Spotlights

Effects of eccentric-only resistance training on hamstring muscle stiffness, size, and strength
Eccentric-only resistance training at long muscle lengths and with a long contraction duration can chronically decrease the passive stiffness of a specific muscle while simultaneously increasing its size and strength.

Raki Kawama, an Assistant Professor at the Organization for Research Initiatives and Development/Faculty of Health and Sports Science, and his colleagues suggest that resistance training boosts muscle size and strength while reducing passive muscle stiffness.

It is commonly believed that resistance training, widely recommended for building muscle strength and size, may increase passive muscle stiffness. However, they have demonstrated that eccentric-only resistance training, particularly when performed at long muscle lengths with prolonged contraction durations at high weekly frequencies, can significantly reduce passive muscle stiffness in specific muscles while simultaneously increasing strength and size. This innovative training method can significantly benefit athletes and patients in sports and rehabilitation settings.

Reference
Kawama, Raki, Takahashi, Katsuki, Ikifune, Haruki, Tozawa, Hironoshin, Obata, Takafumi, Ito, Ryo, Hojo, Tatsuya, Wakahara, Taku. Can Eccentric-only Resistance Training Decrease Passive Muscle Stiffness while Increasing Size and Strength of Hamstrings?. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ():10.1249/MSS.0000000000003516, July 16, 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003516

This achievement has also been featured in the “EurekAlert!.”
NEWS RELEASE 1-AUG-2024, Eccentric-only Resistance Training Can Lower Passive Muscle Stiffness

Image Credit:Raki Kawama from Doshisha University
License type: Original content