Supplementary Material 1.
 
Supplementary Table S1. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC, N).
Panel A. Observed values and paired between-condition contrasts.
Population Time CC(mean ± SD) Sham(mean ± SD) Mean difference(CC-Sham) 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants T0 688.22 ± 135.83 688.37 ± 145.68 -0.15 -18.52 to 18.22 t(79)=-0.02 0.00 1.000
All participants T1 492.93 ± 118.94 491.96 ± 123.58 0.97 -13.75 to 15.69 t(79)=0.13 0.01 1.000
All participants T2 548.61 ± 137.56 492.70 ± 123.70 55.91 39.64 to 72.18 t(79)=6.84 0.76 <0.001
All participants T3 593.81 ± 157.09 522.04 ± 156.02 71.77 55.32 to 88.22 t(79)=8.69 0.97 <0.001
All participants T4 592.54 ± 181.74 504.66 ± 207.72 87.88 68.68 to 107.09 t(79)=9.11 1.02 <0.001
MMA athletes T0 785.90 ± 61.37 792.58 ± 84.99 -6.67 -36.95 to 23.60 t(39)=-0.45 -0.07 1.000
MMA athletes T1 588.77 ± 49.64 589.78 ± 71.14 -1.01 -26.40 to 24.39 t(39)=-0.08 -0.01 1.000
MMA athletes T2 662.47 ± 55.18 590.27 ± 72.34 72.20 45.05 to 99.36 t(39)=5.38 0.85 <0.001
MMA athletes T3 727.46 ± 56.80 655.16 ± 71.06 72.30 45.75 to 98.85 t(39)=5.51 0.87 <0.001
MMA athletes T4 754.95 ± 59.95 695.21 ± 75.05 59.74 31.69 to 87.79 t(39)=4.31 0.68 <0.001
Young adults T0 607.30 ± 115.82 595.75 ± 112.20 11.55 -19.52 to 42.62 t(19)=0.78 0.17 1.000
Young adults T1 422.34 ± 84.63 415.50 ± 75.83 6.85 -17.33 to 31.02 t(19)=0.59 0.13 1.000
Young adults T2 459.92 ± 90.32 416.02 ± 77.83 43.89 17.81 to 69.98 t(19)=3.52 0.79 0.011
Young adults T3 494.92 ± 94.63 424.86 ± 84.99 70.06 39.17 to 100.95 t(19)=4.75 1.06 <0.001
Young adults T4 463.61 ± 89.94 363.90 ± 80.36 99.70 64.48 to 134.92 t(19)=5.93 1.32 <0.001
Older adults T0 573.76 ± 121.63 572.56 ± 121.74 1.20 -32.82 to 35.23 t(19)=0.07 0.02 1.000
Older adults T1 371.85 ± 81.14 372.80 ± 78.17 -0.95 -24.47 to 22.57 t(19)=-0.08 -0.02 1.000
Older adults T2 409.56 ± 91.37 374.23 ± 76.27 35.33 9.05 to 61.62 t(19)=2.81 0.63 0.055
Older adults T3 425.40 ± 96.29 352.98 ± 79.29 72.42 42.06 to 102.77 t(19)=4.99 1.12 <0.001
Older adults T4 396.64 ± 91.83 264.29 ± 57.18 132.35 97.29 to 167.41 t(19)=7.90 1.77 <0.001
Panel B. Within-condition temporal contrasts.
Population Condition Contrast Mean change 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants CC T1-T0 -195.28 -202.47 to -188.09 t(79)=-54.08 -6.05 <0.001
All participants CC T2-T1 55.67 51.06 to 60.28 t(79)=24.02 2.69 <0.001
All participants CC T3-T1 100.88 90.71 to 111.04 t(79)=19.75 2.21 <0.001
All participants CC T4-T1 99.60 83.50 to 115.71 t(79)=12.31 1.38 <0.001
All participants Sham T1-T0 -196.40 -203.98 to -188.82 t(79)=-51.60 -5.77 <0.001
All participants Sham T2-T1 0.73 -1.07 to 2.53 t(79)=0.81 0.09 1.000
All participants Sham T3-T1 30.07 20.54 to 39.61 t(79)=6.28 0.70 <0.001
All participants Sham T4-T1 12.69 -9.51 to 34.89 t(79)=1.14 0.13 1.000
MMA athletes CC T1-T0 -197.13 -204.57 to -189.68 t(39)=-53.57 -8.47 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T2-T1 73.70 71.17 to 76.22 t(39)=59.07 9.34 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T3-T1 138.69 131.23 to 146.14 t(39)=37.63 5.95 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T4-T1 166.18 158.86 to 173.49 t(39)=45.96 7.27 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T1-T0 -202.79 -209.50 to -196.08 t(39)=-61.14 -9.67 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T2-T1 0.49 -1.75 to 2.72 t(39)=0.44 0.07 1.000
MMA athletes Sham T3-T1 65.38 59.25 to 71.50 t(39)=21.58 3.41 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T4-T1 105.43 100.04 to 110.83 t(39)=39.52 6.25 <0.001
Young adults CC T1-T0 -184.96 -201.57 to -168.36 t(19)=-23.31 -5.21 <0.001
Young adults CC T2-T1 37.58 31.73 to 43.42 t(19)=13.46 3.01 <0.001
Young adults CC T3-T1 72.58 60.11 to 85.05 t(19)=12.18 2.72 <0.001
Young adults CC T4-T1 41.27 24.48 to 58.05 t(19)=5.15 1.15 <0.001
Young adults Sham T1-T0 -180.26 -198.51 to -162.01 t(19)=-20.67 -4.62 <0.001
Young adults Sham T2-T1 0.53 -4.36 to 5.41 t(19)=0.23 0.05 1.000
Young adults Sham T3-T1 9.37 -2.87 to 21.60 t(19)=1.60 0.36 0.502
Young adults Sham T4-T1 -51.59 -67.78 to -35.40 t(19)=-6.67 -1.49 <0.001
Older adults CC T1-T0 -201.91 -221.77 to -182.05 t(19)=-21.28 -4.76 <0.001
Older adults CC T2-T1 37.72 32.29 to 43.15 t(19)=14.53 3.25 <0.001
Older adults CC T3-T1 53.55 41.66 to 65.44 t(19)=9.42 2.11 <0.001
Older adults CC T4-T1 24.79 13.22 to 36.37 t(19)=4.48 1.00 0.001
Older adults Sham T1-T0 -199.76 -220.81 to -178.71 t(19)=-19.86 -4.44 <0.001
Older adults Sham T2-T1 1.43 -2.26 to 5.12 t(19)=0.81 0.18 1.000
Older adults Sham T3-T1 -19.82 -30.31 to -9.33 t(19)=-3.96 -0.88 0.003
 
