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This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of foam rolling (FR) on exercise-induced muscle soreness. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, ProQuest, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the effect of FR intervening muscle soreness after exercise, from their inception to August 2022. The outcome indicators were visual analogue scale (VAS) and pressure-pain threshold (PPT). A total of 16 studies were included, involving 515 subjects. Meta-analysis results show that FR has a certain effect of elimination of muscle soreness after exercise. The standard mean deviation (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of VAS and PPT immediately after intervention, 24, 48 and 72 h: [SMD = −0.38, 95%CI (−0.61, −0.15), P = 0.001], [SMD = −0.53, 95%CI (−0.82, −0.25), P = 0.0003], [SMD = −0.77, 95%CI (−1.12, −0.42), P < 0.00001], [SMD = −0.67, 95%CI (−1.09, −0.24), P = 0.002], [SMD = 0.23, 95%CI (0.62, 0.16), P = 0.25], [SMD = 0.48, 95%CI (0.11, 1.07), P = 0.11], [SMD = 0.39, 95%CI (−0.24, 1.02), P = 0.22], [SMD = 0.37, 95%CI (0.01, 0.74), P = 0.04]. Using foam rolling after exercise has a certain preventive effect on muscle soreness. Our study found that the effect of intervention of FR immediately is tiny after exercise, while the effective of intervening is relative obvious above 24 h. PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021250174) • Be similar to VAS, PPT has strong sensitivity to changes in muscle soreness. • Foam rolling had small and moderate intervention effects on muscle soreness. • Foam rolling can be used as a muscle relaxation tool after high-intensity exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following intense physical training, it is common for athletes to develop muscle soreness, muscle tightness and a sense of fatigue. Minimizing the time spent in this state is advantageous to limit time off from sport, potential injury and lack of mental focus. Does dry needling aid in post-training recovery in athletes? A search was performed for articles exploring the effect of dry needling on exercise/training recovery in athletes. Six articles were included in this critically appraised topic. Three articles were randomized controlled trials, one was a cross-over design, one was a case series, and one was a survey. Five of the six studies demonstrated that dry needling had some sort of positive effect on post-training recovery. One article found DN did not improve muscle soreness after a long distance race. Based on six studies, DN provides mixed results on a variety of physiological and subjective measures. No adverse effects were reported with the use of DN on athletes following post-training. In agreement with the Center of Evidence-Based Medicine, the consistent results from three Level II and two Level III intervention studies designate that there is grade D evidence that DN may aid in some post-training recovery variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of foam roller or stick massage performed after exercise-induced muscle damage protocols on indirect markers of muscle damage compared to a non-intervention control group in healthy individuals. PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde , Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library database were searched in August 2, 2020, with last update on February 21, 2021. Were included clinical trials involving healthy adult individuals who received foam roller/stick massage versus a non-intervention group and evaluated indirect markers of muscle damage. Risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tools. Standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were used to measure the foam roller/stick massage effect on muscle soreness. The five included studies investigated 151 participants (136 men). Overall, the studies presented a moderate/high risk of bias. A between-groups meta-analysis showed no significant difference between massage and non-intervention control groups on muscle soreness immediately after (0.26 [95%CI: 0.14; 0.65], p = 0.20), 24 h (−0.64 [95%CI: 1.34; 0.07], p = 0.08), 48 h (−0.35 [95%CI: 0.85; 0.15], p = 0.17), 72 h (−0.40 [95%CI: 0.92; 0.12], p = 0.13), and 96 h (0.05 [95%CI: 0.40; 0.50], p = 0.82) after an exercise-induced muscle damage protocol. Moreover, the qualitative synthesis showed that foam roller or stick massage had no significant effect on range of motion, muscle swelling, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction recovery. In conclusion, the current literature appears to not support the advantage of foam roller or stick massage to improve recovery of muscle damage indirect markers (muscle soreness, range of motion, muscle swelling, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction) compared to a non-intervention control group in healthy individuals. Furthermore, due to the heterogeneity of the methodological designs among the included studies, making it difficult to compare the results. In addition, there are not enough high-quality and well-designed studies on foam roller or stick massage to draw any definite conclusions. The study was pre-registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (PROSPERO) on August 2, 2020, with last update on February 21, 2021. Protocol number: CRD2017058559. • There are no advantages of roller/stick massage on indirect markers from exercise-induced muscle damage in healthy individuals. • The