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Resistance training using eccentric overload induces early adaptations in skeletal muscle size

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Abstract

Fifteen healthy men performed a 5-week training program comprising four sets of seven unilateral, coupled concentric–eccentric knee extensions 2–3 times weekly. While eight men were assigned to training using a weight stack (WS) machine, seven men trained using a flywheel (FW) device, which inherently provides variable resistance and allows for eccentric overload. The design of these apparatuses ensured similar knee extensor muscle use and range of motion. Before and after training, maximal isometric force (MVC) was measured in tasks non-specific to the training modes. Volume of all individual quadriceps muscles was determined by magnetic resonance imaging. Performance across the 12 exercise sessions was measured using the inherent features of the devices. Whereas MVC increased (P < 0.05) at all angles measured in FW, such a change was less consistent in WS. There was a marked increase (P < 0.05) in task-specific performance (i.e., load lifted) in WS. Average work showed a non-significant 8.7% increase in FW. Quadriceps muscle volume increased (P < 0.025) in both groups after training. Although the more than twofold greater hypertrophy evident in FW (6.2%) was not statistically greater than that shown in WS (3.0%), all four individual quadriceps muscles of FW showed increased (P < 0.025) volume whereas in WS only m. rectus femoris was increased (P < 0.025). Collectively the results of this study suggest more robust muscular adaptations following flywheel than weight stack resistance exercise supporting the idea that eccentric overload offers a potent stimuli essential to optimize the benefits of resistance exercise.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Anneli Ekberg and Mr. Jay Trieschmann for their involvement in the flywheel training study, and all the volunteers who endured the experiments. This study was supported by grants from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA; Grant 5286), the European Space Agency (ESA; ESTEC Contract 14737/02/NL/SH), the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB; 123/00) and NIH/NIA (AG01025).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section for Muscle and Exercise Physiology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden

    Lena Norrbrand, Marco Pozzo & Per A. Tesch

  2. Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, TX, USA

    James D. Fluckey

  3. Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25, Östersund, Sweden

    Per A. Tesch

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  1. Lena Norrbrand
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  2. James D. Fluckey
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  3. Marco Pozzo
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  4. Per A. Tesch
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Correspondence to Per A. Tesch.

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Norrbrand, L., Fluckey, J.D., Pozzo, M. et al. Resistance training using eccentric overload induces early adaptations in skeletal muscle size. Eur J Appl Physiol 102, 271–281 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0583-8

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