Specific effects of eccentric training on muscular fatigability

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Neuromuscular Adaptations
• Sports Science

Background:

• Neuromuscular fatigability is a key factor limiting exercise performance.
• Eccentric muscle actions are particularly susceptible to fatigue.
• Understanding adaptations to eccentric training is crucial for optimizing athletic performance and rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if a period of eccentric training reduces neuromuscular fatigability after fatiguing eccentric exercise.
• To examine the effects of eccentric training on voluntary torque, electromyographic activity, and contractile properties.

Main Methods:

• Ten active males underwent a 7-week sub-maximal eccentric training program.
• Fatiguing exercise involved maximal eccentric elbow flexions.
• Measurements included voluntary torque, electromyographic activity (RMS), voluntary activation, and twitch properties at various velocities before and after training.

Main Results:

• Eccentric training led to significant gains in eccentric and isometric torque.
• Eccentric torque loss was significantly lower after training compared to before.
• The reduction in twitch maximal rate of torque rise was also significantly less after training.

Conclusions:

• A 7-week eccentric training period induces specific adaptations that enhance resistance to neuromuscular fatigue.
• These adaptations primarily benefit eccentric muscle actions, reducing exercise-induced torque loss.
• Eccentric training is effective in mitigating neuromuscular fatigability during eccentric contractions.