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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Induction and Assessment of Exertional Skeletal Muscle Damage in Humans
Published on: December 11, 2016
Can muscle soreness after intensive work-related activities be predicted?
Remko Soer1, Jan H B Geertzen, Cees P van der Schans
1Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands. r.soer@cvr.umcg.nl
Objectives:
It is currently unknown whether specific determinants are predictive for developing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after heavy work-related activities. The aim of this study was to analyze whether personal characteristics and performance measures are predictive for onset, intensity, and duration of DOMS after performing work-related activities during a Functional Capacity Evaluation in healthy participants.
Methods:
Included in this study were 197 healthy participants (102 men, 95 women), all working within a broad range of professions. Five groups of predictors were tested in a multiple regression analysis model: personal variables, self-reported activity, self-reported health, perceived effort during the test, and objective outcomes of the test. Twenty-three independent variables were selected and tested with a backward regression analysis.
Results:
The onset of DOMS could be explained for 7% by the variables: sex and the work index of the Baecke questionnaire. Variance of intensity of DOMS could be explained for 13% by the variables: age, sex, and VO2max. Variance in duration of DOMS could be explained for 8% by the variables: sex and reported emotional role limitations. Onset, intensity, and duration of DOMS remain unpredictable for 87% or more.
Conclusions:
The results demonstrate that the intensity and duration of self-reported DOMS can only minimally be predicted from the candidate predictors used in this study.
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