Building for the Future: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Eccentric Resistance Training on Measures of Physical Performance in Youth Athletes

Abstract

Background Eccentric resistance training is recognised as an effective stimulus for enhancing measures of muscular strength and power in adult populations; however, its value in youth athletes is currently not well understood. Objective The aim of this systematic review was to critically appraise the effects of eccentric resistance training on measures of physical performance (i.e. muscular strength, jump, sprint and change of direction) in youth athletes 18 years of age and under. Methods Original journal articles published between 1950 and June 2022 were retrieved from electronic search engines of PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar’s advanced search option. Full journal articles investigating the acute and chronic effects of eccentric resistance training on measures of physical performance in youth athletes (i.e. a person 18 years of age or under who competes in sport) were included. The methodological quality and bias of each study were assessed prior to data extraction using a modified Downs and Black checklist. Results The search yielded 749 studies, of which 436 were duplicates. Three-hundred studies were excluded based upon title and abstract review and a further 5 studies were removed following the modified Downs and Black checklist. An additional 14 studies were identified during backward screening. Accordingly, 22 studies were included in our systematic review. The Nordic hamstring exercise and flywheel inertial training were the most frequently used eccentric resistance training methods in youth athletes. Improvements in physical performance following the Nordic hamstring exercise are dependent upon an increase in the breakpoint angle, rather than training volume (sets and repetitions), and are further elevated with the addition of hip extension exercises or high-speed running. A minimum of 3 familiarisation trials is necessary to elicit meaningful adaptations following flywheel inertial training. Furthermore, an emphasis should be placed upon decelerating the rotating flywheel during the final one to two thirds of the eccentric phase, rather than gradually throughout the entire eccentric phase. Conclusions The findings of this systematic review support the inclusion of eccentric resistance training in youth athletes to improve measures of muscular strength, jump, sprint and change of direction performance. The current eccentric resistance training methods are predominantly limited to the Nordic hamstring exercise and flywheel inertial training; however, the efficacy of accentuated eccentric loading to improve jump performance warrants attention in future investigations.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis on the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions for reducing the injury incidence in youth team-sport players. Part 2: an analysis by movement patterns

“…However, it is important to highlight that only IPP number 2 includes the acceleration component, which might help to improve the thigh muscles’ robustness to manage the high mechanical loading conditions generated during those locomotive tasks identified as inciting events for sprint-related hamstring and quadriceps muscle injuries. It is worth noting that according to some review articles, which propose some general guidelines for eccentric strength development [ 58 ], the exercise dose within both the mechanics and acceleration components of the IPPs included in this sub-analysis may be insufficient to produce significant improvements in the applied element (i.e., function) of the mechanical capacity of the thigh muscles. Furthermore, in contrast to the fundamental strength exercises commonly integrated into the lower body component of IPPs, the rapid locomotive actions within the mechanics and acceleration components lack a graduated approach in difficulty levels.…”

The effect of flywheel complex training with eccentric-overload on muscular adaptation in elite female volleyball players

“…Inertial loading ensures accommodated resistance, allowing maximal forces to be generated from the first to the last repetition of the set ( Norrbrand, 2008 ). Moreover, properly conducted flywheel exercises may offer a safer and more effective eccentric phase than TRT ( Maroto-Izquierdo et al, 2017b ; Raya-González, Castillo & Beato, 2021 ; Raya-González et al ; Tesch, Fernandez-Gonzalo & Lundberg, 2017 ), leading to improved physical capacity and athletic performance-related adaptations ( Beato & Dello Iacono, 2020 ; Beato et al, 2020 ; Bright et al, 2023 ; De Keijzer, Gonzalez & Beato, 2022 ; Liu et al, 2020 ; Petré, Wernstål & Mattsson, 2018 ). Previous studies have shown that high-load intensity eccentric training is more effective in developing muscle strength and hypertrophy compared to low-load eccentric training ( Dudley et al, 1991 ; English et al, 2014 ; Hakkinen, 1981 ; Norrbrand et al, 2008 ; Norrbrand, Pozzo & Tesch, 2010 ).…”

Effects of single and repeated bouts of flywheel exercise on jump performance and muscle damage in athletes and non athletes

“…ECC exercise, bearing a large load during the eccentric phase, reportedly induces muscular hypertrophy [ 4 ], increases muscular strength, and improves jump and sprint performance [ 1 , 5 ]. Several recent reviews have clearly shown the effectiveness of training using a flywheel (FW) [ 6 – 8 ]. Such FW training makes use of the load due to inertia when a disk-shaped weight, an FW, is rotated with acceleration and deceleration, which can repeatedly manifest greater force during the eccentric versus concentric phase [ 9 ].…”