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January 3, 2025
An innovative new blood test that can detect muscle damage and track recovery in elite athletes is poised to transform the way athletes approach training and recovery. Developed by Australian researchers, the OxiDx test, which requires just a simple finger-prick blood sample, promises to provide a game-changing solution to one of sports medicine’s biggest challenges: knowing when it is safe for athletes to return to training after intense physical exertion.
Currently, coaches and athletes often rely on subjective best-guess estimates to determine when an athlete is ready to resume training. This can lead to premature returns to activity, increasing the risk of re-injury and prolonging recovery. However, the OxiDx test, developed by Proteomics International, offers an objective and accurate measure of muscle damage and recovery, providing athletes with the insight needed to adjust their training programs safely.
According to Dr. Richard Lipscombe, Managing Director of Proteomics International, “The OxiDx test could literally be a game-changer for sports medicine. With this easy-to-use test that can detect unseen muscle damage, athletes can adjust their training regime to avoid more serious injury.”
Dr. Lipscombe explains that recovery rates vary significantly among athletes, and the traditional rule of thumb for resting for a few days often leads to athletes returning to training too soon. This not only puts them at risk of injury but also delays full recovery. The OxiDx test provides a more personalized approach, helping athletes and coaches make informed decisions about the timing of their return to training.
The test works by measuring the levels of muscle damage through protein biomarkers found in a blood sample. It is the first of its kind to offer such a comprehensive and accurate tool for detecting exercise-induced muscle damage, a crucial concern for athletes engaged in intense physical activity. The technology is set to be the first test on the market capable of tracking muscle recovery with high precision.
The research, published in Physiological Reports, highlights the critical role of biomarkers in understanding exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), a phenomenon commonly observed after high-endurance activities such as marathon running. Marathon runners, for example, experience extensive muscle damage that can affect performance and increase the risk of further injury if not properly managed.
“Levels of oxidative stress peak 48 hours post-marathon and remain elevated for up to five days,” Dr. Lipscombe said. “This aligns with traditional muscle damage indicators like reduced muscle force, increased soreness, and elevated creatine kinase. However, for some athletes, recovery can take longer. This test provides athletes with the data they need to confidently make decisions about when to return to training.”
The OxiDx test has broad implications across various sports, from footballers to horse racing, and could prove to be a valuable tool for high-performance athletes across the globe. Proteomics International is planning to launch the test in Australia in the first half of 2025.
For more details, the research paper titled Temporal changes in thiol-oxidized plasma albumin are associated with recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage after a marathon is published in Physiological Reports.
Source: Proteomics International Laboratories Limited
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.70155
