Skip to main content

The effects of continuous external compression on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

International Journal of Rehabilitation and Health volume 1, pages 223–235 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a sensation of soreness that develops 24–48 hr after intense unaccustomed exercise. Clinical characteristics of DOMS include local tissue edema, decreased muscle strength, and decreased range of motion. Although controversial, some research has implicated swelling as a cause or contributor to soreness. We designed this study to determine the effects of continuous external compression on swelling resulting from eccentric contraction and the accompanying clinical characteristics of DOMS. Twenty-three healthy college students (16 females, 7 males; X age=26.0 years) completed 70 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors to induce soreness and then received random assignment to either a control or a compression sleeve group. The compression sleeve group wore an elastic compression sleeve on the exercised arm, extending from the deltoid insertion to the wrist, throughout the study. We obtained measures of subjective soreness, range of motion (ROM), circumference, arm volume, and isokinetic peak torque for both groups immediately before exercise and 10 min and 24, 48, and 72 hr after exercise. No significant differences were present between groups at any time reference for any of the dependent variables. Soreness peaked at 48 hr and then began to decline. Circumference and volume measurements increased over time with the greatest difference occurring 72 hr postexercise. Subject's ROM and peak torque decreased immediately following exercise and continued to be lower than baseline during the next 72 hr. Continuous external compression, which prior research has shown to be an effective treatment of edema resulting from a variety of acute injuries, was not effective in reducing the edema associated with DOMS, nor was it effective in reducing soreness, strength loss, or ROM loss as a result of DOMS in elbow flexors. Therefore, the clinical use of compression garments in treating DOMS in upper extremities is questionable.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Armstrong, R. B. (1984). Mechanisms of exercise-induced delayed onset muscular soreness: A brief review.Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 16: 529–538.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, R. B., Garshnek, V., and Schwane, J. (1980). Muscle inflammation: Response to eccentric exercise.Med. Sci. Sports 12: 94–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashton, H. (1962). Critical closing pressure in human peripheral vascular beds.Clin. Sci. 22: 79–83.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanave, C., and Thompson, M. (1993). Effect of training on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.J Appl Physiol. 75: 1545–1551.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bobbert, M. F., Hollander, A. P., and Huijing, P. A. (1986). Factors in delayed onset soreness of man.Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 18: 75–78.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson, P. M., and Tremblay, I. (1988). Exercise-induced muscle damage, repair, and adaptation in humans,J. Appl. Physiol. 65: 1–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cleak, M. J., and Eston, R. G. (1992). Muscle soreness, swelling, stiffness and strength loss after intense eccentric exercise.Br. J. Sports Med. 26: 267–272.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1977).Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences, Academic Press, New York, pp. 14–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly, A. E., McCormick, K., and Maughan, R. J. (1988). Effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug on delayed-onset muscle soreness and indices of damage.Br. J. Sports Med. 22: 35–38.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly, A. E., Maughan, R. J., and Whiting, P. H. (1990). Effects of ibuprofen on exercise-induced muscle soreness and indices of muscle damage.Br.J. Sports Med. 24: 191–195.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, R. H. T., Mills, K. R., and Newham, D. J. (1981). Measurement of severity and distribution of experimental muscle tenderness.J. Physiol. 317: 1P-2P.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, G. K., Rothstein, J. M., and Mayhew, T. P. (1991). Exercise-induced muscle soreness after concentric and eccentric isokinetic contractions.Phys. Ther. 71: 505–513.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Francis, K. T., and Hoobler, T. (1987). Effects of aspirin on delayed muscle soreness.J. Sports Med. 27: 333–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Francis, K. T., and Hoobler, T. (1988). Delayed onset muscle soreness and decreased isokinetic strength.J. Appl. Sport Sci. Res. 2: 20–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friden, J., Kjorell, U., and Thornell, L. E. (1983a). Delayed muscle soreness and cytoskeletal alterations: An immunocytochemical study in man.Int. J. Sports Med. 4: 177–184.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friden, J., Sjostrom, M., and Ekblom, B. (1983b). Myofibrillar damage following intense eccentric exercise in man.Int. J. Sports Med. 4: 170–176.