Effect of eccentric strength testing on delayed-onset muscle pain.
This investigation was designed to determine the effect of eccentric strength testing on delayed-onset muscle pain in 20 untrained university students. Initially, eccentric strength testing (5-repetition maximum [5RM]) was performed bilaterally. Next, 1 arm completed 3 sets of 10 eccentric repetitions to induce delayed-onset muscle pain. Then, in a subsequent session, whichever arm previously performed only the 5RM test completed the 5RM test a second time and the 3 sets of 10 eccentric repetitions. Statistical analyses supported significantly increased pain intensity and unpleasantness across 48 hours post-5RM test alone. However, pain intensity and unpleasantness after the eccentric training bouts were significantly lower in the arm that performed 2 5RM tests than the arm that performed only 1. Thus, the eccentric strength testing produced delayed-onset muscle pain and protected against future delayed-onset muscle pain. These effects should be considered when such testing is used in baseline strength assessments.
Dannecker
Erin A
EA
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA. danneckere@missouri.edu
O'Connor
Patrick D
PD
Atchison
James W
JW
Robinson
Michael E
ME
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013997:Time Factors