This study compared four different intensities of a bench press exercise for muscle soreness, creatine kinase activity, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) concentrations in the blood. Thirty-five male Brazilian Army soldiers were randomly assigned to one of five groups: 50% one-repetition maximum (1-RM), 75% 1-RM, 90% 1-RM, 110% 1-RM, and a control group that did not perform the exercise. The total volume (sets x repetitions x load) of the exercise was matched among the exercise groups. Muscle soreness and plasma creatine kinase activity increased markedly (P < 0.05) after exercise, with no significant differences among the groups. Serum PGE(2) concentration also increased markedly (P < 0.05) after exercise, with a significantly (P < 0.05) greater increase in the 110% 1-RM group compared with the other groups. A weak but significant (P < 0.05) correlation was found between peak muscle soreness and peak PGE(2) concentration, but no significant correlation was evident between peak muscle soreness and peak creatine kinase activity, or peak creatine kinase activity and peak PGE(2) concentration. All groups showed no changes in IL-1beta, IL-6 or TNF-alpha. Our results suggest that the intensity of bench press exercise does not affect the magnitude of muscle soreness and blood markers of muscle damage and inflammation.