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Exercise and Muscle Performance

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations

Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations

Published on: May 1, 2018

Changes in the eccentric phase contribute to improved stretch-shorten cycle performance after training.

Prue Cormie¹, Michael R McGuigan, Robert U Newton

¹School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Dr., Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia. p.cormie@ecu.edu.au

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

|February 10, 2010

Summary

Both ballistic power training and strength training improve jump performance by enhancing the stretch-shorten cycle (SSC) during the eccentric (ECC) phase. Initial strength levels did not influence these adaptations.

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Area of Science:

Biomechanics
Exercise Physiology
Sports Science

Background:

The stretch-shorten cycle (SSC) is crucial for explosive movements like jumping.
Understanding how different training modalities affect SSC function is important for optimizing athletic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of ballistic power training and strength training on SSC function during the eccentric (ECC) phase.
To determine if an individual's baseline strength level influences these training adaptations.

Main Methods:

Thirty-two male subjects were divided into stronger power, weaker power, weaker strength, and control groups.
Training interventions lasted 10 weeks, with three sessions per week.
Assessments included maximal strength, jump performance, musculotendinous stiffness, and neural activation.

Main Results:

Both power and strength training significantly altered ECC variables, correlating with improved concentric (CON) performance.
Improvements in CON performance were linked to better utilization of the ECC phase and enhanced musculotendinous stiffness.
Initial strength did not significantly impact ECC variables or the magnitude of adaptations in the power training groups.

Conclusions:

Training-induced changes in SSC function during the ECC phase contribute to enhanced jump performance.
Both ballistic power training and heavy strength training can improve jump performance through modifications in SSC function.