ArticleMedicine and science in sports and exercise2018
Neuromuscular Adaptations to Work-matched Maximal Eccentric versus Concentric Training.
Article in Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
24 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Eccentric-Only Versus Concentric-Only Isokinetic Strength Training Effects on Maximal Voluntary Eccentric, Concentric and Isometric Contraction Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Sports medicine - open · 2025Pooled it
- Heavy Resistance Training Versus Plyometric Training for Improving Running Economy and Running Time Trial Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Sports medicine - open · 2022Pooled it
- Flywheel resistance training promotes unique muscle architectural and performance-related adaptations in young adults.European journal of sport science · 2024Trial
- Effect of eccentric and concentric contraction mode on myogenic regulatory factors expression in human vastus lateralis muscle.Journal of muscle research and cell motility · 2022Trial
- A Retrospective Analysis to Determine Whether Training-Induced Changes in Muscle Thickness Mediate Changes in Muscle Strength.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2021Trial
- Hypertrophic Effects of Single- versus Multi-Joint Exercise: A Direct Comparison between Knee Extension and Leg Press.Medicine and science in sports and exercise · 2026Article
- Acute effects of flywheel resistance training on jump and sprint performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of inertial-load and rest-interval moderators.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2026Article
- High-Density Surface Electromyography Excitation of Prime Movers Across Scapular Positions in the Seated Row.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2025Article
- Muscle Growth Is Very Strongly Correlated with Strength Gains after Lower Body Resistance Training: New Insight from Within-Participant Associations.Medicine and science in sports and exercise · 2025Article
- Hamstring Injury Mechanisms and Eccentric Training-Induced Muscle Adaptations: Current Insights and Future Directions.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2025Review
- Ipsilateral Repeated Bout Effect Across Heterologous Muscle Groups: Eccentric Knee Extensor Conditioning Enhances Elbow Flexor Recovery in Young Women.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Effects of Postural Conditions During Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Thigh Muscle Size.Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports · 2024Article
- Acute effects of eccentric overload training with different loading doses in male sprinters.Heliyon · 2024Article
- Oh, My Quad: A Clinical Commentary And Evidence-Based Framework for the Rehabilitation of Quadriceps Size and Strength after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2024Article
- Effects of Flywheel vs. Free-Weight Squats and Split Squats on Jumping Performance and Change of Direction Speed in Soccer Players.Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Triceps surae muscle hypertrophy is greater after standingFrontiers in physiology · 2023Article
- Comparison between concentric-only, eccentric-only, and concentric-eccentric resistance training of the elbow flexors for their effects on muscle strength and hypertrophy.European journal of applied physiology · 2022Article
- Article
- Concentric or eccentric physical activity for patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized prospective study.Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease · 2022Article
- Eccentric Resistance Training in Youth: A Survey of Perceptions and Current Practices by Strength and Conditioning Coaches.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
It is unclear whether the superiority of eccentric over concentric training on neuromuscular improvements is due to higher torque (mechanical loading) achievable during eccentric contractions or due to resulting greater total work. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine neuromuscular adaptations after maximal eccentric versus concentric training matched for total work.
methodsTwelve males conducted single-joint isokinetic (180°·s) maximal eccentric contractions of the knee extensors in one leg (ECC-leg) and concentric in the other (CON-leg), 6 sets per session (3-5 sets in the initial 1-3 sessions), 2 sessions per week for 10 wk. The preceding leg performed 10 repetitions per set. The following leg conducted the equivalent volume of work. In addition to peak torque during training, agonist EMG and MRI-based anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) and transverse relaxation time (T2) at midthigh as reflective of neural drive, hypertrophy, and edema, respectively, were assessed weekly throughout the training period and pre- and posttraining. Whole muscle volume was also measured pre- and posttraining.
resultsTorque and EMG (in trained contraction conditions) significantly increased in both legs after week 1 (W1) and week 4 (W4), respectively, with a greater degree for ECC-leg (torque +76%, EMG +73%: posttraining) than CON-leg (+28%, +20%). ACSA significantly increased after W4 in ECC-leg only (+4%: posttraining), without T2 changes throughout. Muscle volume also increased in ECC-leg only (+4%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that changes (%Δ) in EMG solely explained 53%-80% and 30%-56% of the total variance in %Δtorque through training in ECC-leg and CON-leg, respectively, with small contributions (+13%-18%) of %ΔACSA for both legs.
conclusionEccentric training induces greater neuromuscular changes than concentric training even when matched for total work, whereas most of the strength gains during 10-wk training are attributable to the increased neural drive.
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