The effectiveness of ice water immersion in the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness in the lower leg

Abstract

Background: The current evidence base pertaining to the use of ice water immersion in the treatment and prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) remains inconsistent and controversial. Although little scientific support exists, many athletes continue to acknowledge it as an important treatment modality in DOMS management. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of ice water immersion in the treatment of DOMS induced in the lower leg in a group of untrained volunteers. Method: An experimental inter-subject design was employed, using convenience sampling, to recruit 16 untrained volunteers (11 females, 5 males). Each performed a bilateral DOMS inducing protocol, in the plantar flexors, to exhaustion. Each leg was then randomly assigned to a control (no treatment) or intervention (ice immersion) group. The ice protocol consisted of a 10 minute water immersion, superior to the knee joint, at 10˚C. Range of movement (ROM), using a standard plastic goniometer, and soreness, using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), were assessed. Measurements were taken prior to, and 48 hours post exercise. Results were analyzed using a related t-test. Results: Statistical analysis of the results was performed using SPSS 14.0, where p <=0.05. The related t-test detected significant differences between the control and intervention group at 48 hours post exercise in both soreness (p=0.007) and ROM (p=0.002) , where p <0.05 Conclusion: The results suggest that a single bout of ice water immersion, immediately after exercise of the Triceps Surae musculature, resulted in significantly less muscle soreness and greater ROM at the ankle, in comparison to a control, 48 hours post exercise. The results offer scientific support to this popular recovery modality.