Submaximal delayed-onset muscle soreness: correlations between MR imaging findings and clinical measures.
OBJECTIVE
To assess correlations between muscle edema on magnetic resonance (MR) images and clinical indexes of muscle injury in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) produced by submaximal exercise protocols.


METHODS
Sixteen subjects performed 36 elbow flexions ("biceps curls") at one of two submaximal workloads that emphasized eccentric contractions. Changes in MR imaging findings, plasma levels of creatine kinase, and pain scores were correlated.


RESULTS
Both exercise protocols produced DOMS in all subjects. The best correlation was between change in creatine kinase level and volume of muscle edema on MR images, regardless of the workload. Correlations tended to be better with the easier exercise protocol.


CONCLUSIONS
Whereas many previous studies of DOMS focused on intense exercise protocols to ensure positive results, the present investigation showed that submaximal workloads are adequate to produce DOMS and that correlations between conventionally measured indexes of injury may be enhanced at lighter exercise intensities.
Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-8896, USA.
G F
GF
Evans
R G
RG
Haller
P S
PS
Wyrick
R W
RW
Parkey
J L
JL
Fleckenstein
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000293:injuries*; D016526:Workload
D003402:Creatine Kinase