Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)NCT07627152
Isometric Exercise for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
A study testing Isometric Exercise in people with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), run by Istanbul Nisantasi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether isometric exercise can improve recovery following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in healthy young adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
- What is being tested?
- Isometric Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2025to 18 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Active athletes competing in University sports teams.
- Age between 18 and 30 years.
- Participation in organized sports training at least three times per week for the previous six months.
- No lower-extremity pain at the time of enrollment.
- Ability to safely perform the exercise protocol used to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
- Willingness to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- History of lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury within the previous 6 months.
- Previous lower-extremity surgery.
- Current musculoskeletal pain or injury affecting sports participation.
- Neurological, rheumatological, cardiovascular, or systemic disorders affecting physical performance.
- Use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle-relaxant medications during the study period.
- Participation in strenuous eccentric exercise within 72 hours prior to baseline testing.
- Use of recovery interventions (e.g., massage, cryotherapy, compression garments, electrical stimulation) during the study period.
- Inability to complete the exercise protocol or follow-up assessments.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
İstanbul Nisantasi University
Istanbul, Maslak, 34398
About this study
Official title: Effects of Isometric Exercise on Recovery Following Experimentally Induced Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether isometric exercise can improve recovery following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in healthy young adults.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
- Does isometric exercise reduce pain associated with delayed onset muscle soreness?
- Does isometric exercise improve pressure pain threshold, knee joint range of motion, muscle strength, and recovery following delayed onset muscle soreness?
Researchers will compare participants performing an isometric exercise program with a control group receiving no intervention to determine whether isometric exercise improves recovery after experimentally induced DOMS.
Participants will:
- Undergo a standardized exercise protocol to induce delayed onset muscle soreness.
- Be randomly assigned to either an isometric exercise group or a control group.
- Complete assessments of pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, knee range of motion, muscle strength, and thigh circumference.
- Be evaluated before exercise, immediately after exercise, and on Days 1, 3, and 5 following DOMS induction.
Read the detailed description
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common consequence of unaccustomed or high-intensity physical activity, particularly exercises involving eccentric muscle contractions. DOMS is characterized by pain, tenderness, temporary reductions in muscle function, decreased range of motion, and impaired physical performance, typically peaking between 24 and 72 hours after exercise.
Various recovery strategies have been investigated to reduce the symptoms of DOMS; however, evidence regarding the effectiveness of isometric exercise in facilitating recovery remains limited. Previous studies have suggested that isometric muscle contractions may induce analgesic effects and increase pressure pain thresholds in musculoskeletal conditions. Whether these effects can improve recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage and DOMS has not been fully established.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of an isometric exercise program on recovery following experimentally induced DOMS in healthy adults. DOMS was induced using a standardized drop-jump protocol. Participants were randomly assigned to either an isometric exercise group or a control group. Outcome assessments were performed before DOMS induction, immediately after exercise, and during follow-up evaluations on Days 1, 3, and 5.
The findings of this study may contribute to the understanding of the role of isometric exercise as a simple, low-cost, and clinically applicable recovery strategy following exercise-induced muscle soreness.
- Conditions
- Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
- Being tested
- Isometric Exercise, Sham Exercise
- Keywords
- Isometric Exercise, Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Pressure Pain Threshold, Pain, Recovery, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Isometric ExerciseOther
Participants performed a structured quadriceps isometric exercise program following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness. The exercise protocol was applied according to the study protocol throughout the recovery period.
Sham ExerciseOther
Participants performed a sham exercise protocol following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness. The sham intervention was designed to mimic the attention and participation associated with the experimental intervention without providing the intended therapeutic effect.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Isometric Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants in this group underwent a standardized protocol to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and subsequently performed a structured quadriceps isometric exercise program during the recovery period. Receives: Other: Isometric Exercise |
| Sham Exercise Group | Sham comparator | Participants performed a sham exercise protocol following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness. The sham intervention was designed to mimic the attention and participation associated with the experimental intervention without providing the intended therapeutic effect. Receives: Other: Sham Exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pressure Pain Threshold
Pressure pain threshold measured using a digital pressure algometer following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Measured: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Pain Intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS consists of a 10-cm horizontal line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Participants will indicate their perceived pain intensity by marking a point on the line. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Knee Joint Range of Motion
Knee joint range of motion measured using a standard goniometer.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Quadriceps Muscle Strength
Quadriceps muscle strength measured using a handheld dynamometer.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Thigh Circumference
Thigh circumference measured using a tape measure to assess exercise-induced swelling.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Apr 2025
- Primary completion18 Jul 2025
- Study completion18 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to either an isometric exercise group or a control group. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was induced using a standardized drop-jump protocol. The intervention group performed a structured isometric exercise program, whereas the control group received no intervention. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after exercise, and on Days 1, 3, and 5 following DOMS induction.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Nisantasi University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Onur Atakan Sekibağ, Istanbul Nisantasi University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07627152
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- OASIsometricDOMS
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 30 May 2026
- Last updated
- 16 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data underlying the published results may be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author, subject to institutional approval and applicable ethical requirements.
