Comparative Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Massage on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Amateur Athletes in the University of Port Harcourt

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the comparative effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and massage on delayed onset muscular soreness at the University of Port Harcourt. Methods: This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design to examine the comparative effects of TENS and massage on delayed onset muscular soreness amongst 40 amateur athletes (twenty males and twenty females) within the ages of 20 to 22, whose heights were within 1.58 to 1.62 meters and weight of 60 to 65 kilograms. They were classified into 3 groups whose biceps muscle were subjected to eccentric exercises to exhaustion. Treatment modalities were administered and their effects monitored 2 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours post- exercise respectively. Numerical Pain Rating Scale was used to assess variations in soreness.  Data were collected through documented evidence as well as questionnaires and were subjected to mean, standard deviation, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. Results: The results indicate that massage is more effective than TENS in the treatment of DOMS from the comparative analysis. Conclusion: The study concluded that massage is more effective than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in managing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), as it promotes blood flow that helps repair damaged muscle fibers. Massage was recommended for reducing inflammation and aiding recovery by decreasing the active range of motion, while TENS was suggested specifically for alleviating pain and the inflammatory response linked to DOMS.