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Induction and Assessment of Exertional Skeletal Muscle Damage in Humans
Published on: December 11, 2016
Work and peak torque during eccentric exercise do not predict changes in markers of muscle damage
D W Chapman1, M J Newton, Z Zainuddin
1School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia. dale.chapman@ausport.gov.au
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|September 18, 2007
Summary
Eccentric exercise responses vary greatly between individuals. This variability is not explained by the amount of work performed or torque generated during the exercise, contrary to initial hypotheses.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Muscle Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Eccentric exercise, involving muscle lengthening under load, can induce significant muscle damage.
- Responses to eccentric exercise show considerable variation among individuals.
- Understanding the factors influencing this variability is crucial for training and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if work performed and torque generated during eccentric exercise explain the inter-subject variability in exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) markers.
- To test the hypothesis linking mechanical output to individual responses to eccentric contractions.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-three participants performed maximal eccentric elbow flexion actions on an isokinetic dynamometer.
- Markers of EIMD included maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque, range of motion, creatine kinase, and soreness.
- Correlations were analyzed between exercise parameters (work, torque) and EIMD markers.
Main Results:
- Significant inter-subject variability was observed in both mechanical output (work, torque) and EIMD markers.
- Normalized total work did not significantly correlate with most EIMD markers, except MVC (r=0.3).
- Exercise torque and changes in peak torque were not correlated with changes in MVC or other damage markers.
Conclusions:
- The substantial variability in individual responses to eccentric exercise is not explained by the work performed or torque generated.
- Factors other than mechanical output likely contribute to differing EIMD responses.
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