Panel C. Between-population comparison of condition effects.
Time Mean diff, MMA Mean diff, Young Mean diff, Older Statistic Effect size p_adj
T0 -6.67 11.55 1.20 F(2, 77)=0.32 0.01 1.000
T1 -1.01 6.85 -0.95 F(2, 77)=0.10 0.00 1.000
T2 72.20 43.89 35.33 F(2, 77)=2.11 0.05 0.638
T3 72.30 70.06 72.42 F(2, 77)=0.01 0.00 1.000
T4 -6.67 11.55 1.20 F(2, 77)=0.32 0.01 1.000
Effect size denotes Cohen’s dz in paired contrasts and eta squared (η2) in one-way ANOVA models. Mean change in Panel B is calculated as the later time point minus the earlier time point shown in the contrast label.
 
Supplementary Table S2. Muscle stiffness (N/m).
Panel A. Observed values and paired between-condition contrasts
Population Time CC(mean ± SD) Sham(mean ± SD) Mean difference (CC-Sham) 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants T0 262.47 ± 18.55 262.06 ± 18.47 0.41 -2.68 to 3.51 t(79)=0.27 0.03 1.000
All participants T1 354.72 ± 11.99 354.74 ± 12.69 -0.02 -3.41 to 3.37 t(79)=-0.01 0.00 1.000
All participants T2 304.47 ± 12.99 361.91 ± 11.85 -57.44 -61.05 to -53.82 t(79)=-31.64 -3.54 <0.001
All participants T3 249.54 ± 9.05 287.98 ± 13.34 -38.45 -42.18 to -34.71 t(79)=-20.47 -2.29 <0.001
All participants T4 326.62 ± 12.92 388.57 ± 20.05 -61.95 -67.45 to -56.44 t(79)=-22.39 -2.50 <0.001
MMA athletes T0 277.31 ± 9.29 276.37 ± 10.56 0.94 -3.94 to 5.82 t(39)=0.39 0.06 1.000
MMA athletes T1 360.41 ± 13.52 360.24 ± 14.90 0.17 -6.42 to 6.76 t(39)=0.05 0.01 1.000
MMA athletes T2 295.64 ± 11.42 360.27 ± 15.08 -64.63 -70.74 to -58.51 t(39)=-21.38 -3.38 <0.001
MMA athletes T3 252.29 ± 9.46 279.04 ± 11.65 -26.76 -31.72 to -21.80 t(39)=-10.91 -1.72 <0.001
MMA athletes T4 322.93 ± 11.22 401.66 ± 16.67 -78.74 -85.58 to -71.90 t(39)=-23.29 -3.68 <0.001
Young adults T0 257.35 ± 9.07 255.29 ± 10.36 2.06 -4.23 to 8.36 t(19)=0.69 0.15 1.000
Young adults T1 353.68 ± 4.14 353.33 ± 4.22 0.35 -2.34 to 3.04 t(19)=0.27 0.06 1.000
Young adults T2 317.82 ± 6.49 367.71 ± 5.80 -49.90 -53.77 to -46.02 t(19)=-26.97 -6.03 <0.001
Young adults T3 253.53 ± 3.33 301.82 ± 5.72 -48.28 -51.49 to -45.08 t(19)=-31.54 -7.05 <0.001
Young adults T4 341.96 ± 6.14 383.40 ± 11.13 -41.44 -47.76 to -35.12 t(19)=-13.72 -3.07 <0.001
Older adults T0 237.92 ± 6.79 240.20 ± 10.01 -2.28 -7.70 to 3.15 t(19)=-0.88 -0.20 1.000
Older adults T1 344.37 ± 4.82 345.15 ± 5.75 -0.78 -4.40 to 2.84 t(19)=-0.45 -0.10 1.000
Older adults T2 308.77 ± 4.53 359.37 ± 5.97 -50.60 -54.23 to -46.98 t(19)=-29.24 -6.54 <0.001
Older adults T3 240.04 ± 4.23 292.03 ± 6.47 -51.99 -55.28 to -48.69 t(19)=-33.04 -7.39 <0.001
Older adults T4 318.68 ± 7.41 367.54 ± 11.04 -48.86 -55.62 to -42.11 t(19)=-15.13 -3.38 <0.001
 
