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Purpose: Monitoring player readiness to train and perform is an important practical concept in football. Despite an abundance of research in this area in the male game, to date, research is limited in female football. The aims of this study were, first, to summarize the current literature on the monitoring of readiness in female football; second, to summarize the current evidence regarding the monitoring of the menstrual cycle and its potential impact on physical preparation and performance in female footballers; and third, to offer practical recommendations based on the current evidence for practitioners working with female football players. Conclusions: Practitioners should include both objective (eg, heart rate and countermovement jump) and subjective measures (eg, athlete-reported outcome measures) in their monitoring practices. This would allow them to have a better picture of female players' readiness. Practitioners should assess the reliability of their monitoring (objective and subjective) tools before adopting them with their players. The use of athlete-reported outcome measures could play a key role in contexts where technology is not available (eg, in semiprofessional and amateur clubs); however, practitioners need to be aware that many single-item athlete-reported outcome measures instruments have not been properly validated. Finally, tracking the menstrual cycle can identify menstrual dysfunction (eg, infrequent or irregular menstruation) that can indicate a state of low energy availability or an underlying gynecological issue, both of which warrant further investigation by medical practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) is a compound whose mechanism of action is intricately linked to the provision of cysteine for glutathione synthesis. It has been used in medicine and has also made significant inroads into sports, as it can modify the levels of several biomarkers, including those of oxidative processes, inflammation and muscle damage after exercise. Because the effectiveness of NAC supplementation is unclear, the primary objective of the present study was to perform a meta‐analysis elucidating how NAC supplementation alters the concentrations of GSH (glutathione), GSSG (glutathione disulfide), TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), IL‐6 (interleukin 6), TNF‐α (tumour necrosis factor alpha), CK (creatine kinase), lactate, and muscle soreness after physical exertion. Suitable studies were searched for from February to September 2023, and the results of those included (n = 20) indicate that NAC supplementation significantly diminishes both muscle soreness (p = 0.03; the mean difference (MD) of NAC's effect was −0.43 with a 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.81, −0.04) and lactate concentrations after exercise (p = 0.03; the MD −0.56 mmol/L; 95% CI, −1.07, −0.06). A substantial decrease was observed in concentrations of IL‐6 (p = 0.03; the standardized MD (SMD) was −1.71; 95% CI, −3.26, −0.16) and TBARS (p = 0.02; SMD was −1.03, 95% CI, −1.90, −0.15). Furthermore, an elevation in GSH concentration was observed following supplementation. However, we saw no significant effect of NAC on TNF‐α, CK or GSSG concentrations. NAC supplementation holds promise for attenuating muscle soreness, lactate, TBARS and IL‐6 concentrations and increasing GSH level following physical exertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study investigated the magnitude and etiology of neuromuscular fatigue and muscle damage induced by eccentric cycling compared with conventional concentric cycling in patients with breast cancer. Methods: After a gradual familiarization protocol for eccentric cycling, nine patients with early-stage breast cancer performed three cycling sessions in eccentric or concentric mode. The eccentric cycling session (ECC) was compared with concentric cycling sessions matched for power output (CONpower; 80% of concentric peak power output, 95 ± 23 W) or oxygen uptake (CONV̇O2 ; 10 ± 2 mL·min·kg-1). Preexercise to postexercise changes (30-s through 10-min recovery) in knee extensor maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC), voluntary activation, and quadriceps potentiated twitch force (Qtw) were quantified to determine global, central, and peripheral fatigue, respectively. Creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were measured in the plasma before and 24 h after exercise as markers of muscle damage. Results: Compared with CONpower (-11% ± 9%) and CONV̇O2 (-5% ± 5%), the ECC session resulted in a greater decrease in MVC (-25% ± 12%) postexercise (P < 0.001). Voluntary activation decreased only in ECC (-9% ± 6% postexercise, P < 0.001). The decrease in Qtw was similar postexercise between ECC and CONpower (-39% ± 21% and -40% ± 16%, P > 0.99) but lower in CONV̇O2 (P < 0.001). The CONpower session resulted in twofold greaterV̇O2 compared with the ECC and CONV̇O2 sessions (P < 0.001). No change in creatine kinase or lactate dehydrogenase activity was reported from preexercise to 24 h postexercise. Conclusions: The ECC session induced greater neuromuscular fatigue compared with the concentric cycling sessions without generating severe muscle damage. ECC is a promising exercise modality for counteracting neuromuscular maladaptation in patients with breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) has been widely examined in the peripheral muscles; however, studies showing the potential effects of DOMS on respiratory function are limited. Hypothesis: DOMS in trunk muscles has a negative effect on respiratory function parameters, respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, and exercise capacity. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: In 24 healthy participants with a mean age of 21 ± 2 years, DOMS was induced for the trunk muscles with a load equal to 80% of the maximum repetitive voluntary contraction. Pulmonary function parameters, respiratory muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity, pain, fatigue, and dyspnea perception severity were recorded before DOMS and at 24 and 48 hours after DOMS. Results: After DOMS, decreases were observed in respiratory function parameters, namely, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, vital capacity, and 25% to 75% flow rate value of forced expiratory volume (25% to 75%) (P = 0.02, P = 0.02, P < 0.01, P = 0.01, respectively). Maximal inspiratory pressure and exercise capacity also decreased (P = 0.02, P < 0.01, respectively). No difference was observed between all 3 measurements of maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and MEP% values (P 1 = P 2 = P 3 ≥ 0.99). The results of the respiratory muscle endurance tests did not reveal a significant difference in terms of load and time in all 3 conditions (P > 0.05). Conclusion: After DOMS, there was a 4% to 7.5% decrease in respiratory function parameters, and a 6.6% decrease in respiratory muscle strength. Clinical Relevance: The occurrence of DOMS before a competition can have a detrimental impact on pulmonary performance. Hence, it is imperative to consider this factor when devising training and exercise programs. In addition, the development of treatment protocols becomes crucial if DOMS arises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Introduction: In the field of sports and exercise science researchers are exploring methods to enhance recovery after training sessions. One popular approach that has gained attention is the use of ice baths. Purpose: This review examines how ice baths impact muscle recovery time following high intensity workouts looking at both the effects and practical considerations with a focus, on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). The PubMed database was used in this study. A literature review was conducted using the keywords: "cold water", "muscle regeneration", "muscle soreness", "DOMS" and "ice bathing". State of Knowledge: Ice baths have been found to trigger vasoconstriction reduce inflammation and alleviate muscle soreness. However, their effectiveness in reducing exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness remains uncertain. The impact on DOMS varies among individuals due to factors like genetics, age, gender and health conditions. This variability highlights the challenges of incorporating ice baths into workout recovery routines. Summary: The use of ice baths in post-exercise recovery presents a complex landscape with diverse physiological responses and variable outcomes. While practical guidelines exist for the application of ice baths in high-intensity training, debates persist regarding their efficacy on DOMS compared to active recovery. While ice baths are incorporated into holistic recovery strategies conflicting research casts doubt on their standalone effectiveness prompting further exploration of how they complement other recovery methods. Moreover, potential drawbacks and conflicting evidence regarding their influence on long-term training adaptations raise questions about the overall costs and benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the acute effect of upper-body and lower-body neuromuscular fatigue protocols on baseball pitchers' velocity. Sixteen baseball pitchers were recruited, and a crossover design was used to meet the study purpose. Pitchers were tested twice, 7 days apart, with their upper-body and lower-body explosiveness, pitching velocity, and muscle