TY - JOUR
T1 - Eccentric Muscle Contractions
T2 - Their Contribution to Injury, Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Sport
AU - LaStayo, Paul C.
AU - Woolf, John M.
AU - Lewek, Michael D.
AU - Snyder-Mackler, Lynn
AU - Trude-Reich,
AU - Lindstedt, Stan L.
PY - 2003/10
Y1 - 2003/10
N2 - Muscles operate eccentrically to either dissipate energy for decelerating the body or to store elastic recoil energy in preparation for a shortening (concentric) contraction. The muscle forces produced during this lengthening behavior can be extremely high, despite the requisite low energetic cost. Traditionally, these high-force eccentric contractions have been associated with a muscle damage response. This clinical commentary explores the ability of the muscle-tendon system to adapt to progressively increasing eccentric muscle forces and the resultant structural and functional outcomes. Damage to the muscle-tendon is not an obligatory response. Rather, the muscle can hypertrophy and a change in the spring characteristics of muscle can enhance power; the tendon also adapts so as to tolerate higher tensions. Both basic and clinical findings are discussed. Specifically, we explore the nature of the structural changes and how these adaptations may help prevent musculoskeletal injury, improve sport performance, and overcome musculoskeletal impairments.
AB - Muscles operate eccentrically to either dissipate energy for decelerating the body or to store elastic recoil energy in preparation for a shortening (concentric) contraction. The muscle forces produced during this lengthening behavior can be extremely high, despite the requisite low energetic cost. Traditionally, these high-force eccentric contractions have been associated with a muscle damage response. This clinical commentary explores the ability of the muscle-tendon system to adapt to progressively increasing eccentric muscle forces and the resultant structural and functional outcomes. Damage to the muscle-tendon is not an obligatory response. Rather, the muscle can hypertrophy and a change in the spring characteristics of muscle can enhance power; the tendon also adapts so as to tolerate higher tensions. Both basic and clinical findings are discussed. Specifically, we explore the nature of the structural changes and how these adaptations may help prevent musculoskeletal injury, improve sport performance, and overcome musculoskeletal impairments.
KW - Muscle action
KW - Plyometrics
KW - Strength
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0942287862&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0942287862&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2519/jospt.2003.33.10.557
DO - 10.2519/jospt.2003.33.10.557
M3 - Review article
C2 - 14620785
AN - SCOPUS:0942287862
SN - 0190-6011
VL - 33
SP - 557
EP - 571
JO - Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
JF - Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
IS - 10
ER -