exercise induced muscle damage and roller/stick massage protocols presented a high methodological heterogeneity. • High quality and low risk of bias randomized clinical trials about roller/stick massage interventions are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the effect of different density foam rollers on range of motion recovery. Ten active men completed two, 3-day trials in random order. During the experimental trials, all participants performed 2 min of foam rolling (FR) using a medium-density (medium trial) or hard-density (hard trial) foam roller on the right posterior thigh after completing the 90-min Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST). The hip joint range of motion (ROM), muscle hardness, and muscle soreness were assessed before and after the LIST and at 0 min, 20 min, 60 min, 24 h, and 48 h after FR intervention. Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were assessed before the LIST and at 60 min, 24 h, and 48 h after FR intervention. The contralateral leg in each trial was used as a control. The ROM at 0 min, 20 min, 60 min, 24 h, and 48 h after FR intervention were higher in the right leg (the massage leg) than in the left leg (the contralateral leg) (p < 0.05). In the right leg, the ROM at 0 min after FR intervention was higher than after the LIST (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the medium and hard trials for ROM. Muscle hardness, muscle soreness, and serum CK concentration were not affected by FR. FR has a positive effect on ROM recovery. Moreover, the two roller densities provided similar ROM recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotic supplementation may offer team sport athletes a range of benefits beyond the immune and gastrointestinal systems.Objectives: To examine the effects of a probiotic formulation on perceptual markers of sleep quality and quantity, and muscle soreness, leg heaviness and motivation in elite rugby union athletes.Methods: A double-blind randomised controlled trial involving 19 elite male rugby athletes was conducted over 17 weeks encompassing both domestic and international competition. Psychometric variables and salivary biomarkers were assessed twice a week. Athletes were assigned either a daily probiotic (Ultrabiotic 60™) and Saccharomyces boulardii (during international competition) or a placebo. Associations between psychometric scores for perceptual and salivary biomarkers of sleep (melatonin) and inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP) were investigated.Results: Muscle soreness was ∼0.5 units lower (F(1, 343)=42.646, p<0.0001) and leg heaviness scores ∼0.7 units lower (F(1, 334)=28.990, p<0.0001) in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. Across both groups, as self-reported muscle soreness scores and salivary CRP concentrations increased, sleep quantity, quality and motivation scores decreased. Conversely as muscle soreness scores and CRP decreased, sleep quantity and quality, and motivation scores improved.Conclusions: A long-term programme of probiotic supplementation in international-level rugby union players may yield favourable effects on self-reported muscle soreness and sleep quality associated with muscle soreness during training and competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Changes in blood lactate levels reflect an adaptation to vocal loading over time. • Perceptual ratings of fatigue and soreness were not related to blood lactate levels. • Acoustic data did not indicate vocal fatigue. The goal of the current investigation was to establish proof of concept regarding measurement of blood lactate levels as an indicator of laryngeal muscle activity and fatigue, as well as to examine the relationship between blood lactate levels and NMES intensity. Fifteen participants completed a vocal loading exercise while blood lactate was measured prior to, during, and upon completion of the exercise. Acoustic measures of voice production and subjective reports of fatigue/soreness were obtained pre- and post-vocal loading task. The participants were divided into three groups: those who did not receive laryngeal neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), those who received laryngeal NMES at a minimally perceivable level of intensity, and those who received laryngeal NMES at a maximum tolerable level of intensity. Changes in blood lactate levels were observed during the vocal loading task, thus indicating that blood lactate measurements are sensitive enough to reflect laryngeal muscle activity. No consistent pattern between blood lactate levels and NMES intensity or fatigue emerged. Several factors may account for these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roller massage with a foam roller has become a common intervention. To date, no studies have examined the therapeutic effects of different surface type rollers. The purpose of this study was to measure the therapeutic effects of three different surface type pattern foam rollers with the same density on passive knee joint range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the quadriceps. This pre-test, post-test randomized controlled trial was conducted in a university laboratory. Thirty-six participants (M = 22, F = 14; mean age = 25.20 ± 4.44 years) were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) smooth surface, (2) multilevel surface, and (3) GRID surface. The intervention was a 2-min rolling session. Outcomes included knee ROM and PPT. Between