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

Abstract

ObjectivesTo 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). DesignCohort study. MethodsThirty 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 (10×80m) 48h apart. Blood samples and passive KF torques were collected before, immediately after, 24h and 48h after the first sprint session. ResultsAfter 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). ConclusionsDespite inducing significant differences in BFLH muscle architecture, there were no significant between group differences in sprint performance decrements across two sprint sessions.