Responses to eccentric and concentric resistance training in females and males

The adaptive responses to 12 weeks of accommodated resistance training were compared in females (n = 11) and males (n = 11). They performed four to five sets of six maximum bilateral coupled concentric and eccentric quadriceps muscle actions at 1.05 rad s-1 three times per week. Uni- and bilateral concentric and eccentric peak torque at different angular velocities (0.52, 1.57 and 2.62 rad s-1), three repetition maximum half-squat and vertical jump height were measured before and after training. Both groups displayed marked increases (P less than 0.05) in concentric and eccentric peak torque at all angular velocities. The relative increases (P less than 0.05) in unilateral concentric (26 vs. 26%) and eccentric (28 vs. 36%) peak torque across speeds were similar in females and males. The corresponding increases (P less than 0.05) in bilateral concentric and eccentric peak torque across speeds were 20 vs. 28% and 24 vs. 39% respectively. The three repetition maximum half-squat (20 vs. 25%) and vertical jump height (10 vs. 8%) increased (P less than 0.05) equally in females and males. These results suggest that the overall increases in concentric and eccentric peak torque and functional strength, in response to short-term accommodated resistance training, occur at a rate that is independent of sex. The torque-velocity relationship, however, appears to change in males suggesting a relatively greater enhancement of maximum voluntary force in the slow-speed, high-force region.