Acute and Delayed Effects of Time-Matched Very Short "All Out" Efforts in Concentric vs. Eccentric Cycling
Daniel Boullosa1, Boris Dragutinovic2, Jan-Philip Deutsch3
1Integrated Institute of Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, 79070-900 Campo Grande, Brazil.
Background:
To the authors' knowledge, there have been no studies comparing the acute responses to "all out" efforts in concentric (isoinertial) vs. eccentric (isovelocity) cycling.
Methods:
After two familiarization sessions, 12 physically active men underwent the experimental protocols consisting of a 2-min warm-up and 8 maximal efforts of 5 s, separated by 55 s of active recovery at 80 rpm, in concentric vs. eccentric cycling. Comparisons between protocols were conducted during, immediately after, and 24-h post-sessions.
Results:
Mechanical (Work: 82,824 ± 6350 vs. 60,602 ± 8904 J) and cardiometabolic responses (mean HR: 68.8 ± 6.6 vs. 51.3 ± 5.7% HRmax, lactate: 4.9 ± 2.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.6 mmol/L) were larger in concentric cycling (p < 0.001). The perceptual responses to both protocols were similarly low. Immediately after concentric cycling, vertical jump was potentiated (p = 0.028). Muscle soreness (VAS; p = 0.016) and thigh circumference (p = 0.045) were slightly increased only 24-h after eccentric cycling. Serum concentrations of CK, BAG3, and MMP-13 did not change significantly post-exercise.
Conclusions:
These results suggest the appropriateness of the eccentric cycling protocol used as a time-efficient (i.e., ~60 kJ in 10 min) and safe (i.e., without exercise-induced muscle damage) alternative to be used with different populations in future longitudinal interventions.
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