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

To examine soft tissue release (STR) as an intervention for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

A mixed-subjects experimental design was used. Participants performed 4 x 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.

The study was conducted at the University of Essex exercise physiology laboratory.

Twenty male participants, unaccustomed to strength conditioning, completed the study.

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).

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.

STR exacerbates the DOMS sensation yet does not seem to improve the rate of recovery during the first 48 h.