Serum creatine kinase response on exercise induced delayed onset muscle soreness: a pilot single blind randomized clinical trial

Objective: To investigate the effects of diclofenac phonophoresis and autogenic inhibition muscle energy
technique on serum creatine kinase level compared to control group on delayed onset muscle soreness in novice
athletes. Materials and Methods: Forty eight novice athletes were recruited based on selection criteria and
simple random sampling technique through lottery method was used to participate in this single blind multi
group repeated measures design, a pilot randomized clinical trial. After collection of demographic data, the
athletes were allotted to the group based on the chits what they have picked. Group A subjects were treated with
diclofenac phonophoresis, Group B subjects were treated with autogenic inhibition technique and Group C
subjects were control group. An Epley formula was used for the calculation of one repetition maximum for
elbow flexor muscle followed by 80 % 1 RM was calculated for all the subjects. Blood samples were collected at
the baseline and 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and 96 hours after inducing delayed onset of muscle soreness.
Creatine kinase biochemical marker was considered as a dependent variable and values displayed in the
instrument were noted. Result: On comparing creatine kinease level, there exists no significant difference between the three groups at the baseline and 48 hour measurements at (P > 0.05) and statistically significant
difference was found between three groups at 24 hours,72 hours and 96 hours at (P < 0.05). Anova with repeated
measures showed that the creatine kinase measures an overall changes within three groups at (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Autogenic inhibition is an effective muscle energy technique to reduce the creatine kinase level following eccentric exercise and can facilitate the recovery faster and prepare the novice athletes for early participation in sports.