Panel B. Within-condition temporal contrasts
Population Condition Contrast Mean change 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants CC T1-T0 92.24 89.41 to 95.08 t(79)=64.73 7.24 <0.001
All participants CC T2-T1 -50.25 -53.75 to -46.76 t(79)=-28.62 -3.20 <0.001
All participants CC T3-T1 -105.18 -106.46 to -103.90 t(79)=-163.44 -18.27 <0.001
All participants CC T4-T1 -28.10 -30.94 to -25.25 t(79)=-19.65 -2.20 <0.001
All participants Sham T1-T0 92.68 89.85 to 95.51 t(79)=65.22 7.29 <0.001
All participants Sham T2-T1 7.17 5.13 to 9.20 t(79)=7.01 0.78 <0.001
All participants Sham T3-T1 -66.76 -70.25 to -63.26 t(79)=-38.03 -4.25 <0.001
All participants Sham T4-T1 33.83 30.93 to 36.72 t(79)=23.27 2.60 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T1-T0 83.10 81.12 to 85.08 t(39)=84.96 13.43 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T2-T1 -64.77 -66.06 to -63.47 t(39)=-101.22 -16.00 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T3-T1 -108.12 -109.42 to -106.83 t(39)=-168.65 -26.67 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T4-T1 -37.48 -39.18 to -35.79 t(39)=-44.71 -7.07 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T1-T0 83.86 81.95 to 85.78 t(39)=88.72 14.03 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T2-T1 0.03 -1.01 to 1.07 t(39)=0.06 0.01 1.000
MMA athletes Sham T3-T1 -81.19 -82.88 to -79.51 t(39)=-97.37 -15.40 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T4-T1 41.43 38.84 to 44.01 t(39)=32.39 5.12 <0.001
Young adults CC T1-T0 96.33 91.13 to 101.53 t(19)=38.78 8.67 <0.001
Young adults CC T2-T1 -35.87 -40.10 to -31.63 t(19)=-17.73 -3.96 <0.001
Young adults CC T3-T1 -100.15 -102.81 to -97.49 t(19)=-78.90 -17.64 <0.001
Young adults CC T4-T1 -11.72 -14.91 to -8.54 t(19)=-7.70 -1.72 <0.001
Young adults Sham T1-T0 98.04 93.26 to 102.82 t(19)=42.89 9.59 <0.001
Young adults Sham T2-T1 14.38 11.42 to 17.35 t(19)=10.15 2.27 <0.001
Young adults Sham T3-T1 -51.52 -54.27 to -48.76 t(19)=-39.16 -8.76 <0.001
Young adults Sham T4-T1 30.07 24.39 to 35.75 t(19)=11.08 2.48 <0.001
Older adults CC T1-T0 106.45 102.60 to 110.30 t(19)=57.93 12.95 <0.001
Older adults CC T2-T1 -35.61 -37.83 to -33.39 t(19)=-33.58 -7.51 <0.001
Older adults CC T3-T1 -104.33 -106.73 to -101.94 t(19)=-91.20 -20.39 <0.001
Older adults CC T4-T1 -25.70 -30.43 to -20.97 t(19)=-11.37 -2.54 <0.001
Older adults Sham T1-T0 104.95 99.38 to 110.52 t(19)=39.47 8.82 <0.001
Older adults Sham T2-T1 14.22 10.27 to 18.17 t(19)=7.53 1.68 <0.001
Older adults Sham T3-T1 -53.12 -56.58 to -49.67 t(19)=-32.20 -7.20 <0.001
Older adults Sham T4-T1 22.39 16.72 to 28.06 t(19)=8.26 1.85 <0.001
 
Panel C. Between-population comparison of condition effects.
Time Mean diff, MMA Mean diff, Young Mean diff, Older Statistic Effect size p_adj
T0 0.94 2.06 -2.28 F(2, 77)=0.54 0.01 1.000
T1 0.17 0.35 -0.78 F(2, 77)=0.03 0.00 1.000
T2 -64.63 -49.90 -50.60 F(2, 77)=9.54 0.20 <0.001
T3 -26.76 -48.28 -51.99 F(2, 77)=37.97 0.50 <0.001
T4 -78.74 -41.44 -48.86 F(2, 77)=35.22 0.48 <0.001
Effect size denotes Cohen’s dz in paired contrasts and eta squared (η2) in one-way ANOVA models. Mean change in Panel B is calculated as the later time point minus the earlier time point shown in the contrast label.
 
Supplementary Table S3. Microvascular perfusion (PU).
Panel A. Observed values and paired between-condition contrasts.
Population Time CC(mean ± SD) Sham(mean ± SD) Mean difference(CC-Sham) 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants T0 25.04 ± 1.83 25.14 ± 2.05 -0.10 -0.34 to 0.15 t(79)=-0.79 -0.09 1.000
All participants T1 30.98 ± 1.96 31.04 ± 2.33 -0.05 -0.47 to 0.36 t(79)=-0.26 -0.03 1.000
All participants T2 33.44 ± 2.89 26.40 ± 2.87 7.03 6.30 to 7.76 t(79)=19.17 2.14 <0.001
All participants T3 26.09 ± 2.38 25.07 ± 2.17 1.02 0.75 to 1.29 t(79)=7.41 0.83 <0.001
All participants T4 25.93 ± 2.48 24.83 ± 2.42 1.09 0.80 to 1.39 t(79)=7.29 0.82 <0.001
MMA athletes T0 26.55 ± 0.80 26.75 ± 1.01 -0.20 -0.58 to 0.17 t(39)=-1.09 -0.17 1.000
MMA athletes T1 32.44 ± 1.28 32.78 ± 1.52 -0.34 -1.00 to 0.32 t(39)=-1.03 -0.16 1.000
MMA athletes T2 35.69 ± 1.72 27.97 ± 1.52 7.71 6.91 to 8.52 t(39)=19.36 3.06 <0.001
MMA athletes T3 28.15 ± 0.84 26.76 ± 1.03 1.39 1.01 to 1.77 t(39)=7.35 1.16 <0.001
MMA athletes T4 28.13 ± 0.88 27.03 ± 1.04 1.10 0.69 to 1.50 t(39)=5.50 0.87 <0.001
Young adults T0 24.43 ± 0.70 24.72 ± 0.74 -0.29 -0.78 to 0.19 t(19)=-1.27 -0.28 1.000
Young adults T1 30.30 ± 0.93 30.38 ± 1.21 -0.08 -0.84 to 0.69 t(19)=-0.21 -0.05 1.000
Young adults T2 31.85 ± 1.53 27.01 ± 1.78 4.84 3.46 to 6.22 t(19)=7.34 1.64 <0.001
Young adults T3 25.16 ± 0.82 24.71 ± 0.81 0.45 -0.13 to 1.03 t(19)=1.61 0.36 0.617
Young adults T4 24.64 ± 0.88 22.91 ± 0.91 1.72 0.99 to 2.46 t(19)=4.89 1.09 <0.001
Older adults T0 22.64 ± 0.94 22.33 ± 0.91 0.31 -0.13 to 0.75 t(19)=1.49 0.33 0.759
Older adults T1 28.75 ± 1.24 28.22 ± 1.10 0.54 -0.18 to 1.25 t(19)=1.57 0.35 0.665
Older adults T2 30.52 ± 1.99 22.65 ± 2.42 7.87 5.98 to 9.75 t(19)=8.72 1.95 <0.001
Older adults T3 22.91 ± 0.98 22.06 ± 1.08 0.85 0.35 to 1.36 t(19)=3.53 0.79 0.011
Older adults T4 22.82 ± 1.08 22.36 ± 0.90 0.46 0.01 to 0.90 t(19)=2.16 0.48 0.219
 
