Special bed sheets will be used in a new study at Charles Sturt University (CSU) to explore the idea that grounding the body to the earth can reduce the onset of sore muscles and improve recovery.

Researchers from the School of Biomedical Sciences and School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health at CSU are inducing muscle soreness in the thighs of 20 healthy men, who are then given special bed sheets connected to the earth.

The men are required to sleep in the sheet-sleeves in their own beds for three nights before undergoing further blood and muscle function tests at the University.  

Lecturer in biomedical sciences Dr Peter S. Micalos said, "It's claimed that connecting the body to the earth, like walking barefoot on the ground, can enhance muscle recovery after exercise and we're testing whether there's scientific evidence for this idea.

"It is suggested that the grounding the body enables the transfer of the earth's free electrons which have a role in neutralising reactive oxygen species and reducing oxidative stress in the body.

"Therefore, we aim to determine whether grounding the body following delayed onset muscle soreness, will improve muscle recovery in healthy participants.

"Delayed onset muscle soreness is when for example, you go to the gym and lift weights and then experience sore muscles for two to three days.

"Grounding the body may have clinical significance for inflammatory-related diseases such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, sleep disorder, and other chronic conditions.

"Therefore this study could develop the research framework for continued medical-research controlled trials."The study is what is known as a double-blind research study.  Both the researchers and participants don't know which bed sheets are connected to the earth.