Mahieu Nele Nathalie, McNair Peter, Cools Ann, D'Haen Caroline, Vandermeulen Katrien, Witvrouw Erik
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008 Jan;40(1):117-23. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b013e3181599254.
It has been shown that eccentric training can be effective in the rehabilitation of patients with Achilles tendonopathy. The mechanism behind these results is not clear. However, there is evidence that tendons are able to respond to repeated forces by altering their structure and composition, and, thus, their mechanical properties change. In this regard, the objective of the present study was to investigate whether eccentric training affects the mechanical properties of the plantar flexor's muscle-tendon tissue properties.
Seventy-four healthy subjects were randomized into two groups: an eccentric training group and a control group. The eccentric training group performed a 6-wk eccentric training program for the calf muscles. Before and after this period, all subjects were evaluated for dorsiflexion range of motion using universal goniometry, passive resistive torque of the plantar flexors, and stiffness of the Achilles tendon. Passive resistive torque was measured during ankle dorsiflexion on an isokinetic dynamometer. Stiffness of the Achilles tendon was assessed using a dynamometer, in combination with ultrasonography.
The results of the study reveal that the dorsiflexion range of motion was significantly increased only in the eccentric training group. The eccentric heel drop program also resulted in a significant decrease of the passive resistive torque of the plantar flexors (from 16.423 +/- 0.827 to 12.651 +/- 0.617 N.m). The stiffness of the Achilles tendon did not change significantly as a result of training.
These findings provide evidence that an eccentric training program results in changes to some of the mechanical properties of the plantar flexor muscles. These changes were thought to be associated with modifications to structure rather than to stretch tolerance.
已有研究表明，离心训练对跟腱病患者的康复有效。这些结果背后的机制尚不清楚。然而，有证据表明，肌腱能够通过改变其结构和组成来响应反复施加的力，从而其力学性能发生变化。在这方面，本研究的目的是调查离心训练是否会影响跖屈肌肌腱组织的力学性能。
74名健康受试者被随机分为两组：离心训练组和对照组。离心训练组对小腿肌肉进行为期6周的离心训练计划。在此期间前后，所有受试者均使用通用测角计评估背屈活动范围、跖屈肌的被动阻力矩以及跟腱的刚度。在等速测力计上测量踝关节背屈时的被动阻力矩。结合超声检查，使用测力计评估跟腱的刚度。
研究结果显示，仅离心训练组的背屈活动范围显著增加。离心足跟下降训练还导致跖屈肌的被动阻力矩显著降低（从16.423±0.827降至12.651±0.617 N·m）。训练后跟腱的刚度没有显著变化。
这些发现提供了证据，表明离心训练计划会导致跖屈肌的一些力学性能发生变化。这些变化被认为与结构改变而非拉伸耐受性有关。
