Kinetics of recovery and normalization of running biomechanics following aerobic-based exercise-induced muscle damage in recreational male runners

Irit Markus, Adi Arutiunian, Evyatar Ohayon, Maria Holodov, David Peled, Roi Yavetz, Noam Ben-Eliezer, Antonio Dello Iacono, Yftach Gepner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives
The study aimed to examine the effects of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) on running kinetics.

Design
Twenty-six adult recreational male runners performed 60 min of downhill running (− 10 %) at 65 % of maximal heart rate. Running gait changes, systemic and localized muscle damage markers were assessed pre - and post-EIMD protocol.

Methods
Running gait was analyzed using a 3D treadmill at baseline (BL), immediately post (IP), 24 h (24H), and 48 h (48H) to determine changes in running pressure sway and vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF). Blood markers of muscle damage, subjective pain perception, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilizing T2 relaxation time of the thigh muscles were used to assess both systemic and localized damage. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine changes over time.

Results
Significant decreases were found in the left leg's first (− 454.01 to − 396.14, P < 0.05) and second (− 532.8 to − 498.2, P < 0.05) VGRF peaks across all time points compared to BL. The right leg showed reductions in the first VGRF peak at IP (− 348.4, P = 0.036) and the second peak at IP and 24H (− 467.44 and − 396.89, P < 0.05). CK increased significantly (P < 0.001) at 24H and 48H compared to BL. The anterior thigh muscle compartment presented significant (P < 0.05) increases in mean T2 values 1 h following EIMD that remined elevated up to 48H. Negative correlations were identified between running biomechanics to local and systemic muscle damage markers.

Conclusion
Running biomechanics remained impaired for up to 48 h following EIMD and correlated with markers of muscle damage using MRI.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Early online date10 Jan 2025
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 10 Jan 2025

Keywords

  • creatine kinase
  • lactate dehydrogenase
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • downhill running
  • ground reaction forces

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