The Cardiometabolic Responses to Eccentric Resistance Exercise are Attenuated Compared to Load Matched Concentric and Traditional Resistance Exercise

Abstract

Introduction. It is well documented that eccentric contractions have a lower metabolic cost than concentric contractions. However, the net impact of this difference across an entire resistance training session is less clear. This study compared the cardiometabolic responses between full body resistance training sessions comprised of either eccentric only (ECC), concentric only (CONC), or traditional (TRAD) muscular actions. Methods. Twelve subjects (6 males) completed 3 work-matched exercise bouts of either ECC, CONC, or TRAD exercises (6 exercises performed at 65% one repetition maximum). Oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded continuously throughout the entire session, while blood glucose and lactate were measured during exercise and recovery. Results. Cumulative VO2 was greater during CONC compared to ECC and TRAD (423.4  35 mLO2/kg, 249.6  46.0 mLO2/kg, and 287.7  53.9 mLO2/kg, respectively; all P<0.001). HR and MAP were also 46% and 4.3% greater during CON compared to ECC. Lastly, post exercise lactate accumulation was significantly greater in TRAD and CON compared to ECC (both P <0.001). Conclusions. These results indicate that an exercise session comprised of eccentric work evokes an attenuated cardiometabolic response compared to concentric or traditional exercises.