soreness perception of their throwing arm (forearm flexors, biceps, anterior deltoid, and upper trapezius muscles) assessed before and after an upper-body and lower-body neuromuscular fatigue protocol. Two-way analysis of variances and paired t tests (p < 0.05) were used to identify and compare prescores and postscores. Following both fatigue protocols, results revealed a significant decrease in time for pitching velocity (p = 0.005, ηp² = 0.462), and increases in muscle soreness perception of the forearm flexors (p = 0.005, ηp² = 0.470), anterior deltoid (p = 0.045, ηp² = 0.274), and upper trapezius (p = 0.023, ηp² = 0.339) muscles. Paired t test results showed a significant decrease in preneuromuscular and postneuromuscular fatigue protocol in the upper-body (p < 0.01) and lower-body (p < 0.01) explosiveness scores. These pilot study results show the impact of different exercise protocols on pitchers' explosiveness, velocity, and muscle soreness perception emphasizing the need for further investigation into the acute effect of exercise targeting the upper or lower-body on pitching performance, specifically at the pitcher's position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) on cycling performance. The primary outcome measure was cycling performance, whereas secondary outcome measures included creatine kinase (CK), delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and muscular contractions. Data were extracted and quantified through forest plots to report on the standardized mean difference and p values. The meta-analysis showed no significant change in oxygen consumption at 24-48 hours (p > 0.05) after the muscle damage protocol, although ventilation and rating of perceived exertion significantly increased (p < 0.05) during submaximal cycling protocols. Peak power output during both sprint and incremental cycling performance was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), but time-trial and distance-trial performance showed no change (p > 0.05). Measures of CK and DOMS were significantly increased (p < 0.05), whereas muscular force was significantly reduced following the muscle-damaging protocols (p < 0.05), confirming that cycling performance was assessed during periods of EIMD. This systematic review showed that EIMD affected both maximal and submaximal cycling performance. Therefore, coaches should consider the effect of EIMD on cycling performance when implementing unaccustomed exercise into a cycling program. Careful consideration should be taken to ensure that additional training does not impair performance and endurance adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) refers to a complex injury entity which is based on ultrastructural injury patterns. The injury is usually harmless and heals within a few days without sequelae. However, at the time of the manifestation there are (sometimes considerable) performance limitations and the risk of possible secondary injuries is increased. Thus, prevention and treatment of DOMS, especially in high-performance sports, are of particular value. Insights into muscle biomechanics are necessary to understand the background and mechanisms of DOMS. The definition and classification of overload-related muscle injuries has not yet been uniformly determined. Fluid transitions between physiological, metabolic and neuromuscular fatigue as well as the actual occurrence of injuries with clinical symptoms make clear delineation difficult. The “Munich Classification” terms Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) as Type 1b muscle injury, “delayed onset muscle pain”. The central target of prevention of DOMS is to prevent or alleviate the onset of the initial damage, known as “Exercise Induced Muscle Damage” (EIMD). In case of manifest DOMS, the intention is both to relieve the attendant symptoms and to promote rapid restoration of muscle function. In clinical practice as in scientific research, diverse procedures and interventions have proven valuable, whereby especially physical therapy procedures like cryotherapy, heat therapy or compression therapy show promising study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Vitamin D has been shown to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and muscle soreness; however, further research is needed to establish definitive conclusions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle soreness and recovery after exercise. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin D intake on muscle soreness and biochemical markers of muscle damage, including myoglobin (MB), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and inflammatory factors such as TNFα and IL-6. Data were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to February 2024. Analyses were performed to compare vitamin D with placebo, and weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated. Results: A total of 11 studies involving 358 athletes and non-athletes were examined. Changes in muscle soreness immediately after exercise due to vitamin D intake were not statistically significant [P=0.70, WMD=-0.07]. However, vitamin D significantly reduced muscle soreness 24 hours after exercise [P=0.04, WMD=-0.40]. No significant changes were observed in CK [P=0.30, WMD=-3.22 U/L], LDH [P=0.30, WMD=-11.86 U/L], or MB [P=0.50, WMD=10.66 ng/ml] immediately after exercise. Conclusion: Vitamin D may be effective in reducing muscle soreness 24 hours post-exercise, but it does not appear to significantly affect markers of muscle damage, including CK, MB, and LDH, in the timeframes studied. Further research in this area is recommended.

Objective: This overview of systematic reviews (OoSRs) aimed, firstly, to systematically review, summarize, and appraise the findings of published systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses that investigate the effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on post-exercise recovery of muscle damage biomarkers, muscle soreness, and muscle performance. The secondary objective was to re-analyze and standardize the results of meta-analyses using the random-effects Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman (HKSJ) method. Methods: The methodological quality of the reviews was assessed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2.We searched on five databases (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest) for systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses that investigated the effects of BCAA supplementation on the post-exercise recovery of muscle damage biomarkers, muscle soreness, and muscle performance. Results: Eleven systematic reviews (seven with meta-analyses) of individual studies were included. Evidence suggests BCAA ingestion attenuates creatine kinase (CK) levels (medium effects) and muscle soreness (small effects) immediately post-exercise and accelerates their recovery process, with trivial-to-large effects for CK levels and small-to-large effects for muscle soreness. BCAA supplementation has no effect on lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, and muscle performance recovery. The re-analyses with HKSJ method using the original data reported a slight change in results significance, concluding the same evidence as the original results. The major flaws found in the analyzed reviews were the absence of justification for excluding studies, and the lack of provision of sources of funding for primary studies and sources of conflict of interest and/or funding description. Conclusions: BCAA supplementation is an effective method to reduce post-exercise muscle damage biomarkers, particularly CK levels, and muscle soreness, with no effect on muscle performance. Future systematic reviews with/without meta-analyses, with greater methodological rigor, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation has been shown to increase sports performance under hypoxic conditions and to improve athletes’ recovery. Objectives: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of acute BRJ supplementation on slalom (SL) run performance and muscle soreness (MS) in Alpine skiers at moderate to high altitudes. Methods: Ten male Alpine skiers received 220 mL of BRJ (8.9 mmol/L nitrate) or placebo (PLA) in 2 sessions with a 7-d wash out interval in a randomized, crossover, PLA-controlled, double-blind study. The 90-s box jump (BJ90), agility hexagonal obstacle jump (Hex Jump), and wall-sit tests were measured before on-hill SL runs in both sessions. After the functional tests, SL run performance was measured by time to complete 2 runs on the SL course; immediately after each SL run, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded. In addition, perceived MS was recorded using the visual analog scale at 12, 24, and 48 h after the SL runs. Results: The data were meticulously analyzed using 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t tests with significance set at P < 0.05. The findings were significant, indicating that compared with PLA, BRJ notably improved wall-sit and BJ90 performances (P < 0.05), while a substantial reduction was observed in RPE, Hex Jump, and MS (P < 0.05). A 1.74% shorter time to complete SL runs was observed in the BRJ group compared with the PLA group; however, there were no significant differences between the PLA and BRJ groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: These results underscore the potential of BRJ supplementation to enhance sports performance and reduce MS in Alpine skiers under hypoxic conditions.

