Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Muscle damage protection by low-intensity eccentric contractions remains for 2 weeks but not 3 weeks

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigated the hypothesis that the protective effect conferred by a low-intensity eccentric exercise against maximal eccentric exercise would not last more than a week. Untrained men (21.3 ± 1.6 years) were allocated into either a control or one of four repeated bout groups (n = 13 per group). The repeated bout groups performed 30 low-intensity eccentric contractions (ECC) of the elbow flexors with a dumbbell set at 10% of maximal isometric strength (10%-ECC) either 2 days, 7 days (1 week), 14 days (2 weeks) or 21 days (3 weeks) before 30 maximal eccentric contractions (Max-ECC). The control group performed Max-ECC only. Changes in maximal voluntary contraction strength, optimum angle, range of motion, upper arm circumference, muscle soreness, plasma creatine kinase activity and myoglobin concentration, and ultrasound echo-intensity following 10%-ECC were analysed by a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Changes in the variables following Max-ECC were compared among the groups by a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The 10%-ECC did not change any variables, showing no indication of muscle damage. The changes in all variables following Max-ECC were smaller (P < 0.05) for 2-day, 1- and 2-week groups than control group, without significant differences between 2-day and 1-week groups. The 2-week group showed greater (P < 0.05) changes in all variables compared with 2-day and 1-week groups. Changes in the variables were similar between 3-week and control groups, except for muscle soreness showing smaller (P < 0.05) changes for 3-week group. These results suggest that non-damaging eccentric exercise confers a protective effect against Max-Ecc, but the effect is attenuated between 1 and 2 weeks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barash IA, Peters D, Friden J, Lutz GL, Lieber RL (2002) Desmin cytoskeletal modifications after a bout of eccentric exercise in the rat. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 283:R958–R963

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beaton LJ, Allen DA, Tarnopolsky MA, Tiidus PM, Phillips SM (2002) Contraction-induced muscle damage is unaffected by vitamin E supplementation. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34:798–805

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Black CD, McCully KK (2008) Muscle injury after repeated bouts of voluntary and electrically stimulated exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:1605–1615

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brockett CL, Morgan DL, Proske U (2001) Human hamstring muscles adapt to eccentric exercise by changing optimum length. Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:783–790

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen TC, Nosaka K (2006) Responses of elbow flexors to two strenuous eccentric exercise bouts separated by three days. J Strength Cond Res 20:108–116

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen TC, Nosaka K, Sacco P (2007) Intensity of eccentric exercise, shift of optimum angle and the magnitude of repeated bout effect. J Appl Physiol 102:992–999

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen TC, Chen HL, Lin MJ, Wu CJ, Nosaka K (2009) Muscle damage responses of the elbow flexors to four maximal eccentric exercise bouts performed every four weeks. Eur J Appl Physiol 106:267–275

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen TC, Chen HL, Lin MJ, Wu CJ, Nosaka K (2010) Potent protective effect conferred by four bouts of low intensity eccentric exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42:1004–1012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CH, Nosaka K, Chen HL, Lin MJ, Tseng KW, Chen TC (2011) Effects of flexibility training on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43:491–500

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson PM, Nosaka K, Braun B (1992) Muscle function after exercise-induced muscle damage and rapid adaptation. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24:512–520

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen J (1988) Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences, 2nd edn. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale

    Google Scholar 

  • Crameri RM, Aagaard P, Qvortrup K, Langberg H, Olesen J, Kjaer M (2007) Myofibre damage in human skeletal muscle: effects of electrical stimulation versus voluntary contraction. J Physiol 583:365–380

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hawes MR, Martin AD (2001) Human body composition. In: Eston R, Reilly T (eds) Kinanthropometry and exercise physiology laboratory manual: tests, procedures and data. Routledge, London, pp 42–43

  • Koh TJ, Brooks SV (2001) Lengthening contractions are not required to induce protection from contraction-induced muscle injury. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 281:R155–R161

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lapier TK, Burton HW, Almon R, Cerny F (1995) Alterations in intramuscular connective tissue after limb casting affect contraction-induced muscle injury. J Appl Physiol 78:1065–1069

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LaRoche DP, Connolly DAJ (2006) Effects of stretching on passive muscle tension and response to eccentric exercise. Am J Sports Med 34:1000–1007

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavender AP, Nosaka K (2008) A light load eccentric exercise confers protection against a subsequent bout of more demanding eccentric exercise. J Sci Med Sport 11:291–298

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McArdle F, Spiers S, Aldemir H et al (2004) Preconditioning of skeletal muscle against contraction-induced damage: the role of adaptations to oxidants in mice. J Physiol 561:233–244

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McHugh MP (2003) Recent advances in the understanding of the repeated bout effect: the protective effect against muscle damage from a single bout of eccentric exercise. Scand J Med Sci Sports 13:88–97

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nosaka K, Clarkson PM (1996) Changes in indicators of inflammation after eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors. Med Sci Sports Exerc 28:953–961

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nosaka K, Clarkson PM (1997) Influence of previous concentric exercise on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. J Sports Sci 15:477–483

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nosaka K, Newton MJ (2002) Repeated eccentric exercise bouts do not exacerbate muscle damage and repair. J Strength Cond Res 16:117–122

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nosaka K, Sakamoto K, Newton M, Sacco P (2001a) How long does the protective effect on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage last? Med Sci Sports Exerc 33:1490–1495

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nosaka K, Sakamoto K, Newton M, Sacco P (2001b) The repeated bout effect of reduced-load eccentric exercise on elbow flexor muscle damage. Eur J Appl Physiol 85:34–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nosaka K, Newton MJ, Sacco P (2005) Attenuation of protective effect against eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Can J Appl Physiol 30:529–542

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nosaka K, Sacco P, Mawatari K (2006) Effects of amino acid supplementation on muscle soreness and damage. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 16:620–635

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paulsen G, Crameri R, Benstad HB, Fjeld JG, Mørkrid L, Hallén J, Raastad T (2010) Time course of leukocyte accumulation in human muscle after eccentric exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42:75–85

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Philippou A, Bogdanis GC, Nevill AM, Maridaki M (2004) Changes in the angle-force curve of human elbow flexors following eccentric and isometric exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 93:237–244

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Proske U, Morgan DL (2001) Muscle damage from eccentric exercise: mechanism, mechanical signs, adaptation and clinical applications. J Physiol 537:333–345

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu JG, Carlsson L, Thornell LE (2004) Evidence for myofibril remodeling as opposed to myofibril damage in human muscles with DOMS: an ultrastructural and immunoelectron microscopic study. Histochem Cell Biol 121:219–227

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan (NSC97-2410-H-415-036-MY3). The authors would like to thanks Mr. Ming-Ju Lin, Mr. Chung-Hsun Ho, and Miss. Jui-Hsin Lin for their assistance with the data collection and data analysis.

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education, National Chiayi University, 85 Wenlong Village, Minsyong Township, Chiayi County, 62103, Taiwan

    Hsin-Lian Chen & Trevor C. Chen

  2. School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia

    Kazunori Nosaka

Authors
  1. Hsin-Lian Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kazunori Nosaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Trevor C. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Trevor C. Chen.

Additional information

Communicated by William J. Kraemer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chen, HL., Nosaka, K. & Chen, T.C. Muscle damage protection by low-intensity eccentric contractions remains for 2 weeks but not 3 weeks. Eur J Appl Physiol 112, 555–565 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1999-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-1999-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation