Abstract
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a condition characterized by discomfort and swelling in the muscle that typically occurs after high-intensity or eccentric exercise. The positive psychological and physiological effects of mindfulness meditation suggest that it may be useful as a method for preventing DOMS. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of mindfulness meditation on DOMS in normal, healthy adults. METHODS: Twenty-two undergraduate students, ages 18-22, participated in an eccentric bicep curl exercise protocol and 15-minute mindfulness meditation session. Participants exercised one arm before the meditation session (control arm), and one arm after the meditation session (experimental arm). Range of motion (ROM) measurements were taken using a plastic goniometer and pain-pressure threshold (PPT) measurements were taken using a force sensor directly before exercise and approximately 48 hours after exercise. A two-tailed paired t-test determined if there was a significant difference in the change in measurement from pre-testing to post-testing between the control and experimental arm. RESULTS: The mean (sd) pre- and post-test ROM values in degrees were 144.32 (4.47) and 138.32 (10.69) for the control arm and 143.91 (4.67) and 141.91(4.97) for the experimental arm. The ROM post-test values were 4.2% lower than the pre-test values for the control arm and 1.4% lower than the pre-test values for the experimental arm. There was no significant difference in the change in ROM between the control arm and the experimental arm (t(22)= -1.97, p = 0.063). The mean (sd) pre- and post-test PPT values in newtons were 15.92 (6.50) and 12.29 (5.62) for the control arm and 15.74 (5.43) and 12.53 (5.27) for the experimental arm. The PPT post-test values were 22.9% lower than the pre-test values for the control arm and 20.4% lower than the pre-test values for the experimental arm There was no significant difference in the change in PPT between the control arm and the experimental arm (t(22)= -0.54, p = 0.593). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that mindfulness meditation did not have a significant effect on DOMS, suggesting that mindfulness meditation would not be an effective method for preventing DOMS.
Recommended Citation
Ruehr, Ella M.
(2022)
"Effect of Meditation Before Eccentric Exercise on Induced Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in Elbow Flexors of Normal Healthy Adults,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
14, Article 138.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss14/138