Insights into the molecular etiology of exercise-induced inflammation: opportunities for optimizing performance

Abstract

The study of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is of paramount importance not only because it affects athletic performance but also because it is an excellent model to study the mechanisms governing muscle cachexia under various clinical conditions. Although, a large number of studies have investigated EIMD and its associated inflammatory response, several aspects of skeletal muscles responses remain unclear. In the first section of this article, the mechanisms of EIMD are reviewed in an attempt to follow the events that result in functional and structural alterations of skeletal muscle. In the second section, the inflammatory response associated with EIMD is presented with emphasis in leukocyte accumulation through mechanisms that are largely coordinated by pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines released either by injured muscle itself or other cells. The practical applications of EIMD and the subsequent inflammatory response are discussed with respect to athletic performance. Specifically, the mechanisms leading to performance deterioration and development of muscle soreness are discussed. Emphasis is given to the factors affecting individual responses to EIMD and the resulting interindividual variability to this phenomenon.

High Volume Exercise Training in Older Athletes Influences Inflammatory and Redox Responses to Acute Exercise

“…week. Exercise-induced muscle damage is associated with prolonged deterioration of muscle strength, edema, oxidative stress, recruitment of inflammatory cells with increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and leakage of muscle proteins into circulation (Fatouros & Jamurtas, 2016).…”

T helper cell-related changes in peripheral blood induced by progressive effort among soccer players

“…On the other hand, it has been widely acknowledged that in the post-effort anti-inflammatory response, IL-10 appears in the circulation [68][69][70][71][72][73]. It is also an important molecule related to the regeneration of muscle tissue [69].…”

Muscular effects of vitamin D in young athletes and non-athletes and in the elderly

“…The process of muscle recovery is characterized by the removal of the remaining cell debris, intense protein synthesis and myogenesis. [153][154][155][156] Vitamin D ameliorates the inflammatory response following muscle injuries by suppressing the local production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and by blocking c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), i.e. the signaling pathways mediating the pro-inflammatory effects of TNF-alpha.…”