Panel B. Within-condition temporal contrasts.
Population Condition Contrast Mean change 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants CC T1-T0 5.94 5.78 to 6.09 t(79)=76.76 8.58 <0.001
All participants CC T2-T1 2.45 2.14 to 2.76 t(79)=15.77 1.76 <0.001
All participants CC T3-T1 -4.89 -5.11 to -4.67 t(79)=-44.29 -4.95 <0.001
All participants CC T4-T1 -5.06 -5.30 to -4.82 t(79)=-41.94 -4.69 <0.001
All participants Sham T1-T0 5.90 5.74 to 6.06 t(79)=74.08 8.28 <0.001
All participants Sham T2-T1 -4.63 -4.97 to -4.30 t(79)=-27.70 -3.10 <0.001
All participants Sham T3-T1 -5.96 -6.13 to -5.80 t(79)=-71.00 -7.94 <0.001
All participants Sham T4-T1 -6.20 -6.45 to -5.95 t(79)=-49.26 -5.51 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T1-T0 5.89 5.63 to 6.15 t(39)=46.15 7.30 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T2-T1 3.25 3.02 to 3.48 t(39)=28.60 4.52 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T3-T1 -4.29 -4.56 to -4.02 t(39)=-32.21 -5.09 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T4-T1 -4.31 -4.58 to -4.05 t(39)=-33.16 -5.24 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T1-T0 6.03 5.76 to 6.30 t(39)=45.13 7.14 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T2-T1 -4.80 -5.04 to -4.56 t(39)=-40.31 -6.37 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T3-T1 -6.02 -6.29 to -5.75 t(39)=-44.82 -7.09 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T4-T1 -5.75 -6.04 to -5.46 t(39)=-40.48 -6.40 <0.001
Young adults CC T1-T0 5.87 5.65 to 6.08 t(19)=57.87 12.94 <0.001
Young adults CC T2-T1 1.55 1.01 to 2.09 t(19)=6.00 1.34 <0.001
Young adults CC T3-T1 -5.14 -5.40 to -4.87 t(19)=-39.98 -8.94 <0.001
Young adults CC T4-T1 -5.66 -5.99 to -5.33 t(19)=-36.25 -8.11 <0.001
Young adults Sham T1-T0 5.65 5.37 to 5.93 t(19)=42.55 9.51 <0.001
Young adults Sham T2-T1 -3.37 -3.96 to -2.78 t(19)=-11.92 -2.67 <0.001
Young adults Sham T3-T1 -5.66 -5.96 to -5.37 t(19)=-40.01 -8.95 <0.001
Young adults Sham T4-T1 -7.46 -7.89 to -7.03 t(19)=-36.32 -8.12 <0.001
Older adults CC T1-T0 6.11 5.81 to 6.41 t(19)=42.85 9.58 <0.001
Older adults CC T2-T1 1.76 0.96 to 2.57 t(19)=4.58 1.02 <0.001
Older adults CC T3-T1 -5.84 -6.17 to -5.51 t(19)=-37.14 -8.30 <0.001
Older adults CC T4-T1 -5.94 -6.30 to -5.58 t(19)=-34.48 -7.71 <0.001
Older adults Sham T1-T0 5.89 5.68 to 6.09 t(19)=60.06 13.43 <0.001
Older adults Sham T2-T1 -5.57 -6.49 to -4.65 t(19)=-12.63 -2.82 <0.001
Older adults Sham T3-T1 -6.15 -6.42 to -5.89 t(19)=-48.28 -10.80 <0.001
Older adults Sham T4-T1 -5.86 -6.21 to -5.51 t(19)=-35.30 -7.89 <0.001
 
Panel C. Between-population comparison of condition effects.
Time Mean diff, MMA Mean diff, Young Mean diff, Older Statistic Effect size p_adj
T0 -0.20 -0.29 0.31 F(2, 77)=1.94 0.05 0.753
T1 -0.34 -0.08 0.54 F(2, 77)=1.50 0.04 1.000
T2 7.71 4.84 7.87 F(2, 77)=6.86 0.15 0.009
T3 1.39 0.45 0.85 F(2, 77)=4.52 0.11 0.070
T4 1.10 1.72 0.46 F(2, 77)=4.87 0.11 0.051
Effect size denotes Cohen’s dz in paired contrasts and eta squared (η2) in one-way ANOVA models. Mean change in Panel B is calculated as the later time point minus the earlier time point shown in the contrast label.
 
