Post-exercise Muscle Recovery Research Articles

Effect of high-dose vitamin C and E supplementation on muscle recovery and training adaptation: a mini review.

This review aimed to investigate the effects of high-dose vitamins C and E supplementation combined with acute or chronic exercise on muscle recovery and training adaptation. We used PubMed, Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library databases to perform a literature search based on the keywords 'vitamin C, vitamin E, antioxidants, muscle recovery, training adaptation, and oxidative stress'. Vitamin C or E supplementation has been reported to contribute to a reduction in oxidative stress and muscle damage; however, there is currently inadequate evidence of their positive effects on muscle recovery. Long-term vitamin C or E supplementation can have negative effects on physiological phenomena required for training adaptation, such as strength, muscle hypertrophy, and endurance. Numerous studies emphasized that an adequate diet consisting of fruits and vegetables is a more appropriate way of consuming antioxidants than supplementation. The effects of high-dose vitamin C and E supplementation on post-exercise muscle recovery remain unclear and ambiguous, although there is evidence of potential negative effects on training adaptation.

Effectiveness of green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) capsule supplementation for post-exercise muscle recovery in healthy adults: a systematic review protocol.

The objective of the review is to evaluate the effectiveness of green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) capsule supplementation compared with placebo for post-exercise muscle pain and muscle recovery in healthy adults. Green tea extract is popularly consumed by athletes and practitioners of physical activity, as it is easily accessible in supermarkets and health food stores. It is a source of catechins, which assist the endogenous antioxidant system in combating free radicals produced during exercise that can lead to oxidative stress and, therefore, muscle damage and delayed-onset muscle pain. However, there is no consensus on the effect of green tea extract and the ideal and safe dosage to promote muscle recovery. Studies on the effectiveness of supplementation with green tea extract capsules compared with placebo in post-exercise muscle pain and muscle recovery in healthy adults will be included. Studies that are associated with any other source of polyphenols with green tea extract will be excluded. Studies will be identified using the following databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library, SPORTDiscus, Science Direct, and Scopus. OpenGrey, DART-Europe, and Google Scholar will be used to identify unpublished studies. Studies published in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese will be included. There will be no restriction on the date of publication. Two authors will independently screen titles and abstracts following previously defined eligibility criteria. After excluding irrelevant studies, the authors will read the full texts of any articles potentially eligible for further evaluation. Any disagreements will be resolved by discussion or by consulting a third author. The included studies will be assessed on their methodological quality using the appropriate JBI critical appraisal checklist, and the data will be extracted by the two authors. A meta-analysis will be performed using a random effects or fixed effects model. The heterogeneity of the data will be calculated. This review will follow the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to classify the certainty of the evidence. PROSPERO CRD42020138772.

Effects of Vitamin D in Post-Exercise Muscle Recovery. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Vitamin D is a key micronutrient modulating function and health in skeletal muscle. Therefore, we sought to systematically review the role of vitamin D in muscle recovery. A search in different databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, WOS, Google Scholar, and Scopus) was carried out following PRISMA® and PICOS. The search period was from inception to April 2020. Changes in post-exercise muscle damage were quantified comparing experimental group vs. placebo in each study by using number of participants, standardized mean difference (SMD), and standard error of the SMD. Hedges’s g was used to calculate the SMDs for each study group and biased by the inverse of variance that allows calculating an overall effect and the 95% confidence interval (CI). The net vitamin D supplementation effect was calculated by subtracting the placebo SMD from SMD of the experimental group. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used as a random effect model, taking into account that the effect of vitamin D on muscular damage may vary according to the dose administered and additional moderators. Six studies were selected. In conclusion, regarding circulating levels of muscle biomarkers and additional limitations of the studies, it cannot be concluded that vitamin D supplementation exerts an effect in post-exercise muscle recovery. Likely, the anti-inflammatory action of vitamin D is quicker than the recovery of tissue structure and function. This aspect is pending verification in future research.

