 0–10), isometric leg strength with dynamometry, surface electromyography at maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and muscle peak activation (MPA) upon landing after a test jump were measured at baseline, 48 h after baseline before treatment, and immediately after treatment.ResultsBoth groups showed significant reduction in NPRS scores after treatment (NM: 59%, p < .01; FR: 45%, p < .01), but no difference was found between them (p > .05). The percentage change improvement in the MVIC for the rectus femoris was the only significant difference between the groups (p < 0.05) at post-treatment. After treatment, only the FR group had a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.01) in strength compared to pre-treatment.ConclusionOur results illustrate that both treatments are effective in reducing pain perception after DOMS whereas only FR application showed differences for the MVIC in the rectus femoris and strength.
Highlights
Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) frequently occurs after exhaustive and/or unaccustomed exercise, if the exercise involves eccentric muscle contractions
None of the subjects had a recent history of intensive training, heavy eccentric resistance, or plyometric exercise, and all subjects were free from musculoskeletal disorders in the last year
The baseline characteristics of the participants revealed no significant differences in age, height, weight, body mass index, or metabolic equivalent (MET) as estimated through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaire
Summary
Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) frequently occurs after exhaustive and/or unaccustomed exercise, if the exercise involves eccentric muscle contractions. The soreness that occurs during muscle fatigue typically arises the first day after the exercise and peaks in intensity by 48 h post-exercise (Torres et al, 2012). This type of exercise causes a disruption of normal skeletal muscle banding patterns (alignment) and the broadening or complete disruption of sarcomere Z lines (Smith et al, 1994a). This leads to alterations in protein expression (Chen et al, 2003) and inflammation (Hubal et al, 2008), which play an important role in the muscle’s recovery and adaptation (Toumi & Best, 2003)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
