Abstract
The purpose of this short review is to discuss the effects of eccentric exercise in modifying the properties of tendon tissue in healthy individuals. The tendon provides a mechanical link between muscle and bone, allowing force transmission to the skeleton, and thus, its properties have significant functional implications. Chronic resistance training has long been shown to increase the stiffness and Young’s modulus of the tendon and even tendon cross-sectional area. However, as the tendon responds to the amount and/or frequency of strain, it has been previously suggested that eccentric training may result in greater adaptations due to the potential for greater training loads. Thus, this review discusses the effects of eccentric training upon healthy tendon tissue and compares these to other training modalities. Furthermore, it has been reported that the tendon may undergo adverse age-related changes. Thus, this review also discusses the potential application of eccentric resistance training as a preferential modality for counteracting these age-related changes. We conclude that while there may be no difference between contraction types for overall tendon adaptation, the lower demands of eccentric contractions may make it more appealing for the elderly population.
Highlights
Skeletal muscle has long been the focus of research into loading adaptations, inherently due to its functional and metabolic importance
In light of this brief review, it is clear that eccentric resistance exercise training (RET) has potential beneficial implications for tendon tissue
This lack of definitive results likely stems from differences in study protocols, such as the combination of contraction type and under loaded eccentric contractions
Summary
Skeletal muscle has long been the focus of research into loading adaptations, inherently due to its functional and metabolic importance. It is logical to suggest that these higher training loads would provide the potential for greater tendon strain and lead to either greater or faster tendon adaptation than either concentric or conventional RET. Another study which employed 6 weeks of eccentric heel drop training ( Alfredson protocol) found that Achilles tendon stiffness instead became decreased [22].
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