Peak Muscle Soreness Research Articles

Relationships between resting blood flow and the indices of muscle damage after eccentric contractions.

The aim of the study is to examine the relationships between increments in resting blood flow and isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force reduction, muscle soreness, and swelling after eccentric contractions (ECs). Twenty-one young healthy men (age 20.8 ± 1.6years; height 172.0 ± 5.3cm; weight 64.9 ± 7.7kg) were recruited for this study. All participants performed right arm ECs in five sets of 20 repetitions with 3min of rest between the sets. The dumbbell weight corresponded to 60% MVC force of isometric contraction of elbow flexors with 90° elbow joint angle. Resting forearm blood flow (FBF), the MVC force, the muscle thickness (MT), and muscle soreness of elbow flexors, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) of brachial artery were measured before, 24 and 48h after ECs. Average and peak resting FBF after ECs significantly changed from the average values before ECs (21% and 39% increase, respectively, P < 0.01). However, resting HR and BP were not significantly different after ECs. Average increase in resting FBF showed a significant relationship with average isometric MVC force reduction (r = - 0.45, P < 0.05), peak isometric MVC force reduction (r = - 0.48, P < 0.05), average muscle soreness (r = 0.49, P < 0.05), and peak muscle soreness (r = 0.49, P < 0.05). Moreover, stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that average increased resting FBF was explained by isometric MVC force reduction and muscle soreness (adjusted R2 = 0.33). These results suggested that increments in resting blood flow reflect muscle damage, and increased resting blood flow may be a result of acute inflammatory response induced by muscle damage.

Influence of fascicle strain and corticospinal excitability during eccentric contractions on force loss.

What is the central question of this study? Do neural and/or mechanical factors determine the extent of muscle damage induced by eccentric contractions? What is the main finding and its importance? The extent of muscle damage induced by eccentric contractions is related to both mechanical strain and corticospinal excitability measured at long muscle lengths during eccentric contractions. In this study, we investigated whether the mechanical and neural characteristics of maximal voluntary eccentric contractions would determine the extent of change in postexercise maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque and muscle soreness. Eleven men performed 10 sets of 15 isokinetic (45degs-1 ) maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions. Knee-extension torque and vastus lateralis fascicle length were assessed at sets 1, 5 and 9. Vastus lateralis motor evoked potential, maximal Mwave (MEP/M) and the cortical silent period (CSP) were measured at 75 and 100deg of knee flexion (0deg=full extension) during contractions and were normalized to MEP/M (MEP/Mecc/iso ) and CSP (CSPecc/iso ) recorded during isometric MVC at each angle. The MVC torque and muscle soreness of the knee extensors were assessed before, 24, 48 and 96 h after the eccentric contractions. The extent of relative decrease in MVC torque at 24h postexercise (r2 =0.38) and peak muscle soreness (r2 =0.69) were correlated (P<0.05) with MEP/Mecc/iso measured at 100deg, but not at 75deg. The average torque on the descending limb of the torque-angle relationship (r2 =0.16), fascicle elongation (r2 =0.18) and CSPecc/iso at both 75 (r2 =0.00) and 100deg (r2 =0.02) were not significantly correlated with the relative decrease in MVC torque. The relative decrease in MVC torque was best predicted by a combination of mean torque on the descending limb, fascicle elongation and MEP/Mecc/iso (R2 =0.93). It is concluded that the extent of muscle damage based on the reduction in MVC torque is determined by mechanical strain and corticospinal excitability at long muscle lengths during maximal voluntary eccentric contractions.

Damage protective effects conferred by low-intensity eccentric contractions on arm, leg and trunk muscles.

Low-intensity eccentric contractions with a load corresponding to 10% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength (10% EC) attenuate muscle damage in a subsequent bout of higher-intensity eccentric contractions performed within 2 weeks for the elbow flexors, knee flexors and knee extensors. However, it is not known whether this strategy could be applied to other muscles. This study investigated whether 10% EC would confer damage protective effect on high-intensity eccentric contractions (80% EC) for nine different muscle groups. Untrained young men were placed to an experimental or a control group (n = 12/group). Experimental group performed 50 eccentric contractions with a load corresponding to 10% EC at 2 days prior to 50 eccentric contractions with 80% EC for the elbow flexors and extensors, pectoralis, knee flexors and extensors, plantar flexors, latissimus, abdominis and erector spinae. Control group performed 80% EC without 10% EC. Changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength (MVC) and muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin concentration after 80% EC were compared between groups by a mixed-factor ANOVA. MVC recovered faster (e.g., 6-31% greater MVC at 5 days post-exercise), and peak muscle soreness was 36-54% lower for Experimental than Control group for the nine muscles (P < 0.05). Increases in plasma CK activity and myoglobin concentration were smaller for Experimental (e.g., peak CK: 2763 ± 3459IU/L) than Control group (120,360 ± 50,158IU/L). These results showed that 10% EC was effective for attenuating the magnitude of muscle damage after 80% EC for all muscles, although the magnitude of the protective effect differed among the muscles.

