The Effect of Single Bout Treatment of Heat or Cold Intervention on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Induced by Eccentric Contraction

We studied the preventive effects of heat or cold therapy after repeated eccentric contraction against torque reduction, muscle soreness, and range of motion (ROM) due to delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). A total of 42 healthy male subjects were randomly allocated into three groups: the HEAT group received heat therapy using an ultra-short-wave device; the ICE group received ice therapy using an ice pack; the Control group received no intervention. The measurements included maximal voluntary isometric, concentric, and eccentric elbow flexion torque, elbow extension ROM, pressure pain threshold, and muscle soreness with stretching muscle thickness and echo intensity. The measurements were taken before (pre), after (post), after (t-post), one–four days after, and seven days after the muscle damage protocol. The results showed the main effect of time on all measurements, but no significant interactions were observed. The results of this study suggest that heat or cold therapy in the first 30 min after intense eccentric exercise is insufficient to exert a preventive effect against DOMS.