Measurement of Pain, Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness and Muscle Strengths after Performing Various Eccentric Exercise Protocols with Partial Range of Motion

Introduction: Physical activity and unaccustomed exercise induces muscle pain, muscle soreness that can decrease the muscle strength at joints initially. Aim: To understand the level of muscle strength, Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS), pain and functional limitations after completing various intensities of Eccentric Exercise (ECC) through Partial Range of Motion (PROM). Materials and Methods: Eighteen participants (men and women) aged between 18 and 30 years were recruited from the students of the University of New England assigned into 3 groups. Participants performed ECC protocol through 60 degrees of total Range of Motion (ROM) using dynamic adjustable ROM controlled elbow and knee joint splints (on elbow flexors, elbow extensors, knee flexors and/or knee extensors; one muscle group/limb). Before and after ECC protocols, the Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) was calculated for all the muscles. Group-1 performed ECC exercise only; group-2 performed yoga poses prior to ECC exercise; and group-3 performed ECC exercise prior to yoga poses. Participants performed ECC exercise (5x10 repetitions) on all four limbs at 60 degrees of total ROM using their 15%/25%/35% of MVICs on day 1 and subjective {health Activities of Daily Living (ADL) difficulty scale, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)} and objective assessments {Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT), arm and thigh circumference, and ROM} from day 2-6 of weeks 2, 3 and 4. Results: The post-ECC MVIC was higher than pre-ECC MVIC values in all tested muscles and showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) within each group. ADLs, VAS, and PPT for the elbow extensors and knee flexors showed a minimal pain (0-2) and didn't show a statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between groups. The elbow flexors and knee extensors didn't show pain within and between the groups. There was no significant difference in the ROM and, arm and thigh circumference between the groups. Conclusion: Four weeks of ECC exercise protocol with and without yoga improved the muscle strength, reduced muscle soreness and pain in elbow and knee for ADLs in the younger individuals. Current research protocol can be applied to the older adults' who are in chronic conditions with co- morbidities to improve their muscle strength, and ROM to fulfill their ADL and healthy independent life.