Effects of cryotherapy on muscle damage markers and perception of delayed onset muscle soreness after downhill running: A Pilot study

Objective: To investigate the effects of cryotherapy on markers of muscle damage, as well as the perception of muscle soreness caused by eccentric exercise after downhill running. Methods: Ten participants (age = 26 ± 5 year, height = 173 ± 8 cm and body mass = 70 ± 4 kg) performed two running trials on a treadmill tilted –6.6%, separated by one-week period. Cryotherapy (∼15 °C for 30 minutes) was conducted after one of the trials of exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase – CK; lactate dehydrogenase – LDH; calcium – [Ca2+]). Perception of muscle soreness was quantified using an analogical scale of pain. Data were collected before, 24 and 48 h after the trials with and without the use of cryotherapy. Results: Cryotherapy significantly reduced muscle soreness and was able to reestablish homeostasis in CK, LDH and [Ca2+]. Conclusion: Use of cryotherapy after exercise with eccentric contractions was effective to reestablish the level of biochemical markers of muscle damage and reduce muscle soreness and pain perception in subjects submitted to downhill running