In 2011, a study has demonstrated the beneficial effects of vibration therapy on alleviating delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and enhancing the recovery of range of motion following eccentric exercise, although it shows no significant impact on muscle strength recovery or serum creatine kinase levels.

Exercise enthusiasts and athletes alike are no strangers to the discomfort of delayed-onset muscle soreness, typically experienced after intense or unfamiliar physical activity. Researchers Wing Yin Lau and Kazunori Nosaka sought to investigate whether vibration treatment could mitigate these symptoms and promote faster recovery.

In a meticulously designed randomized crossover study, 15 young men were recruited to perform 10 sets of six maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors, alternating between their right and left arms across two separate sessions spaced four weeks apart. Each arm was randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group in a counterbalanced manner.

The treatment group received a 30-minute vibration therapy session at 30 minutes post-exercise and then daily for four consecutive days. The control group did not receive any such intervention. Researchers assessed several markers of muscle damage, including delayed-onset muscle soreness, range of motion, muscle strength, and serum creatine kinase activity.

The findings revealed that vibration therapy significantly alleviated the intensity of muscle soreness and expedited the recovery of range of motion between the second and fifth days post-exercise (P < 0.05). However, it did not significantly influence muscle strength recovery or serum creatine kinase levels, which are markers of muscle damage.

Immediately following vibration treatment, participants experienced a notable reduction in muscle soreness and an increase in their pressure pain threshold and range of motion, indicating immediate benefits of the therapy.

This study suggests that vibration therapy is a promising modality for reducing delayed-onset muscle soreness and enhancing range of motion recovery after eccentric exercise. Despite these positive outcomes, the therapy does not appear to significantly impact muscle strength recovery or biochemical markers of muscle damage.

These findings provide valuable insights for athletes and individuals seeking effective methods to manage exercise-induced muscle soreness and improve functional recovery, highlighting vibration therapy as a potential addition to post-exercise recovery routines.

Reference: Lau, W. Y., & Nosaka, K. (2011). Effect of vibration treatment on symptoms associated with eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 90(8), 648-657.