Pre-exercise vibration therapy and its effect on DOMS after eccentric exercise in healthy adults: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common aftereffect of unaccustomed or intense eccentric exercise. Vibration therapy (VT) has shown potential in modulating neuromuscular performance and pain perception. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre-exercise VT on muscle soreness, pain threshold, muscle strength, and functional performance following eccentric exercise. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 healthy volunteers aged 20–30 years were randomly assigned to either the VT group (n = 30) or non-VT control group (n = 30). The VT group received 1 minute of local vibration (50 Hz) on quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastro-soleus muscles bilaterally prior to eccentric squats. Outcomes measured at baseline and 24 hours post-exercise included isometric maximum voluntary contraction (IMVC), pain pressure threshold (PPT), visual analogue scale (VAS), and vertical jump test (VJT). Results: The VT group showed significantly less reduction in muscle strength and pain threshold, and reported lower soreness and higher jump performance compared to the control group (p