Evans, R. K., Parcell, A. C., Knight, K. L., Schulthies, S. S., & Draper, D. O. (2001). Effects of warm-up prior to eccentric exercise on indirect markers of muscle damage. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 691.

Untrained Ss (N = 43) were formed into five groups, each experiencing a different warm-up: a) low-heat passive, b) high heat passive, c) active, each preceding eccentric contraction of the elbow flexors, d) eccentric exercise without warm-up, and e) high heat passive warm-up without eccentric exercise. Passive heat was achieved using pulsed short-wave diathermy, and exercise was concentric contraction of the elbow flexors. Creatine kinase, maximum voluntary contraction, range of motion, swelling, and muscle soreness were noted before exercise, and at 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours post-exercise.

High heat passive warm-up not followed by exercise did not affect any markers and was excluded from analyses. Neither active nor passive warm-ups affected any dependent variables. All factors changed over the recovery period and when compared to pre-exercise values.

Implication. Warm-up does not prevent, lessen, or shorten the recovery time of clinical symptoms developed through eccentric strength training.

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