Effect of concentric and eccentric hamstring training on sprint recovery, strength and muscle architecture in inexperienced athletes

Steven Duhig, Matthew N Bourne, Robert Buhmann, Morgan Williams, Geoffrey M Minett, Llion Roberts, Ryan Timmins, Casey Sims, Anthony J. Shield

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Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether five-weeks of concentric (CON) or eccentric (ECC) hamstring strength training have different effects on recovery from sprint running, eccentric strength and architecture of the biceps femoris long head (BFLH). 
Design: Cohort study. 
Methods: Thirty males (age, 22.8 ± 4.1y; height, 180.1 ± 6.4cm; weight, 85.2 ± 14.6kg) were allocated into either a CON or ECC group, both performing nine sessions of resistance training. Prior to and immediately after the five-week intervention, each participant’s BFLH fascicle length (FL), pennation angle (PA), muscle thickness (MT), peak isometric KF torque and Nordic eccentric strength were assessed. Post-intervention, participants performed two timed sprint sessions (10x80m) 48 hours apart. Blood samples and passive KF torques were collected before, immediately after, 24 hours and 48 hours after the first sprint session. 
Results: After five-weeks of strength-training, fascicles lengthened in the ECC (p<0.001; d = 2.0) and shortened in the CON group (p<0.001; d =0.92), while PA decreased for the ECC (p=0.001; d = 0.52) and increased in the CON group (p<0.001; d = 1.69). Nordic eccentric strength improved in both ECC (p<0.001; d =1.49) and CON (p<0.001; d = 0.95) groups. No between-group differences were observed in peak isometric strength (p=0.480), passive KF torques (p=0.807), sprint performance decrements between sprint sessions (p = 0.317) and creatine kinase (p=0.818). 
Conclusion: Despite inducing significant differences in BFLH muscle architecture, there were no significant between group differences in sprint performance decrements across two sprint sessions.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sports
Early online date26 Jan 2019
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 26 Jan 2019

Keywords

  • sports medicine
  • performance
  • high-speed running
  • resistance exercise

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