Journal of Sports Medicine & Doping Studies

Eccentric Resistance Training and Muscle Hypertrophy

Abstract

Fernanda de Souza-Teixeira and Jose Antonio de Paz

Resistance exercise is a key component of any training program aiming to increase strength or muscle mass, regardless of final training goal (e.g. athletic performance, rehabilitation, healthy lifestyle). Great number of studies emphasizes the importance of eccentric muscle actions as a key component of resistance training programs. Thus, resistance eccentric training programs have been compared with other training paradigms analyzing maximum strength manifestations, metabolic cost, muscle activation and fiber recruitment pattern, hypertrophy, as well perceived fatigue. On the other hand, it is well known that the muscle damage and pain induced by eccentric exercise is higher when compared to other training modalities (e.g. concentric exercise). Besides the higher muscle damage, most studies involving eccentric training programs are suggesting greater muscle mass and muscular strength gains with shorter periods of training. The aim of this brief review is to point out the benefits of eccentric training programs, highlighting its effects on muscle hypertrophy, and to indicate the difficulties that can rise when employing such a model.