group comparisons revealed a statistically significant post-intervention difference between the three rollers for knee ROM (p = 0.04) and PPT (p < 0.001). Within group comparison for ROM revealed a 3-degree (p = 0.015) increase for the smooth, a 5-degree (p < 0.001) increase for the multilevel, and a 6-degree (p < 0.001) increase for the GRID surface roller. For PPT, there was an increase of 14 kPa (p = 0.562) for the smooth, 179 kPa (p < 0.001) for the multilevel, and 182 kPa (p < 0.001) for the GRID. The GRID and multilevel surface rollers produced greater immediate post-intervention effects than the smooth roller. The therapeutic effects of the GRID and multilevel rollers may be due to the surface architecture. These rollers may provide a greater deformation of the tissues which creates a local mechanical and global neurophysiological effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Foam rolling has become a popular form of self-myofascial release or roller massage among health and fitness professionals. Due to this popularity, foam roller devices can be found in many clinical and fitness settings. Despite the popularity, there are still several unknowns regarding foam rolling such the optimal technique. Specifically, there is a lack of research analyzing different foam roll techniques such as combining active joint motion with foam rolling. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a foam rolling session to the left quadriceps with active joint motion and without joint motion on passive knee flexion range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain thresholds (PPT). Methods Thirty healthy adults were randomly allocated to one of two intervention groups: active joint motion and no joint motion. Each foam roll intervention to the left quadriceps lasted a total of 2 min. Dependent variables included passive knee flexion ROM and pressure pain threshold measures (PPT). Statistical analysis included subject demographic calculations and appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests to measure changes within and between intervention groups. Results For left knee ROM, the active joint motion group demonstrated the greatest immediate increase in passive ROM (8°, p < .001) than the non-motion group (5°, p < .001). For PPT, the active joint motion group demonstrated the greatest immediate increase (180 kPa, p < .001) followed by the non-motion group (133 kPa, p < .001). Between group comparisons revealed a significance between groups for passive knee ROM (p < .001) and PPT (p < .001). Conclusion A short session of foam rolling with active joint motion appears to have a greater effect on passive joint ROM and PPT than rolling without motion. These observed changes may be influenced by the agonistic muscle activity during active motion. This activity may modulate activity of the antagonist muscle through reciprocal inhibition and other neural pathways. Future research is needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background University and collegiate education of the human myofascial system is commonly taught in basic science courses such as anatomy. Allied health programs may expand upon these concepts by teaching interventions such as myofascial release in clinical education courses. Self-myofascial release (SMR) with a device such as a foam roller is an emerging intervention that has become popular among clinicians and active individuals. Currently, it's unknown if allied health programs provide SMR education. Purpose The purpose of this study was to survey and document responses in the knowledge of SMR among allied health students. Methods 12 undergraduate and graduate allied health programs in the United States were sent a 12-question electronic survey that represented three areas: 1) respondent demographics and beliefs, 2) experience with SMR, 3) future practice and education. Descriptive data including response frequency and percentage was calculated and reported for the 12 questions. Results A total of 502 students from the different allied health programs completed the survey which represented a 33.00% response rate (502/1521). Approximately, half of respondents (49.6%, N = 249) reported learning about SMR in their degree program and the other half (50.40%, N = 253) report receiving no education. Most respondents (>50%) currently use or have used an SMR device and believe that SMR produces therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, most respondents (≥50%) had an idea of how they would integrate SMR into their future practice and where to purchase an SMR device. Conclusion A more global consensus on education for emerging therapeutic intervention such as SMR is needed in order to standardize and develop best teaching practices in allied health. This study highlighted the difference among allied health programs in the United States. This research should be a starting point for future survey research on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rehabilitation professionals often prescribe foam rolling as an intervention to augment other manual therapies or as a warm-up or recovery after athletic activity. Currently, there is a gap in the literature regarding how foam rolling effects the pressure pain threshold (PPT) among men and women. Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of a foam rolling intervention on the ipsilateral agonist, antagonist, and contralateral muscle group PPT among men and women. Setting University kinesiology laboratory. Participants Twenty healthy adults (M = 10, F = 10; mean age = 27.4 ± 8.5 years). Research design Pre-test, post-test observational study. Intervention Video-guided foam roll intervention on the left quadriceps group. Main outcome measures Ipsilateral quadriceps, ipsilateral hamstring, and contralateral quadriceps muscle PPT. Results Within group comparison for men, revealed a statistically significant effect of time on PPT for the left quadriceps (p=<0.001), left hamstring (p = 0.001), and right quadriceps (p=<0.001). For women, there was a statistically significant effect of time on PPT for the left quadriceps (p = 0.001), left hamstring (p = 0.007), and right quadriceps (p=<0.001). No significant difference in PPT between men and women were found for the left quadriceps (p = 0.31), left hamstring (p = 0.13), and right quadriceps (p = 0.070) muscle groups. Conclusions These finding suggest that foam rolling can immediately reduce PPT in the ipsilateral agonist, antagonist, and contralateral muscle groups among men and women. Future investigations are needed to determine the long-term effects of foam rolling on PPT among sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minocycline, a glial suppressor, prevents behavioral hypersensitivities in animal models of peripheral nerve injury. However, clinical trials of minocycline in human studies have produced mixed results. This study addressed 2 questions: can repeated injections of hypertonic saline (HS) in humans induce persistent hypersensitivity? Can pretreatment with minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic with microglial inhibitory effects, prevent the onset of hypersensitivity? Twenty-seven healthy participants took part in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, consisting of 6 test sessions across 2 weeks. At the beginning of every session, pressure-pain thresholds of the anterior muscle compartment of both legs were measured to determine the region distribution and intensity of muscle soreness. To measure changes in thermal sensitivity in the skin overlying the anterior muscle compartment of both legs, quantitative sensory testing was used to measure the cutaneous thermal thresholds (cold sensation, cold pain, warm sensation, and heat pain) and a mild cooling stimulus was applied to assess the presence of cold allodynia. To induce ongoing hypersensitivity, repeated injections of HS were administered into the right tibialis anterior muscle at 48-hour intervals. In the final 2 sessions (days 9 and 14), only sensory assessments were done to plot the recovery after cessation of HS administrations and drug washout. By day 9, nontreated participants experienced a significant bilateral increase in muscle soreness (P < .0001), accompanied by the emergence of bilateral cold allodynia in 44% of participants, thus confirming the effectiveness of the model. Placebo-treated participants experienced a bilateral 35% alleviation in muscle soreness (P < .0001), with no changes to the prevalence of cold allodynia. In contrast, minocycline-treated participants experienced a bilateral 70% alleviation in muscle soreness (P < .0001), additionally, only 10% of minocycline-treated participants showed cold allodynia. This study showed that repeated injections of HS can induce a hypersensitivity that outlasts the acute response, and the development of this hypersensitivity can be reliably attenuated with minocycline pretreatment.Perspective: Four repeated injections of HS at 48-hour intervals induce a state of persistent hypersensitivity in healthy human participants. This hypersensitivity was characterized by bilateral muscular hyperalgesia and cutaneous cold allodynia, symptoms commonly reported in many chronic pain conditions. Minocycline pretreatment abolished the development of this state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, or kinesio taping (KT) on muscle soreness and flexibility during recovery from exercise. Sixty-five females were randomly assigned to four groups: PNF stretching (n = 15), static stretching (n = 16), KT (n = 17), and control (n = 17). All participants performed nordic hamstring exercise (5 sets of 8 repetitions). In all groups, hamstring flexibility at 24 h and 48 h was not changed from baseline (p > .05). The muscle soreness was measured higher at 48 h post-exercise compared with baseline in the control group (p = .04) and at 24 h post-exercise compared with baseline in the PNF group (p < .01). No significant differences were found for intervention groups compared with control group in all measurements (p > .05). The KT application and pre-exercise stretching have no contribute to flexibility at 24 h and 48 h after exercise, but may attenuate muscle soreness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cold Water Immersion (CWI) is commonly used to manage delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) resulting from exercise. Scientific evidence for an optimal dose of CWI is lacking and athletes continue to use a range of a treatment protocols and water temperatures. