Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Normal forces and myofibrillar disruption after repeated eccentric exercise

T Hortobágyi¹, J Houmard, D Fraser

¹School of Health and Human Performance, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA. HortobagyiT@mail.ecu.edu

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)

|February 26, 1998

Summary

Eccentric exercise causes muscle damage and strength loss, but rapid recovery occurs within days. This adaptation appears to be driven by neural factors, even with residual muscle disruption.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Strengthening Oncology Data Systems for Equitable Care in Asia-Pacific: Current Practices and Future Directions.

Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain))·2026

Same author

Mixed methods evaluation of a digital resource to build students' skills in ASsessing cardiovascular risk, MOtivating change, and SUStaining a healthier lifestyle in themselves and others- ASMOSUS: a study protocol.

BMC nursing·2025

Same author

Canadian Surgery Forum: Abstracts of presentations to the Annual Meetings of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons, Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons, Canadian Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology, Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Vancouver, BC, Sept. 17-21, 2013.

Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie·2025

Same author

Management of cull dairy cows: Culling decisions, duration of transport, and effect on cow condition.

Journal of dairy science·2020

Same author

Fitness for transport of cull dairy cows at livestock markets.

Journal of dairy science·2019

Same author

Hot topic: Management of cull dairy cows-Consensus of an expert consultation in Canada.

Journal of dairy science·2018

Area of Science:

Exercise Physiology
Muscle Adaptation
Neuromuscular Function

Background:

Eccentric contractions can induce muscle damage, leading to decreased force production and altered neuromuscular activity.
The phenomenon of

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neural and morphological mechanisms underlying rapid force recovery after eccentric exercise.
To examine the

Main Methods:

12 subjects performed 100 eccentric quadriceps contractions (bout 1), followed by a 2-week rest period and a repeat bout (bout 2).
Measurements included muscle strength, surface electromyography (EMG), patellar tendon reflex amplitude, muscle soreness, and serum creatine kinase levels.
EMG analysis quantified myofibrillar disruption.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

Following bout 1, muscle strength and EMG activity decreased significantly, accompanied by increased reflex amplitude, soreness, and creatine kinase.
Muscle damage markers and strength deficits resolved by day 7 post-bout 1.
After bout 2, no significant changes in force, EMG, creatine kinase, or soreness were observed, indicating rapid adaptation.
Residual myofibrillar disruption was noted after bout 2, suggesting recovery is not solely dependent on complete tissue repair.

Conclusions:

Rapid force recovery after eccentric exercise is significantly influenced by neural adaptations.
The findings suggest that neural factors play a crucial role in mediating recovery, potentially independent of complete myofibrillar integrity.