Can stretching beat ice for Post-Workout pain?

NCT ID NCT07624032

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This small pilot study tested three ways to ease delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in 29 untrained adults. Researchers compared a special stretching technique called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, applying an ice pack, and a placebo (sugar water). They measured pain, range of motion, and strength before and after exercise. The goal was to see which approach might help reduce soreness after a workout.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (a stretching technique) and local cryotherapy (ice pack)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to reduce muscle soreness after exercise.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 29 people, so results may not apply to everyone. The placebo group received sugar water, which might not be a perfect control.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS (DOMS)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Clínica Universitaria Salus Infirmorum, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca

Madrid, Madrid, 28015, Spain

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