Ice massage: Effects on exercise-induced muscle damage

• Published in: Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness 2003-12, Vol.43 (4), p.500-505
• Main Authors: HOWATSON, G, VAN SOMEREN, K. A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Arm - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Control Groups; Creatine Kinase - blood; Cross-Over Studies; Cryotherapy - methods; Exercise; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Massage - methods; Muscle, Skeletal - injuries; Research Methodology; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 0022-4707; 1827-1928

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ice massage on the signs and symptoms associated with exercise-induced muscle damage. Nine recreationally resistance trained males performed an exercise protocol designed to induce muscle damage on 2 separate occasions; this was performed on the dominant or non-dominant arm in a random cross over design. The protocol consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions of single arm biceps curls, at 70% of a pre-determined one repetition maximum (1RM), with the eccentric phase of the contraction extended to 7 seconds. Subjects were also randomly assigned to an ice massage group or control group in the cross over design and received treatments immediately post-exercise, 24 hours and 48 hours post-exercise. 1RM, plasma creatine kinase (CK), muscle soreness (DOMS), limb girth and range of motion (ROM) were measured pre, immediately post, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours post-exercise. Significant time effects were observed for all dependent variables (p