The torque-frequency relationship is impaired similarly following two bouts of eccentric exercise: No evidence of a protective repeated bout effect.
High-intensity eccentric exercise can lead to muscle damage and weakness. The 'repeated bout effect' (RBE) can attenuate these impairments when performing a subsequent bout. The influence of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage on low-frequency force production is well-characterized; however, it is unclear how eccentric exercise and the RBE affect torque production across a range of stimulation frequencies (i.e., the torque-frequency relationship). We investigated the influence of an initial (Bout 1) and repeated bout (Bout 2) of eccentric exercise on the elbow flexor torque-frequency relationship. Eleven males completed two bouts of high-intensity eccentric elbow flexions, 4 weeks apart. Torque-frequency relationships were constructed at baseline and 0.5, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 h following both bouts via percutaneous stimulation at 1, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 Hz. Serum creatine kinase activity, self-reported muscle soreness, and isometric maximum voluntary contraction torque indirectly inferred the presence of muscle damage following Bout 1, and attenuation of muscle damage following Bout 2. Torque amplitude at all stimulation frequencies was impaired 30 min following eccentric exercise, however, torque at lower (1-10 Hz) and higher frequencies (40-100 Hz) recovered within 24 h while torque across the middle frequency range (20-30 Hz) recovered by 48 h. No between-bout differences were detected in absolute or normalized torque at any stimulation frequency, indicating no protective RBE on the elbow flexor torque-frequency relationship.