Cold-Water Immersion and Sports Massage Can Improve Pain Sensation but Not Functionality in Athletes with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

This study aimed to investigate the effects of cold-water immersion (CWI) and sports massage on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in amateur athletes. Sixty male amateur athletes were randomised into four equal groups (n = 15) receiving either CWI, sports massage, their combination, or served as controls after applying plyometric training to their lower extremities. The main outcomes measures were pain, exertion, rectus femoris perimeter, knee flexion range of motion, knee extensors isometric strength and serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels examined before the plyometric training, immediately after the treatment, and 24, 48 and 72 h post exercise. We observed no significant differences between study groups in the most tested variables. CWI improved pain compared to the combined application of CWI and sports massage, and the control group both on the second and third day post exercise. Sports massage combined with CWI also led to a significant reduction in pain sensation compared to the control group. In conclusion the treatment interventions used were effective in reducing pain but were unable to affect other important adaptations of DOMS. Based on the above, sports scientists should reconsider the wide use of these interventions as a recovery strategy for athletes with DOMS.