The effect of soft tissue release on delayed onset muscle soreness: A pilot study

Objectives: To examine soft tissue release (STR) as an intervention for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Design: A mixed-subjects experimental design was used. Participants performed 4 × 20 eccentric elbow extensions at 80% of 1RM. Participants received either STR (50%) or no treatment (50%). DOMS measurements were taken before the elbow extensions and at 0, 24, and 48 h afterwards. Setting: The study was conducted at the University of Essex exercise physiology laboratory. Participants: Twenty male participants, unaccustomed to strength conditioning, completed the study. Main outcome measures: DOMS was evaluated using relaxed joint angle (RJA), active range of motion (AROM), passive range of motion (PROM), and arm girth measurements. Soreness ratings were measured using a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: In both conditions there were post-DOMS task increases in VAS ratings (p < 0.0001) and arm girths (p < 0.0001), and decreases in RJA (p < 0.0001), AROM (p < 0.0001), and PROM (p < 0.0001). STR group VAS scores were higher immediately (p < 0.01) and 48 h after treatment (p < 0.005). There were no other between-group differences and none of the measurements returned to baseline levels by 48 h. Conclusions: STR exacerbates the DOMS sensation yet does not seem to improve the rate of recovery during the first 48 h. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.