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Biomedical subjects

Trevor C Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Trevor C Chen.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Changes in running economy following downhill running.

In this study, we examined the time course of changes in running economy following a 30-min downhill (-15%) run at 70% peak aerobic power (VO2peak). Ten young men performed level running at 65, 75, and 85% VO2peak (5 min for each intensity) before, immediately after, and 1 - 5 days after the downhill run, at which times oxygen consumption (VO2), minute ventilation, the respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate concentration were measured. Stride length, stride frequency, and range of motion of the ankle, knee, and hip joints during the level runs were analysed using high-speed (120-Hz) video images. Downhill running induced reductions (7 - 21%, P < 0.05) in maximal isometric strength of the knee extensors, three- to six-fold increases in plasma creatine kinase activity and myoglobin concentration, and muscle soreness for 4 days after the downhill run. Oxygen consumption increased (4 - 7%, P < 0.05) immediately to 3 days after downhill running. There were also increases (P < 0.05) in heart rate, minute ventilation, RER, RPE, blood lactate concentration, and stride frequency, as well as reductions in stride length and range of motion of the ankle and knee. The results suggest that changes in running form and compromised muscle function due to muscle damage contribute to the reduction in running economy for 3 days after downhill running.

Adult↗

Intensity of eccentric exercise, shift of optimum angle, and the magnitude of repeated-bout effect.

This study compared the effect of four different intensities of initial eccentric exercise (ECC1) on optimum angle shift and extent of muscle damage induced by subsequent maximal eccentric exercise. Fifty-two male students were placed into 100%, 80%, 60%, or 40% groups (n = 13 per group), performing 30 eccentric actions of the elbow flexors of 100%, 80%, 60%, or 40% of maximal isometric strength [maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)] for ECC1, followed 2-3 wk later by a similar exercise (ECC2) that used 100% MVC load. MVC at six elbow joint angles, range of motion, upper arm circumference, serum creatine kinase activity, myoglobin concentration, and muscle soreness were measured before and for 5 days following ECC1 and ECC2. A rightward shift of optimum angle following ECC1 was significantly (P < 0.05) greater for the 100% and 80% than for the 60% and 40% groups, and it decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from immediately to 5 days postexercise. By the time ECC2 was performed, only the 100% group kept a significant shift (4 degrees). Changes in most of the criterion measures following ECC1 were significantly greater for the 100% and 80% groups compared with the 60% and 40% groups. Changes in the criterion measures following ECC2 were significantly (P < 0.05) greater for the 40% group compared with other groups. Although the magnitude of repeated bout effect following ECC2 was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller for the 40% and 60% groups, all groups showed significantly (P < 0.05) reduced changes in criterion measures following ECC2 compared with the ECC1 100% bout. We conclude that the repeated-bout effect was not dependent on the shift of optimum angle.

Adolescent↗

Variability in muscle damage after eccentric exercise and the repeated bout effect.

The first purpose of this study was to determine a possible explanation for the variability in the response to eccentric exercise by having participants repeat the same exercise 1 year apart. The second purpose was to examine whether initial injury in response to eccentric exercise was associated with the extent of the repeated bout effect (RBE). Male students performed 30 eccentric contractions (ECC) of the elbow flexors using a dumbbell set at 80% of the pre-exercise maximal isometric force (MIF). Participants were then classified into low (LR; n=6), medium (MR; n=6), high (HR; n=5), and higher (HrR; n=7) based on the increase in blood creatine kinase (CK) activity. A year later, participants repeated this exercise (ECC30). Four days after ECC30, participants performed 70 eccentric contractions (ECC70). Range of motion, MFI upper arm circumference, soreness, and blood CK activity were measured before and up to 9 days after each bout. The change in the criterion measures following ECC and ECC30 were similar for each group. There were no further changes in all parameters after ECC70 for MR, HR, and HrR, although there was a small increase in CK after ECC70 for LR. LR showed a smaller RBE after ECC70 compared with the other groups. It is concluded that participants who exercised 1 year apart showed remarkably similar responses between the bouts. The extent of the RBE following the second bout for the LR group is less for participants who demonstrate the least evidence of muscle damage after a first exercise bout.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Responses of elbow flexors to two strenuous eccentric exercise bouts separated by three days.

This study investigated whether the second eccentric exercise performed 3 days after the initial bout would exacerbate muscle damage and retard the recovery. Fifty-one athletes performed 30 eccentric actions of the elbow flexors using a dumbbell weighted 100% of the maximal isometric force (MIF) at the elbow joint angle of 90 degrees (ECC1). Three days after ECC1, all subjects except those in the control group (n = 12) performed the second bout (ECC2) with the same (100%) intensity (n = 12), 90% (n = 13), or 80% (n = 14) of the ECC1. Some subjects, especially in the 100% group, required spotting for ECC2 but made maximal effort to complete the exercise. MIF, range of motion, upper-arm circumference, muscle soreness, muscle proteins in the blood, and ultrasound images were used to assess muscle damage. Changes in these measures for 9 days following ECC1 were compared among groups by 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. All criterion measures changed significantly after ECC1; however, no significant differences between the groups were evident for any of the changes in the measures. These results suggest that it is possible for athletes to complete the second bout if the intensity is reduced 10-20% from the initial bout. No significant differences between the control group and other groups indicate that the second eccentric exercise performed 3 days after the initial bout does not exacerbate muscle damage and retard the recovery regardless of the intensity of the second bout. It is concluded that the elbow flexors can perform high-intensity eccentric exercise in the early stage of recovery from the initial bout and are not damaged further by performing a subsequent bout 3 days after the first.

Adult↗

Effects of a second bout of maximal eccentric exercise on muscle damage and electromyographic activity.

This study examined whether a second bout of maximal eccentric exercise performed 3 days after the first exercise bout would produce further changes in muscle damage and electromyographic activity (EMG). Male students (n=26) were randomly assigned to experimental 70 (EX70; n=9), experimental 30 (EX30; n=8), and control (CON; n=9) groups. The initial exercise was 30 maximal voluntary isokinetic eccentric contractions (MAX1) on non-dominant elbow flexors at 60 degrees s(-1) (1.05 rad s(-1)). The EX70 and EX30 groups performed a second bout of 70 and 30 eccentric contractions (MAX2), respectively, 3 days after MAX1. Upper arm circumference, range of motion, strength, integrated EMG (IEMG), and mean power frequency (MPF) were measured before, immediately after, and once a day for 9 days after MAX1. Plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and muscle soreness were assessed before and for 9 days after MAX1. Total work, work per contraction, IEMG, and MPF were also recorded during MAX1 and MAX2. All indicators of muscle damage changed following MAX1 for each group (P<0.05), but no indicators of additional damage (P>0.05) were apparent after MAX2 for either the EX70 or EX30 groups. IEMG (P=0.03) and MPF (P=0.04) were lower for MAX2 compared with MAX1 for both the EX30 and EX70 groups. It is concluded that performing a second bout of eccentric exercise with damaged muscles 3 days after the initial bout does not produce further damage or retard recovery, even when the second bout of exercise is more strenuous. EMG findings were consistent with reduced activation of fast-twitch motor units during the second eccentric bout. These results may be interpreted as evidence of a neural protective mechanism.

Adaptation, Physiological↗