Differences in delayed and immediate onset muscle soreness and damage induced by eccentric exercise and a full-marathon.

Purpose: We researched the differences in characteristics between delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and immediate onset muscle soreness (IOMS) in specific muscle groups after eccentric exercise and a full-marathon. Methods: In the Experiment 1, we measured DOMS in 9 young males who performed high intensity eccentric exercise specific to the non-dominant upper extremity flexor muscles. In Experiment 2, we measured IOMS in 19 young males and 3 females who participated in a full-marathon. In both experiments, the visual analog scale (VAS), upper arm or femoral circumference (CIR), serum creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured before exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 1 to 4 days after exercise. Results: In Experiment 1, VAS peaked on day 2, CIR increased immediately and then temporarily decreased on dayl; however, it then increased until day 4. From days 3 to 4, CK and LDH levels increased. In Experiment 2, VAS increased immediately after a full-marathon and peaked on day 1. Circumference immediately decreased after that; however, it recovered by day 2. Serum CK level peaked on day 1 and LDH level increased immediately after that and both levels decreased by day 3. Conclusion: We suggest that muscle soreness and damage after a full-marathon appeared earlier compared with that after eccentric exercise; however, swelling did not occur after a full-marathon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]