Knee Extensor and Flexor Torque Development With Concentric and Eccentric Isokinetic Training

Abstract

This study assessed muscular torque and rate of torque development following concentric (CON) or eccentric (ECC) isokinetic training. Thirty-eight women were randomly assigned to either CON or ECC training groups. Training consisted of knee extension and flexion of the nondominant leg three times per week for 20 weeks (SD = 1). Eccentric training increased ECC knee extension and flexion peak torque more than CON training. The ECC group improved acceleration time and time to peak torque with ECC movements versus the CON group. Slow-velocity ECC isokinetic training yielded greater ECC and similar CON torque development gains versus CON training over the course of 20 weeks in young women.

The effects of eccentric versus concentric resistance training on muscle strength and mass in healthy adults: a systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Following a review of titles and abstracts, 66 full text articles were reviewed. When exclusion criteria were applied, only 20 studies satisfied the criteria to be included in the review 27464748495051525354555657585960616263. The main reasons for exclusion were: eccentric and concentric exercises not performed separately (n = 26); potential crossover effect (n = 9); participants with clinical conditions enrolled (n = 4); not published in a peer-review journal (n = 1); age of the participants (n = 2); and insufficient or incomplete description of the parameters of training (n = 4).…”

“…The total number of repetitions per session was variable (10 to 80) depending on the study. In 17 studies, exercise was performed with an isokinetic device that allowed for the control of angular velocity 27474849505152535455565758596061. In two studies that used a dynamic device for training, spotters were used to isolate eccentric and concentric contractions (eg, the participant performed the eccentric part of the movement, and a spotter lifted the weight during the concentric part) 6263.…”

“…The muscle groups trained were knee extensors,2747485051525355575859606263 elbow flexors46474961 and extensors,47 and the rotator cuff 5456. Given the fact that muscles are capable of achieving higher absolute forces when contracting eccentrically as compared with concentrically,111213 the intensity of training was estimated to be higher for eccentric groups in 15 studies, in which participants performed maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) or submaximal voluntary contractions 24647484950515455565758596061. In contrast, four studies equated the intensity of eccentric and concentric training by taking the percentage of one repetition maximum (1 RM) performed during a concentric muscle contraction 7525362.…”

Dissociated time course recovery between rate of force development and peak torque after eccentric exercise

“…However, fast and forceful muscle contraction during explosive-type sports (e.g. rate of force development (RFD)] determined under isometric (Aagaard et al, 2002;Andersen & Aagaard, 2006) and isokinetic conditions (Connelly & Vandervoort, 2000;Miller et al, 2006;Oliveira et al, 2010). Therefore, time spans involved in the explosive movements may not allow maximal muscle force to be reached.…”

“…In this case, the best functional analysis is the rate of rise in muscle force at the onset of contraction [i.e. rate of force development (RFD)] determined under isometric (Aagaard et al, 2002;Andersen & Aagaard, 2006) and isokinetic conditions (Connelly & Vandervoort, 2000;Miller et al, 2006;Oliveira et al, 2010).…”