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friden J., Sfakianos, P. N., and Hargens, A. R. (1986). Muscle soreness and intramuscular fluid pressure: Comparison between eccentric and concentric load.J. Appl. Physiol. 61: 2175–2179.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friden, J., Sfakianos, P. N., Hargens, A.R., and Akeson, W. (1988). Residual muscular swelling after repetitive eccentric contractions.J. Orthop. Res. 6: 493–498.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hasson, S. M., Barnes, W., Hunter, M., and Williams, J. (1989). Therapeutic effect of high speed voluntary muscle contractions on muscle soreness and muscle performance.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 10: 499–507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasson, S. M., Daniels, J. C., and Divine, J. G. (1993). Effect of ibuprofen use on muscle soreness, damage, and performance: A preliminary investigation.Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 25: 9–17.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoheisel, U., and Mense, S. (1989). Long-term changes in discharge behavior of cat dorsal horn neurons following noxious stimulation of deep tissues.Pain. 36: 239–247.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hough, T. (1902). Ergographic studies in muscular soreness.Am. J. Phys. 7: 76–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Husni, E., Simenes, J., and Hamilton, F. (1968). Pressure bandaging of the lower extremity: Use and abuse.JAMA 206: 2715–2719.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuipers, H., Keizer, H., and Verstappen, F. T. J. (1985). Influence of a prostaglandin inhibiting drug on muscle soreness after eccentric work.Int. J. Sports Med. 6: 336–339.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, C. E., Antione, J., Mueller, C., Talbot, W., Swaroop, R., and Edwards, W. (1976). Elastic compression in the prevention of venous stasis.Am. J Surg. 132: 739–743.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matsen, F. A., and Krugmire, R. B. (1974). The effect of externally applied pressure on post-fracture swelling.J. Bone Int. Surg. 56-A: 1586–1591.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mubarak, S. J., and Hargens, A. R. (1983). Acute compartment syndromes.Surg. Clin. N. Am. 63: 539–565.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Newham D. J. (1988). The consequences of eccentric contractions and their relationship to delayed onset muscle pain.Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. Occup Physiol. 57: 353–359.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Newham, D. J., and Jones, D. A. (1985). Intra-muscular pressure in the painful human biceps.Clin. Sci. 69: 27p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newham, D. J., McPhail, G., and Mills, K. R. (1983). Ultrastructural changes after concentric and eccentric contractions of human muscle.J. Neurol. Sci. 61: 109–122.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sarin, S., Scurr, J. H., and Coleridge-Smith, P. D. (1992). Mechanism of action of external compression on venous function.Br. J. Surg. 79: 499–502.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwane, J. A., Johnson, S. R., Vandenakker, C. B., and Armstrong, R. B. (1983). Delayed-onset muscular soreness and plasma CPK and LDH activities after downhill running.Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 15: 51–56.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sigel, B., Edelstein, A., Savitch, L., Hasty, J., and Felix, R. (1975) Type of compression for reducing venous stasis.Arch. Surg. 110: 171–175.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Staff, P. (1988). Clinical consideration in referred muscle pain and tenderness: Connective tissue reactions.Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 57: 369–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stauber, W. T., Clarkson, P. M., and Fritz, V. K. (1990). Extracellular matrix disruption and pain after eccentric muscle action.J. Appl. Physiol. 69: 868–874.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B., and Fidell, L. (1989).Using Multivariate Statistics, 2nd edition., Harper Collins, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Talag, T. S. (1973). Residual muscle soreness as influenced by concentric, eccentric, and static contractions.Res. Q. 44: 459–469.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkerson, G. B. (1985). External compression for controlling traumatic edema.Phys. Sportsmed. 13(6): 97–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yackzan, L., Adams, C., and Francis, K. T. (1984). The effects of ice massage on delayed muscle soreness.Am. J. Sports Med. 12: 159–165.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Room 158 SHRP Building, 35294, Birmingham, Alabama

    Jon Carling, Kennon Francis & Christopher Lorish

Authors
  1. Jon Carling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kennon Francis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Christopher Lorish
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carling, J., Francis, K. & Lorish, C. The effects of continuous external compression on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Int J Rehab Health 1, 223–235 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214641

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214641

Key Words

  • muscle soreness
  • swelling
  • compression