Neuromuscular Changes and Damage after Isoload versus Isokinetic Eccentric Exercise.

This study compared the effects of isoload (IL) and isokinetic (IK) knee extensor eccentric exercises on changes in muscle damage and neuromuscular parameters to test the hypothesis that the changes would be different after IL and IK exercises. Twenty-two young men were paired based on their strength and placed in the IL (N = 11) or the IK (N = 11) group. The IL group performed 15 sets of 10 eccentric contractions with a 150% of predetermined one-repetition maximum load. The IK group performed 15 sets of several maximal eccentric contractions matched set by set for the total amount of work and mean angular velocity with the IL group. Muscle damage markers (voluntary isometric peak torque, muscle soreness, and creatine kinase activity) and neuromuscular variables (e.g., voluntary activation, H-reflex, M-wave, and evoked torque) were measured before, immediately after, and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postexercise. Voluntary isometric peak torque decreased to the same extent (P = 0.94) in both groups immediately after (IL = -40.6% ± 13.8% vs IK = -42.4% ± 10.2%) to 96 h after the exercise (IL = -21.8% ± 28.5% vs IK = -26.7% ± 23.5%). Neither peak muscle soreness (IL = 48.1 ± 28.2 mm vs IK = 54.7 ± 28.9 mm, P = 0.57) nor creatine kinase activity (IL = 12,811 ± 22,654 U·L vs IK = 15,304 ± 24,739 U·L, P = 0.59) significantly differed between groups. H-reflex (IL = -23% vs IK = -35%) and M-wave (IL = -10% vs IK = -17%) significantly decreased immediately postexercise similarly between groups. The changes in muscle damage and neuromuscular function after the exercise are similar between IL and IK, suggesting that resistance modality has little effects on acute muscle responses.

Low-intensity eccentric contractions of the knee extensors and flexors protect against muscle damage.

This study investigated the magnitude and duration of the protective effect of low-intensity eccentric contractions (LowEC) against damage induced by maximal eccentric contractions (MaxEC) of the knee flexors (KF) and extensors (KE). Young men were assigned to 8 experimental groups and 2 control groups (n = 13/group); the experimental groups performed LowEC of KF or KE 2 days (2d), 1 week (1wk), 2 weeks (2wk), or 3 weeks (3wk) before MaxEC, while the control groups performed MaxEC of KF or KE without LowEC. The 2d, 1wk, 2wk, and 3wk groups performed 30 LowEC of KF or 60 LowEC of KE with a load of 10% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength on a resistance-training machine, and all groups performed 30 MaxEC of KF or 60 MaxEC of KE on an isokinetic dynamometer. Several muscle damage markers were measured from before to 2 days after exercise (LowEC) or from before to 5 days after exercise (MaxEC). No significant changes in any variables were evident after LowEC. The changes in all variables after MaxEC were smaller (P < 0.05) for the 2d and 1wk groups (e.g., peak creatine kinase activity: 1002 ± 501 IU/L; peak muscle soreness: 13 ± 5 mm) than for the control group (peak creatine kinase activity: 3005 ± 983 IU/L; peak muscle soreness 28 ± 6 mm) for both KE and KF. There were no significant differences between the 2d and 1wk groups or among the 2wk, 3wk, and control groups. These results show that LowEC provided 30%-66% protection against damage induced by MaxEC of KF and KE, and the protective effect lasted 1 week.

Comparison between twelve and six sets of high load leg extension on muscle strength

&lt;p&gt;There are many studies about muscle strength after eccentric exercise. However, muscle strength after weight resistance exercise including the concentric and eccentric phases, which are usually performed in resistance training, has not been fully investigated. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of mid- and high-volume weight resistance exercise on muscle strength. Sixteen subjects were divided into a high-volume group who performed 12 sets (12SET, n=8) and a mid-volume group who performed 6 sets (6SET, n=8). They performed leg extension on the first day. The exercise load was 4~6 RM. The rest between sets was 3 minutes. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), isokinetic strength (30°/ sec.: ISOK30, 60°/ sec.: ISOK60, 150°/ sec.: ISOK150, 240°/ sec.: ISOK240), muscle soreness, and thigh circumference were measured before (PRE), after (POST), and 1 day, 2 day, 3 day, 5 day, and 7 day after exercise. The only significant effect was time in all measurements. Although MVC decreased at POST, it recovered to the level of PRE by1 day after exercise. ISOK150 and ISOK240 showed similar results to MVC. ISOK30 showed a lower value at 1 day after exercise. ISOK60 did not change throughout the experiment. Muscle soreness was higher at POST, 1 day and 2 days after exercise. Peak muscle soreness was higher for 12SET than for 6SET. Thigh circumference was higher at POST and 1 day after exercise. These results indicated that muscle damage was lower than previously reported after eccentric exercise. In addition, there was no difference between 12 sets and 6 sets of weight resistance exercise except for peak muscle soreness. Our results suggest that muscle strength after leg extension recovers by two days irrespective of whether 12 sets or 6 sets of high load leg extension are performed.&lt;/p&gt;

