Markers of Muscle and Connective Tissue Breakdown

Markers of muscle and connective tissue breakdown, such as creatine kinase and elements found in urine, do not reliably correlate with the severity of DOMS or subsequent strength performance. Peak levels of these markers and the experience of DOMS do not align, suggesting that muscle damage is not the sole cause of DOMS. Muscle damage may return before DOMS peaks, indicating that DOMS does not always reduce strength performance, especially in tasks involving eccentric and concentric contractions.