Sex differences in delayed onset muscle soreness

AIM: There is agreement that females report greater pain in response to typical experimental pain stimuli than males. However, investigations of sex differences in the sensation of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) have equivocal RESULTS: The objective of this investigation was to examine sex differences in the pain from DOMS with an adequate sample size, quantification of stimulus intensity, and 2 measures of pain. METHODS: Sixty-seven participants (52% females) completed a 2-session protocol. DOMS was induced using eccentric resistance exercises in the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm. The intensity of the eccentric contractions was based upon concentric strength. Pain response was measured 48 hrs later. The dependent variables were pressure threshold, which was assessed using a dolorimeter, and pain intensity when the arm was moved through full active range of motion, which was assessed with a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The occurrence of DOMS was confirmed by a decrease in pressure threshold after the eccentric contractions and higher pain intensity in the arm that performed the eccentric contractions than the arm that did not. Females reported lower pain intensities (M=3.41, SD=2.13) compared to males (M=5.12, SD=2.05), but no significant sex difference was found in pressure threshold. CONCLUSION: In this investigation, females reported lower muscle pain intensity than males, but showed no sex difference in pressure threshold. These and previous findings suggest that the detection of a sex difference in muscle pain depends upon the methodology of inducing DOMS and measuring sensation.     

Running economy and delayed onset muscle soreness

BACKGROUND: The main purpose of this study was to test the effects of a duathlon competition on running economy. METHODS. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: University. Participants: nine male and six female physical education students, which mean (SEM) age was 24.0 (1.3) years. MEASURES: Subjects participated in two competitive duathlons: D1 and D2 (5 km running + 16 km cycling + 2 km running). Before D1, an incremental exercise test on the treadmill was performed to determine the V O2max, the running speed at exhaustion (vmax), and the V O2, as well as the running speed (u) attained at the first and second ventilatory threshold (V O2V T1, uV T1, V O2V T2, uV T2). Two days later running economy (RE1) was assessed at four different speeds corresponding to 58, 63, 67 and 71% of the umax. During the following six weeks the subjects trained 4 days a week, running all them 210 km in total. At the end of the training program the incremental exercise test and the duathlon competition were repeated (D2). Two and seven days after the second duathlon running economy was measured again (RE2 and RE3, respectively). RESULTS: Small, but significant improvements were observed in duathlon performance, V O2max, umax, uV T1, V O2V T2 and uV T2, after training. Two days after D2 the oxygen cost of running was approximately 5% higher than seven days after D2 (p < 0.001). The respiratory exchange ratio increased by approximately 0.04 units between RE2 and RE3 (p < 0.001). However, the increase in fat oxidation in RE2 only accounted for approximately 20% of the extra oxygen cost of running (RE2 vs RE3). No significant differences across tests were observed for ventilation (V E), heart rate, V CO2 and V E/V CO2. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that two days after a duathlon competition running economy is impaired, however, seven days after the competition the oxygen cost of running is restored.     

The effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological and psychological effects of massage on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). METHODS: Eighteen volunteers were randomly assigned to either a massage or control group. DOMS was induced with six sets of eight maximal eccentric contractions of the right hamstring, which were followed 2 h later by 20 min of massage or sham massage (control). Peak torque and mood were assessed at 2, 6, 24, and 48 h postexercise. Range of motion (ROM) and intensity and unpleasantness of soreness were assessed at 6, 24, and 48 h postexercise. Neutrophil count was assessed at 6 and 24 h postexercise. RESULTS: A two factor ANOVA (treatment v time) with repeated measures on the second factor showed no significant treatment differences for peak torque, ROM, neutrophils, unpleasantness of soreness, and mood (p > 0.05). The intensity of soreness, however, was significantly lower in the massage group relative to the control group at 48 h postexercise (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Massage administered 2 h after exercise induced muscle injury did not improve hamstring function but did reduce the intensity of soreness 48 h after muscle insult.     

