Step 1: Understanding Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
DOMS is typically the result of eccentric muscle contractions where the muscle lengthens under tension. The severity increases with factors like intensity and velocity.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (1) Concentric exercise training at high velocity: Incorrect. Concentric exercises (muscle shortening) usually cause less soreness than eccentric exercises.
- (2) Eccentric exercise training at high velocity: Correct. High-velocity eccentric exercises generate the most microtears in muscle fibers, leading to maximal soreness.
- (3) Concentric exercise training at slow velocity: Incorrect. Concentric exercises cause less muscle damage, leading to milder soreness.
- (4) Eccentric exercise training at slow velocity: Incorrect. While eccentric training is generally linked to DOMS, high-velocity movements tend to cause more severe soreness.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct answer is (2), as high-velocity eccentric training results in the most severe DOMS.