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of four different water immersion protocols and a passive control intervention in the management of DOMS. Design: Randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. Setting: University Research Laboratory. Participants: 50 healthy participants with laboratory induced DOMS randomised to one of five groups: Short contrast immersion (1 min 38 °C/1 min 10 °C x 3), Short intermittent CWI (1 min x 3 at 1 °C); 10 min CWI in 10 °C; 10 min CWI in 6 °C; or control (seated rest). Main outcome measures: muscle soreness, active range of motion, pain on stretch, muscle strength and serum creatine kinase. Results: 10 min of CWI in 6 °C was associated with the lowest levels of muscle soreness and pain on stretch however values were not statistically different to any of the other groups. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for any other outcomes. Conclusion: Altering the treatment duration, water temperature or dosage of post exercise water immersion had minimal effect on outcomes relating to DOMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L’officine constitue, pour bon nombre de sportifs blessés, un lieu de recours initial. La première étape consiste à évaluer le type de blessure, à en déterminer les critères de gravité et à définir si la prise en charge relève de la compétence pharmaceutique ou exige une consultation médicale. Dans le cas où il peut prendre en charge le sportif, le pharmacien doit adapter les soins proposés au type de blessure et aux pratiques du patient. Il joue également un rôle dans la prévention des traumatismes et donne des conseils relatifs à la reprise du sport. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: Two common models to investigate the effect of interventions on muscle damage include using two groups in which one group receives an intervention while the other acts as control, and using contralateral limbs of one group. The latter model is based on the assumption that changes in markers of muscle damage are similar between limbs, but this has not been examined systematically. Design: This study compared changes in muscle damage markers between dominant and non-dominant arms following maximal eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors. Methods: Eighteen men performed 60 maximal eccentric elbow flexions of each arm separated by 4 weeks with the order of testing between arms randomised. Maximal voluntary isometric torque, range of motion, upper arm circumference, plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and muscle soreness before and for 7 days following exercise were compared between arms using two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: No significant differences between arms were evident for any of the markers, but significant (P <0.05) differences between first and second bouts were evident for changes in strength, circumference and CK with smaller changes following the second bout. A poor correlation was found for the magnitude of changes in the markers between dominant and non-dominant arms, suggesting that responses to eccentric exercise were not necessarily the same between arms. Conclusions: These results show that the order affected the responses of dominant and non-dominant arms to the eccentric exercise; however, the contralateral limb design appears to be usable if bout order is counterbalanced and randomised among participants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: To determine the associations between post-game recovery protocols and physical and perceptual recovery, and game performance in Australian Football League players. Design: A longitudinal quasi-experimental study design was used across a season. Methods: A full squad of 44 footballers was monitored weekly across a 23-game season. Players were required to choose from a number of recovery modalities available immediately post-game. These included floor stretching, pool stretching, bike active recovery, pool active recovery, cold-water immersion, contrast therapy and use of a compression garment. Perceptual measures of recovery were recorded throughout the week and a test of physical performance was conducted two days post-game. Game performance ratings were also recorded. The associations between the post-game recovery protocols chosen and players’ perceived recovery, and physical and game performances were determined by the association rule data-mining strategy. Results: Statistically significant associations were found between a number of post-game recovery protocols and perceptual recovery. In general, players who chose cold-water immersion, floor stretching, no active recovery (neither bike or pool) and the use of a compression garment post-game, had an increased probability of reporting greater perceptual recovery across the following week, relative to all other permutations of recovery protocols chosen. There were no associations found between post-game recovery protocol combinations and physical recovery. No associations were found between the post-game recovery methods and the next game performance. Conclusions: Perceptual recovery among players was enhanced through the selection of specific combinations of recovery protocols post game. However, no links were found between recovery protocols and physical or game performance measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses immediate and delayed- onset muscle soreness (DOMS), with similar quality and intensity of symptoms, perceived by athletes after unfamiliar exercise. It underlines six different mechanisms for DOMS, developing from micro-trauma to muscle and surrounding connective tissues, followed by inflammatory process. Also suggested are modalities to manage the symptoms, including, continued exercise and use of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

