CONTEXT: Research into alleviating muscle pain and symptoms in individuals after delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) has been inconsistent and unsuccessful in demonstrating a useful recovery modality. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of short-term whole-body vibration (WBV) on DOMS over a 72-hour period after a high-intensity exercise protocol. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: University laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Thirty women volunteered to participate in 4 esting sessions and were assigned randomly to a WBV group (n = 16; age 21.0 +/- 1.9 years, height 164.86 +/- 6.73 cm, mass 58.58 +/- 9.32 kg) or a control group (n = 14; age 22.00 +/- 1.97 years, height 166.65 +/- 8.04 cm, mass 58.69 +/- 12.92 kg). INTERVENTION(S): Participants performed 4 sets to failure of single-legged split squats with 40% of their body weight to induce muscle soreness in the quadriceps. The WBV or control treatment was administered each day after DOMS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Unilateral pressure-pain threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM), thigh circumference, and muscle-pain ratings of the quadriceps were collected before and for 3 days after high-intensity exercise. Each day, we collected 3 sets of measures, consisting of 1 measure before the WBV or control treatment protocol (pretreatment) and 2 sets of posttreatment measures. RESULTS: We observed no interactions for PPT, thigh circumference, and muscle pain (p > 0.05). An interaction was found for active ROM (p = 0.01), with the baseline pretreatment measure greater than the measures at baseline posttreatment 1 through 48 hours posttreatment 2 in the WBV group. For PPT, a main effect for time was revealed (p < 0.05), with the measure at baseline pretreatment greater than at 24 hours pretreatment and all other time points for the vastus medialis, greater than 24 hours pretreatment through 48 hours posttreatment 2 for the vastus lateralis, and greater than 24 hours pretreatment and 48 hours pretreatment for the rectus femoris. For dynamic muscle pain, we observed a main effect for time (p < 0.001), with the baseline pretreatment measure less than the measures at all other time points. No main effect for time was noted for thigh circumference (p = 0.24). No main effect for group was found for any variable (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The WBV treatment approach studied did not aid in alleviating DOMS after high-intensity exercise. Further research is needed in various populations.

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