HSP 72 accumulation was assessed in rat hindlimb muscles following one hour of level or downhill treadmill running at 26m/min. Animals were sacrificed immediately or at one, three, or five days following exercise. Six muscles were examined for HSP 72 content, muscle glycogen, colonic and muscle temperature. Muscle damage was examined using plasma creatine kinase (PCK) analysis, and visual assessment of gross muscle damage was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Downhill running resulted in a greater absolute colonic temperature compared to level running (p < 0.05). However, no differences between downhill and level running were observed in HSP 72 content, muscle glycogen, muscle temperature, PCK content, or gross muscle damage. HSP 72 content in the TA three and five days following downhill running and the SOL five days following level running (p < 0.05). Neither HSP 72 content nor general indicators of muscle damage were different between level and downhill running.