The effects of exercise-induced muscle damage on balance performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise induced muscle damage on balance performance. Eleven healthy male subjects have volunteered to participate to this study. Randomized cross-over experimental design was used in the study. Muscle soreness level, creatine kinase (CK) serum activity level, mid-thigh girth, single leg and squat position balance performances were determined before (baseline), immediately after, 24th, 48th, 72nd and 96th hours after muscle damaging exercise protocol. Five sets of 20 repetitions drop jumps were performed as a muscle damaging exercise protocol. ANOVA for repeated measures were used for statistical analysis. According to ANOVA for repeated measures, there were significant main effect for time (F(5-50)= 11,200; P= 0,000) with respect to creatine kinase, significant main effect for time (F(5-100)= 38,441; P= 0,000), time x trial (F(5-100)= 33,710; P= 0,000) and trial (F(1-20)= 62,272; P= 0,000) with respect to perceived muscle soreness, significant main effect for time (F(5-100)= 3,255; P= 0,009) and time x trial (F(5-100)= 4,526; P= 0,001) with respect to mid-thigh girth. Also there were significant main effect for time regarding to squat position static balance overall (F(5-100)= 2,959; P= 0,016) and anteriyor-posteriyor (F(5-100)= 3,030; P= 0,014) scores. No significant changes were indicated in squat position static balance medial-lateral index, squat position dynamic platform balance and single leg balance index (p> 0,05). As a conclusion; muscle damage occured following the drop jump exercise protocol. Squat position balance performance was seen partly-affected by the exercise- induced muscle damage. Yet, single leg balance performance was not affected. Key Words: Creatin Kinase, Drop Jumps, Muscle Soreness, Balance