Author Identifier (ORCID)
Chris R. Abbiss: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3940-5542
Kazunori Nosaka: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7373-4994
Abstract
Purpose: We compared the effects of high-intensity interval eccentric (EC) versus concentric cycling (CC) training on aerobic capacity, muscle function and morphology. Methods: Healthy men (19–56 y) performed EC (n = 9) or CC (n = 8) training twice a week for 8 weeks. The training progressed from 5 × 2-min intervals with 1-min rest to 7 × 2-min intervals with 30-s rest. EC and CC were matched for perceived effort, and progressed from 30 to 36% of concentric peak power output (PPO10s) for CC and from 45 to 70% PPO10s for EC. Changes in peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), incremental concentric PPO (PPOinc), 6-min walking distance (6 MW), 10 s concentric PPO (PPO10s), maximal voluntary isometric contraction knee extensor strength (MVC), countermovement (CMJ) and squat jump height (SJ), quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA), and fascicle length (FL) and pennation angle (PA) of vastus lateralis were compared between EC and CC. Results: Greater (P < 0.05) changes in PPO10s (EC: 26.9 ± 10.5% vs. CC: 8.9 ± 8.0%, Hedges’g = 2.03), CMJ (3.9 ± 1.8 vs. − 3.3 ± 7.4%, g = 1.46), SJ (7.4 ± 4.7% vs. − 2.3 ± 4.4%, g = 2.26), and CSA (6.1 ± 4.7 vs. 0.1 ± 3.8%, g = 1.48) were observed after EC than CC. No significant differences between EC and CC were found for changes in VO2peak (3.7 ± 3.9 vs. 6.6 ± 6.9%, g = -0.55), PPOinc (6.0 ± 4.2 vs. 6.4 ± 4.6%, g = − 0.11), 6 MW (6.0 ± 4.2 vs. 6.4 ± 4.6%, g = -1.03) and MVC (12.5 ± 13.3 vs. 6.2 ± 8.3%, g = 0.59). FL and PA did not show significant changes after EC and CC. Conclusion: EC was more effective than CC for improving several markers of muscle function. High-intensity interval eccentric cycling appears to be suitable for simultaneously improving strength and endurance.
Keywords
Eccentric training, HIIT, lengthening contraction, muscle cross sectional area, peak power output, VO2peak
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Volume
126
Publication Title
European Journal of Applied Physiology
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
First Page
655
Last Page
668
Comments
Lipski, M., Trezise, J., Abbiss, C. R., & Nosaka, K. (2026). Superior effects of high-intensity interval eccentric cycling training on neuromuscular adaptations with similar aerobic adaptations to concentric cycling. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 126, 655-668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-025-05848-5