Delayed-onset muscle soreness does not reflect the magnitude of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage

This study investigated the relationship between delayed‐onset muscle soreness and other indicators of muscle damage following eccentric exercise. Male students (n = 110) performed 12 (12ECC), 24 (24ECC), or 60 maximal eccentric actions of the elbow flexors (60ECC). Maximal isometric force, relaxed and flexed elbow joint angles, upper arm circumference, and plasma creatine kinase activity were assessed immediately before and after, and for 4 days after exercise. Muscle soreness (SOR) was evaluated by a visual analog scale (a 50‐mm line, 0: no pain, 50: extremely painful) when the elbow flexors were palpated (SOR–Pal), flexed (SOR–Flx) and stretched (SOR–Ext). Although 24ECC and 60ECC resulted in significantly (P