Two maximal isometric contractions attenuate the magnitude of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage

This study investigated whether maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC-ISO) would attenuate the magnitude of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Young untrained men were placed into one of the two experimental groups or one control group (n = 13 per group). Subjects in the experimental groups performed either two or 10 MVC-ISO of the elbow flexors at a long muscle length (20° flexion) 2 days prior to 30 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors. Subjects in the control group performed the eccentric contractions without MVC-ISO. No significant changes in maximal voluntary concentric contraction peak torque, peak torque angle, range of motion, upper arm circumference, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin concentration, muscle soreness, and ultrasound echo intensity were evident after MVC-ISO. Changes in the variables following eccentric contractions were smaller (P < 0.05) for the 2 MVC-ISO group (e.g., peak torque loss at 5 days after exercise, 23% ± 3%; peak CK activity, 1964 ± 452 IU·L(-1); peak muscle soreness, 46 ± 4 mm) or the 10 MVC-ISO group (13% ± 3%, 877 ± 198 IU·L(-1), 30 ± 4 mm) compared with the control (34% ± 4%, 6192 ± 1747 IU·L(-1), 66 ± 5 mm). The 10 MVC-ISO group showed smaller (P < 0.05) changes in all variables following eccentric contractions compared with the 2 MVC-ISO group. Therefore, two MVC-ISO conferred potent protective effects against muscle damage, whereas greater protective effect was induced by 10 MVC-ISO, which can be used as a strategy to minimize muscle damage.

Effect of bench press exercise intensity on muscle soreness and inflammatory mediators

This study compared four different intensities of a bench press exercise for muscle soreness, creatine kinase activity, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in the blood. Thirty-five male Brazilian Army soldiers were randomly assigned to one of five groups: 50% one-repetition maximum (1-RM), 75% 1-RM, 90% 1-RM, 110% 1-RM, and a control group that did not perform the exercise. The total volume (sets × repetitions × load) of the exercise was matched among the exercise groups. Muscle soreness and plasma creatine kinase activity increased markedly (P < 0.05) after exercise, with no significant differences among the groups. Serum PGE2 concentration also increased markedly (P < 0.05) after exercise, with a significantly (P < 0.05) greater increase in the 110% 1-RM group compared with the other groups. A weak but significant (P < 0.05) correlation was found between peak muscle soreness and peak PGE2 concentration, but no significant correlation was evident between peak muscle soreness and peak creatine kinase activity, or peak creatine kinase activity and peak PGE2 concentration. All groups showed no changes in IL-1β, IL-6 or TNF-α. Our results suggest that the intensity of bench press exercise does not affect the magnitude of muscle soreness and blood markers of muscle damage and inflammation.

Differential expression of muscle damage in humans following acute fast and slow velocity eccentric exercise

We sought to determine if the velocity of an acute bout of eccentric contractions influenced the duration and severity of several common indirect markers of muscle damage. Subjects performed 36 maximal fast (FST, n = 8: 3.14 rad x s(-1)) or slow (SLW, n = 7: 0.52 rad x s(-1)) velocity isokinetic eccentric contractions with the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm. Muscle soreness, limb girth, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, isometric torque and concentric and eccentric torque at 0.52 and 3.14 rad x s(-1) were assessed prior to and for several days following the eccentric bout. Peak plasma CK activity was similar in SLW (4030 +/- 1029 U x 1(-1)) and FST (5864 +/- 2664 U x 1(-1)) groups, (p > 0.05). Both groups experienced similar decrement in all strength variables during the 48 hr following the eccentric bout. However, recovery occurred more rapidly in the FST group during eccentric (0.52 and 3.14 rad x s(-1)) and concentric (3.14 rad x s(-1)) post-testing. The severity of muscle soreness was similar in both groups. However, the FST group experienced peak muscle soreness 48 hr later than the SLW group (24 hr vs. 72 hr). The SLW group experienced a greater increase in upper arm girth than the FST group 20 min, 24 hr and 96 hr following the eccentric exercise bout. The contraction velocity of an acute bout of eccentric exercise differentially influences the magnitude and time course of several indirect markers of muscle damage.

