Phase-Dependent Interaction Between Oxidative Stress and Muscle Damage During Acute Recovery Following Eccentric Exercise
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17309/tmfv.2026.3.20Keywords:
eccentric exercise, oxidative stress, creatine kinase, malondialdehyde, neuromuscular performance, recoveryAbstract
Background. Eccentric exercise induces oxidative stress, muscle damage, and decreased neuromuscular performance. However, the temporal relationship between these responses is not fully understood, particularly in recreationally active individuals.
Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the time-course changes and phase-dependent relationships between oxidative stress, muscle damage, and neuromuscular performance following an athletics-based eccentric exercise protocol.
Materials and Methods. A single-group repeated-measures design was employed involving 46 recreationally active male students (age: 19.15 ± 0.76 years). Participants performed an eccentric exercise protocol consisting of jump-landing, bounding, sprint deceleration, and slow-tempo squats. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Creatine Kinase (CK), and Countermovement Jump (CMJ) performance were measured at baseline and at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests and Pearson correlation analysis.
Results. Significant time effects were observed for all variables (p < 0.001). MDA and CK levelsincreased at 24 h, subsequently declining at 48 h and 72 h, yet remaining elevated compared to baseline.CMJ performance decreased at 24 h and showed partial recovery, but did not return to baseline at 72 h. No significant correlation was found between MDA and CK at 24 h; however, moderate positive correlations were observed at 48 h (r = 0.557, p < 0.001) and 72 h (r = 0.496, p < 0.001). No significant relationships were found between biochemical markers and CMJ.
Conclusions. Eccentric exercise induces oxidative stress and muscle damage alongside decreased neuromuscular performance. Biochemical markers peak at 24 h and decline thereafter, while neuromuscular recovery remains incomplete at 72 h. The relationship between oxidative stress and muscle damage is time-dependent, emerging during the recovery phase rather than the acute phase. These findings indicate distinct temporal patterns, suggesting that neuromuscular performance is not fully explained by biochemical markers.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Roy Irawan, Ratna Candra Dewi, Ananda Perwira Bakti, Nanda Rimawati, Abdul Rohim Tualeka, Putri Ayuni Alayyannur
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