If either is effective at reducing inflammation associated with muscle damage, then it may be reasonable to assume that IL-6 mediated inflammation and DOMS would be reduced in the EPA group. However, the findings from the present
study do not support this hypothesis. DOMS post exercise is associated with RFGC, [7] muscle soreness [3] and elevated levels of cytokines [13]. The protocol used in the present study was designed selleck chemical to initiate an IL-6 mediated inflammatory response, muscle soreness and a RFGC, to demonstrate DOMS was achieved. Participants’ pain was assessed 48 h post resistance exercise, and in accordance with previous research [3, 20] muscle soreness did not alter between B1 and B2, however it did increase from B2 by 64% and 50% to S1 and S3 respectively (See Figure 2D). Participant’s maximal EPZ015666 purchase isometric force ability decreased 48 h post resistance exercise by ~14% between B1 and S1, and B2 and S1. The reduction in participant’s ability to generate force highlighted in the present study post resistance exercise
is in accordance with previous research [2, 16]. This reduction in participant’s ability to generate force was matched by an increase in pain, which is in agreement with the work of Graven-Nielsen et al. [7]. The initial force reducing capacity of the muscles was evident in all three forms of contractions; however both forms of isokinetic contractions (concentric and eccentric) reported an increase between B1 and S3. A possible explanation for poor development in muscle force generating capacity for isometric contractions may have been due to the difference between the angles achieved when exercising compared to those used when strength assessments
were carried out. When assessing muscle force generating capacity for isometric contractions the angle was set at 65°, however when performing resistance exercise this angle may have only been briefly achieved during the leg extension/flexion exercise (See Figure 1A and 1B). Morrissey et al. [32] reported an increase in motor unit activation at specified angles when working isometrically, therefore if the legs were not trained specifically at 65° degrees then there will be no increase in force generating capacity at that specific Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II angle. There was an increase in IL-6 48 h post resistance exercise of 26% and 43% between B1 and S1 and B1 and S3 respectively for grouped data. In addition there were also increases in IL-6 of 22% and 40% for grouped data between B2 and S1, and B2 and S3 respectively. These alterations in IL-6 are consistent with previous research demonstrating increases in IL-6 following an exercise protocol aimed at maximising DOMS (See Figure 3) [9, 20]. The above support the assertion that the protocol used in the present study was effective at initiating DOMS.