In 2014, Imtiyaz, et. al., conducted study about Muscle soreness, known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), which is a common consequence of intense exercise. DOMS can lead to discomfort and reduced performance. Various strategies, such as vibration therapy and massage, have been proposed to alleviate DOMS. In this study, researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of vibration therapy and massage in preventing DOMS in a group of healthy female non-athletes.

The study used a Pre-test and Post-test Control-Group Design. A total of 45 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: vibration therapy, massage therapy, and a control group. Before the exercise, the experimental groups received either vibration therapy (50 Hz vibration for five minutes) or massage therapy (15 minutes), while the control group received no treatment. The subjects’ muscle condition was assessed using various measurements, including muscle soreness, range of motion, maximum isometric force, repetition maximum, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and creatine kinase (CK) level. These measurements were taken before and after the intervention, immediately post-exercise, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise.

The results showed that both the vibration therapy and massage groups experienced significantly less muscle soreness compared to the control group at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise. There were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups in maximum isometric force at any time point. However, the experimental groups demonstrated significant improvements in range of motion at 48 and 72 hours post-exercise. Massage therapy also resulted in a significant increase in concentric strength (1 repetition maximum) compared to the control group. Vibration therapy was found to significantly reduce LDH levels at 48 hours post-exercise, and both vibration and massage therapy significantly reduced CK levels at the same time point compared to the control group.

In conclusion, this study found that both vibration therapy and massage were equally effective in preventing DOMS. However, there were some differences in their effects. Massage therapy showed benefits in restoring concentric strength, while vibration therapy demonstrated early pain reduction and a significant decrease in LDH levels at 48 hours post-exercise. These findings suggest that both vibration therapy and massage can be valuable interventions in reducing muscle soreness after exercise, with each offering unique advantages. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and optimal application of these therapies in the context of DOMS prevention.

Reference: Imtiyaz, S., Veqar, Z., & Shareef, M. Y. (2014). To compare the effect of vibration therapy and massage in prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: JCDR, 8(1), 133.