Comparison of four methods in recovery delayed onset muscle soreness

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate four treatments for the recovery of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS was induced in 56 women forced by the “Drop Set” system and they were divided into four treatment groups: home, massage, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and passive stretching. The volunteers answered two pain scales: a numerical scale and a visual analogue scale (VAS) in five stages: 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h and 120 h, before each treatment session. The statistical analysis between the scales and at the different times was carried out using one-way analysis of variance; and the comparison between the groups at the same time was carried out using repeated measures analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey-Kramer post-test. There was no significant difference between the pain measures of the scales. Massage had the lowest pain intensity at 24 and 48 hours compared to the other treatments. Massage is the best method for treating DOMS and passive stretching is the worst. The pain scales are equivalent to each other and could be relevant tools for monitoring recovery from intense physical training.