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. 2003 Jun 1;2(2):62-9.
eCollection 2003 Jun.

Is enhanced-eccentric resistance training superior to traditional training for increasing elbow flexor strength?

Ian K Barstow  1 , Mark D Bishop  1 , Thomas W Kaminski  2
Affiliations

Is enhanced-eccentric resistance training superior to traditional training for increasing elbow flexor strength?

Ian K Barstow et al. J Sports Sci Med. .

Abstract

Protocols for strengthening muscle are important for fitness, rehabilitation, and the prevention of myotendinous injuries. In trained individuals, the optimal method of increasing strength remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a traditional method of strengthening with a method that allowed for enhanced-eccentric training, on changes in elbow flexor strength in trained subjects. Thirty-nine (8 male, 31 female) trained subjects with normal elbow function participated in this study. Subjects were rank-ordered according to isometric force production and randomly assigned to one of three training groups: control (CONT), traditional concentric/eccentric (TRAD), and concentric/enhanced-eccentric (NEG). The training groups completed 24 training sessions. An evaluator blinded to training group performed all testing. Mixed model ANOVA techniques were used to determine if differences existed in concentric one repetition maximum strength, and isometric force production among groups. Changes in peak and average isokinetic force production were also compared. Type 1 error was maintained at 5%. While both groups improved concentric one repetition maximum (NEG = 15.5%, TRAD = 13.8%) neither training group statistically differed from changes demonstrated by the CONT group. Nor did either training group show significant improvements in isometric or isokinetic force production over the CONT group. These results do not support the superiority of enhanced-eccentric training for increasing force production in trained subjects.

Keywords: Concentric; isokinetic; negative training; one-repetition maximum; specificity.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Percent change (pre- to post) in concentric one repetition maximum. Bars represent mean (SEM). NEG = concentric/enhanced-eccentric. TRAD = concentric/eccentric. CONT = control.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Mean (SEM) percent change in isometric force collapsed across angle. * P<0.05 compared to 110º angle.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Mean (SEM) percent change in isokinetic force (Nm). ConPk = concentric peak force, EccPk = eccentric peak force, ConAv = average concentric force, EccAv = eccentric average force.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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