PHYSIOLOGICAL AREA   

Medicina dello Sport 2018 June;71(2):174-89

DOI: 10.23736/S0025-7826.17.03005-8

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Effects of leg press exercise intensity on symptoms of muscle damage and soreness in men

Hamid ARAZI ¹, Abbas ASADI ² ✉

¹ Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran; ² Roudbar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudbar, Iran

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of leg press (LP) exercise with different intensities on creatine kinas (CK) activity, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and muscle soreness (knee extensors and flexors).
METHODS: Twenty-eight untrained male were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups; 60% of one repetition maximum (1RM), 80% of 1RM, 100% of 1RM and a control group. The participants in the experimental groups performed four sets of LP exercise with maximal effort and repetitions to voluntary exhaustion. Knee extensor and flexor muscle soreness, CK activity and CRP concentration were measured at baseline, and 24, 48, and 72 hours post exercise. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was also measured after each set of exercise for the experimental groups.
RESULTS: Muscle soreness, CK activity and CRP concentration significantly increased after LP exercise, with greater increases for the 100% of 1RM-LP group compared to other groups (P<0.05). The RPE progressively increased from set 1 to set 4 (set, 1<2<3<4) and this increase was greater for the 100% of 1RM compared to other intensities (100%>80%>60%) (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that the intensity of LP exercise plays an important role in the blood markers of muscle damage, muscle soreness and RPE.

KEY WORDS: Resistance training - Myalgia - Sprains and strains - Inflammation - Pain