Conclusion Overall , our findings do not support the presence of a secondary loss of strength following an acute muscle injury , and strongly suggest that strength , on average , recovers steadily over the first 3 days post-injury
Background An immediate loss of strength follows virtually all types of muscle injury but there is debate whether the initial strength loss is maximal or if a secondary loss of strength occurs during the first 3 days post-injury .
Objective The objective of this analysis was to conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis of the research literature to determine if a secondary loss of strength occurs after an injurious initiating event .
Eccentric exercise, isokinetic muscle torque and delayed onset muscle soreness: the role of reactive oxygen species
There is growing evidence that reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) are involved in the muscular damage and soreness that is observed following strenuous or unaccustomed exercise . This study investigated the relationship between  delayed onset muscle soreness ( DOMS )  , muscle function and ROS following downhill running using electron spin resonance ( ESR ) spectroscopy and plasma malonaldehyde ( MDA ) concentrations . Eight physically active male subjects participated in two trials consisting of 30 min of running at ~65 % V̇O2max on the flat ( FLA ) or a 15 % downhill ( DWN ) gradient . Venous blood sample s were drawn before , immediately after , and then 24 , 48 and 72 h post exercise , and at the same time DOMS and muscle function were assessed . Blood was analysed for markers of ROS , total and differential white blood cell count , and creatine kinase . Muscle function was measured on an isokinetic dynamometer , whilst DOMS was assessed using a visual analogue scale . An increase in ROS , detected via ESR spectroscopy and MDA , was observed following DWN ( P<0.05 ) but not following FLA . Increased DOMS and loss of muscle function were observed following DWN ( P<0.05 ) but not following FLA ( P>0.05 ) . DWN result ed in a transient leukocytosis ( P<0.05 ) occurring immediately post-exercise but returning to pre-exercise levels by 24 h. Although DWN result ed in an increase in ROS production , the increase occurred after the peak decline in muscle function and DOMS , suggesting that there may be a disassociation in the temporal relationship between ROS , loss of muscle function and DOMS
Conclusion Overall , our findings do not support the presence of a secondary loss of strength following an acute muscle injury , and strongly suggest that strength , on average , recovers steadily over the first 3 days post-injury
Background An immediate loss of strength follows virtually all types of muscle injury but there is debate whether the initial strength loss is maximal or if a secondary loss of strength occurs during the first 3 days post-injury .
Objective The objective of this analysis was to conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis of the research literature to determine if a secondary loss of strength occurs after an injurious initiating event .