Objectives This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) on sub-maximal and maximal effort running performance. News Physiological responses during sub-maximal running across two exercise stages (low intensity < 75% VO2max and high intensity > 75% VO2max) were meta-analytically examined 24- and 48-hours after EIMD. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), intramuscular enzymes (creatine kinase [CK] and myoglobin [Mb]) and muscle function at the same time points were examined to confirm EIMD. Alterations to maximal-effort running performance 24- and 48-hours after EIMD were qualitatively analysed. Prospects and projects Significant increases in DOMS, intramuscular enzymes, and decreases in muscle function were found 24 and 48 h after EIMD (P < 0.05). During low intensity running (< 75% VO2max), running economy (RE) and ventilation (VE) were unchanged 24 h after EIMD (P > 0.05), however, were significantly increased at 48 h (P < 0.05). Physiological responses during high intensity running (> 75% VO2max) were all significantly increased 24 and 48 h after EIMD (P < 0.05). There was insufficient number of studies for maximal-effort running performance (time-to-exhaustion and time-trial performance) to be meta-analysed, however, 3 studies reported that outcome measures were impaired for up to 48 h post-EIMD. Conclusion Endurance runners contemplating eccentric exercise to improve performance should consider the effects that EIMD has on running performance and periodise training accordingly.
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