Advances in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) – Part II: Treatment and Prevention

Abstract

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) describes an entity of ultrastructural muscle damage. The manifestation of DOMS is caused by eccentric muscle contractions or unaccustomed forms of exercise. Clinical signs include impaired muscular force capacities, painful restriction of movement, stiffness, swelling, and altered biomechanics in adjacent joints. Although DOMS is categorised as a mild type of muscle damage, it is one of the most common reasons for compromised sportive performance. In the last decade, many hypotheses have been developed to explain the aetiology of DOMS, and there are a wide range of different interventions aiming to prevent or alleviate the symptoms. Many studies have evaluated various types of cold or heat therapy, compression, massage, physical therapy or nutritional interventions. Treatment considerations focus on the primary prevention of ultrastructural lesions during exercise, the treatment of the inflammatory response that leads to DOMS, and recovery strategies for manifest DOMS. This narrative review aims to present an overview of the current treatment and preventive strategies in the field of DOMS.

WITHDRAWN: Effect of Below-Knee Compression Garments on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): A Randomized Controlled Laboratory Study With Multi-Parametric Analysis

“…Based on pathophysiological foundations, studies on compression focus on different time-dependent application modes, including "during exercise" (i.e., biomechanical support) and "post-exercise" treatment aiming to limit the in ammatory processes mentioned above and thereby preventing the development and clinical signs of DOMS (2). A meta-analysis found that several studies described recovery-enhancing effects for wearing compression garments both during exercise and afterwards, whereas other studies were not able to con rm these ndings (30).…”

“…High-performance sports and the importance of achieving peak physical capacity and performance have led athletes and coaches to continually seek treatments or techniques that may improve regeneration and recovery (1)(2)(3). The rate and quality of recovery has been considered to be essential for both elite and recreational athletes during repetitive training or competition (1)(2)(3)(4).…”

“…A wide variety of interventions aiming to either prevent or relieve the development of muscle soreness, thereby accelerating recovery from performance-limiting conditions, have been reported (2). Compression garments are traditionally applied for vascular purposes (e.g., deep venous and lymphatic disease) or surgery, and their clinical bene ts are well documented (5)(6)(7).…”

Effect of a Blend of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Bixa orellana L. Herbal Supplement on the Recovery of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness Induced by Unaccustomed Eccentric Resistance Training: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…The need to perform eccentric resistance training to achieve positive adaptations is inherent to the development of DOMS, but a solid and consistent treatment for DOMS has not been established to date. Although there are multiple practices for DOMS alleviation, only a few of them have scientific support ( Connolly et al, 2003 ; Heiss et al, 2019 ). The most well-known therapeutic programs for the management of DOMS include cryotherapy, stretching, massage, use of compression during or after exercise, ultrasound muscular treatment, or oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ( Matsumura et al, 2015 ).…”

The Effects of Supersaturated Hydrogen-Rich Water Bathing on Biomarkers of Muscular Damage and Soreness Perception in Young Men Subjected to High-Intensity Eccentric Exercise

“…Although DOMS plays an important role in muscle remodeling and favorable adaptations [ 3 ], its extended duration may occasionally jeopardize exercise routine and cause more harm than good. This being the case, many approaches have been developed to optimize DOMS recovery, yet the treatment and prevention options remain somewhat limited [ 4 ]. Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been put forward lately as a worthwhile therapeutics in musculoskeletal medicine.…”