Static magnetic fields neither prevent nor diminish symptoms and signs of delayed onset muscle soreness.
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.
Reeser
Jonathan C
JC
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI, USA. reeser.jonathan@marshfieldclinic.org
Smith
David T
DT
Fischer
Virginia
V
Berg
Richard
R
Liu
Kejian
K
Untiedt
Charmaine
C
Kubista
Mayro
M
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