Acute Effects of Foam Rolling on Hamstrings After Half-Marathon: A Muscle Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Purpose: Foam rolling (FR) is widely used for post-exercise muscle recovery; yet, the effects of FR on skeletal muscle inflammation and microvascular perfusion following prolonged exercise are poorly understood. We aim to address the gap in knowledge by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) sequences to study the acute effects of FR on hamstrings following half-marathon running in recreational runners.Methods: Sixteen healthy recreational marathon runners were recruited. After half-marathon running, FR was performed on the hamstrings on the dominant side, while the other limb served as a control. MRI T2 and IVIM scans were performed bilaterally at baseline (pre-run), 2–3 h after running (post-run), immediately after FR (post-FR0), 30 min after FR (post-FR30) and 60 min after FR (post-FR60). T2, a marker for inflammatory edema, as well as IVIM microvascular perfusion fraction index f for biceps femoris long head (BFL), semitendinosus (ST) and semimembranosus (SM) were determined. Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale score was also collected.Results: Both T2 and f were higher at post-run compared to pre-run in all hamstrings on both sides (all p < 0.05; all d > 1.0). For the FR side, T2 decreased, and f increased significantly at post-FR0 and post-FR30 compared to post-run in all muscles (p < 0.05; all d > 0.4) except for f at BFL and SM at post-FR30 (both p > 0.05), though f at BFL was still marginally elevated at post-FR30 (p = 0.074, d = 0.91). Both parameters for all muscles returned to post-run level at post-FR60 (all p > 0.05; all d < 0.4) except for T2 at SM (p = 0.037). In contrast, most MRI parameters were not changed at post-FR0, post-FR30 and post-FR60 compared to post-run for the control side (p < 0.05; d < 0.2). TQR scores were elevated at post-FR0 and post-FR30 compared to post-run (both p < 0.05; both d > 1.0), and returned to the post-run level at post-FR60 (p > 0.99; d = 0.09). Changes in TQR scores compared to post-run at any time points after FR were correlated to T2 for ST at post-FR30 (r = 0.50, p = 0.047) but not T2 for other muscles and any changes in f values.Conclusions: Hamstrings inflammatory edema and microvascular perfusion were elevated following half-marathon running, which were detectable with MRI T2 mapping and IVIM sequences. FR resulted in acute alleviation in inflammation and greater microvascular perfusion; however, the effects seemed to last only for a short period of time (30–60 min). FR can provide short-term benefits to skeletal muscle after prolonged running.

Intake of branched chain amino acids favors post-exercise muscle recovery and may improve muscle function: optimal dosage regimens and consumption conditions.

Numerous sportspeople consume nutritional ergogenic aids, including branched chain amino acids (BCAA), considered to favor post-exercise muscle recovery. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of BCAA on recovery from muscle damage produced by high-intensity exercise and muscle function. This allowed to define the optimal dosage regimen and consumption conditions taking into account the combination of BCAA with other products. A systematic review of the scientific literature published over the past 15 years using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science databases was carried out. Nineteen articles were selected. The most optimal regimen for post-exercise muscle recovery and/or muscle function after high-intensity resistance exercise was 2-10 g BCAA/day (leucine: isoleucine: valine at 2:1:1), consumed as a supplement alone or combined with arginine and carbohydrates, 3 previous days before exercise, immediately before and after exercise, regardless of training level. This treatment can improve perceived muscle damage, fatigue, circumference of arm/leg, counter movement jump, maximum muscle strength and maximum voluntary contraction, and reduce creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, mainly in young males. Intake of BCAA favors post-exercise muscle recovery and may improve muscle function. The present review can serve as a guidance for high intensity endurance athletes who need to reduce post-exercise muscle damage and maintain or improve muscle function, especially in training periods and competition events planned with short rest periods.

