Acute neuromuscular response during eccentric overload protocol by using a mechanical device to increase the load

• Main Authors: Marcel B Lanza (Author), Antônio E M Pertence (Author), André G P Andrade (Author), Gustavo H Peixoto (Author), Leonardo B Felix (Author), Mauro H Chagas (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 2017-11-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1415-8426; 1980-0037; 10.5007/1980-0037.2017v19n4p375
• Keywords: electromyography; muscle contraction; resistance training; Sports; GV557-1198.995; Medicine (General); R5-920
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano, Vol 19, Iss 4, Pp 375-384 (2017)

The aim of this study was to propose a mechanical device that could increase the mechanical load during the entire eccentric (ECC) action on a knee flexor machine and to compare the muscular activity when the device was used during a testing protocol. Fifteen physically active women were recruited, and they performed two protocols: control and eccentric overload. Control protocol was performed with concentric (CON) and ECC actions with similar load (60% of one repetition maximum) whilst eccentric overload protocol consisted of ECC actions with 40% more load than CON actions. Muscular activation was measured using surface electromyography of the biceps femoris (BF) and the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscles. ECC actions presented a higher muscular activation during eccentric overload protocol than control protocol for BF (p = 0.032), but not for the GM (p = 0.439). The mechanical device increased the mechanical load during the ECC muscle action and consequently increased the amplitude of the neural drive to the BF muscle; however, it did not increase the amplitude of the neural drive to the GM muscle.