M Pull and C Ranson
Many muscle injuries are thought to occur in the eccentric phase of muscle contractions. Repeated eccentric contractions are thought to contribute to muscle and tendon damage. Conversely eccentric training has been shown to have a positive effect in prevention of muscle and tendon injury. The properties of eccentric muscle contractions which lead to this protective effect remain unclear but they are thought to involve cellular, neural and mechanical adaptations. This commentry attempts to analyse the potential role that eccentric training may have. Guidelines on appropriate eccentric training programs are also included.
Physical therapy in Sport (2007), 8(2), 88-97