Position sense and reaction angle after eccentric exercise: the repeated bout effect

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effects of a repeated eccentric exercise on position sense and muscle reaction angle. Fourteen healthy women underwent an isokinetic exercise session on their knee flexors, which was repeated after 4 weeks. Muscle damage indices, position sense and joint reaction angle of the knee were examined before, immediately after, as well as at 1,2,3,4 and 7 days after exercise. The second exercise bout induced significantly lesser effects in all muscle damage indices as well as lesser disturbances in position sense and reaction angle when compared to the first one. The main finding of this study is that position sense and joint reaction angle to release of the lower limbs may adapt in response to a repeated bout of eccentric exercise, leading to less disturbances in position sense and reaction angle after the second bout of exercise.