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Effects of a second bout of maximal eccentric exercise on muscle damage and electromyographic activity

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Abstract

This study examined whether a second bout of maximal eccentric exercise performed 3 days after the first exercise bout would produce further changes in muscle damage and electromyographic activity (EMG). Male students (n=26) were randomly assigned to experimental 70 (EX70; n=9), experimental 30 (EX30; n=8), and control (CON; n=9) groups. The initial exercise was 30 maximal voluntary isokinetic eccentric contractions (MAX1) on non-dominant elbow flexors at 60° s−1 (1.05 rad s-1). The EX70 and EX30 groups performed a second bout of 70 and 30 eccentric contractions (MAX2), respectively, 3 days after MAX1. Upper arm circumference , range of motion , strength, integrated EMG (IEMG), and mean power frequency (MPF) were measured before, immediately after, and once a day for 9 days after MAX1. Plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and muscle soreness were assessed before and for 9 days after MAX1. Total work, work per contraction, IEMG, and MPF were also recorded during MAX1 and MAX2. All indicators of muscle damage changed following MAX1 for each group (P<0.05), but no indicators of additional damage (P>0.05) were apparent after MAX2 for either the EX70 or EX30 groups. IEMG (P=0.03) and MPF (P=0.04) were lower for MAX2 compared with MAX1 for both the EX30 and EX70 groups. It is concluded that performing a second bout of eccentric exercise with damaged muscles 3 days after the initial bout does not produce further damage or retard recovery, even when the second bout of exercise is more strenuous. EMG findings were consistent with reduced activation of fast-twitch motor units during the second eccentric bout. These results may be interpreted as evidence of a neural protective mechanism.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Dr. Malachy P. McHugh and Dr. Priscilla M. Clarkson for their contributions in reviewing this manuscript. All experiments in this study comply with the current laws of Taiwan, the Republic of China, where the study was carried out.

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  1. Department of Ball-Related Sports Science, Taipei Physical Education College, Taipei City, Taiwan

    Trevor C. Chen

  2. Department of Physical Education, National Chia-Yi University, 85 Wenlong Tsuen, 621, Mingsuin Shiang, Chia-Yi, Taiwan

    Trevor C. Chen

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Correspondence to Trevor C. Chen.

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Chen, T.C. Effects of a second bout of maximal eccentric exercise on muscle damage and electromyographic activity. Eur J Appl Physiol 89, 115–121 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-002-0791-1

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