Effects Of Yoga Before vs After Eccentric Exercise On Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

Delayed onset muscle soreness is a multifactorial well-known phenomenon associated with swelling, tenderness, altered joint kinematics, muscle fiber disruption, acute tissue damage, decreased strength and power, and stiffness. Delayed onset muscle soreness are experienced by both elite and novice athletes after exposure to unaccustomed or strenuous exercise that particularly involves eccentric contractions. The symptoms can range from mild muscle tenderness to severe agonizing pain. According to the "Munich Consensus Statement", Delayed onset muscle soreness is an overexertion-functional muscle disorder that involves type Ib fibers. The intensity of discomfort and soreness associated with delayed onset muscle soreness depends on the level of fitness, type, and repetitions of exercise performed with eccentric exercises resulting in micro injury at a greater frequency and severity in comparison to other exercises. The intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness increases within the first 24 hours and peaks between 24-72 hours. The symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness subside within 5-7 days after the exercise and thus differ from normal muscle soreness that occurs immediately after the exercise. Although delayed onset muscle soreness is considered a mild type of muscle injury, however; it can affect athletic performance to a great level by causing a reduction in joint range of motion, shock attenuation, and peak torque. Numerous treatment strategies have been used lately to reduce the incidence of delayed onset muscle soreness including hyperbaric oxygen, anti-inflammatory medication, massage, cryotherapy, homeopathy, stretching, electrotherapeutic modalities, ultrasound, rest, light exercise, and yoga. Yoga is a process of physical and mental reconditioning that involves simple meditation, the adoption of certain postures, and breath control. The various health benefits associated with yoga include improved flexibility and balance, muscle strength, skeletal muscle oxygen uptake, lung function, pain relief, and lower stress levels. Depending upon the type, intensity, and the number of repetitions of exercise various yoga poses can be performed before and after eccentric exercises as a warmup or a cool-down procedure to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness.

The current study is aimed to fill the literature gap by finding the difference in the effects of pre and post-exercise yoga poses in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness. This study will provide a guide to elite and novice athletes to effectively incorporate yoga poses in their exercise protocol to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness that results in decreased performance.

Inclusion criteria

• Untrained men and women
• Aged between 18-30 years
• Body mass index less than 30
• Asymptomatic of disease and illness

Exclusion criteria

• Any injury in the arms and/or legs that caused a visit to a medical provider
• Participants who are unable to perform any of the yoga pose.
• High blood pressure
• Pregnant
• Diabetes
• Any nerve, muscle, or joint disorder