ABSTRACT
The contraction modalities of skeletal muscle are classified into “isometric contractions”, which generate strength during muscle contraction with unchanged muscle length; “concentric contractions”, which generate strength during muscle contraction while muscles are contracting; and “eccentric contractions (ECCs)”, which generates strength while muscles are stretched in the opposite direction of the muscle contraction. The extent of muscle strength loss and the time to full recovery is typically dependent on several factors including the mode, muscle parts, contractions times, intensity, contraction velocity, training status, and age. Although delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is also a common symptom of muscle damage, the mechanisms responsible for DOMS remain somewhat uncertain. The number of muscle fibers showing a disruption of normal myofibrillar band patterns is increased immediately after ECCs. A range of physiotherapeutic, nutritional, and pharmacological strategies has been evaluated to investigate their effectiveness in restoring muscle function, relieving muscle soreness, and reducing intramuscular inflammation after exercise.
