Myokines as MSK Injury Biomarker Project

Overview This dataset brings together evidence from 21 human studies published between 2009 and 2024 that examined myokines as potential biomarkers in musculoskeletal injury, tissue repair, and exercise-induced adaptation. Data were derived from observational studies (n = 9), randomized controlled trials (n = 8), and experimental intervention studies (n = 4). Myokine responses were organized according to injury type, phase of healing, and exercise modality to enable comparative analysis across study designs. Variables Study characteristics: Author(s), year of publication, study design, sample size, and participant demographics (age, sex, and health status) Injury-related variables: Tissue involved, mechanism of injury, injury severity, and stage of healing (inflammatory, regenerative, or remodelling phase) Myokine assessments: Myokine type (including IL-6, IGF-1/2, myostatin, TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and hsCRP), analytical method, measurement units, and timing in relation to injury or exercise exposure Exercise parameters: Exercise modality (aerobic, eccentric resistance, or high-intensity protocols), duration, intensity, and frequency Outcomes: Changes in myokine expression, associations with injury or recovery phase, and statistical significance when reported Data Format The dataset is provided in a tabular CSV format, with separate sheets corresponding to observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and experimental intervention studies. Each row represents a distinct participant cohort or experimental condition, while columns correspond to the variables described above. Potential Reuse This dataset may be used to: a) Identify phase-specific myokines associated with musculoskeletal injury and tissue repair b) Compare myokine responses across different exercise modalities and training loads c) Support the development of predictive models for tissue recovery and d) Inform the design of future longitudinal studies and clinical trials Limitations Interpretation of the data is limited by heterogeneity in measurement techniques, sample sizes, and reporting units across studies. Data related to the remodelling phase and certain myokines remain sparse. In addition, several studies reported only aggregate group-level outcomes rather than individual participant data. Access and Licensing The dataset will be made publicly available under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license to encourage reuse and secondary analysis.