Recovery of spatio-temporal gait and functional parameters following unilateral eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage in the hamstrings.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze how spatiotemporal gait parameters, active knee extension range of motion, muscle activity, and self-perceived function change over a seven-day period in healthy individuals after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in the hamstrings.

DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study.

METHODS: Twenty-four healthy males participated in four sessions before and after EIMD (pre-EIMD, 48 h, 96 h, and 168 h post-EIMD). A single-leg deadlift exercise was performed to provoke EIMD in the hamstrings of the dominant leg. Lower limb function perception, spatiotemporal gait parameters, active knee extension range of motion, and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris muscles during gait and maximal isometric contraction were assessed bilaterally.

RESULTS: At 48 h, the EIMD-side showed reduced step length, active knee extension range of motion, maximal strength and EMG activity compared to baseline (P < 0.042), while increased relative EMG activity in the biceps femoris during gait (P = 0.001). At 96 h, step length and EMG activity on the EIMD-side reached similar values to those at baseline, whereas lower limb function perception and active knee extension range of motion returned to baseline state at 168 h post-EIMD. No changes over time were observed on the control-side.

CONCLUSIONS: Recovery from EIMD requires a multimodal assessment since the different parameters affected by EIMD recover at different paces. Active range of motion appears to be the last variable to fully recover. Self-perceived function should not be considered in isolation as it does not represent complete functional recovery.