Ice-water immersion and delayed-onset muscle soreness: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if ice-water immersion after eccentric quadriceps exercise minimises the symptoms of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).


METHODS
A prospective randomised double-blind controlled trial was undertaken. 40 untrained volunteers performed an eccentric loading protocol with their non-dominant leg.


METHODS
Participants were randomised to three 1-min immersions in either ice water (5+/-1 degrees C) or tepid water (24 degrees C).


METHODS
Pain and tenderness (visual analogue scale), swelling (thigh circumference), function (one-legged hop for distance), maximal isometric strength and serum creatine kinase (CK) recorded at baseline, 24, 48 and 72 h after exercise. Changes in outcome measures over time were compared to determine the effect of group allocation using independent t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests.


RESULTS
No significant differences were observed between groups with regard to changes in most pain parameters, tenderness, isometric strength, swelling, hop-for-distance or serum CK over time. There was a significant difference in pain on sit-to-stand at 24 h, with the intervention group demonstrating a greater increase in pain than the control group (median change 8.0 vs 2.0 mm, respectively, p = 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
The protocol of ice-water immersion used in this study was ineffectual in minimising markers of DOMS in untrained individuals. This study challenges the wide use of this intervention as a recovery strategy by athletes.
Sellwood
Kylie Louise
KL
Sports Physicians ACT, Deakin, ACT 2600, Australia. kyliesellwood@optusnet.com.au
Brukner
Peter
P
Williams
David
D
Nicol
Alastair
A
Hinman
Rana
R
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007053:Ice; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D007053:Ice; D003402:Creatine Kinase