THE EFFECTS OF YOGA TRAINING AND A SINGLE BOUT OF YOGA ON DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS IN THE LOWER EXTREMITY

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yoga training and a single bout of yoga on the intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). 24 yoga-trained (YT; n = 12) and non–yoga-trained (CON; n = 12), matched women volunteers were administered a DOMS-inducing bench-stepping exercise. Muscle soreness was assessed at baseline, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after bench-stepping using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Groups were also compared on body awareness (BA), flexibility using the sit-and-reach test (SR), and perceived exertion (RPE). Statistical significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. A 2 × 2 mixed factorial ANOVA with repeated measures at 24 and 48 hours revealed a significant (p < 0.05) group main effect with VAS scores greater for CON than YT. Paired t-tests revealed that in YT, VAS scores were higher before yoga class than after yoga class at 24 hours (21.4 [± 6.9] mm vs. 11.1 [± 4.1] mm; p = 0.02). The SR was greater in YT than in CON (65.0 [± 7.9] cm vs. 33.3 [± 7.0] cm; p < 0.01); however, no differences were found between yoga and control in BA (94.0 [± 4.4] units vs. 83.8 [± 3.7] units; p = 0.21) or in RPE at 5-minute intervals (2.9 [± 0.3], 5.3 [± 0.8], 5.8 [± 0.9], and 5.2 [± 0.8] vs. 2.5 [± 0.3], 4.0 [± 0.5], 4.2 [± 0.3], and 4.9 [± 0.4]. Yoga training and a single bout of yoga appear to attenuate peak muscle soreness in women following a bout of eccentric exercise. These findings have significant implications for coaches, athletes, and the exercising public who may want to implement yoga training as a preseason regimen or supplemental activity to lessen the symptoms associated with muscle soreness.

The Effects of Yoga Training and a Single Bout of Yoga on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in the Lower Extremity

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yoga training and a single bout of yoga on the intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). 24 yoga-trained (YT; n = 12) and non-yoga-trained (CON; n = 12), matched women volunteers were administered a DOMS-inducing bench-stepping exercise. Muscle soreness was assessed at baseline, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after bench-stepping using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Groups were also compared on body awareness (BA), flexibility using the sit-and-reach test (SR), and perceived exertion (RPE). Statistical significance was accepted at p </= 0.05. A 2 x 2 mixed factorial ANOVA with repeated measures at 24 and 48 hours revealed a significant (p < 0.05) group main effect with VAS scores greater for CON than YT. Paired t-tests revealed that in YT, VAS scores were higher before yoga class than after yoga class at 24 hours (21.4 [+/- 6.9] mm vs. 11.1 [+/- 4.1] mm; p = 0.02). The SR was greater in YT than in CON (65.0 [+/- 7.9] cm vs. 33.3 [+/- 7.0] cm; p < 0.01); however, no differences were found between yoga and control in BA (94.0 [+/- 4.4] units vs. 83.8 [+/- 3.7] units; p = 0.21) or in RPE at 5-minute intervals (2.9 [+/- 0.3], 5.3 [+/- 0.8], 5.8 [+/- 0.9], and 5.2 [+/- 0.8] vs. 2.5 [+/- 0.3], 4.0 [+/- 0.5], 4.2 [+/- 0.3], and 4.9 [+/- 0.4]. Yoga training and a single bout of yoga appear to attenuate peak muscle soreness in women following a bout of eccentric exercise. These findings have significant implications for coaches, athletes, and the exercising public who may want to implement yoga training as a preseason regimen or supplemental activity to lessen the symptoms associated with muscle soreness.

The Effects of Static Stretching and Warm-Up on Prevention of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

It has been suggested in the lay literature that static stretching and/or warm-up will prevent the occurrence of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of static stretching and/or warm-up on the level of pain associated with DOMS. Sixty-two healthy male and female volunteers were randomly assigned to four groups: (a) subjects who statically stretched the quadriceps muscle group before a step, (b) subjects who only performed a stepping warm-up, (c) subjects who both stretched and performed a stepping warm-up prior to a step test, and (d) subjects who only performed a step test. The step test (Asmussen, 1956) required subjects to do concentric work with their right leg and eccentric work with their left leg to voluntary exhaustion. Subjects rated their muscle soreness on a ratio scale from zero to six at 24-hour intervals for 5 days following the step test. A 4x2x2 ANOVA with repeated measures on legs and Duncan's New Multiple Range post-hoc test found no difference in peak muscle soreness among the groups doing the step test or for gender (p greater than .05). There was the expected significant difference in peak muscle soreness between eccentrically and concentrically worked legs, with the eccentrically worked leg experiencing greater muscle soreness. We concluded that static stretching and/or warm-up does not prevent DOMS resulting from exhaustive exercise.