Predisposing Factors of Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness in Untrained Athletes: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common consequence of ultrastructural muscle damage. Following unusual eccentric exercises, individuals who are not professionally trained or are amateur athletes experience muscle tenderness that can range from mild discomfort to severe debilitating pain. Aim: To identify the factors that contribute to the development of DOMS in untrained athletes and to raise awareness about these factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiotherapy, GEMS College of Physiotherapy, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India on 50 untrained athletes aged 18-25 years, over a period of eight months from January to September 2022, with complete enrollment of untrained athletes. The history of pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion and DOMS was surveyed through a self-reported questionnaire, followed by quantitative statistical analysis using mean, standard deviation and percentages of the data. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.04±2.7401 years. The current research examined various predisposing factors that influenced the occurrence of DOMS. Specifically, 35 (70%) athletes reported engaging in eccentric exercises; 24 (48%) athletes reported exposure to hot weather and outdoor environments; 32 (64%) athletes reported neglecting warm-up sessions; and 43 (86%) athletes reported skipping cool-down exercises. Conclusion: The study concluded that the group of muscles comprising the shoulders and biceps is particularly susceptible to experiencing pain, loss of strength, muscle tenderness and reduced range of motion as a result of DOMS. DOMS is commonly induced by engaging in high-intensity workouts, such as lifting heavy weights with eccentric contractions, without proper warm-up and cool-down routines, especially in hot outdoor environments.