title: Static magnetic fields neither prevent nor diminish symptoms and signs of delayed onset muscle soreness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether application of a commercially available static magnetic field would alter the signs and/or symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) produced by exhaustive eccentric exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled study, with subjects serving as their own controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  An outpatient physical therapy and performance center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three healthy volunteers (18 women; mean age, 30 y; range, 18-40 y; 5 men; mean age, 29 y; range, 19-39 y).
  
  
  METHODS
  After exhaustive eccentric exercise of both the right and left elbow flexor muscle groups, subjects received daily treatment with either a 350G magnet or a placebo device for 5 consecutive days.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome variables, including anthropometric measurements, perceived discomfort, and muscle force production, were compared using linear mixed models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Arm circumference, relaxed elbow flexion angle, and pain increased, whereas active elbow flexion angle and maximal isometric torque decreased transiently before returning to near baseline. No significant difference in outcome variables existed between the treated and control arms. Participants reported less pain in both treated and control arms after each session, suggesting a placebo effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Static magnetic fields were no more effective than placebo in preventing DOMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI, USA. reeser.jonathan@marshfieldclinic.org
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reeser
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Kejian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Charmaine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Untiedt
authors.forename: Mayro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubista
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain