Comparison between eccentric-only and coupled concentric-eccentric contractions for neuromuscular fatigue and muscle damage
Abstract
Purpose: Eccentric contractions induce muscle damage, but less is known about the effects of preceding concentric contractions to eccentric contractions on muscle damage. We compared eccentric-only (ECC) and coupled concentric and eccentric contractions (CON-ECC) of the knee extensors for parameters of neuromuscular fatigue and muscle damage. Methods: Twenty participants (age, 19-36 yr) were randomly placed into an ECC or a CON-ECC group (n = 10 per group), without significant (P > 0.06) differences in baseline neuromuscular variables between groups. The ECC group performed six sets of eight ECC at 80 % of ECC one-repetition maximum (1-RMecc), whereas the CON-ECC group performed six sets of eight alternating concentric (CON) and ECC (16 contractions per set) at 80% of CON 1-RM and 1-RMecc, respectively. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction force, rate of force development, resting twitch force, maximal M-wave (MMAX), voluntary activation, motor evoked potentials, corticospinal silent period, short interval intracortical inhibition, and muscle soreness were measured before, immediately after, and 1-3 d after exercise. Results: No significant (P ≥ 0.09) differences between ECC and CON-ECC were observed for changes in any variables after exercise. However, maximal voluntary isometric contraction force decreased immediately after exercise (ECC: -20.7 % ± 12.8 %, CON-ECC: -23.6 % ± 23.3 %) and was still reduced 3 d after exercise (ECC: -13.6 % ± 13.4 %, CON-ECC: -3.3 % ± 21.2 %). Rate of force development at 0 - 30 ms reduced immediately after exercise (ECC: -38.3 % ± 33.9 %, CON-ECC: -30.7 % ± 38.3 %). Voluntary activation, resting twitch force, and motor evoked potential/MMAX decreased and corticospinal silent period increased after exercise (all P ≤ 0.03), but short interval intracortical inhibition and MMAX did not change. Muscle soreness developed (P < 0.001) similarly for both groups (peak, 38.5 ± 29.5 mm). Conclusions: CON-ECC did not exacerbate neuromuscular fatigue and muscle damage when compared with ECC, despite twice as many contractions performed. Thus, eccentric contractions (n = 48 in both groups) seemed to mainly mediate the neuromuscular responses observed.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
10-1-2022
Volume
54
Issue
10
PubMed ID
36106831
Publication Title
Medicine and science in sports and exercise
Publisher
Wolters Kluwer
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences / Centre for Human Performance
RAS ID
46952
Copyright
subscription content
First Page
1635
Last Page
1646
Comments
Ruas, C. V., Latella, C., Taylor, J. L., Haff, G. G., & Nosaka, K. (2022). Comparison between eccentric-only and coupled concentric-eccentric contractions for neuromuscular fatigue and muscle damage. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 54(10), 1635-1646. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002959