Abstract Background Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation is one of the most popular strategies used by the general population and athletes to reduce muscle soreness and accelerate the recovery process of muscle damage biomarkers after an intense exercise or training session. Objectives This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of BCAA supplementation on muscle damage biomarkers and muscle soreness after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Methods The systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials was conducted using seven databases, up to September 13th, 2022. The eligibility criteria for selecting studies were as follows: studies performed on healthy active participants, using BCAA at least once, controlled with a placebo or control group, performing resistance or endurance exercises, and followed up at least once post-EIMD. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the “SIGN RCT checklist”. Random-effects meta-analyses were processed to compute the standardized mean difference (Hedges’ g). Meta-regression analyses were completed with daily and total dosage and supplementation as continuous moderator variables. Results Of the 18 studies included in this meta-analysis, 13 were of high quality and five were of acceptable quality. Our results revealed BCAA supplementation elicits a significant effect on reducing creatine kinase (CK) levels immediately (g = − 0.44; p = 0.006) and 72 h (g = − 0.99; p = 0.002), but not 24 h, 48 h, and 96 h post-EIMD. Additionally, a significant effect on delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) was identified at 24 h (g = − 1.34; p

Background: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), also known as exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), is typically caused by strenuous and/or unaccustomed physical exercise. DOMS/EIMD manifests itself in reduced muscle strength and performance levels, increased muscle soreness, swelling, and elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Numerous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (SRs) of a wide variety of physiotherapy interventions for reducing the signs and symptoms of DOMS/EIMD have been published. However, these SRs often arrive at contradictory conclusions, impeding decision-making processes. Objective: We will systematically review the current evidence on clinical outcomes (efficacy, safety) of physiotherapy interventions for the treatment of DOMS/EIMD in healthy adults. We will also assess the quality of the evidence and identify, map, and summarise data from the available SRs. Method: Umbrella review with evidence map and meta-meta-analyses. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Epistemonikos and PEDro will be searched from January 1998 until February 2024. SRs of RCTs of any treatment used by physiotherapists (e.g., low-level laser therapy, electrical stimulation, heat/cold therapy, ultrasound, magnets, massage, manual therapies) to treat DOMS/EIMD in healthy adults will be eligible. Narrative/non-systematic reviews, studies of adolescents/children and medically compromised individuals, of complementary therapies, dietary, nutritional, or pharmacological interventions, as well as self-administered interventions, or those published before 1998, will be excluded. AMSTAR 2 will be used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included SRs. Corrected covered area, will be computed for assessing overlaps among included SRs, and an evidence map will be prepared to describe the credibility of evidence for interventions analysed in the relevant SRs. Discussion: DOMS/EIMD is a complex condition, and there is no consensus regarding the standard of clinical/physiotherapeutic care. By critically evaluating the existing evidence, we aim to inform clinicians about the most promising therapies for DOMS/EIMD. This umbrella review has the potential to identify gaps in the existing evidence base that would inform future research. The protocol has been registered at PROSPERO (CRD42024485501]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (LLBFR) has potential influence local physiological responses. For this training method to be appropriately prescribed, not only should the volume and intensity must be considered, but also specific variables such as the applied cuff pressure and time under blood flow restriction. Material and Methods: This randomized cross-over trial was conducted within 6 visits, at the same time of day, separated at least 72 and no more than 96 h and examined the acute and delayed indirect muscle damage after LLBFR in healthy adults. Twelve recreationally active healthy males completed performed a 45-degree leg press exercise (30 +15 + 15 + 15 repetitions at 20% 1RM) in two conditions: free-flow resistance training (FFRT) and blood flow restriction resistance training (BFRRT). Indirect markers of muscle damage, including creatine kinase (CK) and visual analog scale of muscle soreness (VAS-soreness) were assessed at baseline and 24 h post-exercise. Lactate (LAC) was measured to compare internal load at baseline and 5 min post-exercise. All participants were instructed not to perform any type of exercise during the entire experimental protocol period (approximately 1.5 weeks). Results: Were observed a higher statistically CK and VAS-soreness at 24 h post-exercise compared to baseline for BFRRT (p < 0.05). LAC was significantly increased in BFR-RT compared to FFRT (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adding BFR to non-failure 20% 1 RM leg press at 50% arterial occlusion pressure does provide a slight alteration of indirect markers of muscle damage and lactate compared to performing the same exercise with free blood flow in healthy participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to (i) analyse the within-microcycle variations in professional soccer players and (ii) analyse the relationships between wellness and training and match load demands during the following day (MD+1) and the day before match-play (MD-1). Thirteen professional soccer players (24.85±3.13 years) were monitored daily over 16 weeks for wellness, training and match-play intensity. The daily wellness measures included fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, mood and stress using a 1-5 scale. Internal intensity was subjectively measured daily using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the multiplication of RPE by session duration (s-RPE). External intensity was quantified using high-speed running, sprinting, and acceleration and deceleration metrics. Data was analysed from each training session before (i.e., MD-5) or after the match (i.e., MD+1). Repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman ANOVA was used to analyse the aims (i), where Spearman correlation was applied to analyse the relationships between the aims (ii) and (iii) between sleep quality and training intensity. The main results for aim (i) showed that MD+1 presented the lowest values for wellness variables (p < 0.05). At the same time, MD-1 presented the lowest internal and external load values (for all variables), with MD presenting the highest values (p < 0.05). Regarding aim (ii), the main result showed significant large negative correlations between fatigue and s-RPE (r = -0.593; p = 0.033). Considering aim (iii), significant small to very large negative correlations were found for sleep quality, fatigue and muscle soreness with all internal and external variables (p < 0.05). Lastly, the main results for aim (iv) showed large negative correlations for fatigue and session duration; fatigue and s-RPE; muscle soreness and session duration; muscle soreness and s-RPE; and muscle soreness and decelerations (p < 0.05, for all). The main conclusions were that MD had an influence on wellness and internal and external training intensity. Notably, MD-1 and MD+1 were most affected. In this regard, a tendency for higher internal and external intensity on MD was associated with lower wellness measures of sleep quality, muscle soreness, and fatigue on MD+1.

Background Problems: There has not been much research on how exercise strategies affect muscle soreness and activation patterns. Research Objectives: This study examines the acute effects of rope-based functional training on muscle group pain response in student athletes at the Faculty of Sport Science, Universitas Negeri Medan tennis court. Methods: An experimental method and a pre-post-test time series design were used for analysis. Seven samples were selected using purposive sampling. All participants engaged in a warm-up, a central phase of rope training with a maximum of three sets per exercise, ten hand swing repetitions, a one-minute break between sets, and a cooling phase. Three 100-mm VAS and painometer data collection sessions were conducted. At a 0.05 significance level, the research data was examined using one-way ANOVA for normal data and Friedman for aberrant data. Both studies used SPSS 16.0. Findings and Results: The trial demonstrated that rope training induces soreness in all working muscles. However, no muscle group exhibited discomfort above 50 mm. Conclusion: In order to optimally activate muscles, determine exercise doses and blood lactate levels in relation to muscle discomfort, it is necessary to understand how battle rope training reduces muscular soreness and improves muscle activation in student-athletes on the tennis court. This understanding can inform the development of personalised training programmes and injury prevention techniques.

