Example abstract 3: Incomplete abstract

The effects of exercise-induced muscle damage on cycling endurance performance

The effects of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) on endurance performance have

been studied infrequently, although mechanisms by which EIMD might affect endurance
performance have been identified in some studies (Asp et al., 1998; Journal of Physiology,
509, 305-313; Gleeson et al., 1995; Journal of Sport Sciences, 13, 471-479). The purpose of
this study was to evaluate the effects of EIMD on cardiovascular, metabolic and perceived
exertion responses during fixed-load cycling exercise and on 4 km time-trial. With
institutional ethics approval, 20 recreational athlete volunteers (age 22.9 ± 4.6 years, stature
1.73 ± 0.09 m, body mass 72.3 ± 8.6 kg) performed an incremental test to exhaustion on a
cycle ergometer to determine V&O2 max and the power output corresponding to V&O2 max (Pmax).
Participants were then randomly allocated to a treatment (n = 10) and a control group (n =
10). After a minimum of 48 h, participants exercised for 5 min at 60% Pmax (Pmax60) followed
immediately by a 4 km time-trial. Cardio-respiratory, metabolic and perceptual responses
were recorded during all tests. Performance measures were accompanied by measurements of
perceived muscle soreness, creatine kinase (CK) and peak isokinetic torque at 60 deg⋅s-1. The
treatment group then performed muscle-damaging exercise comprising of 10 x 10 plyometric
jumps while the control group performed no exercise for a similar time period. At 48 h
following the treatment or control condition, participants then repeated all measurements.
Data will be analysed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA to determine any
interaction effect of time and group on indirect markers of muscle damage, fixed-load
exercise and time-trial performance. It is hoped that the findings of this study will reaffirm
those of Marcora and Bosio (2007; Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sport,
17, 662–671).

Full abstract to be submitted on completion of data analysis.