Affiliations: [a] Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre,
Brazil | [b] IPA Methodist University Center, Porto Alegre,
Brazil | [c] Federal University of Santa Catarina,
Florianópolis, Brazil | [d] Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul,
Porto Alegre, Brazil
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Bruno Manfredini Baroni,
Laboratório de Pesquisa do Exercício, Rua Felizardo, 750, Bairro
Jardim Botânico, Porto Alegre – RS, 90690-200 Brasil. Tel.: +55 51 330
85859; E-mail: bmbaroni@yahoo.com.br
Abstract: Although previous studies have demonstrated that skeletal muscle
adaptations were specific to the types of stimuli, eccentric training studies
presented controversial results concerning strength gains in eccentric,
isometric and concentric tests. Therefore, the goal of this study was to
evaluate torque-velocity adaptations following isokinetic eccentric training
protocol using the quadriceps as a model. Twenty physically active men were
randomly assigned to a control group (CG; n=10) or to an
eccentric training group (ETG; n=10). Knee extensor
torque-velocity relationship including isometric tests and isokinetic tests at
60°/s, 120°/s, 180°/s, 240°/s and
300°/s in concentric and eccentric modes, were assessed
before and after a 12-week period of eccentric training (3 sessions/week; 2–5
sets of 7–9 maximal repetitions per session performed at
60°/s along a range of motion
90°). Isokinetic eccentric training significantly
increased the knee extensor torque at the training velocity (59%) and at the
adjacent velocities (24% at 120°/s and 29% in the isometric test).
These results demonstrate the specificity of strength gains in isokinetic
eccentric training in relation to contraction type and to angular velocity.
