The effect of “Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness” on Ground Reaction Forces and Loading Rate During Landing in Healthy Subjects

The link between “Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness” (DOMS) and force components and loading rate during landing is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of “Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness” on ground reaction forces and loading rate during landing in Healthy non-athlete subjects.

This research was a semi-experimental (DOMS-induced exercises by Harvard step test) with a pretest and post-test design. The present study’s statistical population of the consisted of non-athlete students were volunteered to participate in this study. A total of 15 healthy male non-athlete students were selected following a simple random sampling by Lottery procedure. In this study, the demographic questionnaire and “General Health Questionnaire” were used to assess the general health conditions and enter the subjects into the study. The weight and height of the subjects were measured using the tools and devices of the Sika 206 dynamometer and gauge screen, respectively. The validity and reliability of these instruments have been confirmed in previous studies. To control the landing height, Vicon motion analysis system including 4 high-speed infrared cameras was used. The Ground Reaction Force(GRFs) during cross-landing was measured using a force plate and then the kinetic indices including the peak and depth of the Ground Reaction Force and the time of reaching the peak and bottom and the loading rate were extracted by Vicon Nexus software. Data were analyzed using SPSS. 23.

“Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness” has no effect on the Ground Reaction Force when heel contact (P <0.05). “Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness” reduces the maximum vertical reaction force (FZ1) in toe contact with the ground (P = 0.038) and the minimum vertical reaction force (FZ2) in toe contact with the ground (P = 0.006) after It was 48 hours. People with “Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness” have a faster time to reach the 1.2 FZ characteristic (P = 0.001 and P = 0.010). 

“Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness” reduces the vertical force of the reaction when the toe comes in contact with the ground when landing, as well as the faster arrival time of the reaction forces when in contact with the toe. Therefore, it is suggested that therapists, physiotherapists and other groups be trained about the treatment and prevention strategies of these risk factors in activity and rehabilitation with feedback from the changes of these biomechanical parameters.