Exercise-induced muscle damage from bench press exercise impairs arm cranking endurance performance

Abstract

The effects of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) on the physiological, metabolic and perceptual responses during upper body arm cranking exercise are unknown. Nine physically active male participants performed 6min of arm cranking exercise at ventilatory threshold (VT), followed by a time to exhaustion (TTE) trial at a workload corresponding to 80% of the difference between VT and [Formula: see text] 48h after bench pressing exercise (10×6 repetitions at 70% one repetition maximum) or 20min sitting (control). Reductions in isokinetic strength and increased muscle soreness of the elbow flexors and extensors were evident at 24 and 48h after bench pressing exercise (P<0.05). Despite no change in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], HR and blood lactate concentration ([Bla]) between conditions (P>0.05), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was higher during the 6min arm cranking after bench pressing exercise compared to the control condition (P<0.05). TTE was reduced in the treatment condition (207.2±91.9 cf. 293.4±75.6s; P<0.05), as were end [Formula: see text] (P<0.05) and [Bla] at 0, 5 and 10min after exercise (P<0.05). RPE during the TTE trial was higher after bench pressing (P<0.05), although end RPE was not different between conditions (P>0.05). This study provides evidence that EIMD caused by bench pressing exercise increases the sense of effort during arm cranking exercise that leads to a reduced exercise tolerance. The findings have implications for individuals participating in concurrent endurance and resistance training of the upper body.