Multi-Parametric Analysis of Below-Knee Compression Garments on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

Abstract

To investigate below-knee compression garments during exercise and a post-exercise period of 6 h on clinical, functional, and morphological outcomes in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Eighteen volunteers (age: 24.1 ± 3.6, BMI 22.7 ± 2.7 kg/m2) were enrolled. Measures were acquired at baseline, 6 h, and 48 h after eccentric and plyometric exercise, with wearing a compression garment (21–22 mmHg) on a calf during and for the first 6 h after exercise. 3T MRI was performed for quantification of intramuscular edema (T2 signal intensity (SI), T2 time, and manual volume segmentation); jump height, calf circumference, ankle dorsiflexion (DF), creatine kinase (CK), and muscle soreness were assessed. DOMS was confirmed in all participants after 48 h, with an increase in soreness (p < 0.001) and CK (p = 0.001), decrease in jump height (p < 0.01), and the presence of intramuscular edema (p < 0.01) in both the compressed and non-compressed limbs. No differences between the compressed and non-compressed limbs were observed for muscle soreness and jump height. MRI T2 SI, T2 time, soreness, and manual segmentation revealed no effect of the compression treatment. The assessment of calf circumference and DF showed no changes in either the compression or non-compression limb (p = 1.0). Wearing compression garments during combined eccentric and plyometric exercise and for 6 h post-exercise has no effect on clinical signs of DOMS, jump performance, or the development of intramuscular edema.

Sodium and quantitative hydrogen parameter changes in muscle tissue after eccentric exercise and in delayed‐onset muscle soreness assessed with magnetic resonance imaging

“…In this study, sodium and quantitative 1 H MRI parameter changes in muscular tissue after exhausting eccentric sports and in DOMS were Previous studies that investigated DOMS mainly applied T 1 -and T 2 -weighted sequences and focused on 1 H MRI. 47,48 To date, sodium MRI has so far only been applied directly after exercise but not in DOMS. 22,25 Studies assessing changes in sodium concentrations after muscle contraction have used sodium MRI to investigate short-term changes in TSC after repetitive plantarflexion 14 or after participants hopped on one leg.…”

“…Previous studies that investigated DOMS mainly applied T 1 ‐ and T 2 ‐weighted sequences and focused on 1 H MRI 47,48 . To date, sodium MRI has so far only been applied directly after exercise but not in DOMS 22,25 .…”

MRI of Potassium and Sodium Enables Comprehensive Analysis of Ion Perturbations in Skeletal Muscle Tissue After Eccentric Exercise

“…Moreover, the intramuscular edema volume within GM was determined based on T 2 TIRM 1 H MRI data by manual segmentation (Chimaera GmbH, Erlangen, Germany). The quantification of intramuscular edema was performed according to a previously published threshold-based approach 20,21 . Hyperintense vessels were segmented in the baseline images and subtracted from the segmented edema volume in the postexercise images 20,21 …”

“…The quantification of intramuscular edema was performed according to a previously published threshold-based approach. 20,21 Hyperintense vessels were segmented in the baseline images and subtracted from the segmented edema volume in the postexercise images. 20,21 Postprocessing of the 23 Na/ 39 K data sets is visualized in Figure 1B.…”

Application of diffusion microstructure imaging in musculoskeletal radiology — translation from head to shoulders

“…More recently, several quantitative MRI techniques have been evaluated for trauma and therapy monitoring of muscle injuries in athletes. T2 relaxation time measurements have been applied for the assessment of edema development in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) [2,3]. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI has been used for measurement of microvascular muscle perfusion and visualization of muscle activation in walking and running [4].…”