Supplementary Table S4. Pressure pain threshold (N/cm²).
Panel A. Observed values and paired between-condition contrasts.
Population Time CC(mean ± SD) Sham(mean ± SD) Mean difference(CC-Sham) 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants T0 80.26 ± 9.11 80.52 ± 7.86 -0.26 -1.94 to 1.42 t(79)=-0.30 -0.03 1.000
All participants T1 59.20 ± 9.76 59.69 ± 8.40 -0.49 -1.97 to 0.99 t(79)=-0.66 -0.07 1.000
All participants T2 63.73 ± 10.35 59.73 ± 8.39 4.00 2.38 to 5.63 t(79)=4.91 0.55 <0.001
All participants T3 68.41 ± 9.91 64.89 ± 8.76 3.52 1.83 to 5.21 t(79)=4.15 0.46 <0.001
All participants T4 66.64 ± 15.31 50.18 ± 11.91 16.46 14.52 to 18.41 t(79)=16.85 1.88 <0.001
MMA athletes T0 87.23 ± 5.10 85.44 ± 5.74 1.79 -0.81 to 4.38 t(39)=1.39 0.22 0.856
MMA athletes T1 67.00 ± 4.78 66.22 ± 4.58 0.79 -1.51 to 3.08 t(39)=0.69 0.11 1.000
MMA athletes T2 71.94 ± 5.32 66.16 ± 4.72 5.79 3.33 to 8.24 t(39)=4.77 0.75 <0.001
MMA athletes T3 75.31 ± 5.28 71.11 ± 5.04 4.20 1.69 to 6.71 t(39)=3.39 0.54 0.008
MMA athletes T4 80.61 ± 4.70 59.81 ± 4.02 20.80 18.68 to 22.92 t(39)=19.84 3.14 <0.001
Young adults T0 77.63 ± 4.97 79.43 ± 4.56 -1.81 -4.83 to 1.22 t(19)=-1.25 -0.28 1.000
Young adults T1 56.45 ± 5.07 57.36 ± 4.17 -0.91 -4.15 to 2.32 t(19)=-0.59 -0.13 1.000
Young adults T2 60.61 ± 5.54 57.44 ± 4.19 3.17 -0.22 to 6.56 t(19)=1.96 0.44 0.327
Young adults T3 67.80 ± 6.31 64.12 ± 4.49 3.68 -0.20 to 7.55 t(19)=1.99 0.44 0.307
Young adults T4 57.77 ± 4.98 48.33 ± 3.23 9.43 6.44 to 12.43 t(19)=6.59 1.47 <0.001
Older adults T0 68.96 ± 4.77 71.74 ± 5.93 -2.79 -5.83 to 0.26 t(19)=-1.92 -0.43 0.352
Older adults T1 46.35 ± 3.71 48.96 ± 4.00 -2.62 -4.82 to -0.41 t(19)=-2.48 -0.56 0.112
Older adults T2 50.43 ± 4.31 49.16 ± 4.40 1.27 -1.40 to 3.94 t(19)=0.99 0.22 1.000
Older adults T3 55.21 ± 5.22 53.21 ± 4.55 2.01 -1.02 to 5.04 t(19)=1.39 0.31 0.906
Older adults T4 47.57 ± 5.26 32.75 ± 5.20 14.82 10.34 to 19.30 t(19)=6.92 1.55 <0.001
 
Panel B. Within-condition temporal contrasts.
Population Condition Contrast Mean change 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants CC T1-T0 -21.06 -21.69 to -20.43 t(79)=-66.87 -7.48 <0.001
All participants CC T2-T1 4.53 4.29 to 4.78 t(79)=36.76 4.11 <0.001
All participants CC T3-T1 9.21 8.78 to 9.64 t(79)=42.88 4.79 <0.001
All participants CC T4-T1 7.44 5.86 to 9.01 t(79)=9.40 1.05 <0.001
All participants Sham T1-T0 -20.83 -21.59 to -20.06 t(79)=-54.20 -6.06 <0.001
All participants Sham T2-T1 0.04 -0.17 to 0.25 t(79)=0.38 0.04 1.000
All participants Sham T3-T1 5.20 4.87 to 5.52 t(79)=31.92 3.57 <0.001
All participants Sham T4-T1 -9.51 -10.74 to -8.29 t(79)=-15.47 -1.73 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T1-T0 -20.23 -21.14 to -19.31 t(39)=-44.73 -7.07 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T2-T1 4.94 4.65 to 5.24 t(39)=33.84 5.35 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T3-T1 8.31 8.05 to 8.57 t(39)=64.01 10.12 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T4-T1 13.61 12.67 to 14.54 t(39)=29.46 4.66 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T1-T0 -19.23 -20.24 to -18.21 t(39)=-38.43 -6.08 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T2-T1 -0.06 -0.24 to 0.13 t(39)=-0.64 -0.10 1.000
MMA athletes Sham T3-T1 4.89 4.63 to 5.16 t(39)=37.41 5.91 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T4-T1 -6.41 -7.21 to -5.60 t(39)=-16.03 -2.54 <0.001
Young adults CC T1-T0 -21.18 -22.24 to -20.12 t(19)=-41.79 -9.34 <0.001
Young adults CC T2-T1 4.16 3.61 to 4.70 t(19)=15.93 3.56 <0.001
Young adults CC T3-T1 11.35 10.44 to 12.26 t(19)=26.01 5.82 <0.001
Young adults CC T4-T1 1.32 -0.53 to 3.16 t(19)=1.49 0.33 0.605
Young adults Sham T1-T0 -22.07 -23.27 to -20.88 t(19)=-38.64 -8.64 <0.001
Young adults Sham T2-T1 0.08 -0.48 to 0.63 t(19)=0.29 0.07 1.000
Young adults Sham T3-T1 6.76 6.08 to 7.44 t(19)=20.71 4.63 <0.001
Young adults Sham T4-T1 -9.03 -10.81 to -7.25 t(19)=-10.60 -2.37 <0.001
Older adults CC T1-T0 -22.61 -23.85 to -21.37 t(19)=-38.05 -8.51 <0.001
Older adults CC T2-T1 4.08 3.57 to 4.60 t(19)=16.49 3.69 <0.001
Older adults CC T3-T1 8.87 7.99 to 9.74 t(19)=21.19 4.74 <0.001
Older adults CC T4-T1 1.22 -0.59 to 3.04 t(19)=1.41 0.32 0.695
Older adults Sham T1-T0 -22.78 -24.33 to -21.23 t(19)=-30.73 -6.87 <0.001
Older adults Sham T2-T1 0.20 -0.38 to 0.78 t(19)=0.72 0.16 1.000
Older adults Sham T3-T1 4.24 3.66 to 4.83 t(19)=15.21 3.40 <0.001
Older adults Sham T4-T1 -16.21 -18.80 to -13.63 t(19)=-13.15 -2.94 <0.001
 
