Does post-exercise massage treatment reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a frequent problem after unaccustomed exercise. No universally accepted treatment exists. Massage therapy is often recommended for this condition but uncertainty exists about its effectiveness.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether post-exercise massage alleviates the symptoms of DOMS after a bout of strenuous exercise.


METHODS
Various computerised literature searches were carried out and located seven controlled trials.


RESULTS
Most of the trials were burdened with serious methodological flaws, and their results are far from uniform. However, most suggest that post-exercise massage may alleviate symptoms of DOMS.


CONCLUSIONS
Massage therapy may be a promising treatment for DOMS. Definitive studies are warranted.
Ernst
E
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Department of Complementary Medicine, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Exeter, United Kingdom.
D000328:Adult; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000032:analysis; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010919:Placebos; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D010919:Placebos; D003402:Creatine Kinase