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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between muscle hardening and the muscle pain accompanying strenuous exercise. [Subjects] Nine healthy male university students participated in this study. [Methods] The subjects were loaded using an arm ergometer. Subcutaneous fat thickness, muscle thickness, upper arm circumference, muscle stiffness, muscle pain, and MVC of subjects were measured over three days. [Results] Muscle stiffness and muscle swelling increased rapidly, immediately after exercise, and showed a tendency to recover after a few days. On the other hand, muscle pain was significantly increased within one or two days after exercise. [Conclusion] The increases in muscle stiffness, muscle thickness, and upper arm circumference suggest a decrease in circulatory function resulting in accumulation of tissue fluid in muscle compartments. We suggest that the poor performance for a few days after strenuous exercise is caused by muscle pain related to sensory nerves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]