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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
08:33
Induction and Assessment of Exertional Skeletal Muscle Damage in Humans
Published on: December 11, 2016
Inflammatory response to strenuous muscular exercise in man
G Camus1, G Deby-Dupont, C Deby
1Research Associate, FNRS Laboratory of Human Applied Physiology, ISEPK, B21 University of Liège Sart Tilman Liège 4000 Belgium.
Mediators of Inflammation
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Strenuous exercise triggers an inflammatory response to exercise (IRE), involving various physiological changes. While generally a repair process, excessive IRE may have negative health impacts, warranting further research.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Immunology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Strenuous muscular work induces significant humoral and cellular changes in humans.
- These changes form the basis for the concept of inflammatory response to exercise (IRE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the concept of inflammatory response to exercise (IRE).
- To identify the main indices and potential triggers of IRE.
- To discuss the physiological and potential physiopathological consequences of IRE.
Main Methods:
- Review of humoral and cellular changes during strenuous exercise.
- Identification of key indicators of IRE.
- Analysis of potential triggering mechanisms based on exercise parameters.
Main Results:
- Key indices of IRE include acute phase response, leucocytosis, inflammatory mediators, tissue damage, free radicals, complement activation, and coagulation/fibrinolytic pathways.
- Potential triggers involve muscle/connective tissue damage, endothelial shear stress, and endotoxemia.
- IRE is generally physiological, aiding tissue repair, but can be exaggerated.
Conclusions:
- The inflammatory response to exercise (IRE) is a complex physiological reaction to strenuous physical activity.
- While typically beneficial for tissue repair, excessive IRE may pose health risks.
- Further investigation is needed on factors influencing IRE and its risks in athletes.
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