THE EFFECTS OF STRETCHING AND CRYOTHERAPY ON DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS 1077

This study investigated the effects of static stretching and cryotherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Thirty healthy, active males, age 21.9±0.9 yrs, height 174.2±1.5 cm and body weight 67.6±1.0 Kg, served as subjects. Subjects were randomly assigned into stretching, cryotherapy and control groups. DOMS was initiated with eccentric exercise for bicep brachii on the non-dominant arm. Range of motion (ROM), soreness score and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured prior to and at 24, 48 and 72 hrs after the exercise. Isometrc strength was assessed before exercise and 72 hrs postexercise. Treatments were performed on the stretching (10 min) and cryotherapy (15min) subjects immediately after and 1, 2, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after the exercise. The results showed that the stretching group had higher ROM, lower soreness score and lower CK as compared to the control group. The cryotherapy did not relieve soreness and did not improve ROM and isometric strength. Conclusions Static stretching can help to diminish DOMS after eccentric exercise in men. However, cryotherapy has a negative effect in treating DOMS.