Effects of Eccentric Resistance Training on Lower-Limb Passive Joint Range of Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Substantial increases in joint range of motion (ROM) have been reported after eccentric resistance training; however, between-study variability and sample size issues complicate the interpretation of the magnitude of effect.

METHODS

PubMed, Medline, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched for studies examining the effects of eccentric training on lower-limb passive joint ROM in healthy human participants. Meta-analysis used an inverse-variance random-effects model to calculate the pooled standardized difference (Hedge's g ) with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis of 22 ROM outcomes (17 studies, 376 participants) revealed a large increase in lower-limb passive joint ROM ( g = 0.86 (95% confidence intervals, 0.65-1.08)). Subgroup analyses revealed a moderate increase after 4-5 wk ( g = 0.63 (0.27-0.98)), large increase after 6-8 wk ( g = 0.98 (0.73-1.24)), and moderate increase after 9-14 wk ( g = 0.75 (0.03, 1.46)) of training. Large increases were found in dorsiflexion ( g = 1.12 (0.78-1.47)) and knee extension ( g = 0.82 (0.48-1.17)), but a small increase in knee flexion was observed ( g = 0.41 (0.05-0.77)). A large increase was found after isokinetic ( g = 1.07 (0.59-1.54)) and moderate increase after isotonic ( g = 0.77 (0.56-0.99)) training.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate the potential of eccentric training as an effective flexibility training intervention and provide evidence for "best practice" guidelines. The larger effect after isokinetic training despite <50% training sessions being performed is suggestive of a more effective exercise mode, although further research is needed to determine the influence of contraction intensity and to confirm the efficacy of eccentric training in clinical populations.