Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1993

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Human Performance and Sport Studies

Major Professor

David Bassett Jr.

Committee Members

Edward Howley, Jean Lewis

Abstract

This research examined the effects of exercise-induced muscle soreness on the resting metabolic rate (RMR). Sixteen male and female subjects were placed into groups according to the type of exercise they would perform. One group ran or walked uphill on a treadmill at a 10% grade with the speed set to elicit 70% of their maximum heart rate, which was obtained from a maximal oxygen uptake test performed previously. The other group ran downhill at a -10% grade with the speed set in the same manner as for the uphill group. The subjects were asked to rate their perceived muscle soreness using a scale developed by Talag, with a rating of zero indicating no soreness and a six indicating unbearable soreness. Resting metabolic rate was measured prior to the induction of muscle soreness, in addition to 24- hours and 48-hours following the exercise-induced muscle soreness. In addition, each subject was instructed to keep a record of their food consumption the three days prior to each RMR measurement. A dietary analysis was performed using the software program, NutriCalc, on each subject to determine what percent of the total calories consumed was carbohydrate, fat, and protein.

An analysis of variance with repeated measures (ANOVA), using the significance level of < 0.05, was used to determine significant differences between groups. Student t-tests were performed to test for differences between the descriptive characteristics of the subjects.

The results indicated that the group that performed the eccentric contractions by running downhill experienced the most muscle soreness (p<.05). The dietary analysis indicated that the mean value of protein consumed for all three days was significantly lower in the uphill group than in the downhill group. There was a significant interaction in the respiratory quotient (RQ) between trials in the downhill group, with the value in trial 3 being significantly higher than the previous two trials. However, no differences were found in resting metabolic rate between groups.

The findings in this study showed that eccentric exercise causes muscle soreness; however, this has previously been established by other researchers. Moreover, it was hypothesized that RMR would increase after muscle soreness in order to pay for the cost of repair. However, this was not the case since no significant changes in RMR were found between groups. Therefore, it is concluded that either the type of muscle soreness developed in this study was not sufficient enough to produce any changes in RMR, or that other factors may play a role in the repair of the damaged muscle sparing oxygen utilization.

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