Introduction: In the field of sports and exercise science researchers are exploring methods to enhance recovery after training sessions. One popular approach that has gained attention is the use of ice baths. Purpose: This review examines how ice baths impact muscle recovery time following high intensity workouts looking at both the effects and practical considerations with a focus, on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). The PubMed database was used in this study. A literature review was conducted using the keywords: “cold water”, “muscle regeneration”, “muscle soreness”, “DOMS” and “ice bathing”. State of Knowledge: Ice baths have been found to trigger vasoconstriction reduce inflammation and alleviate muscle soreness. However, their effectiveness in reducing exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness remains uncertain. The impact on DOMS varies among individuals due to factors like genetics, age, gender and health conditions. This variability highlights the challenges of incorporating ice baths into workout recovery routines. Summary: The use of ice baths in post-exercise recovery presents a complex landscape with diverse physiological responses and variable outcomes. While practical guidelines exist for the application of ice baths in high-intensity training, debates persist regarding their efficacy on DOMS compared to active recovery. While ice baths are incorporated into holistic recovery strategies conflicting research casts doubt on their standalone effectiveness prompting further exploration of how they complement other recovery methods. Moreover, potential drawbacks and conflicting evidence regarding their influence on long-term training adaptations raise questions about the overall costs and benefits.

Purpose: To identify whether the use of active recovery (ACT) the day after high-intensity interval training (HIIT) benefits recovery and to assess whether individual responses to ACT are repeatable. Methods: Eleven well-trained, male intermittent-sport athletes (age: 25.5 ± 1.8 y) completed 4 HIIT sessions, each separated by a 2-week washout period. Of the 4 sessions, 2 were followed by passive recovery (PAS) and 2 by 60 minutes of moderate biking (ACT) 24 hours postexercise in the following sequences: ACT→PAS→ACT→PAS or PAS→ACT→PAS→ACT. Before and after HIIT and after 24 and 48 hours of recovery, maximal voluntary isometric strength (MVIC), countermovement jump height (CMJ), tensiomyographic markers of muscle fatigue (TMG), serum concentration of creatine kinase (CK), muscle soreness (MS), and perceived stress state (PS) were determined. Results: A 3-way repeated-measure analysis of variance with a triple-nested random effects model revealed a significant (P <.05) fatigue-related time effect of HIIT on markers of fatigue (MVIC↓; CMJ↓; TMG↑; CK↑; MS↑; PS↑). No significant (P >.05) main effect of recovery strategy was detected. In 9 subjects, the individual results revealed inconsistent and nonrepeatable responses to ACT, while a consistent and repeatable positive or negative response to ACT was found in 2 individuals. Conclusions: The repeated failure of ACT to limit the severity of fatigue was found both at the group level and with most individuals. However, a small percentage of athletes may be more likely to benefit repeatedly from either ACT or PAS. Therefore, the use of ACT should be individualized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The aims of the study were to: (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between starters and non-starters of a European professional soccer team; (ii) analyze the relationships between wellness and load measures and; (iii) compare training/match ratio (TMr) of external and internal load between starters and non-starters. Methods Ten players were considered starters while seven were classified as non-starters over a 16-week period in which six training sessions and match day (MD) were considered in each weekly micro-cycle. The following measures were used: wellness (fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, stress, and mood); load (rated of perceived exertion (RPE), session-RPE (s-RPE), high-speed running (HSR), sprinting, accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC)). Accumulated wellness/load were calculated by summing all training and match sessions, while TMr was calculated by dividing accumulated training load by match data for all load measures and each player. Mann–Whitney U test was used for wellness variables, while independent T-test was used for the remaining variables to compare groups. Moreover, relationships among variables were explored using the Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficient. Results The main results showed that non-starters presented higher significant values for fatigue (p

Professional soccer involves varying numbers of training sessions and matches each week, which can influence load distribution. Understanding the exact distribution may allow appropriate load periodisation and planning for players. Thus, this study aimed to (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between weeks with different numbers of training sessions and (ii) compare training/match ratio (TMr) of external and internal load between weeks with different numbers of training sessions. Ten players with a minimum of 45 minutes of weekly match-play were analysed over 16 weeks. The microcycle structures consisted of three (3dW), four (4dW), five (5dW) and six (6dW) training sessions plus match-day per week. The following measures were used for analysis: duration, fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, stress, mood, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), session-RPE (s-RPE), high-speed running distance (HSR), sprint distance (SPD), number of accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC). Accumulated wellness/load were calculated by adding all training and match sessions, while TMr was calculated by dividing accumulated load by match data. The main results showed that accumulated wellness and load were significantly different, with moderate to very large effect sizes, except regarding mood, duration, s-RPE, SPD during 5dW vs. 6dW and s-RPE, HSR, SPD, ACC and DEC during 3dW vs. 4dW (all p > 0.05). Moreover, 6dW was significantly higher than 4dW regarding TMr of duration (p < 0.05, moderate effect size), RPE, HSR and SPD (all p < 0.05 with very large effect sizes) and for 3dW of HSR and ACC (p < 0.05 with very large effect sizes). This study showed that 5dW and 6dW had higher training measures than 3dW or 4dW. Additionally, higher wellness was presented in the microcycles with higher training frequencies. These findings suggest that physical load and wellness were not adjusted according to the number of training sessions within a microcycle.

Vibrational heating therapy is a type of physical therapy that uses the application of heat and vibrations to stimulate the body’s healing process. The therapy is believed to promote circulation, reduce inflammation, and relieve muscle tension. It is often used to treat conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries. This paper presents the design-decisions for a device treating muscle soreness and to increase muscle strength through a combination of heat and vibration therapy to the upper leg. The system comprises farinfrared heat elements for heat transfer and two types of eccentric rotating masses (ERMs) and a linear resonant actuator (LRA) to vibrate muscle tissue. It discusses heating and vibration capability and performance. To optimize the mechanical effects of vibration therapy, the device must excite the muscle with an acceleration of more than 2 g and with a bandwidth as wide as the range of the muscle natural frequencies. For testing the heating and vibrational systems, they were tested in the same device on six different subjects with ethics permission from Technical University of Hamburg to obtain accurate results. Both ERMs were driven by DC power and yielded a bandwidth of about 30 Hz with a linear progression of acceleration over frequency, while the LRA was driven by AC power and achieved a bandwidth of about 24 Hz in the form of a bell curve. Also the selected heating element provides the desired temperature between 40 ∘C to 50 ∘C. Overall, the initial technical study showed promising measurement results and a mechanical effect in using this combination of heat and vibration therapy. As an outlook, the technical design of the next version of the device will include multiple actuators around the leg to provide more acceleration and aims to combine multiple LRAs with slightly shifted natural frequencies into one actuator module to extend the bandwidth.

