Evaluating Combined Electromagnetic Stimulation for Enhanced Physical and Psychological Recovery in Athletes with DOMS

This randomized controlled trial explores the impact of a combined transcranial and peripheral electromagnetic stimulation over the potential correlation between psychological well-being and recovery outcomes of young athletes experiencing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

This randomized controlled trial explores the impact of a combined transcranial and peripheral electromagnetic stimulation (TMS and PES) over the potential correlation between psychological well-being and recovery outcomes of young athletes experiencing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Grounded in the emerging theory of DOMS as an axonopathy affecting muscle spindles, this study examines whether paired-associative stimulation can show link over physical and psychological recovery processes. Forty-eight male athletes, aged 18 to 35 years, regularly engaged in exercise, will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: Control (placebo), PES, TMS, and Combined Stimulation (TMS + PES). All participants will perform a muscle-damaging exercise protocol to induce DOMS, followed by the assigned electromagnetic intervention. Assessments will include dynamometry, Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F), Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT), sprint performance, and various psychological measures, such as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), and the Spanish versions of the Big Five Personality Traits, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. These assessments will be conducted at baseline and at multiple intervals post-exercise (1 hour, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours).