Greater eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage by large versus small range of motion with the same end-point

Abstract

Several factors can affect the magnitude of eccentric exercise (ECC)-induced muscle damage, but little is known regarding the effect of the range of motion (ROM) in ECC-induced muscle damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elbow flexor ECC with 120° of ROM (from 60° of elbow flexion until elbow full extension - 180° [120ROM]) induces a greater magnitude of muscle damage compared with a protocol with 60° of ROM (120-180° of elbow flexion [60ROM]). Twelve healthy young men (age: 22 ± 3.1 years; height: 1.75 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 75.6 ± 13.6 kg) performed the ECC with 120ROM and 60ROM using different arms in a random order separated by 2 weeks and were tested before and 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after ECC for maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque (MVC-ISO), ROM and muscle soreness. The 120ROM protocol showed greater changes and effect sizes (ES) for MVC-ISO (-35%, ES: 1.97), ROM (-11.5°, ES: 1.27) and muscle soreness (19 mm, ES: 1.18) compared with the 60ROM protocol (-23%, ES: 0.93; -12%, ES: 0.56; 17°, ES: 0.63; 8 mm, ES: 1.07, respectively). In conclusion, ECC of the elbow flexors with 120° of ROM promotes a greater magnitude of muscle damage compared with a protocol with 60° of ROM, even when both protocols are performed at long muscle lengths.

Appropriateness of indirect markers of muscle damage following lower limbs eccentric-biased exercises: A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…This could be explained by the high proportion of monoarticular exercises performed at high intensity over a large range of motion using an isokinetic ergometer. Indeed, it has been shown that exercise intensity [ 35 ] and exercise range of motion [ 36 , 37 ] are dominant factors affecting the magnitude of changes in EIMD markers (e.g. MVC torque loss).…”

Effect of Post-Exercise Yoga Poses on Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Soreness, Pain, and Activities of Daily Living

“…The evidence suggests that the intensity used during the ECC exercise may also affect the muscle damage response [22][23][24][25]. The participants that performed the ECC protocol with a smaller load (25% of MVIC) felt less pain and DOMS than the ECC protocol with greater load (35% of MVIC).…”

Sex differences in the impact of resistance exercise load on muscle damage: A protocol for a randomised parallel group trial

“…Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of these variables in isolation on EIMD. Studies in animals [19,20] and humans [15,16,[21][22][23] have consistently demonstrated more severe EIMD when the targeted muscle is stretched over a greater range of muscle lengths. Conversely, when the maximum force output of the muscle is manipulated (i.e., by varying the exercise load or electrostimulation intensity) the impact on EIMD magnitude is less transparent, at least in humans.…”