Introduction: Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a relatively new rehabilitative technique and low‐load exercise combined with BFR (LL‐BFR) can increase muscle strength and muscle mass. However, it is currently unknown whether LL‐BFR causes muscle damage. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of LL‐BFR on muscle damage and provide recommendations for sports training and physical exercise. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Cochrane Library and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) with a cut‐off of March 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and English‐language studies were selected. Two independent assessors used the PEDro scoring scale to evaluate the methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies. Results: Of the 2935 articles identified, 15 RCTs were included in this systematic review. Two studies demonstrated that LL‐BFR could induce muscle damage in healthy individuals; however, two studies presented contrasting findings in the short term. Four studies found that no muscle damage occurred after LL‐BFR in the long term. The remaining seven articles showed that it was unclear if LL‐BFR could cause muscle damage, regardless of whether these participants were trained or not. Conclusion: Although LL‐BFR may induce muscle damage within 1 week, it will help gain long‐term muscle strength and muscle hypertrophy. However, the lack of sufficient evidence on the effect of LL‐BFR on muscle damage in clinical practice warrants additional RCTs with large sample sizes in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of cold water immersion (CWI) after training on the recovery of physical performance, muscle damage, and muscle soreness in professional soccer players. At the same time, we want to investigate the benefits of water immersion in football, focusing on its potential to improve pain management and prevent injuries. Methods. We searched the following computerized databases: PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and the websites of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The aim of this research was to specify the elements of recovery in football performance based on scientific studies and practical experience. Results. Some studies suggest that immediate immersion post-exercise is more beneficial, while others propose a delayed approach. Conclusions. Numerous studies have explored the effects of cold water immersion (CWI) in sports. Overall, CWI has been found to effectively reduce muscle soreness and accelerate recovery after intense exercise. It works by constricting blood vessels, reducing inflammation, and potentially minimizing muscle damage. However, there is some variability in individual responses, and the optimal timing and duration of CWI remain subjects of debate. While CWI appears promising for short-term recovery, its long-term impact on performance gains requires further investigation. Athletes and practitioners should consider individual preferences and the specific demands of their sport when incorporating CWI into their recovery strategies. Studies suggest that immediate post-macth immersion, ideally within the first hour, is more effective. The key aspects of procedure is water temperature, commonly ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, and immersion duration, often between 10 to 20 minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced muscle damage accounts for the highest proportion among various sports injury types, and eccentric exercise patterns may be related to the severity of damage. An effective utilization of skeletal muscle eccentric contraction is of great significance to the development of national fitness and sports undertakings in line with the concept of "healthy China." OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of different eccentric exercise patterns on the degree of exercise-induced muscle damage. METHODS: A total of 66 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=6), single eccentric exercise group (n=30), and continuous eccentric exercise group (n=30) which was further divided into five subgroups at 0.5, 24, 48, 120, 168 hours after the last exercise. The expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the quadriceps femoris were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the mean absorbance value was measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological changes of muscle fibers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were cells with mild cytoplasmic brown staining of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the control group. In the exercise groups, the expression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α began to increase at 0.5 hours. From 24 to 48 hours, muscle fibers were distorted with disordered arrangement and contours, the extracellular space was enlarged with inflammatory cell infiltration, the degree and range of cytoplasmic brown staining increased to the peak but it decreased at 120 and 168 hours. The mean absorbance values of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the continuous eccentric exercise group were lower than those in the once eccentric exercise group at 48, 120, and 168 hours (P < 0.05). The recovery time of morphological structure of the skeletal muscle stained by hematoxylin-eosin was different in the continuous eccentric exercise group and once eccentric exercise group, which was 120 and 168 hours respectively. Results from the two-way repeated measure analysis of variance showed that the mean absorbance values of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly correlated with exercise patterns and time points, and there was an interaction between the exercise pattern and time, with F values of 3.106 and 13.431, respectively (P=0.020, P < 0.001). To conclude, the degree of exercise-induced muscle damage is related to the eccentric exercise pattern, and the continuous eccentric exercise is better than the once eccentric exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of sporting activities, training loads, and athletes' characteristics on sleep among high-level adolescent athletes, in a controlled training and academic environment. Methods: A total of 128 high-level adolescent athletes (age = 15.2 [2.0] y), across 9 different sports, completed common sleep questionnaires and were monitored daily (7.3 [2.7] d) during a typical in-season training period. Sleep was analyzed using actigraphy and sleep diaries, whereas training load was evaluated using the session rating of perceived exertion, and muscle soreness and general fatigue were reported with the aid of visual analog scales. Separate linear mixed-effects models were fitted, including the athlete as a random effect and the following variables as fixed effects: the sport practiced (categorical predictor), daily training load, age, and sex. Different models were used to compare sleep variables among sports and to assess the influence of training load, age, and sex. Results: The mean total sleep time was 7.1 (0.7) hours. Swimmers presented increased sleep fragmentation, training loads, perceived muscle soreness, and general fatigue compared with athletes who engaged in other sports. Independent of any sport-specific effects, a higher daily training load induced an earlier bedtime and reduced total sleep time and perceived sleep quality, with higher sleep fragmentation. Moreover, female athletes experienced increased total sleep time and worse sleep quality in response to stress compared with those in males. Conclusion: In a controlled training and academic environment, high-level adolescent athletes did not achieve the recommended sleep duration. Impaired sleep quality and quantity could be partially explained by increased training loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is anecdotally associated with a prolonged recovery from resistance training, though current literature remains equivocal. This brief review considers the effects of resistance training on indirect markers of muscle damage and recovery (i.e., muscle soreness, blood markers, and muscle strength) in older males. With no date restrictions, four databases were searched for articles relating to aging, muscle damage, and recovery. Data from 11 studies were extracted for review. Of these, four reported worse symptoms in older compared with younger populations, while two have observed the opposite, and the remaining studies (n = 6) proposed no differences between age groups. It appears that resistance training can be practiced in older populations without concern for impaired recovery. To improve current knowledge, researchers are urged to utilize more ecologically valid muscle-damaging bouts and investigate the mechanisms which underpin the recovery of muscle soreness and strength after exercise in older populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The indirect markers of muscle damage have been previously studied in females. However, inconclusive results have been found, possibly explained by the heterogeneity regarding monitoring and verification of menstrual-cycle phase. Purpose: To determine whether the fluctuations in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle influence muscle damage. Methods: A total of 19 well-trained eumenorrheic women (age 28.6 [5.9] y; height 163.4 [6.1] cm; weight 59.6 [5.8] kg body mass) performed an eccentric-based resistance protocol consisting of 10 × 10 back squats at 60% of their 1-repetition maximum on the early follicular phase (EFP), late follicular phase, and midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Range of motion, muscle soreness, countermovement jump, and limb circumferences were evaluated prior to 24 and 48 hours postexercise. Perceived exertion was evaluated after each set. Results: Differences in sex hormones indicated that tests were adequately performed in the different menstrual-cycle phases. Prior to exercise, muscle soreness was higher in the EFP (4.7 [7.7]) than in the late follicular phase (1.1 [3.2]; P =.045). No other variables showed significant differences between phases. Time-point differences (baseline, 24, and 48 h) were observed in knee range of motion (P =.02), muscle soreness, countermovement jump, and between sets for perceived exertion (P <.001). Conclusion: Although the protocol elicited muscle damage, hormonal fluctuations over the menstrual cycle did not seem to affect indirect markers of muscle damage, except for perceived muscle soreness. Muscle soreness was perceived to be more severe before exercise performed in EFP, when estrogen concentrations are relatively low. This may impair women's predisposition to perform strenuous exercise during EFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Resistance exercise is recommended for maintaining muscle mass and strength in older adults. However, little is known about exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery from resistance exercise in older adults. This may have implications for exercise prescription. This scoping review aimed to identify and provide a broad overview of the available literature, examine how this research has been conducted, and identify current knowledge gaps relating to exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery from resistance exercise in older adults. Methods Studies were included if they included older adults aged 65 years and over, and reported any markers of exercise-induced muscle damage after performing a bout of resistance exercise. The following electronic databases were searched using a combination of MeSH terms and free text: MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science. Additionally, reference lists of identified articles were screened for eligible studies. Data were extracted from eligible studies using a standardised form. Studies were collated and are reported by emergent theme or outcomes. Results A total of 10,976 possible articles were identified and 27 original research articles were included. Findings are reported by theme; sex differences in recovery from resistance exercise, symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage, and biological markers of muscle damage. Conclusions Despite the volume of available data, there is considerable variability in study protocols and inconsistency in findings reported. Across all measures of exercise-induced muscle damage, data in women are lacking when compared to males, and rectifying this discrepancy should be a focus of future studies. Current available data make it challenging to provide clear recommendations to those prescribing resistance exercise for older people.

