Effectiveness of a Conditioning Program on Amateur Female Marathon Runners.

There is a sudden rise in the participation of middle-aged women in marathons across India without proper knowledge about how to prepare for these marathons. This leads to rise in injuries in them like low back pain, knee pain, stress fractures, urinary incontinence etc., some of which can easily be avoided. There is a need to find out a suitable conditioning program for these participants that will target problems affecting this age group and gender specifically. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of conditioning program on post run physical functioning in female amateur marathon runners. Pain Assessment, DOMS, Modified Borg Scale were used for assessing the individuals. METHODSIn this comparative study, 52 amateur female marathon runners, were randomly allocated into two groups with 26 runners in each group. We evaluated pain and exertion using pain assessment and Borg Scale. Occurrence of incontinence was assessed by asking a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was assessed using pain pressure threshold (PPT) 24 hrs. post run. RESULTSThere was a significant effect of the conditioning program on these female runners compared to administration of no conditioning at all. There was a reduction of pain in all the components of the pain scale (p= <0.001). Exertion of the trained runners was also less (p= <0.001) as well as in the occurrence of incontinence (p= <0.0430). PPT was also substantially increased in them (p= <0.001). CONCLUSIONSThe conditioning program administered to amateur female marathon runners was effective in reducing their risk of injuries and problems related to women’s health that occur while running a marathon.

The Effect of Kinesio Taping Pre-intervention on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

PURPOSE: This examined the effect of Kinesio taping pre-intervention on the pain, tenderness, proprioceptive sensation, and muscle strength associated with delayed onset muscle soreness. METHODS: Thirty subjects were divided into a Kinesio taping application group of 15 subjects and a control non-taped group of 15 subjects, and the changes in individual variables were analyzed before taping and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after taping using two-way repeated ANOVA. Post-hoc t-tests were conducted in the cases with intergroup interactions, and the significance level α was set to α=0.01. RESULTS: The changes in pain during rest were significantly different only for the times, while the changes in pain during exercise were significantly different for the times, interactions between the times and groups, and intergroup changes (p<0.05). The changes in tenderness were significantly different for the times and for interactions between the times and groups (p<0.05). The changes in proprioceptive sensation were significantly different for the times, interactions between times and groups, and intergroup changes (p<0.05). The changes in muscle strength were significantly different only for the times (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of Kinesio taping had positive effects on the pain, tenderness, and proprioceptive sensation of delayed onset muscle soreness. These results suggest that Kinesio taping can be a useful therapeutic factor in future studies and in clinical settings.

Effects of hydrogen bathing on exercise-induced oxidative stress and delayed-onset muscle soreness / 体力科学

Several studies have reported that molecular hydrogen (H₂) acts as a therapeutic medical gas owing to scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, little is known about effects of H₂ on exercise-induced oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of weekly hydrogen bathing on exercise-induced oxidative stress and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Nine healthy and active young men participated in this study, and each subject performed hydrogen bathing trial and placebo bathing trial in a crossover design. The subjects performed downhill running (8 % decline) at 75 % peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak) for 30 min, and each subjects conducted hydrogen or placebo bathing for 20 min, respectively, 1-6 days after downhill running. Before and after exercise, we measured visual analogue scale (VAS) and collected blood samples (Pre- and 5 min, 60 min after the end of bathing, 1day, 2days, 3days, 7days after downhill running). Blood sample analyses include creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (Mb), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17a (IL-17a) and lactate concentrations. Weekly hydrogen bathing had no effects of exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage. On the other hand, hydrogen bathing significantly reduced DOMS (VAS) 1 and 2days after downhill running (p=0.033). These findings suggest that hydrogen bath after downhill exercise can be effective for reduction of DOMS.

Effects of shortening and lengthening resistance exercise with low-intensity on physical fitness and muscular function in senior adults / Efeitos de exercícios resistivos de encurtamento e alongamento, em baixa intensidade, sobre condicionamento e função muscular em adultos sênior

OBJECTIVE: To identify effects of shortening and lengthening low-intensity resistance exercise together with aerobic exercise on physical fitness and muscular strength in senior adults. METHOD: Seventeen males (58-72yrs) and sixteen females (58-68yrs) participated in this study: seven male and six female as control subjects, ten male and ten female as exercise subjects: these subjects completed an 8-week training program (two times/week) consisting of 15 minutes of aerobike exercise at 50% of VO2max and six shortening-lengthening resistance exercises (3 exercises for upper body and 3 exercises for lower body). The subjects exercised resistance training (5 sec for shortening, 5 sec for lengthening) at 50% of one repetition maximum. Primary outcome measures included physical fitness tests (grip strength, sit-ups, sit-and-reach, 6 minutes of walking, single-leg balance test with open eyes), timed up-and-go test (UP&GO), and one repetition maximum of the same six exercises. This study examined joint angle of knee flexion and elbow flexion, visual analog scale, and muscular strength test to identify delayed onset muscle soreness. RESULTS: The resting blood pressures in both exercising groups were significantly decreased after 16 sessions of exercise intervention (p < 0.05). The training group significantly increased muscular strength and improved physical fitness, UP&GO, and one repetition maximum of 6 resistance exercises (p < 0.05). The combined exercise did not induce delayed onset muscle soreness. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the combined shortening and lengthening resistance training with aerobic exercise in senior male and female adults was effective in decreasing blood pressure and increasing muscular strength and physical fitness.

