Comparison between leg and arm eccentric exercises of the same relative intensity on indices of muscle damage

Abstract

Many exercise models have demonstrated associations between eccentric muscle actions and muscle damage. However, the magnitude of muscle damage varies among the models. It appears that responses to eccentric exercise are different between leg and arm muscles but this has not been systematically clarified. This study compared leg and arm eccentric exercises of the same relative intensity for indices of muscle damage. Eleven healthy untrained males [Age: 21.2 (1.0) years, Height: 179.4 (3.0) cm, Weight: 78.4 (3.1) kg] performed a sub-maximal eccentric exercise of the knee extensors (LEGS) and the elbow flexors (ARMS), separately. Both LEGS and ARMS consisted of six sets of 12 repetitions with an intensity corresponding to 75% of the predetermined maximal eccentric peak torque (EPT) of each muscle. Range of motion (ROM), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, myoglobin (Mb) concentration, and muscle strength [EPT and isometric peak torque (IPT)] were assessed before and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h following exercise. Significant (P < 0.05) changes in DOMS and ROM were observed up to 96 h after both exercise bouts, and the magnitude of the change was similar between LEGS and ARMS. Increases in CK and Mb were significantly (P < 0.05) larger after ARMS than LEGS at 72 and 96 h post-exercise. EPT and IPT were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the baseline up to 96 h post-exercise for ARMS but were fully recovered by 96 h post-exercise for LEGS. Decreases in muscle strength were significantly (p < 0.05) larger following ARMS than LEGS at 48, 72, and 96 h post-exercise for EPT, and from 24 h to 96 h post-exercise for IPT. These results suggest that the magnitude of muscle damage is greater and the recovery of muscle function was slower after eccentric exercise of arm elbow flexors than the knee extensors.

Monitoring muscle damage markers during a four-week downhill walking exercise program

“…However, similar to CK, the increase in SOR was attenuated during the fourth week, suggesting the existence of the repeated bout effect. It is important to note that the increase in SOR found during the DW training period is minimal when compared with those caused by severe EIMD (Jamurtas et al, 2005;Saka et al, 2009;Lima & Denadai, 2011). Finally, SOR and CK responses were similar to those found by Kamandulis et al (2011), using a three-week periodized drop-jump exercise program, which confirms that the DW protocol adopted in our study can be used as training stimulus without impairing the results in further sessions.…”

Efeito protetor após sessões de exercício excêntrico: comparação entre membros superiores e inferiores

“…Já as teorias que levam em conta adaptações mecânicas decorrentes do DM, dizem que o aumento do stiffness passivo e ativo do músculo é um importante processo de adaptação para o EP (POUSSON et al,1990), também considerando o aumento do tecido conjuntivo como uma proteção mecânica eficiente contra o DM (LAPIER et al, 1995). Além desses mecanismos apresentados, também se demonstra que, após a recuperação do tecido muscular danificado, há um aumento do conteúdo da proteína desmina nas miofibrilas, sendo essa uma das responsáveis pela orientação longitudinal e horizontal dos sarcômeros (BARASH et al, 2002).…”

Identification of high responders for interleukin-6 and creatine kinase following acute eccentric resistance exercise in elderly obese women

“…The specific muscle group examined can also affect the magnitude of the CK response, as arm eccentric exercise induced larger decreases and a slower recovery of strength, and larger increases in blood markers of muscle damage (including CK) versus leg exercise. 28 Considering that only one subject met the criteria to be classified as HR for both CK and IL--6 responsiveness, it can be hypothesized that these blood markers are unrelated, and that the mechanisms behind the rise in each are different. Also, IL--6 was measured in the circulation and it is possible that a different physiological environment could be present in the skeletal muscle, as Buford et al29showed that skeletal muscle has a significant accumulation of transcripts for pro--inflammatory genes (TNF--α, IL--1, IL--6and IL--8) 3 h following the completion of a resistance exercise bout.…”