Effects of marathon running on muscle damage in lower limb muscle groups and maximal aerobic capacity in novice recreational runners

Background: The purpose of the present study was to reveal the muscle-related difference in the recovery of muscle damage of lower limb muscles and the changes in maximal aerobic capacity after marathon running in recreational runners. METHODS: Before (PRE), and 1 (POST1), 2 (POST2), and 3 (POST3) days after marathon running, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque in each of knee extension (KE), knee flexion (KF), and plantar flexion (PF), creatine kinase (CK) activity, and perceived muscle soreness of lower limb were measured in 7 male college novice recreational runners (goal time: 4 h 30 min 50 s ± 58 min 25 s). To investigate the changes in maximal aerobic capacity, the treadmill running test was performed at PRE and POST3. RESULTS: KE and KF MVC torque values were significantly (P<0.05) reduced at POST1 and POST2 and at POST1, respectively, whereas there was no significant main effect of day in PF MVC torque. CK activity was significantly (P<0.01) increased at POST1 and POST2. For the perceived muscle soreness, there were significant (P<0.01) changes only in the knee extensors. For the treadmill running test, there were no significant differences in all the variables between PRE and POST3. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that, in recreational runners, muscle damage induced by marathon running is greater and prolonged in the knee extensors than in the plantar flexors and hamstring. Moreover, it is suggested that the muscle damage of lower limb muscles and maximal aerobic capacity were recovered within 3 days after marathon running.