Abstract
The velocity at which eccentric exercise is performed may be a factor in the extent of muscular damage. However, studies differ regarding the exercise velocity that promotes greater muscle damage. The purpose of this review was to analyze studies that looked into at least two different eccentric exercise velocities and verified markers of muscle damage. Relevant studies for this review were identified and the methodological quality of each study was calculated based on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Twelve studies were included herein. The mean PEDro rating was 6.67, ranging from 5 to 7. Seven studies reported that the faster eccentric exercise velocity induced greater muscle damage. Four studies showed no differences between velocities and a single study has indicated a greater magnitude of muscle damage after slow eccentric exercise. Therefore, it seems that fast eccentric exercise may indeed be associated with greater muscle damage even though exercise velocity per se is not the main factor involved in eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage in both animal and human models.