OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of ipsilateral electroacupuncture (IEA) at the site of exercise-induced pain and those of contralateral electroacupuncture (CEA) on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), muscle injury markers, and oxidative stress following eccentric exercise. DESIGN: Nineteen young men were randomly assigned to receive either CEA or IEA. All participants performed eccentric exercise using the biceps brachii muscle of the nondominant arm to induce muscle damage. Six sets of five repetitions were completed at 70% of maximal muscle strength. Electroacupuncture stimulation was applied to the dominant arm in the CEA group and the nondominant arm in the IEA group. Electroacupuncture stimulation was applied in both groups from 7 days before exercise to 4 days after exercise. RESULTS: Palpation pain was significantly lower in the IEA group than the CEA group at 72 and 96 hours after exercise. The muscle injury markers increased following exercise, but these changes were not significantly influenced by IEA stimulation. IEA suppressed exercise-induced oxidative stress at 72 hours after exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the direct electroacupuncture on the damaged muscle before and after eccentric exercise effectively reduces DOMS. Electroacupuncture might suppress increases in oxidative stress elicited by eccentric exercise.

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