Physical Activity for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

(WIO Trial)

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Toronto

Must not be taking: NSAIDs, Oral contraceptives

Disqualifiers: Tobacco use, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 1 week

16 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

After completing novel activity or exercise we may experience exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), resulting in a period of reduced muscle function and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS is characterized by muscle pain and tenderness that typically resolves within a week. While the precise cause of DOMS is unknown, there is growing evidence implicating damage to the connective tissue that surrounds our muscle fibers and is related to a small amount of inflammation. This inflammation is a normal part of our body's ability to recovery from injuries and may be visualized through the use of ultrasound technology. A variety of recovery techniques have been proposed that may help with the recovery of DOMS such as massage and electrical muscle stimulation, but these are not always accessible. Therefore, we are interested in investigating whether the number of daily steps can affect how you experience DOMS.

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Walk It Off! for delayed onset muscle soreness?

A study found that physical activity, including walking, can help reduce muscle soreness after exercise. This suggests that the Walk It Off! treatment, which involves walking, may be effective in managing delayed onset muscle soreness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is physical activity safe for treating delayed onset muscle soreness?

The study on physical activity and ibuprofen for delayed onset muscle soreness involved 44 non-athletic male volunteers and included walking, jogging, and stretching exercises. No specific safety concerns were reported for the physical activity component, suggesting it is generally safe for humans. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

How does the treatment 'Walk It Off!' for delayed onset muscle soreness differ from other treatments?

The 'Walk It Off!' treatment is unique because it involves physical activity, specifically walking, as a way to alleviate muscle soreness, unlike other treatments that often use cold therapy or passive methods. This approach may help by promoting blood flow and muscle recovery through gentle movement. ^{1 6 10 11 12}

Eligibility Criteria

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

Healthy, recreationally active male and female participants with weekly MET-minutes > 3000 assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire

Not having a health condition that would compromise their ability to safely participate in the strenuous physical activity involved in the study screened for by the get active questionnaire

Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-30

Exclusion Criteria

Self-reported regular tobacco use

I regularly take drugs like Advil for pain or inflammation.

Inability to adhere to any of the compliance rules judged by the principal investigator or medical doctor

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in an unaccustomed bout of resistance exercise followed by daily step count interventions

1 week

Daily assessments (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage and DOMS

1 week

Daily assessments (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Walk It Off!

Trial Overview The study investigates the effect of daily step count on recovery from DOMS. It involves eccentric resistance exercises to induce muscle soreness, followed by monitoring participants' recovery based on their physical activity levels.

Participant Groups

Group I: Moderate Activity Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Requires completion of less than 5,000 steps per day

Group II: High Activity Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Requires completion of greater than 10,000 steps per day

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

739

Recruited

1,125,000+

Findings from Research

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common issue that can hinder performance after exercise, typically peaking 1 to 4 days post-activity.

The article highlights that while various strategies exist to alleviate DOMS, their effectiveness and safety are often not well understood.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cochrane review: Whole-body cryotherapy (extreme cold air exposure) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise in adults. Costello, JT., Baker, PR., Minett, GM., et al.[2019]

Dehydration during exercise in a hot environment significantly increased delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and perceived pain compared to euhydrated individuals, indicating that proper hydration is crucial for muscle recovery.

Participants who were dehydrated experienced greater muscle microdamage, as evidenced by higher pain levels and tenderness, suggesting that exercising in heat without adequate hydration can worsen muscle injury.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dehydration and symptoms of delayed-onset muscle soreness in hyperthermic males. Cleary, MA., Sweeney, LA., Kendrick, ZV., et al.[2020]

Cold water immersion significantly reduces delayed onset muscle soreness after high-intensity exercise, with notable reductions in pain observed at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise, as indicated by standardized mean differences of -0.55, -0.66, and -0.93, respectively.

The findings support the use of cold water immersion as a reasonable intervention for individuals experiencing muscle soreness from high-intensity sports, despite some methodological limitations in the studies reviewed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Cold-water immersion versus passive therapy to decrease delayed onset muscular soreness: a CAT]. Aguilera Eguía, RA., Ibacache Palma, A.[2019]

The study found that both myelinated Aδ-fibres and unmyelinated C-fibres contribute to mechanical hypersensitivity following lengthening contractions (LC), indicating a complex pain response in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Blocking the acid-sensing ion channel ASIC3 with a specific inhibitor (APETx2) significantly reduced mechanical hypersensitivity in muscle, suggesting that ASIC3 could be a promising target for developing new pain relief treatments after exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Thin-fibre receptors expressing acid-sensing ion channel 3 contribute to muscular mechanical hypersensitivity after exercise. Matsubara, T., Hayashi, K., Wakatsuki, K., et al.[2020]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Time course of muscle soreness following different types of exercise. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Delayed-onset muscle soreness: a pilot study to assess analgesic study design features. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Managing delayed-onset muscle soreness: lack of effect of selected oral systemic analgesics. [2020]

4. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Delayed muscle soreness. The inflammatory response to muscle injury and its clinical implications. [2018]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The isolated and combined effects of selected physical activity and ibuprofen on delayed-onset muscle soreness. [2013]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cochrane review: Whole-body cryotherapy (extreme cold air exposure) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise in adults. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

BounceBack capsules for reduction of DOMS after eccentric exercise: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dehydration and symptoms of delayed-onset muscle soreness in hyperthermic males. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can muscle soreness after intensive work-related activities be predicted? [2009]

10. Chile pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Cold-water immersion versus passive therapy to decrease delayed onset muscular soreness: a CAT]. [2019]

11. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of preconditioning by light load eccentric exercise versus heat on markers of muscle damage in collegiate males. [2020]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Thin-fibre receptors expressing acid-sensing ion channel 3 contribute to muscular mechanical hypersensitivity after exercise. [2020]