Investigating the Effects of Different Soft Tissue Mobilizations on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Investigating the Effects of Different Soft Tissue Mobilizations on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Performance in Recreational Athletes: A Single Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is associated with the initiation of a new physical activity or a sudden increase in exercise volume and intensity. DOMS also occurs following eccentric exercises such as ballistic stretching, downhill running, weight training and plyometrics. DOMS might prevent performing sports and decreases the performance of professional or recreational athletes. Recently, different soft tissue mobilization applications (massage, foam roller) have been preferred by many athletes to prevent DOMS. However, there is no study comparing the effects of these techniques on DOMS. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of different soft tissue mobilization practices on DOMS and sportive performance in recreational athletes. In order to achieve this goal, a total of 36 recreational athletes will be included and will be allocated to three groups as foam roller group (n=12), massage group (n=12) and control group (n=12). Demographic data, thermal camera measurements, fatigue level assessments, and performance measurements will be performed. All measurements will be carried out four times as before the application, immediately after the application, after 24 hours and after 48 hours.

After being invited to the study, the demographic data of all participants who agreed to participate in the study will be recorded on a structured form. Participants will be randomly divided into three groups: Massage application group, Foam Roller application group and Control group. Afterwards, thermal imaging, perceived fatigue and pain level, blood lactate level measurements, and vertical jump assessments will be done for the quadriceps femoris muscle. Then, the fatigue protocol will be applied for the quadriceps femoris muscle and five-minute applications will be made according to the groups in which they are randomly separated. Evaluations made in the first applications will be made immediately after the applications, 24 hours and 48 hours later, as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th measurements. The assessor will not know which group the participants are from.

Participants will perform a 100 fall-bounces (5 sets x 20 reps, with two minutes of rest) from a 50 cm high box as the fatigue protocol. All participants will use a five-minute bicycle ergometer to warm up prior to the. Following the fatigue protocol, foam roler will be applied to the participants' quadriceps femoris muscles in a prone position for five minutes.

Participants will perform a 100 fall-bounces (5 sets x 20 reps, with two minutes of rest) from a 50 cm high box as the fatigue protocol. All participants will use a five-minute bicycle ergometer to warm up prior to the. Following the fatigue protocol, sports massage will be applied on the quadriceps femoris muscles for five minutes.

Participants will perform a 100 fall-bounces (5 sets x 20 reps, with two minutes of rest) from a 50 cm high box as the fatigue protocol. All participants will use a five-minute bicycle ergometer to warm up prior to the. Following the fatigue protocol, the participants will rest in the long sitting position for 5 minutes.

Following the fatigue protocol, foam roller application will be applied to the quadriceps femoris muscle for five minutes in the prone position.

Following the fatigue protocol, sports massage will be applied to the quadriceps femoris muscle for five minutes.

Tissue temperature change will be assessed by using thermal camera imaging which is a non-invasive method. By determining the temperature differences in the tissues with the thermal camera, it will be determined in which regions the circulation increases or decreases.

Four measurements will be performed as immediately before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours later from fatigue protocol.

Four measurements will be performed as immediately before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours later from fatigue protocol.

By using a 0-100 millimeter visual analog scale (0: none, 100: maximum), the participants will determine the fatigue and pain levels. Higher scores indicate worse fatigue and pain.

Four measurements will be performed as immediately before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours later from fatigue protocol.

Four measurements will be performed as immediately before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours later from fatigue protocol.

Inclusion Criteria: Performing recreational sports at least 1 and at most 3 times a week. Exclusion Criteria: Any musculoskeletal, neurological or other serious health problems experienced in the past six months Not willing to participate in the study