Publications
Di Lorenzo L, Forte AM, Agosti V, Forte F, Lanciano T, Pirraglia N, D'Avanzo C. Advances in Non-Pharmacological Strategies for DOMS: A Scoping and Critical Review of Recent Evidence. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2025 Nov 20;10(4):452. doi: 10.3390/jfmk10040452.
PubMed 41283559de Morais ACL, Machado AS, Pereira MEF, da Silva W, Priego-Quesada JI, Carpes FP. Intensity and volume of physical exercise influence DOMS and skin temperature differently in healthy adults. Sci Rep. 2024 Dec 5;14(1):30282. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-79785-2.
PubMed 39632894Rio E, van Ark M, Docking S, Moseley GL, Kidgell D, Gaida JE, van den Akker-Scheek I, Zwerver J, Cook J. Isometric Contractions Are More Analgesic Than Isotonic Contractions for Patellar Tendon Pain: An In-Season Randomized Clinical Trial. Clin J Sport Med. 2017 May;27(3):253-259. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000364.
PubMed 27513733Rio E, Kidgell D, Purdam C, Gaida J, Moseley GL, Pearce AJ, Cook J. Isometric exercise induces analgesia and reduces inhibition in patellar tendinopathy. Br J Sports Med. 2015 Oct;49(19):1277-83. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094386. Epub 2015 May 15.
PubMed 25979840Fleckenstein J, Simon P, Konig M, Vogt L, Banzer W. The pain threshold of high-threshold mechanosensitive receptors subsequent to maximal eccentric exercise is a potential marker in the prediction of DOMS associated impairment. PLoS One. 2017 Oct 6;12(10):e0185463. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185463. eCollection 2017.
PubMed 28985238
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Isometric Exercise on Recovery Following Experimentally Induced Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07627152
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- OASIsometricDOMS
- Conditions
- Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
- Keywords
- Isometric Exercise, Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Pressure Pain Threshold, Pain, Recovery, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Nisantasi UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether isometric exercise can improve recovery following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in healthy young adults.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does isometric exercise reduce pain associated with delayed onset muscle soreness?
- Does isometric exercise improve pressure pain threshold, knee joint range of motion, muscle strength, and recovery following delayed onset muscle soreness?
Researchers will compare participants performing an isometric exercise program with a control group receiving no intervention to determine whether isometric exercise improves recovery after experimentally induced DOMS.
Participants will:
- Undergo a standardized exercise protocol to induce delayed onset muscle soreness.
- Be randomly assigned to either an isometric exercise group or a control group.
- Complete assessments of pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, knee range of motion, muscle strength, and thigh circumference.
- Be evaluated before exercise, immediately after exercise, and on Days 1, 3, and 5 following DOMS induction.
Detailed description
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common consequence of unaccustomed or high-intensity physical activity, particularly exercises involving eccentric muscle contractions. DOMS is characterized by pain, tenderness, temporary reductions in muscle function, decreased range of motion, and impaired physical performance, typically peaking between 24 and 72 hours after exercise.
Various recovery strategies have been investigated to reduce the symptoms of DOMS; however, evidence regarding the effectiveness of isometric exercise in facilitating recovery remains limited. Previous studies have suggested that isometric muscle contractions may induce analgesic effects and increase pressure pain thresholds in musculoskeletal conditions. Whether these effects can improve recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage and DOMS has not been fully established.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects of an isometric exercise program on recovery following experimentally induced DOMS in healthy adults. DOMS was induced using a standardized drop-jump protocol. Participants were randomly assigned to either an isometric exercise group or a control group. Outcome assessments were performed before DOMS induction, immediately after exercise, and during follow-up evaluations on Days 1, 3, and 5.
