Effect of Brief Intense TENS and Cryotherapy on the Symptoms Associated with Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness in Healthy Male Subjects

Abstract

Objective: The study investigated the effect of brief intense TENS and ice on pain relaxed elbow extension angle. Design and setting: Three sets of concentric and eccentric action induced delayed onset of the elbow flexors of non dominant hand. Pre exercise measures were recorded for relaxed elbow extension range and perceived muscle pain. Group A received ice treatment for 15 minutes, group B received brief intense TENS (100 Hz, 100 milliseconds, maximum tolerable intensity), Group C received sham TENS treatments after 48 hours of post-exercise. Subjects: Forty five healthy male subjects Measurements: Relaxed elbow extension angle and perceived muscle pain was recorded before exercise, before treatment after 48 hours post exercise and after treatment. Results: Readings were compared for difference using ANOVA it was found that there was statistically significant difference p=0.045 (p<0.05) in VAS with the scores taken after Cryotherapy. Conclusion: Cryotherapy was effective in reducing the perceived pain in elbow flexors after eccentric bouts