The effect of vibration on preventing the delayed onset muscle soreness in active girls

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of vibration on preventing the delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) which is caused by eccentric exercises. Our hypothesis was that the vibration exercise would reduce the delayed onset muscle soreness. The statistical population included 40 female athletes with an age range of 19 to 25 years who had 3 years of experiment in sports. Participants were divided randomly into two groups: vibration training (n = 20) and Non-vibration training (n = 20). The maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of quadriceps muscles in both left and right legs was measured, as well as the pressure pain threshold (PPT) in 5, 10 and 15 centimeters above patella and in the center of gastrocnemeus. Knee joint's range of motion (flexion and extension) was also measured and registered. In VT group, the quadriceps, gastrocnemeus muscles and hamstrings of both legs were vibrated for one minute, using a vibration system (with 50 hertz). Then, each group carried out eccentric exercises using the Leg Press system. After 24 hours, all the measurements including pain levels and muscle soreness were repeated by the VAS scale. Comparing the average amounts of changes, a significant decrease in maximum voluntary contraction of quadriceps muscles (P < 0.05) and in pressure pain threshold was indicated (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in knee joint range of motion among Non-VT subjects compared to VT subjects was also shown in this study. The mean levels of muscle soreness of VT group (24 hours after eccentric exercise) were significantly lower than Non-VT group. (P < 0.01)The comparison of outcomes showed that the vibration training could reduce delayed onset muscle soreness caused by eccentric exercises.