Force and EMG power spectrum during and after eccentric and concentric fatigue

Eccentric and concentric force and median frequency of the EMG power spectrum were measured during and immediately after maximal eccentric (EE) and concentric (CE) exercise and during the recovery period of 1 week. Eight male subjects performed EE and CE consisting of 100 maximal eccentric and concentric actions with elbow flexors during two separate exercise sessions. When comparing maximal eccentric and concentric actions before the exercises, the average force was higher (P<0.001) in eccentric than in concentric but the average rectified EMG (aEMG) values were the same with the two types of action. The average eccentric force decreased 53.3% after EE and 30.6% after CE, while the average concentric force decreased 49.9% after CE and 38.4% after EE. The recovery was slower after EE. The median frequency (MF) of biceps brachii (BB) in eccentric action decreased during both EE (P<0.01) and CE (P<0.05). It recovered within 2 days of the exercises but was lower again (P<0.01) 7 days after EE. In concentric action MF of BB decreased during CE (P<0.01), while no changes were observed in EE. Blood lactate concentration increased (P<0.001) in both exercises and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity increased in EE only, being significantly higher (P<0.001) 7 days after than before the eccentric exercise. In the absolute scale, the eccentric force in EE decreased more than the concentric force in CE (P<0.01). Fatigue response was action type specific as seen in the greater reduction in the force of the exercise type. MF decreased immediately after both exercises, which may be at least partly related to elevated blood lactate concentration. Eccentric actions led to possible muscle damage as indicated by elevated serum CK and muscle soreness, and therefore to longer recovery as compared to concentric actions. Decreased MF after EE may be indicative of selective damage of the fast twitch fibers in this type of exercise.