Physiological, sensory, and functional measures in a model of wrist muscle injury and recovery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of muscle rehabilitation modalities, it is first necessary to develop a model to test measures that would assess physiological, sensory, and functional muscle recovery. This study attempted to develop such a model for wrist injury.


METHODS
Healthy male and female adults (n = 25).


METHODS
SUBJECTS performed wrist muscle damage assessment, soreness, discomfort, difficulty, and functional motor task tests before and 1, 2, and 7 days after eccentric wrist muscle contractions. Wrist-related motor task tests, including the perception of discomfort and difficulty during performance, were also conducted.


RESULTS
At 24 hours post-eccentric exercises, wrist extension and flexion force declined (p < 0.05) and soreness (p < 0.05) and circumference (p < 0.05) increased; all returned to normal by 7 days post-exercise. At 24 and 48 hours post-exercise, perception of discomfort and difficulty was elevated during performance of motor tasks (p < 0.05). The completion speed of motor tasks was unaffected at any time post-eccentric exercise (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Loss of wrist muscle force, increased soreness, task discomfort, and difficulty were noted following eccentric exercise. However, subjects appeared able to compensate, such that the speed of completion of motor tasks was not slowed. Longer or more specific motor tasks may be necessary to mimic real work performance decrement and recovery.
Peter M. Tiidus, PhD: Professor and Chair, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario.
Peter M
PM
Tiidus
Lindsay
L
Brown
Aron
A
Brant
Deborah
D
Enns
Pamela J
PJ
Bryden