EFFECT OF EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION (ECP) ON DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS (DOMS) IN LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS

External counterpulsation (ECP) has previously been used in treating cardiac patients. Compression of the lower extremities during diastole increases venous return and coronary perfusion. Purpose: To determine if ECP affects delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and markers of muscle inflammation and skeletal muscle damage. Methods: Ten trained runners, 5 males and 5 females, aged 30.5 ± 12.8 years ran 20 miles at 70% of their VO2 max on a...