The “eccentric” effects of eccentric exercise
Our group has employed eccentric exercise as a tool to explore biomechanical, physiological and biochemical aspects of the human body.
The traditional approach
In our first studies in this field, we have adopted a “traditional” approach of eccentric exercise by investigating the effects of eccentric contraction on muscle damage and performance. A main outcome of this early research work, which stresses out the effects of eccentric exercise on basic human movement features, is the development of two novel tests measuring proprioception and which are applicable on a common isokinetic dynamometer: the “reaction angle to release” test and the “position sense” test.
The alternative approach
Expanding our research, we then explored the possibility to approach eccentric exercise ─not as a muscle damaging stressor─ but rather as a potential health-enhancing exercise agent. Indeed, we have found that a single session of eccentric exercise was enough to induce favourable effects on blood lipid profile. Following these encouraging results, we examined the effects of chronic eccentric exercise on muscle physiology, substrate metabolism and blood chemistry. The findings were promising indicating that only 30 min of eccentric exercise per week for eight weeks was sufficient to improve human performance, insulin sensitivity and blood lipid profile, rendering eccentric exercise a promising novel type of physical activity.
The machine
In the aforementioned studies, eccentric exercise was performed by using an isokinetic dynamometer. However, the exercise performed on the isokinetic dynamometer has a number of limitations, the most important one of which being that it does not mimic adequately human physical activity. Considering that, and in order to investigate whether the benefits of pure eccentric exercise can be transferred to daily activities, we invented a new and friendlier way to perform eccentric exercise. To this end, we have proceeded to the design, development and construction of an automatic escalator (SmartEscalatorTM), which offers both stair descending (eccentric-biased) and stair ascending (concentric-biased) exercise. By utilizing this exercise device, the first results were promising showing that stair descending exercise can induce positive effects on blood lipid profile and muscle performance.
Our group has employed eccentric exercise as a tool to explore biomechanical, physiological and biochemical aspects of the human body.
The traditional approach
In our first studies in this field, we have adopted a “traditional” approach of eccentric exercise by investigating the effects of eccentric contraction on muscle damage and performance. A main outcome of this early research work, which stresses out the effects of eccentric exercise on basic human movement features, is the development of two novel tests measuring proprioception and which are applicable on a common isokinetic dynamometer: the “reaction angle to release” test and the “position sense” test.
The alternative approach
Expanding our research, we then explored the possibility to approach eccentric exercise ─not as a muscle damaging stressor─ but rather as a potential health-enhancing exercise agent. Indeed, we have found that a single session of eccentric exercise was enough to induce favourable effects on blood lipid profile. Following these encouraging results, we examined the effects of chronic eccentric exercise on muscle physiology, substrate metabolism and blood chemistry. The findings were promising indicating that only 30 min of eccentric exercise per week for eight weeks was sufficient to improve human performance, insulin sensitivity and blood lipid profile, rendering eccentric exercise a promising novel type of physical activity.
The machine
In the aforementioned studies, eccentric exercise was performed by using an isokinetic dynamometer. However, the exercise performed on the isokinetic dynamometer has a number of limitations, the most important one of which being that it does not mimic adequately human physical activity. Considering that, and in order to investigate whether the benefits of pure eccentric exercise can be transferred to daily activities, we invented a new and friendlier way to perform eccentric exercise. To this end, we have proceeded to the design, development and construction of an automatic escalator (SmartEscalatorTM), which offers both stair descending (eccentric-biased) and stair ascending (concentric-biased) exercise. By utilizing this exercise device, the first results were promising showing that stair descending exercise can induce positive effects on blood lipid profile and muscle performance.