Measurement tools used in the study of eccentric contraction-induced injury

• Published in: Sports medicine (Auckland) 1999, Vol.27 (1), p.43-59
• Main Authors: WARREN, G. L, LOWE, D. A, ARMSTRONG, R. B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Muscles - enzymology; Muscles - injuries; Muscles - pathology; Muscles - physiology; Range of Motion, Articular; Striated muscle. Tendons; Torque; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system; Wounds and Injuries - diagnosis; Wounds and Injuries - metabolism; Wounds and Injuries - pathology
• ISSN: 0112-1642; 1179-2035
• DOI: 10.2165/00007256-199927010-00004

The objective of this review is to evaluate the measurement tools currently used in the study of eccentric contraction-induced muscle injury, with emphasis on their usefulness for quantifying the magnitude and duration of the injury and as indicators of muscle functional deficits. In studies in humans, it was concluded that measurements of maximal voluntary contraction torque and range of motion provide the best methods for quantifying muscle injury. Similarly, in animal studies, the in vitro measurement of electrically elicited force under isometric conditions was considered to be the best of the measurement tools currently in use. For future studies, more effort should be put into measuring other contractile parameters (e.g. force/torque-velocity and force/torque-length relationships maximal shortening velocity and fatigue susceptibility) that may reflect injury-induced functional impairments. The use of histology, ratings of soreness and the measurement of blood or bath levels of myofibre proteins should be discouraged for purposes of quantifying muscle injury and/or functional impairment.