OBJECTIVE: Verification of therapeutic effects of hyperthermal applications (hotwater-bath, sauna-bath) at painful muscle overload ('delayed-onset muscle soreness'; DOMS). SUBJECT: Controlled study concerning the course of loss of muscular strength, muscle pain and serum level of muscle enzymes in muscle overstrain (DOMS) with and without hyperthermal applications with respect to untrained women. DESIGN: Production of muscle overload of the arms with defined, negative-dynamic work (30% of maximal power for 30 mins). Partition (randomised) of 60 females into 4 groups (n = l5) with the following therapeutic applications (twice): (1) group with complete hot water-bath (41 degrees C) for 20 mins; (2) control group: complete water-bath with thermoindifferent temperature (36 degrees C) for 20 mins; (3) group with hot, dry Finnish Sauna-bath (twice 15 mins). (4) Control group with no application. Measurement of all parameters were done 2 days before muscle overload, lasting for nine subsequent days. RESULTS: A significantly smaller decrease in maximal isometric arm force, a lesser degree of muscle pain (scale estimation), a lower level of muscle enzymes (creatine kinase; aspartate amino transferase) in the serum as well as a faster fading away of the symptoms were found in the group with hyerthermal water baths in comparison to their control group. In the group with sauna-baths similar results were found (in parts), but the differences to the control group were not of statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive hyperthermal applications have a probable effect on 'delayed-onset muscle soreness' (DOMS) and confirm the experiences of athletes.

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