The findings of this study may contribute to the understanding of the role of isometric exercise as a simple, low-cost, and clinically applicable recovery strategy following exercise-induced muscle soreness.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to either an isometric exercise group or a control group. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was induced using a standardized drop-jump protocol. The intervention group performed a structured isometric exercise program, whereas the control group received no intervention. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after exercise, and on Days 1, 3, and 5 following DOMS induction.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Isometric Exercise Group | Experimental | Other: Isometric ExerciseParticipants in this group underwent a standardized protocol to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and subsequently performed a structured quadriceps isometric exercise program during the recovery period. |
| Sham Exercise Group | Sham comparator | Other: Sham ExerciseParticipants performed a sham exercise protocol following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness. The sham intervention was designed to mimic the attention and participation associated with the experimental intervention without providing the intended therapeutic effect. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Active athletes competing in University sports teams.
- Age between 18 and 30 years.
- Participation in organized sports training at least three times per week for the previous six months.
- No lower-extremity pain at the time of enrollment.
- Ability to safely perform the exercise protocol used to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- History of lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury within the previous 6 months.
- Previous lower-extremity surgery.
- Current musculoskeletal pain or injury affecting sports participation.
- Neurological, rheumatological, cardiovascular, or systemic disorders affecting physical performance.
- Use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle-relaxant medications during the study period.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Isometric ExerciseParticipants performed a structured quadriceps isometric exercise program following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness. The exercise protocol was applied according to the study protocol throughout the recovery period. | Other | Isometric Exercise Group |
| Sham ExerciseParticipants performed a sham exercise protocol following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness. The sham intervention was designed to mimic the attention and participation associated with the experimental intervention without providing the intended therapeutic effect. | Other | Sham Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Pressure Pain Threshold
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Pressure pain threshold measured using a digital pressure algometer following experimentally induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS consists of a 10-cm horizontal line ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Participants will indicate their perceived pain intensity by marking a point on the line. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
3 secondary outcomes
Knee Joint Range of Motion
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Quadriceps Muscle Strength
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Thigh Circumference
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 41283559Di Lorenzo L, Forte AM, Agosti V, Forte F, Lanciano T, Pirraglia N, D'Avanzo C. Advances in Non-Pharmacological Strategies for DOMS: A Scoping and Critical Review of Recent Evidence. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2025 Nov 20;10(4):452. doi: 10.3390/jfmk10040452.
- Background: PubMed 39632894de Morais ACL, Machado AS, Pereira MEF, da Silva W, Priego-Quesada JI, Carpes FP. Intensity and volume of physical exercise influence DOMS and skin temperature differently in healthy adults. Sci Rep. 2024 Dec 5;14(1):30282. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-79785-2.
- Background: PubMed 27513733Rio E, van Ark M, Docking S, Moseley GL, Kidgell D, Gaida JE, van den Akker-Scheek I, Zwerver J, Cook J. Isometric Contractions Are More Analgesic Than Isotonic Contractions for Patellar Tendon Pain: An In-Season Randomized Clinical Trial. Clin J Sport Med. 2017 May;27(3):253-259. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000364.
- Background: PubMed 25979840Rio E, Kidgell D, Purdam C, Gaida J, Moseley GL, Pearce AJ, Cook J. Isometric exercise induces analgesia and reduces inhibition in patellar tendinopathy. Br J Sports Med. 2015 Oct;49(19):1277-83. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094386. Epub 2015 May 15.
- Background: PubMed 28985238Fleckenstein J, Simon P, Konig M, Vogt L, Banzer W. The pain threshold of high-threshold mechanosensitive receptors subsequent to maximal eccentric exercise is a potential marker in the prediction of DOMS associated impairment. PLoS One. 2017 Oct 6;12(10):e0185463. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185463. eCollection 2017.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data underlying the published results may be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author, subject to institutional approval and applicable ethical requirements.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Isometric Exercise in people with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), run by Istanbul Nisantasi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pressure Pain Threshold (time frame: Baseline, immediately after exercise, Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 following DOMS induction.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07627152, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Jun 2026.