Temporal relation between leukocyte accumulation in muscles and halted recovery 10-20 h after strength exercise

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) 2003-12, Vol.95 (6), p.2503-2509
• Main Authors: Raastad, Truls, Risoy, Bjorn Audun, Benestad, Haakon Breien, Fjeld, Jan Gunnar, Hallen, Jostein
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Creatine Kinase - blood; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Knee - physiology; Leg - physiology; Leukocytes; Leukocytes - physiology; Male; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - cytology; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscular system; Pain - physiopathology; Technetium
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01064.2002

1 Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education, 2 Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, and 3 Section of Nuclear Medicine, The National Hospital, N-0806 Oslo, Norway Submitted 19 November 2002 ; accepted in final form 5 June 2003 Effects of normal strength exercise on leukocyte accumulation were examined in 10 well-trained male subjects (27.2 ± 2.7 yr). The workout, consisting of five maximal sets of three repetitions of leg press exercise and five maximal sets of six repetitions of knee extension exercise, was performed with the dominant leg, and the other leg served as control. Repeated maximal isokinetic knee extensions at 60°/s were performed to evaluate neuromuscular fatigue and recovery after the workout. Accumulation of leukocytes was assessed with 99m Tc-labeled cells, and repeated images of the thighs were taken 1–24 h after the workout. Maximal force-generating capacity in the exercised leg was reduced by 17 ± 2% ( P < 0.01) after the workout. The course of recovery followed a biphasic pattern characterized by halted recovery 10–23 h after exercise. The presence of leukocytes was 10% higher in the exercised than in the control thigh 10 h after exercise ( P < 0.05). This difference increased to 15% at 20 h after exercise ( P < 0.05). The retarded recovery of maximal force-generating capacity 10–20 h after exercise, together with a significant infiltration of leukocytes in exercised muscle during the same time interval, shows a temporal relation between leukocyte infiltration and impaired recovery. scintigraphy; creatine kinase; muscle soreness; fatigue; diurnal variation Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: T. Raastad, Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education, PO Box 4014 US, N-0806 Oslo, Norway (E-mail: truls.raastad{at}nih.no ).