The influence of endurance exercise on delayed onset muscle soreness

BACKGROUND: Despite several review articles supporting the existence of exercise induced analgesia, it is unclear whether exercise reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of an acute bout of endurance exercise on delayed onset muscle pain. METHODS: DOMS was induced in the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm using eccentric isotonic exercise with the intensity of the eccentric contractions based upon concentric strength. Forty-eight hours after the eccentric contractions participants were randomly assigned to a group that completed 20 min of endurance exercise at 80% of estimated maximum cardiorespiratory endurance (n=23) or a group that watched a 20 min emotionally neutral video (n=27). The dependent variables were pressure pain threshold, pain intensity during arm movement through active range of motion, a standardized pain rating that was determined from a magnitude matching procedure, and state anxiety. RESULTS: A significant decrease in pressure pain threshold and an increase in the standardized pain ratings after the DOMS procedure (p<0.05) indicated that muscle pain was successfully induced. These changes were components of significant quadratic trends for pressure threshold (p<0.05) and the standardized pain ratings (p<0.01). During the 2nd session a decrease in pain intensity approached significance (p=0.05) regardless of group assignment. However, no significant group by time interactions were detected for any of the pain measures or state anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Cycle ergometer exercise was not found to alter delayed onset muscle pain.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrate on delayed onset muscle soreness and reactive oxygen species after contraction induced muscle damage

Background: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) occurs after unaccustomed exercise and has been suggested to be attributable to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Previous studies have shown increased ROS after lengthening contractions, attributable to invading phagocytes. Plasma glucose is a vital fuel for phagocytes, therefore carbohydrate (CHO) status before exercise may influence ROS production and DOMS Objective: To examine the effect of pre-exercise CHO status on DOMS, ROS production, and muscle function after contraction induced muscle damage. Method: Twelve subjects performed two downhill runs, one after a high CHO diet and one after a low CHO diet. Blood samples were drawn for analysis of malondialdehyde, total glutathione, creatine kinase, non-esterified fatty acids, lactate, glucose, and leucocytes. DOMS and muscle function were assessed daily. Results: The high CHO diet resulted in higher respiratory exchange ratio and lactate concentrations than the low CHO diet before exercise. The low CHO diet resulted in higher non-esterified fatty acid concentrations before exercise. DOMS developed after exercise and remained for up to 96 hours, after both diets. A biphasic response in creatine kinase occurred after both diets at 24 and 96 hours after exercise. Malondialdehyde had increased 72 hours after exercise after both diets, and muscle function was attenuated up to this time. Conclusions: Downhill running resulted in increased ROS production and ratings of DOMS and secondary increases in muscle damage. CHO status before exercise had no effect.     

高压氧对迟发性放射损伤的作用

放射疗法是一种对肿瘤和周围正常组织均有显著作用的物理疗法,在放疗的同时,不可避免地会损伤正常组织导致放射损伤,特别是迟发性放射损伤,这将严重影响患者的生存质量。随着时间的推移迟发性放射损伤会发展得更加严重,甚至致死,因此限制了临床治疗时的放射剂量,目前这一问题并未得到解决。笔者主要就高压氧治疗对迟发性放射损伤的影响作一综述。     

Delayed onset muscle soreness does not alter O2 uptake kinetics during heavy-intensity cycling in humans

The purpose of this study was to determine if exercise-induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) would alter O2 uptake kinetics during heavy cycling in 9 untrained females. O2 uptake kinetics were characterised during 8-min of constant-load cycling performed with and without DOMS. DOMS was caused by completing 30 min of bench-stepping at a rate of 15 steps.min(-1). Two days after bench stepping, all subjects reported significant leg muscle soreness. Both phase II kinetics (without DOMS tau1: 26.6 +/- 2.4 s; with DOMS tau1: 27.2 +/- 3.7 s) and the slow component amplitude (without DOMS: 277 +/- 15 mL.min(-1); with DOMS: 291 +/- 21 mL.min(-1)) were unaffected by DOMS. The change in blood lactate concentration from rest to end-exercise was significantly greater during exercise performed with DOMS. Eccentric exercise causing a moderate degree of DOMS does not appear to impact upon the mechanisms mediating phase II or the slow component of O2 uptake kinetics.     

Influence of vibration on delayed onset of muscle soreness following eccentric exercise

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which may occur after eccentric exercise, may cause some reduction in ability in sport activities. For this reason, several studies have been designed on preventing and controlling DOMS. As vibration training (VT) may improve muscle performance, we designed this study to investigate the effect of VT on controlling and preventing DOMS after eccentric exercise.

Methods

Fifty healthy non‐athletic volunteers were assigned randomly into two experimental, VT (n = 25) and non‐VT (n = 25) groups. A vibrator was used to apply 50 Hz vibration on the left and right quadriceps, hamstring and calf muscles for 1 min in the VT group, while no vibration was applied in the non‐VT group. Then, both groups walked downhill on a 10° declined treadmill at a speed of 4 km/hour. The measurements included the isometric maximum voluntary contraction force (IMVC) of left and right quadriceps muscles, pressure pain threshold (PPT) 5, 10 and 15 cm above the patella and mid‐line of the calf muscles of both lower limbs before and the day after treadmill walking. After 24 hours, the serum levels of creatine‐kinase (CK), and DOMS level by visual analogue scale were measured.

