Influence of compression therapy on symptoms following soft tissue injury from maximal eccentric exercise

Study Design: A between groups design was used to compare recovery followin g eccentric muscle damage under 2 experimental conditions. Objective: To determine ii a compression sleeve donned immediately alter ma ximal eccentric exercise would enhance recovery of physical function and de crease symptoms oi soreness. Background: Prior investigations using ice, intermittent compression, or ex ercise have not shown efficacy in relieving symptoms of delayed onset muscl e soreness (DOMS). To date, no study has shown the effect of continuous com pression on DOMS, yet this would offer a low cost intervention for patients suffering with the symptoms of DOMS. Methods and Measures: Twenty nonimpaired non-strength-trained women partici pated in the study. Subjects were matched for age, anthropometric data, and one repetition maximum concentric arm curl strength and then randomly plac ed into a control group (n = 10) or an experimental compression sleeve grou p (n = 10). Subjects were instructed to avoid pain-relieving modalities leg , analgesic medications, ice) throughout the study. The experimental group wore a compressive sleeve garment for 5 days following eccentric exercise. Subjects performed 2 sets of 50 passive arm curls with the dominant arm on an isokinetic dynamometer with a maximal eccentric muscle action superimpos ed every fourth passive repetition. One repetition maximum elbow flexion, u pper arm circumference, relaxed elbow angle, blood serum cortison creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and perception oi soreness questionnaires we re collected prior to the exercise bout and daily thereafter for 5 days. Results: Creatine kinase was significantly elevated from the baseline value in both groups, although the experimental compression test group showed de creased magnitude of creatine kinase elevation following the eccentric exer cise. Compression sleeve use prevented loss of elbow motion, decreased perc eived soreness, reduced swelling, and promoted recovery of force production . Conclusions: Results from this study underline the importance of compressio n in soft tissue injury management.