Effects of a 7-day eccentric training period on muscle damage and inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of a 7-d repeated maximal isokinetic eccentric training period on the indicators of muscle damage and inflammatory response.


METHODS
Twenty-two college-age males were randomly assigned to eccentric training (ET) (N = 12) and control groups (CON) (N = 10). The initial exercise was 30 repetitions of maximal voluntary isokinetic eccentric contraction (ECC1) on nondominant elbow flexors with Cybex 6000 at 60 degrees.s-1 angular velocity. The ET group performed the same exercise for the following 6 consecutive days (referred to as ECC2 to ECC7) after ECC1. Upper arm circumference (CIR), range of motion (ROM), and maximal isometric force (MIF) were measured before, immediately after, and every 24 h for 7 consecutive days after ECC1. Plasma creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), leukocyte counts, and serum interleukin-1beta and -6 (IL-1beta, IL-6) levels were assessed before; at 2 h; and at 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 d after ECC1. Muscle soreness was measured before and for 7 consecutive days after ECC1.


RESULTS
The ECC1 produced significant changes in most of the measures for both groups (P < 0.05), with the exception of leukocyte counts (P > 0.05). No indicators of increased damage (P > 0.05) were found from ECC2 to ECC7 for the ET group.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous intensive isokinetic eccentric training performed with damaged muscles did not exacerbate muscle damage and inflammation after ECC1. In addition, a muscular "adaptation effect" may occur as early as 24 h after ECC1, as shown by the ET group's performance for 6 consecutive days after ECC1.
Chen
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TC
Department of Ball-Related Sports Science, Taipei Physical Education College, Taipei City, Taiwan. trevor@tpec.edu.tw
Hsieh
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SS
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase