A comparison of the effects of a stretching and a cold before stretching treatment on the recovery of range of motion and perception of soreness following delayed muscle soreness.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of two types of treatment, static stretch and cold prior to static stretch, on the recovery of range of motion of the ankle and perception of soreness of the calf muscle following exercise that causes delayed muscle soreness. Sixty subjects, male and female, ranging in age from 18 to 25, performed 30 sets of a plantar/dorsiflexion movement on one leg. Each set consisted of 15 seconds of exercise followed by 15 seconds of rest. Each subject was measured for ankle range of motion and perception of soreness before exercise and at 24 and 48 hours after exercise. The subjects were assigned to one of three groups: control (no postexercise treatment), stretching (performed six 30 second static stretches), and a cold application before stretch (immersed leg in 57 degree F. water for 15 minutes beforeperforming the same stretching routine). Treatments were given immediately after exercise and at 3 and 24 hours after exercise. A fixed-effects model for a two-factor ANOVA was used to analyze the data with a p< 0.1 level of significance. The results indicated no significant differences between groups in relief from soreness or recovery of range of motion. The mean of all three groups decreased in range of motion at 24 hours and slightly increased at 48 hours. The control group showed the greatest recovery of range of motion at 24 and 48 hours, with the cold and stretch group having the slowest recovery during that time. The control and stretching groups decreased in soreness from 24 to 48 hours, with the control group having the greatest amount of relief, although soreness was still apparent. The cold and stretch group had a greater amount of soreness at 48 hours compared to their 24 hour measurement. The results of this study suggest that treatment with cold plus stretching might have a psychological effect on perceived soreness during the time period in which the treatments are administered (i.e. the first 24 hours). The cold plus stretch group recorded the lowest perception of soreness at 24 hours. While the other two groups decreased in soreness at 48 hours, the cold plus stretch group increased. The control group showed the greatest rate and extent of recovery of range of motion and perception of soreness at 48 hours, although not statistically significant. No treatment prevented the occurrence of OMS.