Ice therapy as a means of reducing delayed onset muscle soreness

A comparison of a cryotherapy treatment vs. a placebo control was investigated to determine their effectiveness in the reduction of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Eight healthy, non-weightlifting volunteers (four male/four female) performed eccentric contractions of the arm flexor muscles using the Nautilus Double Biceps machine beginning at an intensity equal to 110% of the maximum concentric strength. The work load was maintained until it was impossible to control the descent of the weights for three seconds. At that time the weight was decreased by five pounds and exercise was continued. This pattern was continued until a minimum load of twenty pounds or fifteen minutes of constant work was achieved. Upon completion of the exercise, an ice pack was applied to one randomly selected arm with the other receiving the placebo.

Subjective soreness, pressure application soreness, range of motion, and arm circumference were recorded immediately before exercise and at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise.

Repeated measures ANOVA found no significant difference between treatments (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found between days for subjective soreness, pressure application soreness and range of motion. A Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was calculated and no significant correlation existed between ROM and circumference measures (P > .05).

It was concluded that ice alone could not alleviate the conditions associated with DOMS in this study.