Youths Are Less Susceptible to Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Than Adults: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

John F.T. Fernandes, Lawrence D. Hayes, Amelia F. Dingley, Sylvia Moeskops, Jon L. Oliver, Jorge Arede, Craig Twist, Laura J. Wilson

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Abstract

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to (1) provide a comparison of peak changes in indirect markers of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in youths versus adults and (2) determine if the involved limb moderated this effect. Method: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they (1) provided a human youth versus adult comparison; (2) provided data on muscle strength, soreness, or creatine kinase markers beyond ≥24 hours; and (3) did not provide a recovery treatment. Effect sizes (ES) were presented alongside 95% confidence intervals. Results: EIMD exhibited larger effects on adults than in youths for muscle strength (ES = −2.01; P < .001), muscle soreness (ES = −1.52; P < .001), and creatine kinase (ES = −1.98; P < .001). The random effects meta-regression indicated that the effects of upper- and lower-limb exercise in youths and adults were significant for muscle soreness (coefficient estimate = 1.11; P < .001) but not for muscle strength or creatine kinase (P > .05). As such, the between-group effects for muscle soreness (ES = −2.10 vs −1.03; P < .05) were greater in the upper than lower limbs. Conclusion: The magnitude of EIMD in youths is substantially less than in their adult counterparts, and this effect is greater in upper than lower limbs for muscle soreness. These findings help guide practitioners who may be concerned about the potential impact of EIMD when training youth athletes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)123-134
Number of pages12
JournalPediatric Exercise Science
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Dec 2023

Keywords

  • creatine kinase
  • eccentric exercise
  • muscle strength
  • soreness

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