Research Centre: Victoria University
Location: Corner Ballarat Rd and Mills Close, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia.
Lead Researchers: Dr. Aaron Petersen and Dr. Metodija Kjertakov
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee

Ever wondered why sore muscles sometimes stick around for days after a tough workout? If you’ve ever struggled with muscle soreness after working out, you’re not alone, and science is looking for answers.

Researchers are working to better understand how the body recovers, and they need healthy volunteers who are not currently strength training to help. This exercise study is working to understand how cooling treatments can support recovery after strenuous activity. Participants will participate in supervised exercise sessions in a state-of-the-art training facility. You’ll also learn more about the same fitness tests used by sports scientists and even get paid up to $200 in gift vouchers.

If you’re passionate about fitness and want to support meaningful scientific progress, here’s your chance. Sign up and join this study.

• Participants will receive a recovery treatment being tested to help reduce muscle soreness after strenuous exercise, at no cost.
• Participants may receive up to $200 in gift vouchers as reimbursement for their time and travel. The amount of reimbursement you receive will depend on how much of the study you complete. You will receive $100 if you complete the first three sessions and a further $100 if you complete the last three sessions.
• Some participants may notice improvements in muscle soreness and recovery after exercise as a result of the treatments being tested.
• By taking part, participants will contribute valuable information that could help improve post-exercise recovery for others in the future.
• Your involvement will support important exercise and sports science research.

• You will receive a detailed outline of all details of the study, including treatment, risks, and procedures, and you will be given the chance to ask study staff questions before you decide whether to participate.
• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time
• Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.

Who Can Participate:

• Healthy adults aged 18 to 40 years old
• Must not currently be engaged in strength training
• Must be able to attend six study visits at Victoria University over three weeks
• Must be comfortable completing questionnaires and a blood draw
• Must be willing to avoid all exercise outside the study from 48 hours before the exercise session until 7 days afterward
• Must be willing to avoid the following for 7 days after the exercise session:
  • Alcohol
  • Protein supplements
  • NSAIDs
  • Massage/cryotherapy
  • Compression garments,
  • Anti-oxidant vitamins
  • Omega-3s

Who Cannot Participate:

• Must not have a musculoskeletal disease or disorder
• Must not have Raynaud’s disease, diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2), cardiovascular or heart disease, high blood pressure, use medication for high blood pressure, or lung disease
• Must not be severely overweight/obese (BMI over 30)
• Must not have any of the following: 
  • Anticoagulation disorder
  • Thromboembolic disease
  • A recent significant injury that prevents exercise
  • Fear of needles
  • Epilepsy

The study team will explain the research in its entirety, but some details include:

• Participants will be asked to complete short questionnaires, including topics like family medical history, exercise habits, and (for female participants) menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use.
• Participants will be asked to attend the Exercise Physiology Lab at Victoria University for six visits over three weeks, starting with a brief familiarisation session and then a longer testing session that includes exercise and a randomly assigned treatment.
• Participants will be asked to return for four follow-up sessions, where researchers will check how their muscles are recovering and repeat their assigned treatment after each assessment.

Victoria University
Victoria University in Melbourne is ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide. The Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS) has a strong focus on generating positive change through health, sport, and applied research that addresses the challenges of people, place, and planet.