The effects of eccentric versus concentric resistance training

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The effects of eccentric versus concentric resistance training on

muscle strength and mass in healthy adults: a systematic review with

meta-analyses.

Br J Sports Med. 2008 Nov 4. [Epub ahead of print] Links

The aim of this systematic review was to determine if eccentric

exercise is superior to concentric exercise in stimulating gains in

muscle strength and mass. Meta-analyses were performed for

comparisons between eccentric and concentric training as means to

improve muscle strength and mass. In order to determine the

importance of different parameters of training, sub-group analyses of

intensity of exercise, velocity of movement and mode of contraction

were also performed. Twenty randomized controlled trials studies met

the inclusion criteria.

Meta-analyses showed that when eccentric exercise was performed at

higher intensities compared to concentric training, total strength

and eccentric strength increased more significantly. However,

compared to concentric training, strength gains after eccentric

training appeared more specific in terms of velocity and mode of

contraction.

Eccentric training performed at high intensities showed to be more

effective in promoting increases in muscle mass measured as muscle

girth. In addition, eccentric training also showed a trend towards

increased muscle cross sectional area measured with magnetic

resonance imaging or computerized tomography. Sub-group analyses

suggest that the superiority of eccentric training to increase muscle

strength and mass appears to be related to the higher loads developed

during eccentric contractions.

The specialized neural pattern of eccentric actions possibly explains

the high specificity of strength gains after eccentric training.

Further research is required to investigate the underlying mechanisms

of this specificity and its functional significance in terms of

transferability of strength gains to more complex human movements.

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Carruthers

Wakefield, UK