EFFECT OF AQUATIC EXERCISE AFTER ECCENTRIC CONTRACTION-INDUCED MUSCLE INJURY

ABSTRACT Introduction: Muscle microlesions produced by eccentric contractions (EC) cause changes in strength, endurance, power and neuromuscular activity parameters for an extended period of time. Objectives: To investigate the effect of aquatic exercise after EC-induced muscle injury on strength, endurance, power and neuromuscular activity parameters. Methods: A cross-sectional experimental study with six subjects (age 25 ± 4 years, weight 77 ± 4kg and height of 162 ± 2 cm) with EC-induced muscle injury followed up during a recovery period (48h, 72h and 96h) without intervention (Group 1A) and involving aquatic exercises (Group 1B). Dynamic and isometric strength, muscular endurance, and vertical/horizontal power tests as well as vastus lateralis neuromuscular activity measurements were performed before, immediately after, and during the recovery period. Results: Our results indicate that the intervention in Group 1B, when compared to Group 1A, accelerated the recovery of dynamic (p