scholarly journals Muscle damage produced by isometric contractions in human elbow flexors

2018 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 388-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor J. Allen ◽  
Tyson Jones ◽  
Anthony Tsay ◽  
David L. Morgan ◽  
Uwe Proske
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Isometric Exercise ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Elbow Flexors ◽  
Disuse Atrophy ◽  
Half Maximum ◽  
Maximum Effort ◽  
Damage Process ◽  
Voluntary Contractions

Isometric exercise is often prescribed during rehabilitation from injury to maintain muscle condition and prevent disuse atrophy. However, such exercise can lead to muscle soreness and damage. Here we investigate which parameters of isometric contractions are responsible for the damage. Bouts of 30 repetitions of maximum voluntary contractions of elbow flexors in 38 subjects were carried out and peak force, soreness, and tenderness were measured before the exercise, immediately afterwards, at 2 h, and at 24 h postexercise. When one arm was held near the optimum angle for force generation (90°), the force it produced was greater by 28% than by the other arm held at a longer length (155°). However, despite the smaller contraction forces of the muscle held at the longer length, after the exercise it exhibited a greater fall in force that persisted out to 24 h (20% fall) and more delayed soreness than the muscle exercised at 90° (7% fall at 24 h). The result indicates a length dependence of the damage process for isometric contractions at maximum effort. In four additional experiments, evidence was provided that the damage occurred during the plateau of the contraction and not the rising or relaxation phases. The damage had a prompt onset and was cumulative, continuing for the duration of the contraction. We interpret our findings in terms of the nonuniform lengthening of sarcomeres during the plateau of the contractions and conclude that muscle damage from isometric exercise is minimized if carried out at lengths below the optimum, using half-maximum or smaller contractions. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Isometric exercise, where muscle contracts while the limb is held fixed, is often possible for individuals rehabilitating from injury and can help maintain muscle condition. Such exercise has been reported to cause some muscle damage and soreness. We confirm this and show that to minimize damage, exercising muscles should be held at shorter than the optimum length for force and carried out at half-maximum effort or less.

scholarly journals Two maximal isometric contractions attenuate the magnitude of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 680-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin-Lian Chen ◽  
Kazunori Nosaka ◽  
Alan J. Pearce ◽  
Trevor C. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Eccentric Exercise ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Eccentric Contractions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Elbow Flexors ◽  
Exercise Induced

This study investigated whether maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC-ISO) would attenuate the magnitude of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Young untrained men were placed into one of the two experimental groups or one control group (n = 13 per group). Subjects in the experimental groups performed either two or 10 MVC-ISO of the elbow flexors at a long muscle length (20° flexion) 2 days prior to 30 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors. Subjects in the control group performed the eccentric contractions without MVC-ISO. No significant changes in maximal voluntary concentric contraction peak torque, peak torque angle, range of motion, upper arm circumference, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin concentration, muscle soreness, and ultrasound echo intensity were evident after MVC-ISO. Changes in the variables following eccentric contractions were smaller (P < 0.05) for the 2 MVC-ISO group (e.g., peak torque loss at 5 days after exercise, 23% ± 3%; peak CK activity, 1964 ± 452 IU·L–1; peak muscle soreness, 46 ± 4 mm) or the 10 MVC-ISO group (13% ± 3%, 877 ± 198 IU·L–1, 30 ± 4 mm) compared with the control (34% ± 4%, 6192 ± 1747 IU·L–1, 66 ± 5 mm). The 10 MVC-ISO group showed smaller (P < 0.05) changes in all variables following eccentric contractions compared with the 2 MVC-ISO group. Therefore, two MVC-ISO conferred potent protective effects against muscle damage, whereas greater protective effect was induced by 10 MVC-ISO, which can be used as a strategy to minimize muscle damage.

Effect of two maximal isometric contractions on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage of the elbow flexors

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 1545-1554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor C. Chen ◽  
Hsin-Lian Chen ◽  
Ming-Ju Lin ◽  
Che-Hsiu Chen ◽  
Alan J. Pearce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Eccentric Exercise ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Elbow Flexors ◽  
Exercise Induced

scholarly journals Comparison between old and young men for changes in makers of muscle damage following voluntary eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P Lavender ◽  
Kazunori Nosaka
Keyword(s):  
Creatine Kinase ◽  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Eccentric Exercise ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Young Group ◽  
Creatine Kinase Activity ◽  
Isometric Strength ◽  
Elbow Flexors

This study aimed to investigate if old men were more susceptible than young men to muscle damage induced by exercise consisting of repeated-lengthening muscle actions. The responses to a bout of eccentric exercise were compared between 10 young (mean age ± SEM = 19.4 ± 0.4 y) and 10 old (70.5 ± 1.5 y) men. All subjects performed 6 sets of 5 lengthening actions of the left elbow flexors at a range of 90° from an elbow flexed (90°) to an extended (180°) position in 5 s using a dumbbell massed at 40% maximal isometric strength (MVC) at an elbow joint angle of 90°. Changes in MVC, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference (CIR), muscle soreness (DOMS), plasma creatine kinase activity (CK), and myoglobin (Mb) concentration over 7-10 d following exercise were compared between groups by 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significant differences between groups were evident at baseline for ROM (significantly smaller for the older group) and CIR (significantly larger for the older group), but not for MVC and other measures. Contrary to the hypothesis, the young group showed significantly larger decreases in MVC and ROM and larger increases in circumference, DOMS, CK activity, and Mb con centration than those of the old group. These results suggest that muscle damage is not necessarily greater in old versus young men following voluntary eccentric exercise. It may be that physiological changes that occur with ageing, including a decrease in ROM, reduce damaging stress to muscles during lengthening muscle actions.Key words: ageing, maximal isometric strength, muscle soreness, creatine kinase, myoglobin.

Comparison in muscle damage between maximal voluntary and electrically evoked isometric contractions of the elbow flexors

2011 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Jubeau ◽  
Makii Muthalib ◽  
Guillaume Y. Millet ◽  
Nicola A. Maffiuletti ◽  
Kazunori Nosaka
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Isometric Contractions ◽  
Elbow Flexors

Comparison between voluntary and stimulated contractions of the quadriceps femoris for growth hormone response and muscle damage

2008 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Jubeau ◽  
Alessandro Sartorio ◽  
Pier Giulio Marinone ◽  
Fiorenza Agosti ◽  
Jacques Van Hoecke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Blood Lactate ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Voluntary Exercise ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Leg Press ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Voluntary Contractions ◽  
Serum Gh

This study aimed to compare voluntary and stimulated exercise for changes in muscle strength, growth hormone (GH), blood lactate, and markers of muscle damage. Nine healthy men had two leg press exercise bouts separated by 2 wk. In the first bout, the quadriceps muscles were stimulated by biphasic rectangular pulses (75 Hz, duration 400 μs, on-off ratio 6.25–20 s) with current amplitude being consistently increased throughout 40 contractions at maximal tolerable level. In the second bout, 40 voluntary isometric contractions were performed at the same leg press force output as the first bout. Maximal voluntary isometric strength was measured before and after the bouts, and serum GH and blood lactate concentrations were measured before, during, and after exercise. Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and muscle soreness were assessed before, immediately after, and 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise. Maximal voluntary strength decreased significantly ( P < 0.05) after both bouts, but the magnitude of the decrease was significantly ( P < 0.05) greater for the stimulated contractions (−22%) compared with the voluntary contractions (−9%). Increases in serum GH and lactate concentrations were significantly ( P < 0.05) larger after the stimulation compared with the voluntary exercise. Increases in serum CK activity and muscle soreness were also significantly ( P < 0.05) greater for the stimulation than voluntary exercise. It was concluded that a single bout of electrical stimulation exercise resulted in greater GH response and muscle damage than voluntary exercise.

scholarly journals The Effects of a High-Protein Diet on Markers of Muscle Damage Following Exercise in Active Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 323-329
Author(s):  
Tom Clifford ◽  
Eleanor J. Hayes ◽  
Jadine H. Scragg ◽  
Guy Taylor ◽  
Kieran Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Creatine Kinase ◽  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Strenuous Exercise ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Brief Assessment ◽  
Voluntary Contractions

Purpose: This study examined whether a higher protein diet following strenuous exercise can alter markers of muscle damage and inflammation in older adults. Methods: Using a double-blind, independent group design, 10 males and eight females (age 57 ± 4 years; mass 72.3 ± 5.6 kg; height 1.7 ± 6.5 m) were supplied with a higher protein (2.50 g·kg−1·day−1) or moderate protein (1.25 g·kg−1·day−1) diet for 48 hr after 140 squats with 25% of their body mass. Maximal isometric voluntary contractions, muscle soreness, creatine kinase, Brief Assessment of Mood Adapted, and inflammatory markers were measured preexercise, and 24 hr and 48 hr postexercise. Results: The maximal isometric voluntary contractions decreased postexercise (p = .001, ), but did not differ between groups (p = .822, ). Muscle soreness peaked at 24 hr post in moderate protein (44 ± 30 mm) and 48 hr post in higher protein (70 ± 46 mm; p = .005; ); however, no group differences were found (p = .585; ). Monocytes and lymphocytes significantly decreased postexercise, and eosinophils increased 24 hr postexercise (p < 0.05), but neutrophils, creatine kinase, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and Brief Assessment of Mood Adapted were unchanged by exercise or the intervention (p > .05). Conclusion: In conclusion, 2.50 g·kg−1·day−1 of protein is not more effective than 1.25 g·kg−1·day−1 for attenuating indirect markers of muscle damage and inflammation following strenuous exercise in older adults.