Effect of pre-game photobiomodulation on muscle recovery in professional soccer players: study protocol for a randomized, cross-over, sham-controlled, triple-blind, clinical trial

Background: Photobiomodulation with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely used in clinical practice for diverse purposes, such as modulation of the inflammatory process, acceleration of the tissue repair process, pain relief and the enhancement of post-exercise recovery. Studies have demonstrated a beneficial interaction between photobiomodulation and the production of creatine kinase, with a reduction in the release of this marker of muscle damage when laser and/or LEDs is administered prior to high-intensity physical activity. Objective: The aim of the proposed study is to determine the influence of pre-exercise phototherapy on post-exercise muscle recovery. Methods: A randomized, cross-over, sham-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial is proposed. The participants will be healthy professional soccer players aged 15 to 20 years from the same team with a body mass index within the ideal range (20 to 25 kg/m2 ) and no history of lower limb musculoskeletal injuries or surgery or back surgery in the previous six months. The athletes will be allocated to two groups based on the previously calculated sample size and will be blinded to allocation. Creatine kinase will be measured and the subjective perception of fatigue will be determined for each participant. The volunteers will then be randomly allocated to Group A, which will receive active phototherapy, and Group B, which will receive sham phototherapy. The athletes will undergo reevaluations immediately after as well as 48 hours after a football match. The data will be submitted to statistical analysis and the level of significance will be set to 5%. This study is registered with Clinical Trials under protocol number: NCT03416998.

Massage Therapy Modulates Inflammatory Mediators Following Sprint Exercise in Healthy Male Athletes

Massage therapy is a common postexercise muscle recovery modality; however, its mechanisms of efficacy are uncertain. We evaluated the effects of massage on systemic inflammatory responses to exercise and postexercise muscle performance and soreness. In this crossover study, nine healthy male athletes completed a high-intensity intermittent sprint protocol, followed by massage therapy or control condition. Inflammatory markers were assessed pre-exercise; postexercise; and at 1, 2, and 24 h postexercise. Muscle performance was measured by squat and drop jump, and muscle soreness on a Likert scale. Significant time effects were observed for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), drop jump performance, squat jump performance, and soreness. No significant effects for condition were observed. However, compared with control, inflammatory marker concentrations (IL-8, TNFα, and MCP-1) returned to baseline levels earlier following the massage therapy condition (p < 0.05 for all). IL-6 returned to baseline levels earlier following the control versus massage therapy condition (p < 0.05). No differences were observed for performance or soreness variables. MCP-1 area under the curve (AUC) was negatively associated with squat and drop jump performance, while IL-10 AUC was positively associated with drop jump performance (p < 0.05 for all). In conclusion, massage therapy promotes resolution of systemic inflammatory signaling following exercise but does not appear to improve performance or soreness measurements.

The Effects of Leucine-Enriched Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Recovery After High-Intensity Resistance Exercise.

Of the 3 branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), leucine has arguably received the most attribution for the role of BCAA supplementation in alleviating symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage and facilitation of acute performance recovery. To examine whether enrichment of a standard BCAA supplement with additional leucine or a standalone leucine (LEU) supplement differentially affects exercise-induced muscle damage and performance recovery compared with a standard BCAA supplement. A total of 22 recreationally active male and female subjects were recruited and assigned to consume a BCAA, leucine-enriched BCAA (LBCAA), or LEU supplement for 11 d. On the eighth day, subjects performed eccentric-based resistance exercise (ECRE). Lower-body mean average and peak power, plasma creatine kinase, soreness, and pain threshold were measured before and 24, 48, and 72h after ECRE. LEU showed decreased mean average power (P = .02) and mean peak power (P = .01) from baseline to 48h post-ECRE, whereas LBCAA and BCAA only trended toward a reduction at 24 hours post-ECRE. At 48h post-ECRE, BCAA showed greater recovery of mean peak power than LEU (P = .04). At 24h post-ECRE, LEU demonstrated a greater increase in plasma creatine kinase from baseline than BCAA (P = .04). Area under the curve for creatine kinase was greater in LEU than BCAA (P = .02), whereas BCAA and LBCAA did not differ. Only LEU demonstrated increased soreness during rest and under muscular tension at 24 and 48 h post-ECRE (P < .05). LBCAA failed to afford any advantages over a standard BCAA supplement for postexercise muscle recovery, whereas a LEU supplement was comparatively ineffective.

The Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation Therapy Versus Cryotherapy for Skeletal Muscle Recovery: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Clinical Scenario: Cryotherapy is one of the most commonly used modalities for postexercise muscle recovery despite inconsistencies in the literature validating its effectiveness. With the need to find a more effective modality, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has gained popularity because of recent research demonstrating its ability to accelerate the muscle recovery process. Focused Clinical Question: Is PBMT more effective than cryotherapy at reducing recovery time and decreasing delayed onset muscle soreness after strenuous exercise? Summary of Key Findings: Three moderate- to high-quality double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials and 2 low- to moderate-quality translational studies performed on rats were included in this critically appraised topic. All 5 studies supported the use of PBMT over cryotherapy as a treatment for postexercise muscle recovery following exercise. PBMT was superior in reducing creatine kinase, inflammation markers, and blood lactate compared with cryotherapy, following strenuous/high intensity aerobic or strength muscular exercise. PBMT was also shown to improve postexercise muscle performance and function more than cryotherapy. Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate evidence to suggest the use of PBMT over cryotherapy postexercise to enhance muscle recovery in trained and untrained athletes. Shorter recovery times and increased muscle performance can be seen 24 to 96hours following PBMT application. Strength of Recommendation: Based on consistent findings from all 5 studies, there is grade B evidence to support the use of PBMT over cryotherapy for more effective postexercise recovery of skeletal muscle performance.

Ibuprofen Ingestion Does Not Affect Markers of Post-exercise Muscle Inflammation.

Purpose: We investigated if oral ingestion of ibuprofen influenced leucocyte recruitment and infiltration following an acute bout of traditional resistance exerciseMethods: Sixteen male subjects were divided into two groups that received the maximum over-the-counter dose of ibuprofen (1200mg d−1) or a similarly administered placebo following lower body resistance exercise. Muscle biopsies were taken from m.vastus lateralis and blood serum samples were obtained before and immediately after exercise, and at 3 and 24 h after exercise. Muscle cross-sections were stained with antibodies against neutrophils (CD66b and MPO) and macrophages (CD68). Muscle damage was assessed via creatine kinase and myoglobin in blood serum samples, and muscle soreness was rated on a ten-point pain scale.Results: The resistance exercise protocol stimulated a significant increase in the number of CD66b+ and MPO+ cells when measured 3 h post exercise. Serum creatine kinase, myoglobin and subjective muscle soreness all increased post-exercise. Muscle leucocyte infiltration, creatine kinase, myoglobin and subjective muscle soreness were unaffected by ibuprofen treatment when compared to placebo. There was also no association between increases in inflammatory leucocytes and any other marker of cellular muscle damage.Conclusion: Ibuprofen administration had no effect on the accumulation of neutrophils, markers of muscle damage or muscle soreness during the first 24 h of post-exercise muscle recovery.

The effect of green tea extract supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress parameters in male sprinters.

BackgroundAlthough research suggests that antioxidant supplementation can protect against exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress, also delayed post-exercise muscle recovery and hindered adaptation to training were reported in the supplemented athletes. PurposeThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of green tea extract (GTE) supplementation on selected blood markers of oxidative stress and muscle damage in sprinters during preparatory phase of their training cycle.MethodsSixteen sprinters participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo (PL)-controlled crossover study, including two 4-week treatment periods with PL and GTE (980 mg polyphenols daily). The sprinters performed two repeated cycle sprint tests (RST; 4 × 15 s, with 1-min rest intervals), after PL and GTE supplementation. Blood was sampled before (at rest), 5 min after RST, and after the 24-h recovery. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase were measured in erythrocytes, and total polyphenols, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), uric acid (UA), albumin (AL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and creatine kinase (CK) were determined in blood plasma.ResultsRepeated cycle sprint test performed after PL induced an increase in MDA, TAC, and SOD. Moreover, an increase in UA, AL, and CK was observed after RST irrespective of experimental conditions (PL, GTE). Supplementation with GTE caused an increase in total polyphenols and TAC at rest, and a decrease in MDA and SOD after RST. No significant changes in sprint performance were noted after GTE, as compared to PL.ConclusionsSupplementation with GTE prevents oxidative stress induced by RST in sprinters. Furthermore, GTE supplementation does not seem to hinder training adaptation in antioxidant enzyme system. On the other hand, neither prevention of exercise-induced muscle damage, nor an improvement in sprint performance is noted after GTE administration.

What is the ideal dose and power output of low-level laser therapy (810 nm) on muscle performance and post-exercise recovery? Study protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundRecent studies involving phototherapy applied prior to exercise have demonstrated positive results regarding the attenuation of muscle fatigue and the expression of biochemical markers associated with recovery. However, a number of factors remain unknown, such as the ideal dose and application parameters, mechanisms of action and long-term effects on muscle recovery. The aims of the proposed project are to evaluate the long-term effects of low-level laser therapy on post-exercise musculoskeletal recovery and identify the best dose andapplication power/irradiation time.Design and methodsA double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with be conducted. After fulfilling the eligibility criteria, 28 high-performance athletes will be allocated to four groups of seven volunteers each. In phase 1, the laser power will be 200 mW and different doses will be tested: Group A (2 J), Group B (6 J), Group C (10 J) and Group D (0 J). In phase 2, the best dose obtained in phase 1 will be used with the same distribution of the volunteers, but with different powers: Group A (100 mW), Group B (200 mW), Group C (400 mW) and Group D (0 mW). The isokinetic test will be performed based on maximum voluntary contraction prior to the application of the laser and after the eccentric contraction protocol, which will also be performed using the isokinetic dynamometer. The following variables related to physical performance will be analyzed: peak torque/maximum voluntary contraction, delayed onset muscle soreness (algometer), biochemical markers of muscle damage, inflammation and oxidative stress.DiscussionOur intention, is to determine optimal laser therapy application parameters capable of slowing down the physiological muscle fatigue process, reducing injuries or micro-injuries in skeletal muscle stemming from physical exertion and accelerating post-exercise muscle recovery. We believe that, unlike drug therapy, LLLT has a biphasic dose–response pattern.Trial registrationThe protocol for this study is registered with the Protocol Registry System, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01844271.

Massage Timing Affects Postexercise Muscle Recovery and Inflammation in a Rabbit Model

This study compared the effect of immediate versus delayed massage-like compressive loading (MLL) on peak isometric torque recovery and inflammatory cell infiltration after eccentric exercise (EEX). Eighteen skeletally mature New Zealand White rabbits were instrumented with peroneal nerve cuffs for the stimulation of hindlimb tibialis anterior muscles. After a bout of EEX, rabbits were randomly assigned to an MLL protocol (0.5 Hz, 10 N, 15 min) that started immediately post-EEX, 48 h post-EXX, or no-MLL control and performed for four consecutive days. A torque-angle (T-Θ) relationship was obtained for 21 joint angles pre- and post-EEX and after four consecutive days of MLL or no-MLL. Muscle wet weights and immunohistochemical sections were obtained after final treatments. EEX produced an average 51% ± 13% decrease in peak isometric torque output. The greatest peak torque recovery occurred with the immediate application of MLL. There were differences in torque recovery between immediate and delayed MLL (P = 0.0012), immediate MLL and control (P < 0.0001), and delayed MLL and control (P = 0.025). Immunohistochemical analysis showed 39.3% and 366.0% differences in the number of RPN3/57 and CD11b-positive cells between immediate (P = 0.71) and delayed MLL (P = 0.12). The area under the T-Θ curve showed a difference for immediate (P < 0.0001) and delayed (P = 0.0051) MLL as compared with control. Exercise produced an average 10° ± 0.2° rightward shift from preexercise peak isometric torque angle. Control, immediate MLL, and delayed MLL produced an average leftward angular shift from the postexercise angle (P = 0.28, P = 0.03, and P = 0.47, respectively). Post-EEX, immediate MLL was more beneficial than delayed MLL in restoring muscle function and in modulating inflammatory cell infiltration. These findings invite similar human studies to make definitive conclusions on optimal timing of massage-based therapies.