Results

The results showed decreased IMVC force (P = 0.006), reduced PPT (P = 0.0001) and significantly increased mean of DOMS and CK levels in the non‐VT group, compared to the VT group (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

A comparison by experimental groups indicates that VT before eccentric exercise may prevent and control DOMS. Further studies should be undertaken to ascertain the stability and effectiveness of VT in athletics.     

Acute inflammation: the underlying mechanism in delayed onset muscle soreness?

It is well documented in animal and human research that unaccustomed eccentric muscle action of sufficient intensity and/or duration causes disruption of connective and/or contractile tissue. In humans, this appears to be associated with the sensation of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). During the late 1970's, it was proposed that this sensation of soreness might be associated with the acute inflammatory response. However, subsequent research failed to substantiate this theory. The present article suggests that the results of much of the research concerning DOMS reflect events typically seen in acute inflammation. Similarities between the two events include: the cardinal symptoms of pain, swelling, and loss of function; evidence of cellular infiltrates, especially the macrophage; biochemical markers such as increased lysosomal activity and increased circulating levels of some of the acute phase proteins; and histological changes during the initial 72 h. In the final section of this paper, a theoretical sequence of events is proposed, based on research involving acute inflammation and DOMS.     

The effects of fish oil and isoflavones on delayed onset muscle soreness

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Fish oils (FO) have been shown to modulate the inflammatory response through alteration of the eicosanoid pathway. Isoflavones (ISO) appear to reduce the inflammatory pathway through their role as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) develops after intense exercise and has been associated with an inflammatory response. Therefore, we hypothesized that physical parameters associated with DOMS could be decreased via the modulation of the inflammatory response by supplementing subjects with either FO or ISO. METHODS: 22 subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: FO (1.8 g of omega-3 fatty acids x d(-1)), ISO (120 mg soy isolate x d(-1)), or placebo (PL) (Western fat blend and/or wheat flour). All treatment groups received 100-IU vitamin E x d(-1) to minimize lipid peroxidation of more highly unsaturated fatty acids. Subjects were supplemented 30 d before the exercise and during the week of testing and were instructed to refrain from unusual exercise. DOMS was induced by 50 maximal isokinetic eccentric elbow flexion contractions. Strength parameters, pain, arm circumference, and relaxed arm angle (RANG) were measured at 48, 72, and 168 h post exercise. Cortisol, creatine kinase (CK), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha), malondialdehyde (MDA), and serum iron were measured before supplementation, after supplementation, and post exercise. RESULTS: Significant decreases were observed in RANG and strength 48 h postexercise among all groups, and there were significant increases in pain and arm circumference. There were no significant changes among all groups from baseline at 168 h (7 d) post exercise. There were no significant treatment effects between groups for the physical parameters or for cortisol, CK, IL-6, TNFalpha, MDA, or serum iron. CONCLUSION: These data indicate FO or ISO, at the doses supplemented, were not effective in ameliorating DOMS with the above-cited protocol.     

The effects of vitamin C supplementation on symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 8 days of vitamin C (VC) supplementation on elbow flexor delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) to 8 days of placebo ingestion. METHODS: For 3 days prior to an exercise bout (2 x 20 eccentric elbow extensions), and for 5 days after, a treatment group ingested 3 x 1000 mg/day of VC versus 3 x 50 mg/day of glucose ingestion for the placebo group over the same time period. All subjects were prescreened via dietary recall to exclude any subjects with habitual VC consumption greater than 400 mg/day. Subject comprised 24 subjects (male and female) randomly divided into 2 groups of 12 subjects. Treatment group comprised 5 females and placebo group comprised 8 females. RESULTS: Data from a repeated measures ANOVA indicate that DOMS was successfully induced in both groups via significant time effects for strength loss (P = 0.0001), point tenderness (P = 0.0001), elbow flexor decreased range of motion (P = 0.013), and subjective pain (P = 0.0001). However, there were no significant between group differences in response to any of the aforementioned variables: strength loss (P = 0.202), point tenderness (P = 0.824), elbow flexor range of motion (P = 0.208), subjective pain (P = 0.342). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that a VC supplementation protocol of 3 x 1000 mg/day for 8 days is ineffective in protecting against selected markers of DOMS.     

