RESEARCH ARTICLE
The Use of Eccentric Strength Training to Enhance Maximal Muscle Strength, Explosive Force (RDF) and Muscular Power - Consequences for Athletic Performance
Per Aagaard*
Institute of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2010Volume: 3
First Page: 52
Last Page: 55
Publisher ID: TOSSJ-3-52
DOI: 10.2174/1875399X010030100052
Article History:
Received Date: 05/07/2009Revision Received Date: 06/10/2009
Acceptance Date: 01/11/2009
Electronic publication date: 29/4/2010
Collection year: 2010
open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Heavy-resistance strength training results in marked increases in maximal muscle strength and power in both athletes, untrained subjects and elderly individuals. The addition of eccentric overload training (loads > 100% 1RM) appears to evoke enhanced gains in these parameters. Further, the use of plyometric training evokes marked increases in maximal muscle power. The adaptive physiological mechanisms involve changes in neuromuscular activity and alterations in muscle morphology (fiber size, fiber lengths) and muscle architecture, respectively, while changes in tendon stiffness may potentially contribute as well.
Keywords: Neural, eccentric, power, RFD, muscle, hypertrophy, plyometrics.
