Eccentric Cycling Is an Alternative to Nordic Hamstring Exercise to Increase the Neuromuscular Function of Knee Flexors in Untrained Men

Abstract Valdes, O, Inzulza, S, Collao, N, Garcia-Vicencio, S, Tufano, JJ, Earp, J, Venegas, M, and Peñailillo, L. Eccentric cycling is an alternative to Nordic hamstring exercise to increase the neuromuscular function of knee flexors in untrained men. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2158–2166, 2023—Nor...

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Published in:Journal of strength and conditioning research 2023-11, Vol.37 (11), p.2158-2166
Main Authors: Valdes, Omar, Inzulza, Sixto, Collao, Nicolas, Garcia-Vicencio, Sebastián, Tufano, James J., Earp, Jacob, Venegas, Mauricio, Peñailillo, Luis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Knee
Muscle contraction
Quadriceps muscle
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Summary:Abstract Valdes, O, Inzulza, S, Collao, N, Garcia-Vicencio, S, Tufano, JJ, Earp, J, Venegas, M, and Peñailillo, L. Eccentric cycling is an alternative to Nordic hamstring exercise to increase the neuromuscular function of knee flexors in untrained men. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2158–2166, 2023—Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) has been proposed to reduce knee flexor (KF) injuries. However, submaximal alternatives to NHE are necessary for the clinical or weaker population. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Nordic hamstring training (NHT) and eccentric cycling (ECC) training on the neuromuscular function of the KF. Twenty healthy men (27.7 ± 3.5 years) were randomly assigned into 2 groups that performed 10 training sessions (2–3 sessions·week −1 ) of either NHT ( n = 10) or ECC ( n = 10). Maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the KF and knee extensor (KE) muscles (MVIC KF and MVIC KE ) was measured, and the hamstring/quadriceps strength (H/Q) ratio was calculated. Furthermore, changes in NHE maximum reaction force (NHE-MRF KF ), NHE break-point angle (NHE-BPA), and muscle activity of the semitendinosus (ST EMG ) and biceps femoris (BF EMG ) during the NHE after the interventions were compared. Although no group × time effects were observed ( p = 0.09–0.70), but time effects were found for all variables. Pairwise comparisons revealed that MVIC KF (+16.9%; p = 0.02), H/Q ratio (+11.8%; p = 0.01), NHE-MRF KF (+19.8%; p = 0.005), and NHE-BPA (+30.8%; p = 0.001) increased after ECC, whereas NHE-MRF KF (+9.7%; p = 0.003), NHE-BPA (+35.5%; p = 0.0002), and ST EMG (+33.7%; p = 0.02) increased after NHT. A group × time effect was observed ( p = 0.003) in BF EMG , revealing an increase only after ECC (+41.1%; p < 0.0001). Similar neuromuscular adaptations were found after both training modalities. Therefore, ECC provides similar adaptations as NHT and may serve as an alternative form of KF training for those unable to perform NHE.
ISSN:1064-8011
1533-4287
DOI:10.1519/JSC.0000000000004529