OBJETIVO: Identificar os efeitos de encurtamento e alongamento através de exercício resistivo de baixa intensidade, juntamente com exercício aeróbico sobre a aptidão física e força muscular em idosos. MÉTODO: Dezessete homens (58-72 anos) e dezesseis mulheres (58-68 anos) participaram deste estudo: 7 homens e 6 mulheres como controles, 10 homens e 10 mulheres submetidos aos exercícios: um programa de treinamento bissemanal de 8 semanas, consistindo em dez minutos de aerobike a 50% do VO2max e seis exercícios de alongamento/encurtamento (três para membros superiores e três para membros inferiores). Cada exercido foi repetido quinze vezes (50% de Uma-Repetição-Máxima - 1RM) com 5 seg para encurtamento e 5 seg para alongamento). Foram medidos: força de preensão, sit-ups, sentar-e-alcançar, 6 minutos de caminhada, teste de equilíbrio de single-leg com os olhos abertos), teste up-and-go (UP & GO), 1RM dos mesmos seis exercícios, ângulo articular de flexão do joelho e flexão de cotovelo, escala analógica visual, e teste de força muscular para identificar dor muscular tardia. RESULTADOS: A pressão arterial em repouso do grupo exercício apresentou diminuição significativa após as 16 sessões de exercício. O grupo de treinamento aumentou significativamente a força muscular com melhoria da aptidão física, UP & GO, e uma repetição máxima de 6 exercícios de resistência. O exercício combinado não induziu dor muscular tardia. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo mostrou que o encurtamento/alongamento combinado com o exercício aeróbico em adultos idosos do sexo masculino e feminino foi eficaz para a diminuição da pressão arterial e aumento de força muscular e aptidão física.

Métodos de recuperação pós-exercício / Post-exercise recovery methods

A recuperação pós-exercício é de extrema relevância dentro de todo programa de condicionamento físico, tanto para praticantes e atletas, como para técnicos e diversos profissionais ligados à área da saúde. Nesse sentido, o conhecimento a respeito da recuperação pós-exercício e dos vários métodos utilizados com intuito de acelerar o processo de recuperação (para suportar mais frequentes e/ou maiores cargas de treinamento com mais qualidade) torna-se essencial. Dessa forma, as intervenções utilizadas de forma profilática e/ou terapêutica com o intuito de amenizar os efeitos negativos das lesões musculares causadas pelo exercício físico e, assim, otimizar a recuperação são de grande interesse para pesquisadores, técnicos e atletas. Em vista disso, o objetivo da presente revisão de literatura é reunir informações que permitam descrever as respostas fisiológicas frente aos métodos de recuperação pós-exercícios, com a finalidade de melhorar tanto o processo de treinamento físico como o rendimento.

Post-exercise recovery is a key factor within every physical training program for athletes and non-athletes alike, as well as coaches and health professionals. Thus, knowledge on the post-exercise recovery process and the efficacy of the recovery modalities in enhancing between-training session (to increase training frequency and/or training loads qualitatively) is essential. Therefore, prophylactic or therapeutic interventions that might reduce the negative effects of exercise-induced muscle damage, thereby speeding recovery, are of great interest to researchers, coaches and athletes. As such, the purpose of this review was to describe the physiological responses to post-exercise recovery modalities currently used to aid athlete recovery during the training process, and consequently enhance performance.

On the Polymodal Receptor with Characteristics Suitable for a Receptor that Transmits Acupuncture / Moxibustion Stimuli / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Muscular unmyelinated (C-) fibers are supposed to be the afferent limb of acupuncture effects. Of muscular unmyelinated afferent receptors, polymodal receptors are considered to be important because of their sensitivities to moderate mechanical and strong thermal stimulations and to algesic substances. I would like to introduce response characteristics of muscular polymodal receptors, especially on their sensitization to mechanical stimulation.Polymodal receptors consist of 50% of mechano-sensitive muscular C-fiber receptors in rats. Comparing with non-polymodal receptors that would not respond to heat stimulation, the mechanical threshold of the polymodals is not different, but their discharge rate is lower. The response threshold to heat is around 41°C. The mechanical response of this receptor is augmented by bradykinin, prostaglandins, histamine and acid. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is one of neurotrophic factors that is essential for the development and survival of thin-fiber afferents and their differentiation during ontogeny. In adulthood NGF is produced in inflammatory cells (macrophages, mast cells, etc) and fibroblasts, and sensitizes nociceptors to heat and mechanical stimulations, and plays an important role in hyperalgesia. It is reported that intramuscular injection of NGF into humans induced mechanical hyperalgesia.Recently we found up-regulation of NGF in the muscle in non-inflammatory condition, namely in delayed onset muscle soreness that appears after strenuous and unaccustomed exercise (delayed onset muscle soreness). Up-regulation of NGF in the muscle starts about 12 hrs after exercise, and it lasts up to 2 days after exercise. Anti-NGF antibody injection to the muscle on the 2nd day after exercise, reversed mechanical hyperalgesia. Thus it is concluded that sensitization of C-fiber receptors by NGF to mechanical stimulation results in mechanical hyperalgesia. Because there is no sign of inflammation in the muscle, cells that produce NGF cannot be inflammatory cells, and muscle cells themselves, blood vessel cells or connective tissue cells might produce NGF. In addition, the majority of sensory receptors that are sensitized after exercise are heat sensitive, that means they are mostly polymodal receptors. Because many of muscle pain conditions are not inflammatory, non-inflammatory production of NGF in the muscle observed in the delayed onset muscle soreness raises a possibility that NGF is produced in other muscle pain conditions, and sensitizes muscle nociceptors to result in muscle hyperalgesia. This point must be clarified in future.

