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Chronic eccentric arm cycling improves maximum upper-body strength and power

European Journal of Applied Physiology volume 117, pages 1473–1483 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction

Eccentric leg cycling (cycle ergometry adapted to impose muscle lengthening contractions) offers an effective exercise for restoring lower-body muscular function, maintaining health, and improving performance in clinical and athletic populations.

Purpose

We extended this model to the upper body and evaluated the effectiveness of a 7-week eccentric arm cycling (ECCarm) intervention to improve upper-body muscular function. We also explored whether ECCarm would alter arterial function.

Methods

Participants performed ECCarm (n = 9) or concentric arm cycling (CONarm; n = 8) 3×/week while training intensity increased (5–20 min, 60–70% upper-body peak heart rate). Maximum elbow extensor strength, upper-body concentric power, and peripheral and central arterial stiffness were assessed before and after training.

Results

During training, heart rates and perceived exertion did not differ between groups (~68% upper-body peak heart rate, ~12 Borg units, both P > 0.05), whereas power during ECCarm was ~2× that for CONarm (122 ± 43 vs. 59 ± 20 W, P < 0.01). Muscle soreness for ECCarm was greater than CONarm (P = 0.02), however, soreness was minimal for both groups (<0.50 cm). Following training, ECCarm exhibited greater changes in elbow extensor strength (16 ± 10 vs. 1 ± 9%, P = 0.01) and upper-body power (6 ± 8 vs. −3 ± 7%, P < 0.01) compared to CONarm. Peripheral and central arterial stiffness did not change for either group (both P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Upper-body eccentric exercise improved dynamic muscular function while training at low exertion levels. Results occurred with minimal soreness and without compromising arterial function. ECCarm findings parallel eccentric leg cycling findings and indicate that eccentric cycle ergometry offers a robust model for enhancing upper-body muscular function. ECCarm could have applications in rehabilitation and sport training.

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Abbreviations

\( \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{peak}}}} \) :

Peak oxygen consumption

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

RM:

Repetition maximum

pPWV:

Peripheral pulse wave velocity

cPWV:

Central pulse wave velocity

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to sincerely thank the participants who took part in this study for their enthusiastic efforts during the exercise training intervention and the students (Ryan Vanlandschoot, Jennifer Dannenbring, Lydia Lytle) in the Human Performance Laboratory and Clinical and Applied Human Physiology Laboratory for their assistance with the data collection. This study was supported by the Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund and Michigan Tech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

    Steven J. Elmer, Dakota J. Anderson & Matthew A. Kilgas

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

    Dakota J. Anderson

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

    Travis R. Wakeham, Matthew A. Kilgas & John J. Durocher

  4. Department of Biology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA

    Stan L. Lindstedt

  5. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA

    Paul C. LaStayo

Authors
  1. Steven J. Elmer
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  2. Dakota J. Anderson
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  3. Travis R. Wakeham
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  4. Matthew A. Kilgas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven J. Elmer.

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Conflict of interest

Two of the authors (PCL and SLL) are co-inventors on a lower-body ergometer licensed to Eccentron; BTE Technologies, Inc., Hanover, MD, USA. Neither PCL, SLL nor any of the other authors have received any financial incentives (e.g., reimbursements, fees, royalties, funding, or salary) from the company or stemming from the contents of this manuscript or any related published papers. The remaining authors report no conflicts of interest.

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Communicated by Olivier Seynnes.

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Elmer, S.J., Anderson, D.J., Wakeham, T.R. et al. Chronic eccentric arm cycling improves maximum upper-body strength and power. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 1473–1483 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3642-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3642-9

Keywords

  • Exercise training
  • Lengthening contractions
  • Neuromuscular function
  • Arterial stiffness
  • Cycle ergometry

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