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

Abstract

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, subgroup analyses of intensity of exercise, velocity of movement and mode of contraction were also performed. Twenty randomised controlled trials studies met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses showed that when eccentric exercise was performed at higher intensities compared with concentric training, total strength and eccentric strength increased more significantly. However, compared with concentric training, strength gains after eccentric training appeared more specific in terms of velocity and mode of contraction. Eccentric training performed at high intensities was shown 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 computerised tomography. Subgroup 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 specialised 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.

Preservation of eccentric strength in older adults: Evidence, mechanisms and implications for training and rehabilitation

“…The current evidence shows that adaptations from eccentric training are highly specific to the velocity and type of muscle contraction (Roig et al, 2008b). Although some studies suggest otherwise (Lastayo et al, 2003: Onambele et al, 2008, it is currently unclear whether this high specificity compromises the transferability of strength gains to more functional movements (Barry and Carson, 2004).…”

“…In addition to the potential advantages that the preservation of eccentric strength may have for the initiation of resistance training in older adults it is important to emphasize that resistance training itself with eccentric contractions has shown to be more effective than concentric training in increasing muscle strength and mass (Roig et al, 2008b). This effectiveness appears to be related to both the higher loads and the powerful myogenic stimulus of stretch during eccentric contractions (Golspink et al, 1995).…”

Eccentric and Concentric Torque of the Lumbar and Hip Extensors in Females With Low Back Pain

“…Indeed, neural adaptations in eccentric contraction seem to be different compared with concentric contraction. There are several characteristic of eccentric muscle contraction when compared with concentric contraction that included broader and faster cortical activity as movements are being executed, inversed motor unit activation pattern, increased cross-education effect, faster neural adaptations secondary to resistance training, attenuated muscle sympathetic nerve activity, reduced electromyographic amplitude at similar force levels, and greater electromyography signal prior to the onset of movement [46].As, there is not specific explanation to this findings, it is recommend to conduct further studies that examine the eccentric torque of lumbar and hip extensors in different conditions and populations. The present study had several potential limitations.…”

Acute neuromuscular response during eccentric overload protocol by using a mechanical device to increase the load

“…Distinct patterns of muscle activation and strength production between eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) muscle actions have been detected during resistance training [1][2][3][4] with a higher capacity to produce strength during ECC actions [5][6] . Training where ECC actions were overload (ECC overload [EO] training), performed with more load than during CON action it was verified after training an increase on the size of type IIX fibres 7 , a higher increase at isokinetic and isometric force production 8 and higher neuromuscular activation [8][9][10] .…”