Panel C. Between-population comparison of condition effects.
Time Mean diff, MMA Mean diff, Young Mean diff, Older Statistic Effect size p_adj
T0 1.79 -1.81 -2.79 F(2, 77)=3.18 0.08 0.236
T1 0.79 -0.91 -2.62 F(2, 77)=1.83 0.05 0.834
T2 5.79 3.17 1.27 F(2, 77)=2.86 0.07 0.317
T3 4.20 3.68 2.01 F(2, 77)=0.56 0.01 1.000
T4 20.80 9.43 14.82 F(2, 77)=16.31 0.30 <0.001
Effect size denotes Cohen’s dz in paired contrasts and eta squared (η2) in one-way ANOVA models. Mean change in Panel B is calculated as the later time point minus the earlier time point shown in the contrast label.
 
Supplementary Table S5. Blood lactate (mmol/L).
Panel A. Observed values and paired between-condition contrasts.
Population Time CC(mean ± SD) Sham(mean ± SD) Mean difference(CC-Sham) 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants T0 1.19 ± 0.17 1.17 ± 0.20 0.02 -0.03 to 0.07 t(79)=0.75 0.08 1.000
All participants T1 6.62 ± 1.46 6.73 ± 1.61 -0.11 -0.49 to 0.27 t(79)=-0.57 -0.06 1.000
All participants T2 2.64 ± 0.41 3.74 ± 0.52 -1.10 -1.17 to -1.03 t(79)=-31.18 -3.49 <0.001
All participants T3 1.17 ± 0.19 1.18 ± 0.19 -0.01 -0.05 to 0.04 t(79)=-0.31 -0.03 1.000
All participants T4 1.10 ± 0.21 1.13 ± 0.22 -0.04 -0.09 to 0.01 t(79)=-1.50 -0.17 0.687
MMA athletes T0 1.10 ± 0.14 1.08 ± 0.15 0.02 -0.05 to 0.09 t(39)=0.61 0.10 1.000
MMA athletes T1 5.79 ± 1.28 5.72 ± 1.22 0.07 -0.55 to 0.69 t(39)=0.22 0.04 1.000
MMA athletes T2 2.27 ± 0.14 3.29 ± 0.15 -1.02 -1.09 to -0.95 t(39)=-30.66 -4.85 <0.001
MMA athletes T3 1.05 ± 0.14 1.06 ± 0.15 -0.01 -0.07 to 0.06 t(39)=-0.22 -0.04 1.000
MMA athletes T4 0.95 ± 0.16 1.00 ± 0.16 -0.04 -0.13 to 0.04 t(39)=-1.09 -0.17 1.000
Young adults T0 1.23 ± 0.14 1.15 ± 0.14 0.08 -0.01 to 0.17 t(19)=1.79 0.40 0.449
Young adults T1 7.25 ± 1.07 7.21 ± 1.10 0.04 -0.62 to 0.69 t(19)=0.11 0.03 1.000
Young adults T2 2.90 ± 0.22 4.05 ± 0.27 -1.15 -1.31 to -1.00 t(19)=-15.52 -3.47 <0.001
Young adults T3 1.25 ± 0.13 1.23 ± 0.13 0.02 -0.07 to 0.10 t(19)=0.36 0.08 1.000
Young adults T4 1.19 ± 0.14 1.24 ± 0.14 -0.04 -0.13 to 0.04 t(19)=-1.03 -0.23 1.000
Older adults T0 1.32 ± 0.18 1.36 ± 0.22 -0.04 -0.19 to 0.11 t(19)=-0.58 -0.13 1.000
Older adults T1 7.66 ± 1.17 8.27 ± 1.29 -0.61 -1.28 to 0.06 t(19)=-1.91 -0.43 0.354
Older adults T2 3.11 ± 0.19 4.31 ± 0.34 -1.20 -1.41 to -1.00 t(19)=-12.55 -2.81 <0.001
Older adults T3 1.34 ± 0.18 1.37 ± 0.14 -0.03 -0.13 to 0.08 t(19)=-0.58 -0.13 1.000
Older adults T4 1.29 ± 0.14 1.31 ± 0.22 -0.02 -0.12 to 0.08 t(19)=-0.45 -0.10 1.000
 