Abstract: Objectives: To assess effects of a regular massage program on novice runners over a longer-term training period. Participants: Twelve control and sixteen massage subjects took part in the study. Setting: Both groups participated in 10-week running preparation clinics. Design: An individualized massage treatment plan was developed for each massage group participant. Massage group subjects met weekly with a registered massage therapist for a half hour massage. Control subjects were given no massage treatments. Main outcome measures: All participants maintained a running journal that recorded running behavior: frequency, distance, intensity, and pain. At weeks 1, 5, and 10, muscle strength, leg pain, daily functioning, and running confidence were assessed. Results: The running behavior of both groups was similar (p > 0.05). Both groups experienced a considerable amount of pain when they ran. However, 100% of the massage group compared to 58.3% of control group completed the 10 km race. Conclusions: A regular massage therapy program during training did not improve indices of muscle strength, pain perception, daily functioning or running confidence. However, the entire massage group met their targeted running goals while only half of the control was able to do so however this difference may not be attributable to the massage intervention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess if the protective adaptation after eccentric exercise affects changes in passive stiffness of the biceps brachii muscle. Design: A within-group repeated measures design was used to compare changes in passive muscle stiffness after eccentric exercise between the first and second bouts separated by 2–3 weeks. Method: Maximal isometric torque, passive muscle stiffness and soreness were measured on the right elbow flexors in 14 untrained male volunteers before, immediately after, 24, 48 and 120h following each bout of eccentric exercise that consisted of 30 repetitions of lowering a dumbbell adjusted to 75% of each individual''s maximal isometric torque. Results: Maximal isometric torque reduced immediately after the first bout by 24±11% (mean±SD; P <0.05) and remained decreased for the next 120h (∼23%). Passive muscle stiffness immediately increased from 223±19N/m to 254±22N/m (P <0.05) and remained higher for 120h. After the second bout maximal isometric torque decreased 21±13%, and 48h later recovered to pre-exercise level (P <0.05). Increase in passive muscle stiffness was attenuated after the second bout (238±17N/m; P <0.05). The perceived muscle soreness was lower after the second bout. Conclusions: Smaller increases in passive muscle stiffness and soreness, and faster maximal isometric torque recovery after the second bout of eccentric exercise could result from adaptation process that occurred after the first bout. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There is evidence that protein hydrolysates can speed tissue repair following damage and may therefore be useful for accelerating recovery from exercise induced muscle damage. The potential for a hydrolysate (WPIHD) of whey protein isolate (WPI) to speed recovery following eccentric exercise was evaluated by assessing effects on recovery of peak isometric torque (PIT). In a double-blind randomised parallel trial, 28 sedentary males had muscle soreness (MS), serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, plasma TNFα, and PIT assessed at baseline and after 100 maximal eccentric contractions (ECC) of their knee extensors. Participants then consumed 250ml of flavoured water (FW; n =11), or FW containing 25g WPI (n =11) or 25g WPIHD (n =6) and the assessments were repeated 1, 2, 6 and 24h later. PIT decreased ∼23% following ECC, remained suppressed in FW and WPI, but recovered fully in WPIHD by 6h (P =0.006, treatment×time interaction). MS increased following ECC (P <0.001 for time), and remained elevated with no difference between groups (P =0.61). TNFα and CK did not change (P >0.45). WPIHD may be a useful supplement for assisting athletes to recover from fatiguing eccentric exercise. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on the role of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in performing agility and linear sprint running. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the isokinetic peak torque in the knee extensors of the dominant leg while a visual analog scale (VAS) for perceived muscle soreness. Results prove that muscle-damaging exercise impairs the performance of activities requiring rapid generation of force; hence, agility and sprint performance is reduced by EIMD.

Summary: This study investigated the hypothesis that a light eccentric exercise (ECC) that does not induce a loss of muscle function and delayed onset muscle soreness would confer a protective effect against a more strenuous ECC. Eighteen young men were randomly placed into two groups: 10–40% (n =9) and 40% (n =9). Subjects in the 10–40% group performed ECC of the elbow flexors (six sets of five reps) using a dumbbell set at 10% of maximal isometric strength (MVC) at an elbow joint angle of 90°, followed 2 days later by ECC using a dumbbell weight of 40% MVC. Subjects in the 40% group performed the 40% ECC only. Changes in MVC, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference (CIR), plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and muscle soreness before, immediately after, 1–5 and 7 days following the 40% ECC were compared between groups by a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. No significant changes in any of the criterion measures were found immediately and 1–2 days after the 10% ECC. Following the 40% ECC, the 10–40% group showed significantly (P <0.05) smaller decreases in MVC and ROM, and smaller increases in muscle soreness compared with the 40% group, but no significant differences between groups were evident for CIR and plasma CK activity. These results suggest that the 10% ECC induced some protection against a subsequent bout of 40% ECC performed 2 days later. It appears that the light eccentric exercise preconditioned the muscles for exposure to the subsequent damaging eccentric exercise bout. