Ice-water immersion and delayed-onset muscle soreness: a randomised controlled trial

[PK-V]

Abstract

Objective: To determine if ice-water immersion after eccentric quadriceps exercise minimises the symptoms of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Design: A prospective randomised double-blind controlled trial was undertaken. 40 untrained volunteers performed an eccentric loading protocol with their non-dominant leg.

Interventions: Participants were randomised to three 1-min immersions in either ice water (5±1°C) or tepid water (24°C).

Main outcome measures: Pain and tenderness (visual analogue scale), swelling (thigh circumference), function (one-legged hop for distance), maximal isometric strength and serum creatine kinase (CK) recorded at baseline, 24, 48 and 72 h after exercise. Changes in outcome measures over time were compared to determine the effect of group allocation using independent t tests or Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results: No significant differences were observed between groups with regard to changes in most pain parameters, tenderness, isometric strength, swelling, hop-for-distance or serum CK over time. There was a significant difference in pain on sit-to-stand at 24 h, with the intervention group demonstrating a greater increase in pain than the control group (median change 8.0 vs 2.0 mm, respectively, p = 0.009).

Conclusions: The protocol of ice-water immersion used in this study was ineffectual in minimising markers of DOMS in untrained individuals. This study challenges the wide use of this intervention as a recovery strategy by athletes.




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[MJRuff01]

I have always used postworkout icewater as a way to avoid any tendonitis or unlar nerve inflammation when in a heavy lifting cycle.

[PK-V]

Do you have the tendonitis in your wrist?

Do you find it helps significantly?

I have patella tendonitis, it suxs I feel your pain

[terraj]

I have always used postworkout icewater as a way to avoid any tendonitis or unlar nerve inflammation when in a heavy lifting cycle.

That is not the same as DOMS. a RICE method is still the way to treat the tendonitis.

The teams like NFL, rugby and a like use the ice baths to force the blood into core, reducing swelling.

I love my DOMS.

[MJRuff01]

That is not the same as DOMS. a RICE method is still the way to treat the tendonitis.

The teams like NFL, rugby and a like use the ice baths to force the blood into core, reducing swelling.

I love my DOMS.

Correct. My point was that there are beneficial effects to postworkout ice than just trying to become less sore.

[MJRuff01]

Do you have the tendonitis in your wrist?

Do you find it helps significantly?

I have patella tendonitis, it suxs I feel your pain

No. For me the worst is after doing heavy pressing exercises or heavy tricep extensions, my ulnar nerve (nerve near the elbow) starts to become inflammed. Post workout ice stops this from happening, as long as I do not wait till it happens to start.