Panel B. Within-condition temporal contrasts.
Population Condition Contrast Mean change 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants CC T1-T0 5.44 5.13 to 5.74 t(79)=35.65 3.99 <0.001
All participants CC T2-T1 -3.98 -4.28 to -3.69 t(79)=-27.14 -3.03 <0.001
All participants CC T3-T1 -5.45 -5.76 to -5.14 t(79)=-35.17 -3.93 <0.001
All participants CC T4-T1 -5.53 -5.83 to -5.22 t(79)=-35.71 -3.99 <0.001
All participants Sham T1-T0 5.56 5.23 to 5.90 t(79)=33.00 3.69 <0.001
All participants Sham T2-T1 -2.99 -3.30 to -2.69 t(79)=-19.58 -2.19 <0.001
All participants Sham T3-T1 -5.55 -5.89 to -5.21 t(79)=-32.43 -3.63 <0.001
All participants Sham T4-T1 -5.60 -5.94 to -5.25 t(79)=-32.03 -3.58 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T1-T0 4.69 4.31 to 5.06 t(39)=25.31 4.00 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T2-T1 -3.52 -3.93 to -3.11 t(39)=-17.37 -2.75 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T3-T1 -4.74 -5.14 to -4.34 t(39)=-23.91 -3.78 <0.001
MMA athletes CC T4-T1 -4.84 -5.25 to -4.43 t(39)=-23.85 -3.77 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T1-T0 4.64 4.28 to 5.00 t(39)=26.35 4.17 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T2-T1 -2.43 -2.82 to -2.03 t(39)=-12.35 -1.95 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T3-T1 -4.66 -5.05 to -4.27 t(39)=-24.18 -3.82 <0.001
MMA athletes Sham T4-T1 -4.72 -5.12 to -4.32 t(39)=-23.88 -3.78 <0.001
Young adults CC T1-T0 6.02 5.50 to 6.55 t(19)=24.15 5.40 <0.001
Young adults CC T2-T1 -4.35 -4.86 to -3.84 t(19)=-17.86 -3.99 <0.001
Young adults CC T3-T1 -6.00 -6.50 to -5.51 t(19)=-25.55 -5.71 <0.001
Young adults CC T4-T1 -6.06 -6.56 to -5.56 t(19)=-25.37 -5.67 <0.001
Young adults Sham T1-T0 6.07 5.56 to 6.58 t(19)=24.99 5.59 <0.001
Young adults Sham T2-T1 -3.16 -3.74 to -2.59 t(19)=-11.56 -2.59 <0.001
Young adults Sham T3-T1 -5.98 -6.51 to -5.45 t(19)=-23.60 -5.28 <0.001
Young adults Sham T4-T1 -5.98 -6.51 to -5.44 t(19)=-23.39 -5.23 <0.001
Older adults CC T1-T0 6.34 5.82 to 6.87 t(19)=25.21 5.64 <0.001
Older adults CC T2-T1 -4.56 -5.16 to -3.95 t(19)=-15.75 -3.52 <0.001
Older adults CC T3-T1 -6.33 -6.89 to -5.76 t(19)=-23.34 -5.22 <0.001
Older adults CC T4-T1 -6.37 -6.93 to -5.82 t(19)=-24.11 -5.39 <0.001
Older adults Sham T1-T0 6.91 6.29 to 7.53 t(19)=23.35 5.22 <0.001
Older adults Sham T2-T1 -3.96 -4.52 to -3.40 t(19)=-14.84 -3.32 <0.001
Older adults Sham T3-T1 -6.91 -7.50 to -6.31 t(19)=-24.23 -5.42 <0.001
Older adults Sham T4-T1 -6.96 -7.61 to -6.31 t(19)=-22.46 -5.02 <0.001
 
Panel C. Between-population comparison of condition effects.
Time Mean diff, MMA Mean diff, Young Mean diff, Older Statistic Effect size p_adj
T0 0.02 0.08 -0.04 F(2, 77)=1.30 0.03 1.000
T1 0.07 0.04 -0.61 F(2, 77)=1.15 0.03 1.000
T2 -1.02 -1.15 -1.20 F(2, 77)=2.80 0.07 0.336
T3 -0.01 0.02 -0.03 F(2, 77)=0.24 0.01 1.000
T4 -0.04 -0.04 -0.02 F(2, 77)=0.07 0.00 1.000
Effect size denotes Cohen’s dz in paired contrasts and eta squared (η2) in one-way ANOVA models. Mean change in Panel B is calculated as the later time point minus the earlier time point shown in the contrast label.
 
Supplementary Table S6. Total quality recovery (TQR) (AU).
Panel A. Observed values and paired between-condition contrasts.
Population Time CC(mean ± SD) Sham(mean ± SD) Mean difference(CC-Sham) 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants T0 15.90 ± 1.51 15.95 ± 1.37 -0.05 W=819.0 -0.04 1.000 15.90 ± 1.51
All participants T1 13.10 ± 1.00 11.07 ± 1.05 2.02 W=16.0 0.99 <0.001 13.10 ± 1.00
All participants T2 14.99 ± 1.30 12.57 ± 1.19 2.41 W=21.0 0.98 <0.001 14.99 ± 1.30
All participants T3 15.66 ± 1.17 13.66 ± 1.39 2.00 W=23.0 0.98 <0.001 15.66 ± 1.17
MMA athletes T4 16.82 ± 1.06 16.60 ± 1.10 0.23 W=142.0 0.19 1.000 16.82 ± 1.06
MMA athletes T0 13.38 ± 1.03 11.22 ± 1.21 2.15 W=0.0 1.00 <0.001 13.38 ± 1.03
MMA athletes T1 15.62 ± 1.27 13.22 ± 1.12 2.40 W=10.5 0.97 <0.001 15.62 ± 1.27
MMA athletes T2 16.25 ± 1.03 14.62 ± 1.17 1.62 W=12.0 0.95 <0.001 16.25 ± 1.03
Young adults T3 15.10 ± 1.17 15.60 ± 1.27 -0.50 W=61.0 -0.29 1.000 15.10 ± 1.17
Young adults T4 13.15 ± 0.75 10.80 ± 0.77 2.35 W=0.0 1.00 <0.001 13.15 ± 0.75
Young adults T0 14.00 ± 0.73 11.80 ± 0.83 2.20 W=0.0 1.00 <0.001 14.00 ± 0.73
Young adults T1 14.85 ± 0.88 12.40 ± 0.50 2.45 W=0.0 1.00 <0.001 14.85 ± 0.88
Older adults T2 14.85 ± 1.46 15.00 ± 1.30 -0.15 W=45.0 -0.14 1.000 14.85 ± 1.46
Older adults T3 12.50 ± 0.95 11.05 ± 0.94 1.45 W=8.0 0.88 0.007 12.50 ± 0.95
Older adults T4 14.70 ± 1.08 12.05 ± 0.89 2.65 W=0.0 1.00 <0.001 14.70 ± 1.08
Older adults T0 15.30 ± 1.08 13.00 ± 0.92 2.30 W=0.0 1.00 <0.001 15.30 ± 1.08
 