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: It is well documented that unaccustomed eccentric exercise induces muscle damage, but the responses of middle-aged individuals to a bout of eccentric exercise have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in indirect markers of muscle damage following eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors between 12 young (age: 19.4±0.4 years, height: 173.5±2.0cm, body mass: 65.8±3.5kg) and 12 middle-aged men (48.0±2.1 years, 169.5±1.7cm, 67.3±1.6kg). It was hypothesized that middle-aged men would be more susceptible to muscle damage than young men. All subjects performed six sets of five eccentric actions of the elbow flexors using a dumbbell of 40% of maximal isometric strength (MVC). Changes in MVC, elbow joint angles and range of motion, upper arm circumference, plasma creatine kinase activity and myoglobin concentration, and muscle soreness before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 days after exercise were compared between the young and middle-aged groups by a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. All criterion measures changed significantly (P <0.05) after exercise, but no significant differences in the changes in the measures except for muscle soreness were evident between groups. Development of muscle soreness after exercise was significantly (P <0.05) lower (approximately a half of the value) for the middle-aged group compared with the young group. These results did not support the hypothesis that middle-aged men would be more susceptible to muscle damage than young men. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To answer the question of whether horse height, cannon bone circumference, and loin width can be used as indicators of weight-carrying ability in light horses, eight mature horses underwent a submaximal mounted standard exercise test under four conditions: carrying 15, 20, 25, or 30% of their body weight. Heart rate was monitored, plasma lactate concentration was determined in jugular blood samples pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 10 minutes post-exercise, with serum creatine kinase activity determined at the same times as plasma lactate concentrations, with additional samples collected at 24 hours and 48 hours post-exercise. Muscle soreness and muscle tightness scores were determined using a subjective scoring system 24 hours before and 24 hours after exercise. Heart rates remained significantly higher when the horses carried 25 and 30% of their body weight. Plasma lactate concentrations immediately and 10 minutes after exercise differed when horses carried 30% of their body weight compared with 15, 20, and 25% weight carriage. Horses tended to have a greater change in muscle soreness and muscle tightness when carrying 25% of their body weight, and a significant change in soreness and tightness scores was found in horses carrying 30% of their body weight. Loin width and cannon bone circumference were found to be negatively correlated to the changes in muscle soreness and tightness scores. In conclusion, the data suggest that horses with wider loin and thicker cannon bone circumference became less sore when carrying heavier weight loads. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study about the effects of a 4-day low-intensity run (LIR) following downhill running (DHL) in the improvement of recovery from muscle damage and running economy (RE). The study measured the participants' blood lactate concentration, maximal isometric voluntary strength of the knee extensor, vertical jump, plasma creatine kinase, and myoglobin concentration.

BCAA catabolism in skeletal muscle is regulated by the branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex, located at the second step in the BCAA catabolic pathway. The activity of the BCKDH complex is regulated by a phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle. Almost all of BCKDH complex in skeletal muscle under normal and resting conditions is in an inactive/phosphorylated state, which may contribute to muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth. Exercise activates the muscle BCKDH complex, resulting in enhanced BCAA catabolism. Therefore, exercise may increase the BCAA requirement. It has been reported that BCAA supplementation before exercise attenuates the breakdown of muscle proteins during exercise in humans and that leucine strongly promotes protein synthesis in skeletal muscle in humans and rats, suggesting that a BCAA supplement may attenuate muscle damage induced by exercise and promote recovery from the damage. We have examined the effects of BCAA supplementation on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and muscle fatigue induced by squat exercise in humans. The results obtained showed that BCAA supplementation prior