This study examined whether the movement velocity of calf raise exercise might affect the magnitude of delayed onset muscle soreness and changes of muscle functions. In order to achieve this aim, the subjects were instructed to execute controlled one-legged calf raise exercise and tempo of each repetition was regulated to two different conditions, fast (2Hz) and slow (0.5Hz). The ankle angle range of each repetition was set from dorsiflexed 15 deg to plantar flexed 20 deg. Muscle soreness was evaluated using a visual analog scale when the plantar flexors were palpated or stretched. Measurements for muscle soreness, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and ankle range of motion (ROM) were executed before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 3, 4 days after each exercise. There was no significant difference in muscle soreness between two conditions throughout the sessions. Similarly, no significant changes between two conditions in muscle soreness, MVC and ROM were observed except for MVC immediately after the exercise. The time course changes in MVC and ROM did not coincide with the changes in muscle soreness. These results suggest that the magnitude of muscle soreness and changes of muscle functions are not related to the movement velocity of exercise.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.30/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE