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Concentric and Eccentric Resistance Training Comparison on Physical Function and Functional Pain Outcomes in Knee
Kevin R Vincent1, Heather K Vincent
1From the Divisions of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine and Research, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of concentrically focused resistance training to eccentrically focused resistance training on physical function and functional pain in knee osteoarthritis.
Design:
This is a randomized, single-blinded controlled 4-mo trial. Older adults with knee osteoarthritis (N = 88; 68.3 ± 6.4 yrs, 30.4 ± 6.9 kg/m, and 67.4% women) were randomized to eccentrically focused resistance training, concentrically focused resistance training, or no-exercise control. Main outcomes included chair rise time, stair climb time, 6-min walk test distance, temporal-spatial parameters of gait, community ambulation, and functional pain.
Results:
Leg muscle strength improved in both training groups compared with no-exercise control. There were no significant group × time interactions for any functional performance score (chair rise time, stair climb time, 6-min walk test distance, gait parameters, community ambulation). Compared with no-exercise control, functional pain scores were reduced for chair rise (-38.6% concentrically focused resistance training, -50.3% eccentrically focused resistance training vs. +10.0%) and stair climb (-51.6% concentrically focused resistance training, -41.3% eccentrically focused resistance training vs. +80.7%; all P < 0.05). Pain scores were reduced during the 6-min walk and in early recovery with concentrically focused resistance training compared with the remaining two groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Either resistance exercise type improves activity-related knee osteoarthritis pain, but concentrically focused resistance training more effectively reduced severity of ambulatory pain and pain upon walking cessation.