to squat exercise decreased DOMS and muscle fatigue occurring for a few days after exercise. These findings suggest that BCAAs may be useful for muscle recovery following exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have evaluated the effect of a creatine supplementation protocol upon inflammatory and muscle soreness markers: creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) after running 30km. Runners with previously experience in running marathons, with their personal best between 2.5–3h were supplemented for 5 days prior to the 30km race with 4 doses of 5g of creatine and 15g of maltodextrine per day while the control group received the same amount of maltodextrine. Pre-race blood samples were collected immediately before running the 30km, and 24h after the end of the test (the post-race samples). After the test, athletes from the control group presented an increase in plasma CK (4.4-fold), LDH (43%), PGE2 6.6-fold) and TNF-α (2.34-fold) concentrations, indicating a high level of cell injury and inflammation. Creatine supplementation attenuated the changes observed for CK (by 19%), PGE2 and TNF-α (by 60.9% and 33.7%, respectively, p<0.05) and abolished the increase in LDH plasma concentration observed after running 30km, The athletes did not present any side effects such as cramping, dehydration or diarrhea, neither during the period of supplementation, nor during the 30km race. All the athletes finished the race in a time equivalent to their personal best ± 5.8%. These results indicate that creatine supplementation reduced cell damage and inflammation after an exhaustive intense race. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• DigestaWell NRG supplementation may benefit unconditioned horses through reducing muscle soreness and tightness post exercise. • DigestaWell NRG supplementation may reduce lactate production during exercise. • Increased measures of muscle soreness and tightness were not consistently tied to circulating concentrations of inflammatory proteins. Exercising horses are commonly plagued by muscle fatigue and soreness, which can result in reduced performance ability. In the present study, ten unconditioned horses were fed 200g per day DigestaWell NRG, a commercial dietary supplement containing Yucca schidigera and Trigonella foenum-graecum , two herbs shown in other species to reduce post-exercise muscle pain and soreness. A control, unsupplemented group contained ten horses of similar age, breed, and gender. Horses completed a 50 minutes, ridden standardized exercise test of moderate intensity immediately prior to (Period1) and after 28 days of supplementation (Period2). Muscle soreness and tightness were evaluated 24 hours prior to and after each exercise test and used to determine the percent increase in post-exercise muscle soreness and tightness. Blood samples were collected before, and at 10 and 30 minutes, and 1, 4, and 24 hours post exercise. Plasma was analyzed for glucose, lactate, non-esterified fatty acid, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β concentrations. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA using SAS Enterprise Guide v. 7.1. No changes in plasma parameters were indicated between periods for unsupplemented horses (P > 0.1) during Period2, excepting glucose, which was greater during Period2 (P = 0.018). Supplemented horses had lesser concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.016) and lactate (P = 0.058) during Period2 than during Period1. During Period2, supplemented horses experienced a smaller percent increase in post exercise muscle soreness (P = 0.031). DigestaWell NRG supplementation may benefit unconditioned horses undergoing moderate intensity exercise through reducing lactate production and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that eccentric contraction (EC) is associated with increases in serially arranged sarcomeres (sarcomerogenesis), while concentric contraction (CC) has been associated with serial sarcomeres decrease. Sarcomerogenesis following EC is thought to be a protective muscle adaptation, preventing muscle injury in future eccentric exercise bouts (repeated bout effect). However, the mechanisms underlying sarcomerogenesis in EC remain unknown, and the sarcomerogenic responses observed in response to EC and CC are contradictory. We measured sarcomere length, sarcomere length uniformity, serial sarcomere number, and fascicle length in gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis in sedentary (SED) mice, and in mice following protocols of moderate uphill (TRU) and downhill (TRD) training and uphill (OTU) and downhill (OTD) overtraining. We found pain sensitivity after the first bout of EC exercise on TRD and OTD followed by a normalized sensory response after four weeks of training, indicating a repeated bout effect. However, these findings were not associated with sarcomerogenesis, as serial sarcomere numbers did not increase in TRD and OTD skeletal muscle samples compared to controls (SED). However, we found a decrease in serial sarcomere number in VL and TA in OTU group mice, which was associated with a decrease in fascicle length and no change of sarcomere length at the tested joint configuration. We conclude that excessive concentric muscle contraction (OTU group mice), leads to a decrease in serial sarcomere number, while moderate or excessive eccentric training, did not result in sarcomerogenesis, as reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]