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The effects of eccentric and concentric training at different velocities on muscle hypertrophy

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of isokinetic eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CON) training at two velocities [fast, 180° s−1 (3.14 rad s−1) and slow,30° s−1(0.52 rad s−1)] on muscle hypertrophy. Twenty-four untrained volunteers (age 18–36 years) participated in fast- (n=13) or slow- (n=11) velocity training, where they trained one arm eccentrically for 8 weeks followed by CON training of the opposite arm for 8 weeks. Ten subjects served as controls (CNT). Subjects were tested before and after training for elbow flexor muscle thickness by sonography and isokinetic strength (Biodex). Overall, ECC training resulted in greater hypertrophy than CON training (P<0.01). No significant strength or hypertrophy changes occurred in the CNT group. ECC (180° s−1) training resulted in greater hypertrophy than CON (180° s−1) training and CON (30° s−1) training (P<0.01). ECC (30° s−1) training resulted in greater hypertrophy than CON (180° s−1) training (P<0.05), but not CON (30° s−1) training. ECC (180° s−1) training resulted in the greatest increases in strength (P<0.01). We conclude that ECC fast training is the most effective for muscle hypertrophy and strength gain.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the subjects who dedicated a great deal of time to participate in this study. We also acknowledge the technical assistance of Doug Jacobson. Jonathan Farthing is supported by a scholarship from The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The experiments described in this paper comply with the current laws of Canada.

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  1. College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, 105 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5C2, Canada

    Jonathan P. Farthing & Philip D. Chilibeck

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  1. Jonathan P. Farthing
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  2. Philip D. Chilibeck
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Correspondence to Philip D. Chilibeck.

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Farthing, J.P., Chilibeck, P.D. The effects of eccentric and concentric training at different velocities on muscle hypertrophy. Eur J Appl Physiol 89, 578–586 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0842-2

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