EFFECTS OF TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION ON DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS / 体力科学

【Purpose】 To investigate effects of physiotherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), DOMS was induced in the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm. We selected transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to examine effects of physiotherapy to the recovery process.【Methods】 Fifteen human volunteers were recruited. DOMS was induced by eccentric exercise. Subjects were assigned randomly to one of three groups (Control, 110 Hz TENS, 4 Hz TENS). TENS was applied for 20 min over the biceps brachii on 1 day only after exercise. Measurements of Mechanical Pain Threshold (MPT) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were performed as evaluation of pain. Measurements were taken before and after exercise.【Results】 There was no significant improvement in MPT and VAS among all three groups.【Conclusion】 It was suggested application of TENS on DOMS at the parameters used here had no beneficial effect.

The Efficacy of Aspirin and Acetaminophen in the Management of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of commonly available analgesics in the management of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) over an 8-day period, and to compare the efficacy between aspirin and acetaminophen. METHOD: Forty-two subjects were recruited. DOMS was induced by using the isokinetic dynamometer (KinCom(R)) in standardized fashion in the nondominant knee extensor with subjects seated at 30 degree-angle velocity. Subjects were asked to extend their non-dominant knee with concentric method and to hold the knee with eccentric flexion force at 30 degree-angle velocity, with maximal efforts. On this way, they did 10 repetitions, and then 3 cycles. We categorized four groups (n=10, for each group), that were control group with no medication, placebo group with placebo medication (antacid tablets), aspirin group with medication of 900 mg of aspirin, and acetaminophen group with medication with 3,900 mg of acetaminophen. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS: twice a day, until on day 8). and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ: on day 1 and 3) were measured. RESULTS: We didn't find any significant difference of peak VAS score and relief time between four groups (P>0.05), The score of MPQ was not different between four groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the medication may not be beneficial, at least at the doses stated, in the management of DOMS.

Examination of an Eccentric Contraction-induced Trigger Point Model Using Human Subjects / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The nature of an experimental trigger point model produced by eccentric exercise was examined in seven healthy volunteers who gave their informed consent. Adjustable loads were set around the third finger and the subjects were asked to keep the position as long as possible. The loadings (about 10s) were continued until his all-out effort and were carried out 3 times interspersed with 5 min rest periods. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and deep pain thresholds (DPT) before exercise, and on the 2nd and 7th day after the exercise, were measured in the skin, fascia and muscles. On the 2nd day after the exercise, the PPT of the restricted area of the taut band was the minimum. A similar reduction of the DPT was observed only in the fascia of the restricted area. These results suggest that the present experimental model is useful for the further investigation of trigger points.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE STIMULATION ON DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS PRODUCED BY ECCENTRIC EXERCISE / 体力科学

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is characterized by a sensation of discomfort that usually develops 24-48 hours after unaccustomed exercise, with muscle swelling and stiffness that usually results in a reduced range of movement. Muscle weakness is often seen. It may be surmised that DOMS is a problem that affects all athletes.<BR>We examined six male subjects to determine the effect of acupuncture stimulation on DOMS, which was induced experimentally in both legs using a heel raising exercise. Acupuncture stimulation has long been used in the treatment of pain, but there is insufficient proof of its efficacy. A problem acupuncture research has had to face is the concept of a control group. To deal with this, we used non-invasive acupuncture stimulation, which would allow the simulation of the acupuncture procedure without penetrating the skin. The leg that would receive actual acupuncture stimulation and the leg that would receive non-invasive stimulation after the induction of DOMS were determined by randomization.<BR>The muscle stiffness, ankle range of movement, maximal voluntary contraction, one-legged vertical jump, muscle tenderness, pain on muscle stretching, pain on muscle contraction, ankle mobility and subjective muscle strain were measured as indices of stimulation efficacy. Pain on muscle stretching was significantly less (p<0.05) at 48 hours after exercise for the side stimulated by acupuncture as compared with the side stimulated non-invasively. The other indices did not differ significantly between the side stimulated using acupuncture stimulation and the side stimulated non invasively. These results suggest that the early relief of DOMS can be achieved by acupuncture stimulation.