Context: Roller massage (RM) is a popular myofascial intervention. To date, no research has investigated the effects of RM on experienced and nonexperienced individuals and if there are differences between a prescribed RM program and a self-preferred program. Objective: The main objective was to measure the effects of a prescribed RM program with a foam roller on knee passive range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) among experienced and nonexperienced individuals. A secondary objective was to determine if there are differences between a prescribed RM program and a self-preferred program in experienced individuals. Design: Pretest and posttest observational study. Setting: University kinesiology laboratory. Participants: A total of 60 healthy adults (age = 26 [5.3] y) were allocated into 3 groups of 20 subjects: experienced, nonexperienced, and control. The experienced and nonexperienced groups followed a prescribed 2-minute RM intervention. The control group did their own 2-minute self-preferred program. Main Outcome Measures: Knee passive ROM and PPT. Results: For the experienced and nonexperienced, the between-group analysis revealed a statistically significant difference for ROM and PPT (P <.001). Within-group analysis revealed a posttest knee passive ROM increase of 8° for experienced and 7° for the nonexperienced. For PPT, there was a posttest increase of 180 kPa for the experienced and 169 kPa for the nonexperienced. For the prescribed versus self-preferred program, the between-group analysis (experienced vs control) revealed a statistically significant difference (P <.001). The within-group analysis revealed a posttest knee passive ROM increase of 8° for the prescribed and 5° for the self-preferred program. For PPT, there was a posttest increase of 180 kPa for the prescribed program and 137 kPa for the self-preferred program. Conclusion: These findings suggest that experienced and nonexperienced individuals have similar responses to a prescribed RM program. A prescribed RM program may produce better outcomes than a self-preferred program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Olive fruit is rich in bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoids, primarily maslinic acid (MA). Previous studies have demonstrated that MA exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects; however, it is unclear whether MA intake during training inhibits perceptual fatigue and muscle soreness in athletes. This study analyzed the effects of MA supplementation during athletic training on perceptual fatigue and muscle soreness. Methods This randomized, double-blind, cross-over, and placebo-controlled trial involved 12 young, healthy male water polo athletes. After daily training for seven days, they ingested either olive fruit extract, containing 60 mg/day MA, or a placebo. We measured perceptual fatigue and muscle soreness during the intervention using a visual analog scale and inflammatory and oxidative stress-related proteins. Results Perceptual fatigue and muscle soreness and the area under the curve during the training period were significantly lower (main effect of MA; P

Background Post-exercise muscle soreness and fatigue can negatively affect exercise performance. Thus, it is desirable to attenuate muscle soreness and fatigue and promote recovery even for daily exercise habits aimed at maintaining or improving health. Methods This study investigated the effects of dietary collagen peptides (CPs) on post-exercise physical condition and fitness in healthy middle-aged adults unfamiliar with exercise. Middle-aged males (n = 20, 52.6 ± 5.8 years) received the active food (10 g of CPs per day) or the placebo food for 33 days in each period of the randomized crossover trial (registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry with UMIN-CTR ID of UMIN000041441). On the 29th day, participants performed a maximum of five sets of 40 bodyweight squats. Muscle soreness as the primary outcome, fatigue, the maximum knee extension force during isometric muscle contraction of both legs, the range of motion (ROM), and the blood level of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assessed before and after the exercise load. Results The analysis set was the per-protocol set (n = 18, 52.6 ± 6.0 years) for efficacy and the full analysis set (n = 19, 52.8 ± 5.9 years) for safety. The visual analog scale (VAS) of muscle soreness immediately after the exercise load was significantly lower in the active group than in the placebo group (32.0 ± 25.0 mm versus 45.8 ± 27.6 mm, p

Background: The aims of the study were to: (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between starters and non-starters of a European professional soccer team; (ii) analyze the relationships between wellness and load measures and; (iii) compare training/match ratio (TMr) of external and internal load between starters and non-starters. Methods: Ten players were considered starters while seven were classified as non-starters over a 16-week period in which six training sessions and match day (MD) were considered in each weekly micro-cycle. The following measures were used: wellness (fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, stress, and mood); load (rated of perceived exertion (RPE), session-RPE (s-RPE), high-speed running (HSR), sprinting, accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC)). Accumulated wellness/load were calculated by summing all training and match sessions, while TMr was calculated by dividing accumulated training load by match data for all load measures and each player. Mann–Whitney U test was used for wellness variables, while independent T-test was used for the remaining variables to compare groups. Moreover, relationships among variables were explored using the Spearman's Rho correlation coefficient. Results: The main results showed that non-starters presented higher significant values for fatigue (p < 0.019; g = 0.24) and lower significant values for duration (p < 0.006; ES = 1.81) and s-RPE (p < 0.001; ES = 2.69) when compared to starters. Moreover, positive and very large correlation was found between quality of sleep and RPE, while negative and very large correlation were found between stress and deceleration, and mood and deceleration (all, p < 0.05). Finally, non-starters presented higher values in all TMr than starters, namely, RPE (p = 0.001; g = 1.96), s-RPE (p = 0.002; g = 1.77), HSR (p = 0.001; g = 2.02), sprinting (p = 0.002; g = 4.23), accelerations (p = 0.001; g = 2.72), decelerations (p < 0.001; g = 3.44), and duration (p = 0.003; g = 2.27). Conclusions: In conclusion, this study showed that non-starters produced higher TMr in all examined variables despite the lower match and training durations when compared with starters, suggesting that physical load was adjusted appropriately. Additionally, higher RPE was associated with improved sleep while higher number of decelerations were associated with decreased wellness, namely, stress and mood for non-starters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is conflicting evidence regarding the prevalence and magnitude of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) following low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (LL + BFR) that may be related to exercise protocols. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of 75-repetition (BFR-75) (1 × 30, 3 × 15) and 4 sets to failure (BFR-4x) protocols on indices of EIMD among untrained women. Thirteen women completed this investigation. One leg was randomly assigned to BFR-75 and the other to BFR-4x. Each leg performed isokinetic, unilateral, concentric-eccentric, leg extension muscle actions at 30% of maximal strength. Indices of EIMD (muscle soreness, range of motion [ROM], limb circumference, pain pressure threshold [PPT], and maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]) were recorded before exercise, 0-, 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hours post-exercise. There were no changes for ROM, circumference, or PPT. Muscle soreness increased similarly in both conditions 0-, 24-, and 48-hours post-exercise and MVIC increased 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hours post-exercise. These findings suggested BFR-75 and BFR-4x were not associated with EIMD and elicited similar physiological responses. The increases in muscle soreness may be due to metabolic stress associated with LL + BFR protocols apart from EIMD. There was no evidence of significant exercise-induced muscle damage following low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction completed failure and non-failure. Muscle function was not impaired 24-96 h post-exercise for either protocol. Low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction using a 75-repetition and 4 sets to volitional failure protocol resulted in similar physiological responses to exercise. There may be higher levels of metabolic stress which may increase muscle soreness following low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of foam rolling as a post-match recovery tool in basketball. Using a crossover design, 13 female players completed two simulated matches, followed by foam rolling (FR) or placebo (CON). Countermovement jump height (CMJ), heart rate variability (Ln-rMSSD), muscle soreness (VAS), perceived recovery (TQR) and fatigue (Rating-of-Fatigue) were recorded at pre-match, post-match, post-recovery and 24 h post-match. No significant effect of time*intervention and intervention were found for any variable (p > 0.05), while a significant effect of time (p < 0.01) was reported for all variables. Post-hoc analyses revealed lower CMJ and Ln-rMSSD at post-match compared with all other time points (p < 0.001), increases in pre-match VAS scores at all subsequent time points (p < 0.01), and worse TQR and Rating-of-Fatigue scores from pre-to-post-match and pre-match-to-post-recovery (p < 0.01), except for unchanged TQR values from pre-match-to-post-recovery in FR (p > 0.05). Overall, the present data suggest that foam rolling was generally ineffective for improving post-exercise recovery in female basketball players after a single match. Future research investigating the effectiveness of foam rolling in players of different sex, age and/or competitive level is warranted to provide further insight on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of a training program on sleep among endurance runners and the benefits of chronically using a high-heat-capacity mattress topper (HMT). Twenty-one trained male athletes performed a 2-week usual training regimen, sleeping on a Low-heat-capacity Mattress Topper (LMT), followed by 2-week overload and taper periods. From overload, participants were assigned into two groups based on the mattress topper used: HMT (n = 11) or LMT (n = 10). Irrespective of the group, overload increased general stress and stress-reaction symptoms evaluated by questionnaires, with no decline in performance on a graded-exercise treadmill test, the majority of participant being "non-overreached" (n = 14). From a daily perspective, each additional 100 A.U. in training load, assessed using the session rating of perceived exertion, was associated with an impairment in subsequent sleep efficiency (β = -0.2%; p < 0.01), wake after sleep onset (β = +0.4 min; p < 0.05) and sleep onset latency (β = +0.5 min; p < 0.05), which was unaffected by HMT use. Practitioners should be aware of sleep needs, especially during excessive training loads, whereas implementing individualised sleep strategies. Further studies should be conducted on potential benefits of HMT among athletes in various sleep conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a tart cherry supplement on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. Seventeen recreationally active women (mean age ± SD = 22.2 ± 3.3 years, height = 162.0 ± 6.0 cm, body mass = 65.1 ± 11.1 kg, BMI = 24.7 ± 3.5 kg·m2) supplemented with 1000 mg of concentrated tart cherry or a placebo for eight consecutive days. An overload protocol of 8 sets of 10 repetitions of maximal effort concentric and eccentric muscle actions of the leg extensors at a velocity of 60 ° · s − 1 was performed on the fourth day of supplementation. Testing sessions consisted of a muscle function test (MFT) to examine pre- and post-testing peak torque, peak power, total work, time-to-peak torque, mean power, muscle activation of the quadriceps, and muscle soreness at baseline and post-testing at 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. A second trial of testing was repeated two weeks later using the opposite supplement to the one assigned for the first trial. No significant interaction for time × condition × velocity (p = 0.916) and no significant main effect for condition (p = 0.557) were demonstrated for peak torque. However, there were main effects for time and velocity for concentric quadriceps peak torque (p < 0.001). For muscle soreness, there was no two-way interaction for time x condition (p > 0.05) and no main effect for condition (p > 0.05), but there was a main effect for time (p < 0.001). In conclusion, a tart cherry supplement did not attenuate losses in isokinetic muscle peak torque, peak power, total work, time-to-peak torque, muscle soreness, or quadriceps muscle activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Beetroot juice (BRJ) contains various bioactive compounds suggested to be effective in improving athlete recovery. However, the number of studies evaluating the effects of BRJ on recovery and muscle soreness (MS) indicators in female athletes is limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effects of BRJ consumption on the performance recovery indicators and MS after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in female volleyball players. Methods: Twelve young female volleyball players were evaluated in this study. We utilized a randomized, cross-over, and double-blind design during two phases with a 30-day interval (wash-out). During each phase, EIMD was performed first, followed by BRJ or placebo (PLA) supplementation for two days (eight servings of 50 mL). Recovery monitoring of performance indicators and MS was performed after EIMD. The results of wall-sit, V sit and reach (VSFT), vertical jump height (VJH), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and thigh swelling (Sw-T) tests were recorded 48 h after EIMD. Also, the Perceived Muscle Soreness was recorded using the visual analog scale (VAS) 12 (MS-12 h), 24 (MS-24 h), and 48 (MS-48 h) hours after EIMD. Results: The data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures of ANOVA at p < 0.05. Compared to PLA, BRJ supplementation improves wall-sit performance after EIMD (p < 0.05), while reducing Sw-T and perceived muscle soreness (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between PLA and BRJ in VJH and VSFT performance after EIMD (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the consumption of BRJ in female volleyball players can be useful for improving some recovery indicators, such as muscle endurance, perceived muscle soreness, and tissue edema, after EIMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercetin (Q) is one of the most frequently consumed flavonoids in the human diet. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of Q supplementation on muscle damage, muscle soreness and biochemical markers of inflammation, antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress after intense exercise. A literature search of SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was performed from inception to May 31, 2022. Forest plots were generated with fixed or random-effect models and standardized mean differences (SMD). Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies with a total of 249 sedentary to well-trained participants were included. For all studies there were some concerns about the risk of bias. All but one study used a supplementation dosage of 1000 mg/day. Q supplementation accelerated recovery of muscle function and significantly decreased muscle soreness 0/24 h after exercise (SMD: -1.33; p = 0.03), creatine kinase levels 24/48 h after exercise (SMD: -1.15; p = 0.02), and post-exercise oxidative stress (SMD: -0.92; p = 0.03). However, Q supplementation had no effect on IL-6 concentration. Q supplementation with a dose of 1000 mg/day for periods of more than seven days and a maximum of 12 weeks appears to be a safe and efficacious strategy to reduce muscle damage and muscle soreness, as well as to enhance recovery after intense exercise in sedentary to well-trained young men. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021266801.