Panel B. Within-condition temporal contrasts.
Population Condition Contrast Mean change 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants CC T2-T0 -2.80 W=6.0 -1.00 <0.001 -2.80
All participants CC T3-T0 -0.91 W=352.5 -0.61 <0.001 -0.91
All participants CC T4-T0 -0.24 W=742.5 -0.21 0.405 -0.24
All participants Sham T2-T0 -4.88 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -4.88
All participants Sham T3-T0 -3.38 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -3.38
All participants Sham T4-T0 -2.29 W=69.0 -0.95 <0.001 -2.29
MMA athletes CC T2-T0 -3.45 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -3.45
MMA athletes CC T3-T0 -1.20 W=75.0 -0.72 0.001 -1.20
MMA athletes CC T4-T0 -0.57 W=118.5 -0.49 0.050 -0.57
MMA athletes Sham T2-T0 -5.38 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -5.38
MMA athletes Sham T3-T0 -3.38 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -3.38
MMA athletes Sham T4-T0 -1.98 W=28.0 -0.92 <0.001 -1.98
Young adults CC T2-T0 -1.95 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -1.95
Young adults CC T3-T0 -1.10 W=8.0 -0.85 0.013 -1.10
Young adults CC T4-T0 -0.25 W=42.5 -0.19 1.000 -0.25
Young adults Sham T2-T0 -4.80 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -4.80
Young adults Sham T3-T0 -3.80 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -3.80
Young adults Sham T4-T0 -3.20 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -3.20
Older adults CC T2-T0 -2.35 W=3.5 -0.96 <0.001 -2.35
Older adults CC T3-T0 -0.15 W=47.5 -0.10 1.000 -0.15
Older adults CC T4-T0 0.45 W=55.5 0.27 0.922 0.45
Older adults Sham T2-T0 -3.95 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -3.95
Older adults Sham T3-T0 -2.95 W=0.0 -1.00 <0.001 -2.95
Older adults Sham T4-T0 -2.00 W=7.0 -0.91 0.003 -2.00
 
Panel C. Between-population comparison of condition effects.
Time Mean diff, MMA Mean diff, Young Mean diff, Older Statistic Effect size p_adj
T0 0.23 -0.50 -0.15 H(2)=2.06 0.00 1.000
T1 2.15 2.35 1.45 H(2)=3.83 0.02 0.590
T2 2.40 2.20 2.65 H(2)=1.18 -0.01 1.000
T3 1.62 2.45 2.30 H(2)=5.50 0.05 0.256
T4 0.23 -0.50 -0.15 H(2)=2.06 0.00 1.000
Effect size denotes Cohen’s dz in paired contrasts and eta squared (η2) in one-way ANOVA models. Mean change in Panel B is calculated as the later time point minus the earlier time point shown in the contrast label.
 
Supplementary Table S7. Perceived exertion (Borg CR10) (AU).
Panel A. Observed values and paired between-condition contrasts.
Population Time CC(mean ± SD) Sham(mean ± SD) Mean difference(CC-Sham) 95% CI Statistic Effect size p_adj
All participants T1 5.62 ± 1.18 5.53 ± 1.16 0.10 — W=699.0 0.09 0.538
MMA athletes T1 4.92 ± 0.89 4.83 ± 0.84 0.10 — W=169.5 0.10 0.628
Young adults T1 6.10 ± 0.91 6.25 ± 0.91 -0.15 — W=46.0 -0.12 0.672
Older adults T1 6.55 ± 1.10 6.20 ± 1.11 0.35 — W=27.0 0.49 0.084
 
Panel B. Between-population comparison of condition effects.
Time Mean diff, MMA Mean diff, Young Mean diff, Older Statistic Effect size p_adj
T1 0.10 -0.15 0.35 H(2)=1.95 0.00 0.377
 
Supplementary Table S8. Sphericity diagnostics for repeated-measures effects involving Time.
Outcome Within-subjecteffect N Mauchly'sW χ2 df p Greenhouse–Geisser ε GG correctionapplied
Maximal voluntary contraction Time 80 0.0005 591.735 9 <.001 0.312 Yes
Maximal voluntary contraction Condition × Time 80 0.1510 146.342 9 <.001 0.541 Yes
Muscle stiffness Time 80 0.0282 276.158 9 <.001 0.355 Yes
Muscle stiffness Condition × Time 80 0.0485 234.332 9 <.001 0.384 Yes
Microvascular perfusion Time 80 0.1750 134.938 9 <.001 0.666 Yes
Microvascular perfusion Condition × Time 80 0.0211 298.565 9 <.001 0.398 Yes
Pressure pain threshold Time 80 0.0036 435.366 9 <.001 0.353 Yes
Pressure pain threshold Condition × Time 80 0.0300 271.474 9 <.001 0.449 Yes
Blood lactate Time 80 0.0011 526.037 9 <.001 0.288 Yes
Blood lactate Condition × Time 80 0.0023 469.396 9 <.001 0.288 Yes
Abbreviation: GG, Greenhouse–Geisser. Test statistics were derived from the uploaded subject-level datasets (N=80) for maximal voluntary contraction, muscle stiffness, microvascular perfusion, pressure pain threshold, and blood lactate.