Resistance exercise-induced hormonal response under the influence of delayed onset muscle soreness in men and boys

It was hypothesized that exercise‐induced muscle damage (EIMD)‐related alterations in hormonal responses could be observed if a second exercise bout is performed soon after an identical unaccustomed bout leading to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Eight men (31 ± 7 years) and eight boys (14 ± 0 years) performed two exercise bouts (E1 and E2, with 48 h rest in between) consisting of three sets of bilateral knee extensions until exhaustion with 40% load. No differences between the groups or bouts were observed in the number of repetitions performed and maximal isometric force decline, or between groups in serum creatine kinase activity and DOMS. Decreased peak epinephrine (EPI) (−38%), growth hormone (GH) (−45%) and cortisol (COR) (−31%) concentrations were found in E2 in men (P