Introduction: To examine the effects of peripheral electromagnetic stimulation in male professional soccer players on markers of Delayed Onset Muscular Soreness (DOMS), induced by a protocol of exercise (60 min of eccentric and plyometric). Methods: A randomized controlled trial with fourty-five professional soccer players aged 22.33 ± 4.82 years participated in the study. Twenty-three participants were assigned to the experimental group with peripheral electromagnetic stimulation (5 stimulations of 5 s at 100 HZ with 55 s of rest for a total of 5 min of treatment) and the remaining 22 participants were assigned to the control group. Pain pressure threshold (PPT) of the vastus medialis, the Visual Analogue Scale-Fatigue (VAS-F), half squat (HS) test and the maximum voluntary contraction of the quadriceps were assessed. All evaluations were performed before and after 1 h of the eccentric exercise induced DOMS, as well as at post 24--48, and 72 h. Results: Group-by-time interaction was observed in PPT of the vastus medialis (p = 0.040) with a medium effect size (η2 p = 0.069). From 48 to 72 h the experimental group showed an increase of PPT compared to control group (p = 0.015). There was no group-by-time interaction for HS, quadriceps strength and VAS-F (p > 0.05). Discussion: Peripheral electromagnetic stimulation in male professional soccer players did not produce significant improvements in the power and strength of the lower limbs but decreased the peripheral sensitization of the vastus medialis after eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/ TrialReview.aspx?id=384050&isReview=true, Identifier: ACTRN12622000841774. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Resistance exercise is recommended for maintaining muscle mass and strength in older adults. However, little is known about exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery from resistance exercise in older adults. This may have implications for exercise prescription. This scoping review aimed to identify and provide a broad overview of the available literature, examine how this research has been conducted, and identify current knowledge gaps relating to exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery from resistance exercise in older adults. Methods: Studies were included if they included older adults aged 65 years and over, and reported any markers of exercise-induced muscle damage after performing a bout of resistance exercise. The following electronic databases were searched using a combination of MeSH terms and free text: MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science. Additionally, reference lists of identified articles were screened for eligible studies. Data were extracted from eligible studies using a standardised form. Studies were collated and are reported by emergent theme or outcomes. Results: A total of 10,976 possible articles were identified and 27 original research articles were included. Findings are reported by theme; sex differences in recovery from resistance exercise, symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage, and biological markers of muscle damage. Conclusions: Despite the volume of available data, there is considerable variability in study protocols and inconsistency in findings reported. Across all measures of exercise-induced muscle damage, data in women are lacking when compared to males, and rectifying this discrepancy should be a focus of future studies. Current available data make it challenging to provide clear recommendations to those prescribing resistance exercise for older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercetin (Q) is one of the most frequently consumed flavonoids in the human diet. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of Q supplementation on muscle damage, muscle soreness and biochemical markers of inflammation, antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress after intense exercise. A literature search of SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was performed from inception to May 31, 2022. Forest plots were generated with fixed or random-effect models and standardized mean differences (SMD). Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies with a total of 249 sedentary to well-trained participants were included. For all studies there were some concerns about the risk of bias. All but one study used a supplementation dosage of 1000 mg/day. Q supplementation accelerated recovery of muscle function and significantly decreased muscle soreness 0/24 h after exercise (SMD: -1.33; p = 0.03), creatine kinase levels 24/48 h after exercise (SMD: -1.15; p = 0.02), and post-exercise oxidative stress (SMD: -0.92; p = 0.03). However, Q supplementation had no effect on IL-6 concentration. Q supplementation with a dose of 1000 mg/day for periods of more than seven days and a maximum of 12 weeks appears to be a safe and efficacious strategy to reduce muscle damage and muscle soreness, as well as to enhance recovery after intense exercise in sedentary to well-trained young men. [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]

Background: Eccentric exercise makes more tensions in active muscle fibers, resulting in muscle damage and delayed pain. Therefore, Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common result of severe eccentric contractions. This study aimed to clarify the combined effect of taurine and omega-3 supplementation on DOMS and muscle damage after high-intensity eccentric exercise in young untrained men. Methods: Forty-eight young untrained males were assigned to four groups (taurine+omega-3 [combined], taurine, omega-3, and one placebo group) and given 1,500 mg taurine and 1,500 mg omega-3 or 1,500 mg taurine or 1,500 mg omega-3 or placebo twice a day respectively. Each group received its supplements for twenty-eight days. DOMS and muscle damage in the lower body developed using a leg press with a weight equivalent to 70% of 1RM (One-Repetition Maximum). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatine kinase (CK) and perceived muscle soreness measures were repeated before, immediately, 24, 48, and 72 hr after eccentric activity. p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: In the combined group, there was no increase in CK and LDH in immediate time and 72 hr after the exercise, respectively, compared to the period before the workout. At 24 and 48 hr after the training, there was a significant decrease in muscle pain perception in all groups compared to placebo (p<0.05). Coclusion: A combination of 1500 mg taurine and 1500 mg omega-3, two times a day, for four weeks can reduce the levels of CK and LDH enzymes as some indicators of muscle damage. It also attenuates exercise-induced DOMS and muscle damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitamin D is essential for the optimal health of the skeletal system. However, this vitamin is also involved in other functions of the human body, such as muscle, immune and inflammatory ones. Some studies suggest that adequate levels of vitamin D support muscular function during exercise and accelerate recovery because they reduce specific pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels, but those results have not always been observed. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress and recovery after exercise. Methods: This systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search of SPORTDiscuss, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was performed from inception through February 2022. The articles' methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. Results: After the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 eligible articles were included. All the studies were considered of moderate methodological quality. Ten studies involved regular vitamin D supplementation for more than 7 days, and one study performed acute vitamin D supplementation 24 h before exercise. Conclusions: The existing evidence suggests that vitamin D supplementation for periods of more than 1 week with a minimum dose of 2000 IU/day appears to be an efficacious strategy for attenuating muscle damage and inflammation after exercise. The potential positive effects on muscle function, muscle pain and oxidative stress need to be confirmed with new investigations. Further research is also required to determine the adequate vitamin D dosage to obtain positive effects without adverse effects. Key points: Regular vitamin D supplementation may be a good recovery strategy from strenuous exercise.Supplementation is effective with a minimum dose of 2000 IU/day for periods of more than 1 week.Athletes may also benefit from ingesting a single dose before exercise, but further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To understand muscle damage in badminton, changes in neuromuscular function were investigated after simulated badminton singles matches performed by ten state-level male players. Methods: Each participant played eight matches and measurements were taken before, immediately after, and 1 and 24 h after each match. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque of the knee extensors and flexors, voluntary activation (VA) during MVC and torques generated by doublet (TDoublet), 20 (T20) and 80 Hz (T80) electrical stimulations of the knee extensors were measured from the dominant leg (the racket-hold arm side). Muscle soreness was assessed by a 100-mm visual analogue scale from both legs. The number of lunges performed by each participant in each match was analysed by videos, and its relations to other measures were examined. Results: Pre-match knee extensor and flexor MVC torques were 278.4 ± 50.8 Nm and 143.0 ± 36.2 Nm, respectively. Knee extensor MVC torque of the dominant leg decreased immediately (12.0 ± 2.9%) and 1 h post-match (16.0 ± 3.2%), but returned to baseline at 24 h post-match. VA (11.4 ± 2.9%), TDoublet (13.1 ± 6.0%), T20 (31.1 ± 12.3%) and T80 (25.5 ± 7.9%) decreased (p < 0.01) immediately post-match but recovered by 24 h post-match. A significant correlation (r = − 0.64, p < 0.01) was observed between the total number of lunges performed in a match (160–240 times) and the magnitude of decrease in MVC torque (6.4–14.7%). Muscle soreness developed more (p < 0.05) for the dominant (51.5 ± 11.6 mm) than the non-dominant leg (18.8 ± 8.6 mm). Conclusion: Muscle damage induced by singles badminton matches was minimal, but the more the lunges are performed, the greater the neuromuscular fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]