Over the last decades has been proven that eccentric exercises have beneficial effects on muscle strength and hypertrophy, but that they also stimulate restoration of a normal tendon architecture. Although improvements on these characteristics have been found both the upper and lower extremity, research on fiber bundle architecture after concentric vs. eccentric training protocols is scarce.
Fiber bundle length decreased significantly as a result of a concentric training program, whereas the eccentric strength training did not result in a decreased fiber bundle length. Pennation angle, muscle thickness and muscle strength increased similarly in both groups. Applying eccentric training may lead to preservation of fiber bundle length, allowing the muscle to sustain force over a greater ROM.
> From: Kim et al., J Sci Med Sport (2015-04-28 17:42:09) (Epub ahead of print). All rights reserved to Elsevier Ltd. Click here for the online summary.