AIM: To verify whether "Eccentric muscle training of quadriceps femoris muscle in athletes will be effective in minimizing the incidence and severity of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)". Long distance runners suffer with delayed onset muscle soreness. Many interventions have been tried and reported. METHODS: Forty long distance male runners between 18 to 25 years of age were included in this study. They were equally categorized in two groups. Control group consisted of the subjects who were given only stretching exercises. The experimental group was given eccentric repetitive low intensity eccentric muscle training of quadriceps femoris muscle along with stretching exercises. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scale and Functional Independence Measure Score (FIMS) were used as prognostic tools. The data collected was analyzed with the help of unpaired "t" test and Chi square test. RESULTS: Experimental group showed improvement in pain scale compared to control group (t value = 2.02 at p < 0.05). FIMS showed significant improvement in experimental group (t value = 2.02 at p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Eccentric training of quadriceps femoris muscle can be incorporated into warm up program for the long distance runners to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness.

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