Physical Activity for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
(WIO Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if the number of daily steps affects delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), the muscle pain and tenderness following new activities or exercises. Participants will be divided into two groups: one taking more than 10,000 steps daily and another taking fewer than 5,000 steps daily. The study, titled "Walk It Off!", seeks healthy, recreationally active individuals who have not engaged in resistance exercises or lower body workouts for at least three months. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to understanding how daily activity levels influence muscle recovery.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that you do not regularly use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Advil) or oral contraceptives if you are a female participant.
What prior data suggests that this protocol is safe for managing delayed onset muscle soreness?
Research has shown that engaging in a lot of physical activity, such as walking more than 10,000 steps a day, can sometimes cause mild muscle and joint aches. This has been observed in nurses who are very active at work. However, these aches are usually not serious and resolve quickly.
In contrast, moderate activity, like walking less than 5,000 steps a day, is generally gentle on the body. Studies indicate that regular moderate activity benefits health and may reduce the risk of certain health problems.
Overall, both high and moderate levels of activity are safe for most people. Any discomfort from increased activity is typically manageable and short-lived.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the "Walk It Off!" trial because it explores how different levels of physical activity can help relieve delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in a more natural and accessible way than current options like anti-inflammatory medications, rest, or massage. Unlike traditional treatments, which often involve medication or passive recovery, this approach emphasizes active recovery through walking, which can be easily integrated into daily routines. The trial investigates whether walking more than 10,000 steps (high activity) or less than 5,000 steps (moderate activity) per day can effectively reduce muscle soreness, potentially offering a simple, drug-free strategy for managing DOMS.
What evidence suggests that increasing daily steps could be effective for delayed onset muscle soreness?
Research shows that physical activity can affect muscle soreness after exercise, known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). In this trial, participants will follow different activity levels to study these effects. The "High Activity" arm requires more than 10,000 steps per day, which studies have linked to increased muscle aches, including soreness. This suggests that high daily activity might alter the experience of soreness. The "Moderate Activity" arm requires fewer than 5,000 steps per day, associated with health benefits like reduced muscle soreness. This indicates that both high and moderate activity levels can influence DOMS differently, possibly by affecting muscle recovery and inflammation.16789
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for young adults who have experienced muscle pain and tenderness after novel exercise, known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Participants should be interested in finding out if their daily physical activity level influences recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants engage in an unaccustomed bout of resistance exercise followed by daily step count interventions
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage and DOMS
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Walk It Off!
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Toronto
Lead Sponsor