Chronic eccentric arm cycling improves maximum upper-body strength and power.

INTRODUCTION

Eccentric leg cycling (cycle ergometry adapted to impose muscle lengthening contractions) offers an effective exercise for restoring lower-body muscular function, maintaining health, and improving performance in clinical and athletic populations.

PURPOSE

We extended this model to the upper body and evaluated the effectiveness of a 7-week eccentric arm cycling (ECC) intervention to improve upper-body muscular function. We also explored whether ECC would alter arterial function.

METHODS

Participants performed ECC (n = 9) or concentric arm cycling (CON; n = 8) 3×/week while training intensity increased (5-20 min, 60-70% upper-body peak heart rate). Maximum elbow extensor strength, upper-body concentric power, and peripheral and central arterial stiffness were assessed before and after training.

RESULTS

During training, heart rates and perceived exertion did not differ between groups (~68% upper-body peak heart rate, ~12 Borg units, both P > 0.05), whereas power during ECC was ~2× that for CON (122 ± 43 vs. 59 ± 20 W, P < 0.01). Muscle soreness for ECC was greater than CON (P = 0.02), however, soreness was minimal for both groups (<0.50 cm). Following training, ECC exhibited greater changes in elbow extensor strength (16 ± 10 vs. 1 ± 9%, P = 0.01) and upper-body power (6 ± 8 vs. -3 ± 7%, P < 0.01) compared to CON. Peripheral and central arterial stiffness did not change for either group (both P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Upper-body eccentric exercise improved dynamic muscular function while training at low exertion levels. Results occurred with minimal soreness and without compromising arterial function. ECC findings parallel eccentric leg cycling findings and indicate that eccentric cycle ergometry offers a robust model for enhancing upper-body muscular function. ECC could have applications in rehabilitation and sport training.