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on muscle damage after resistance exercise in young women: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 026010602110222
Author(s):  
Letícia Chisini Loss ◽  
Diane Benini ◽  
Felipe Xavier de Lima-e-Silva ◽  
Gabriella Berwig Möller ◽  
Luiza Rissi Friedrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Oil ◽  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Strength Capacity

Background: Omega-3 is a nutritional strategie that have been used to recover muscles from exercise-induced muscle damage in a preventive perspective. Aim: To verify whether omega-3 (ω-3) supplementation after a session of resistance exercise facilitates muscle recovery in women undergoing a balanced diet. Methods: This clinical trial was registered under the number NCT02839525. Thirty healthy women (22.2 ± 3.3 years) participated in this double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. They were randomly distributed into ω-3 ( n=15) and placebo ( n=15) groups. They ingested ω-3 fish oil (3200 mg/day) or placebo (olive oil) at the dinner after the exercise bout (10 sets of 10 unilateral eccentric contractions in a knee extension chair), as well as at lunch for the three subsequent days. In addition, both groups followed a balanced diet along the four days. Muscle soreness and maximal isometric and isokinetic voluntary contractions were assessed immediately before, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after the resistance exercise. Main findings: There was no significant group-time interaction for any outcome. Participants presented increased levels of muscle soreness and reduced muscle strength capacity along the three days after exercise. There was no difference between placebo and ω-3 groups. Conclusion: Supplementation of ω-3 fish oil for three days after resistance exercise provided no additional benefits compared to placebo supplementation on recovery of healthy young women following a balanced diet.

Angle-specific impairment of elbow flexors strength after isometric exercise at long muscle length

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 859-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastassios Philippou ◽  
Maria Maridaki ◽  
Gregory C. Bogdanis
Keyword(s):  
Isometric Exercise ◽  
Muscle Length ◽  
Elbow Flexors

Unilateral isometric muscle fatigue decreases force production and activation of contralateral knee extensors but not elbow flexors

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 1338-1344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel Halperin ◽  
David Copithorne ◽  
David G. Behm
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Fatigue ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Voluntary Activation ◽  
Knee Extensors ◽  
Elbow Flexors ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Nonlocal Effects ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Voluntary Contractions ◽  
Isometric Muscle

Nonlocal muscle fatigue occurs when fatiguing 1 muscle alters performance of another rested muscle. The purpose of the study was to investigate if fatiguing 2 separate muscles would affect the same rested muscle, and if fatiguing the same muscle would affect 2 separate muscles. Twenty-one trained males participated in 2 studies (n = 11; n = 10). Subjects performed 2 pre-test maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) with the nondominant knee extensors. Thereafter they performed two 100-s MVCs with their dominant knee extensors, elbow flexors, or rested. Between and after the sets, a single MVC with the nondominant rested knee extensors was performed. Subsequently, 12 nondominant knee extensors repeated MVCs were completed. Force, quadriceps voluntary activation (VA), and electromyography (EMG) were measured. The same protocol was employed in study 2 except the nondominant elbow-flexors were tested. Study 1: Compared with control conditions, a significant decrease in nondominant knee extensors force, EMG, and VA was found under both fatiguing conditions (P ≤ 0.05; effect size (ES) = 0.91–1.15; 2%–8%). Additionally, decrements in all variables were found from the first post-intervention MVC to the last (P ≤ 0.05; ES = 0.82–2.40; 9%–20%). Study 2: No differences were found between conditions for all variables (P ≥ 0.33; ES ≤ 0.2; ≤3.0%). However, all variables decreased from the first post-intervention MVC to the last (P ≤ 0.05; ES = 0.4–3.0; 7.2%–19.7%). Whereas the rested knee extensors demonstrated nonlocal effects regardless of the muscle being fatigued, the elbow-flexors remained unaffected. This suggests that nonlocal effects are muscle specific, which may hold functional implications for training and performance.

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