A review of nutritional intervention on delayed onset muscle soreness. Part I

This review is focused on the effect of nutritional intervention on de-layed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) that occurs after exercise. In general, high force eccentric contractions and/or unaccustomed exer-cise result in DOMS attributed to reduction in performance such as muscle strength and range of motion (ROM) for both athletes and non-athletes. Nutritional intervention is one of the preventive or thera-peutic ways to reduce DOMS. Previous research studies have suggest-ed the following nutrition intervention: caffeine, omega-3 fatty acids, taurine, polyphenols, and so on. Nutritional intervention with these nu-trients before and after exercise was reported to be effective in reduc-ing DOMS. These nutritional interventions have also been reported to affect inflammatory responses and oxidative stress leading to DOMS reduction. However, other studies have reported that these nutritional interventions have no effect on DOMS. It is suggested that intake of proper nutrition intervention can effectively reduce DOMS after exer-cise and quickly help an athlete return to exercise or training program. In addition, nutritional intervention may help both athletes and non-ath-letes who engage in physical therapy or rehabilitative programs after surgery or any injurious events.