Subacute Influence of Body Cooling on the Perception of Delayed Onset Muscle Pain

Objective: To investigate the subacute influence of the use of body cooling by immersion in cold water on the perception of Delayed Muscle Pain (DOMS), in the posterior leg muscles, 24, 48 and 72 hours after carrying out a three-course muscle fatigue protocol. series of repetitions until concentric failure of the bilateral plantar flexion and dorsiflexion movement. Methods: 22 untrained participants (age: 20.4±1.7 years; body mass: 65.91±15.38kg; height: 166.86±8.47cm) participated in an effort protocol that consisted of three sets of repetitions until concentric failure of the leg muscles, of plantar flexion and bilateral dorsiflexion movement, with one's own body weight. After one minute, through a draw, one of the legs was designated for immersion, up to the height of the popliteal fold, in a vat of ice water (between 12 and 14º C), during three stages of 5 minutes with a 1 minute break between each stage, totaling 15 minutes of immersion. At the same time, the other leg remained in passive recovery, serving as control. After 24, 48 and 72 hours, the individuals were evaluated regarding the perception of DOMS, in both legs, with an analog pressure algometer (pressure of 6kgf/cm²). The perception of pain was signaled by the participants using the Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results and conclusions: No statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between body cooling and passive recovery, in both groups, in the assessment of perception of DOMS 24, 48 and 72 hours after the exercise protocol.