Rosaci Giuseppe, Merni Franco, Marcora Samuele, Bartolomei Sandro
Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy.
Eur J Appl Physiol. 2025 Sep 13. doi: 10.1007/s00421-025-05958-0.
Isometric exercises at long muscle length (LML) and short muscle length (SML), and variable resistance (VAR) exercises, are effective to achieve neuromuscular and morphological adaptation. To date, no studies have compared pectoralis major muscle recovery after these modalities. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the muscle damage and recovery after LML, SML, and VAR in trained men. Twelve participants (age: 25 ± 4 y, height: 178 ± 7 cm, body weight: 82 ± 10 kg, training experience: 7 ± 4 y) completed the protocols in a random order with a 10-day washout period. Assessments occurred pre-exercise (BL) and at 15 min (P-15 min), 24 h (P-24 h), and 48 h (P-48 h) post-exercise, evaluating muscle thickness (MT), echo intensity (EI), isometric peak force, average power at bench press throw power test (BPT), and muscle soreness. Blood samples were also collected at BL and at P-24 h, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was measured. Changes in MT at P-15 min and P-24 h were more elevated following VAR compared to SML and LML (p = 0.003; η = 0.271). No condition × time interactions were found for EI (p = 0.233), peak force (p > 0.319), BPT (p = 0.614), and muscle soreness (p = 0.115). The EI, peak force, and BPT parameters returned to baseline at P-24 h, while muscle soreness persisted for 48 h without any significant differences between protocols. All exercise protocols resulted in similar elevations of CPK (p = 0.727; 387 ± 159, 396 ± 199 and 362 ± 170 U/L for LML, SML and VAR, respectively). In conclusion, all exercise protocols cause muscle damage. However, the mechanical and metabolic stress of VAR may prolong the recovery of initial muscle architecture compared to LML and SML.
在长肌肉长度（LML）和短肌肉长度（SML）下进行等长运动以及可变阻力（VAR）运动，对于实现神经肌肉和形态学适应是有效的。迄今为止，尚无研究比较过这些运动方式后胸大肌的恢复情况。因此，本研究旨在比较训练有素的男性在进行LML、SML和VAR运动后的肌肉损伤及恢复情况。12名参与者（年龄：25±4岁，身高：178±7厘米，体重：82±10千克，训练经验：7±4年）以随机顺序完成各方案，且有10天的洗脱期。在运动前（基线，BL）以及运动后15分钟（P - 15分钟）、24小时（P - 24小时）和48小时（P - 48小时）进行评估，评估内容包括肌肉厚度（MT）、回声强度（EI）、等长峰值力量、卧推投掷功率测试（BPT）中的平均功率以及肌肉酸痛情况。在BL和P - 24小时也采集血样，并测量肌酸磷酸激酶（CPK）。与SML和LML相比，VAR运动后P - 15分钟和P - 24小时的MT变化升高更明显（p = 0.003；η = 0.271）。对于EI（p = 0.233）、峰值力量（p＞0.319）、BPT（p = 0.614）和肌肉酸痛（p = 0.115），未发现条件×时间交互作用。EI、峰值力量和BPT参数在P - 24小时恢复到基线水平，而肌肉酸痛持续48小时，各方案之间无显著差异。所有运动方案导致的CPK升高相似（p = 0.727；LML、SML和VAR分别为387±159、396±199和362±170 U/L）。总之，所有运动方案都会导致肌肉损伤。然而，与LML和SML相比，VAR的机械和代谢应激可能会延长初始肌肉结构的恢复时间。