Eccentric exercise effect on blood oxidative-stress markers and delayed onset of muscle soreness

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of a single bout of high-intensity eccentric exercise (EE) on blood protein carbonyls, glutathione status, and muscle damage indicators to ascertain whether blood markers of oxidative stress are elevated at the time delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) occurs. METHODS: Eight healthy men (26.5 +/- 1.5 yr) performed 60 eccentric contractions at approximately 135-150% dominant arm maximum isometric force (MIF) using their nondominant arm elbow flexors. DOMS, range of motion (ROM), MIF, and blood were obtained before, immediately after, and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after the EE. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity, and protein carbonyls (PC), and erythrocyte glutathione status. RESULTS: A significant decrease in MIF occurred at all times after the EE. ROM decreased from 24 to 96 h, and DOMS increased 24 to 72 h in the nondominant arm as indicated by a repeated measure ANOVA. Plasma CK activity peaked at 72 h (1620 +/- 500 IU x L(-1)) compared with baseline (154 +/- 27 IU x L(-1). Erythrocyte-reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration was not significantly affected by the EE but tended to decrease 23% by 24 h and continued at this level for 96 h. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and total glutathione were unchanged over time. A significant increase in plasma PC occurred at 24 and 48 h after eccentric exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that 60 EE at 135-150% MIF can result in DOMS, with decreased muscle function and increases in plasma PC at 24 and 48 h without alterations in blood glutathione status.     

Effects of local cryotherapy for recovery of delayed onset muscle soreness and strength following exercise-induced muscle damage: systematic review and meta-analysis

Sport Sciences for Health - The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of local cryotherapy on the main symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) through a systematic...     

Delayed-onset muscle soreness does not reflect the magnitude of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage

This study investigated the relationship between delayed-onset muscle soreness and other indicators of muscle damage following eccentric exercise. Male students (n = 110) performed 12 (12ECC), 24 (24ECC), or 60 maximal eccentric actions of the elbow flexors (60ECC). Maximal isometric force, relaxed and flexed elbow joint angles, upper arm circumference, and plasma creatine kinase activity were assessed immediately before and after, and for 4 days after exercise. Muscle soreness (SOR) was evaluated by a visual analog scale (a 50-mm line, 0: no pain, 50: extremely painful) when the elbow flexors were palpated (SOR-Pal), flexed (SOR-Flx) and stretched (SOR-Ext). Although 24ECC and 60ECC resulted in significantly (P <; 0.05) larger changes in all indicators and slower recovery compared to 12ECC, no significant differences were evident for SOR-Pal and SOR-Flx between 12ECC and 24ECC, or 12ECC and 60ECC. In contrast, SOR-Ext was significantly (P <; 0.05) lower for 12ECC compared to 24ECC and 60ECC. A Pearson product-moment correlation showed SOR-Pal did not correlate significantly with any indicators, however, SOR-Ext and SOR-Flx showed weak (r <; 0.32) but significant (P <; 0.05) correlations with other indicators. Because of generally poor correlations between DOMS and other indicators, we conclude that use of DOMS is a poor reflector of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation, and changes in indirect markers of muscle damage and inflammation are not necessarily accompanied with DOMS.     

Does post-exercise massage treatment reduce delayed onset muscle soreness? A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a frequent problem after unaccustomed exercise. No universally accepted treatment exists. Massage therapy is often recommended for this condition but uncertainty exists about its effectiveness. AIM: To determine whether post-exercise massage alleviates the symptoms of DOMS after a bout of strenuous exercise. METHOD: Various computerised literature searches were carried out and located seven controlled trials. RESULTS: Most of the trials were burdened with serious methodological flaws, and their results are far from uniform. However, most suggest that post-exercise massage may alleviate symptoms of DOMS. CONCLUSIONS: Massage therapy may be a promising treatment for DOMS. Definitive studies are warranted.


     

Factors in delayed onset muscular soreness of man

In this study 11 subjects performed exercise resulting in delayed onset muscular soreness in m. gastrocnemius with one leg, the experimental leg. The other leg served as control. Pre-exercise and 24, 48 and 72 h postexercise, soreness perception, resting EMG level of m. gastrocnemius, and volume and skin temperature of both legs were measured, and a leukocyte count was performed. Perception of soreness in m. gastrocnemius reported 24, 48, and 72 h postexercise was not accompanied by an increase in resting EMG level. This result indicates that soreness perception is not related to a tonic localized spasm in sore muscles. A rise in volume of the experimental leg relative to volume of the control leg was found 24, 48, and 72 h postexercise (P less than 0.05). It is suggested that the volume rise is due to edema formation in the experimental leg and that this edema formation is responsible for soreness perception. Since granulocytosis was not found, the hypothesis that edema formation reflects muscle inflammation is not substantiated.