Experimental Results on Forced Eccentric Strength Gains

Abstract

It is known that the maximal forces applied during eccentric movements are generally higher than the maximal forces applied in concentric or isometric contractions. In training theory this phenomenon has so far been regarded as a deficit: that means, a subject with high eccentric vs. isometric force values is in a bad training State. In the article the hypothesis is tested, whether the phenomenon can also be viewed as a gain. To test this hypothesis a new leg press Station was developed, which creates an overload by means of a motor. With this apparatus the subject can be forced into an eccentric movement, even with maximum resistance of the subject. The experiments on this apparatus reveal that greater end velocities can be reached during an eccentric-concentric movement sequence, and that the gain hypothesis can, therefore, be confirmed.

Key words

Strength training - maximum eccentric force - maximum isometric force - strength deficit - strength gain - dynamography