Cereal and nonfat milk support muscle recovery following exercise

BackgroundThis study compared the effects of ingesting cereal and nonfat milk (Cereal) and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drink (Drink) immediately following endurance exercise on muscle glycogen synthesis and the phosphorylation state of proteins controlling protein synthesis: Akt, mTOR, rpS6 and eIF4E.MethodsTrained cyclists or triathletes (8 male: 28.0 ± 1.6 yrs, 1.8 ± 0.0 m, 75.4 ± 3.2 kg, 61.0 ± 1.6 ml O2•kg-1•min-1; 4 female: 25.3 ± 1.7 yrs, 1.7 ± 0.0 m, 66.9 ± 4.6 kg, 46.4 ± 1.2 mlO2•kg-1•min-1) completed two randomly-ordered trials serving as their own controls. After 2 hours of cycling at 60–65% VO2MAX, a biopsy from the vastus lateralis was obtained (Post0), then subjects consumed either Drink (78.5 g carbohydrate) or Cereal (77 g carbohydrate, 19.5 g protein and 2.7 g fat). Blood was drawn before and at the end of exercise, and at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after treatment. A second biopsy was taken 60 minutes after supplementation (Post60). Differences within and between treatments were tested using repeated measures ANOVA.ResultsAt Post60, blood glucose was similar between treatments (Drink 6.1 ± 0.3, Cereal 5.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L, p < .05), but after Cereal, plasma insulin was significantly higher (Drink 123.1 ± 11.8, Cereal 191.0 ± 12.3 pmol/L, p < .05), and plasma lactate significantly lower (Drink 1.4 ± 0.1, Cereal 1.00 ± 0.1 mmol/L, p < .05). Except for higher phosphorylation of mTOR after Cereal, glycogen and muscle proteins were not statistically different between treatments. Significant Post0 to Post60 changes occurred in glycogen (Drink 52.4 ± 7.0 to 58.6 ± 6.9, Cereal 58.7 ± 9.6 to 66.0 ± 10.0 μmol/g, p < .05) and rpS6 (Drink 17.9 ± 2.5 to 35.2 ± 4.9, Cereal 18.6 ± 2.2 to 35.4 ± 4.4 %Std, p < .05) for each treatment, but only Cereal significantly affected glycogen synthase (Drink 66.6 ± 6.9 to 64.9 ± 6.9, Cereal 61.1 ± 8.0 to 54.2 ± 7.2%Std, p < .05), Akt (Drink 57.9 ± 3.2 to 55.7 ± 3.1, Cereal 53.2 ± 4.1 to 60.5 ± 3.7 %Std, p < .05) and mTOR (Drink 28.7 ± 4.4 to 35.4 ± 4.5, Cereal 23.0 ± 3.1 to 42.2 ± 2.5 %Std, p < .05). eIF4E was unchanged after both treatments.ConclusionThese results suggest that Cereal is as good as a commercially-available sports drink in initiating post-exercise muscle recovery.

Massage and ultrasound as therapeutic modalities in exercise-induced muscle damage.

Although both massage and ultrasound treatment are used in clinical settings to enhance muscle functional recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage, there is a paucity of experimental evidence for their efficacy. Theoretically both massage and ultrasound could affect some physiological factors associated with enhancement of postexercise muscle recovery. However, the actual physiological mechanisms by which massage or ultrasound could influence postexercise muscle damage and repair are unknown. Most experimental evidence suggests that massage has little influence on muscle blood flow, clearance of "noxious" substances, recovery of postexercise muscle strength, or delayed soreness sensation. However, more data is needed before conclusions can be drawn as to the ability of massage to influence postexercise inflammatory response or various other physiological changes that characterize exercise-induced muscle damage and repair. There is even less information on the ability of ultrasound to influence physiological or functional factors associated with postexercise muscle damage. The few experiments that have been done tend to be contradictory and have yet to consider the range of ultrasound treatment parameters for therapeutic effectiveness in treating postexercise damage and influencing repair processes. Much more research is needed to determine whether either treatment modality can have any therapeutic effect on exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery of postexercise muscle function.