Effect of cold-water immersion and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching on muscle soreness among Negeri Sembilan junior league U19 hockey players / Najihah Hayati Mohamad Zahir ... [et al.].

Muscle soreness is a common challenge faced by hockey players due to the high-intensity nature of the sport, which involves explosive movements, rapid direction changes, and physical contact. DOMS is an uncomfortable sensation, or the term used to describe the soreness, stiffness, tightness, swelling, and weakness of muscles, which is felt after performing a severe or unfamiliar exercise after 24 to 72 hours. Some studies suggested that cold water immersion could be an effective strategy for athletes to facilitate faster recovery, but further investigation is needed. Also, some studies have presented PNF stretching as a valuable opportunity to enhance recovery and reduce the impact of muscle soreness, but further research is required. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of cold-water immersion and PNF stretching on reducing muscle soreness in Negeri Sembilan Junior League Hockey Players after a match. Ten participants underwent the CWI group and PNF stretching group. This study was a quasi-experimental design. The participants immersed their lower body for 15 minutes in cold water immersion (≤ 15 °C). For PNF stretching, starting with holding position for 10 seconds, the player pressed back against the trainer for 6 seconds. The trainer resists and keeps the leg in the same position. Finally, the player flexes his hip muscles as the trainer gently presses the leg as far as possible into the stretch. They are doing one repetition for each muscle. The participant’s pain scale (PS), knee range of motion (ROM), and muscular power (PWR) were recorded at five-time frames before, immediately after the match, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after treatment. The effects in muscle soreness scores between the two groups were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. The results indicated that both cold water immersion (CWI) and PNF stretching (PNF) had a significant effect on the pain scale (PS), knee range of motion (ROM), and muscular power (PWR) between five-time frames (p < 0.05). Therefore, there was a significant difference in effect between CWI and PNF stretching. It can be concluded that cold water immersion was the best treatment overall for hockey players to reduce soreness after a match or training.