Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-Analysis

Eccentric training may be more effective for muscle strength, but the optimal duration, intensity, and contraction velocity for improving upper limb strength remain unclear. We conducted a search across four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) to evaluate the impact of eccentric...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zhe Bai, Dong Zhang, Dongxue Liang, Xiaoke Chen, Xinyu Shi, Shu Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Life
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/3/456
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849342201747734528
author Zhe Bai
Dong Zhang
Dongxue Liang
Xiaoke Chen
Xinyu Shi
Shu Chen
author_facet Zhe Bai
Dong Zhang
Dongxue Liang
Xiaoke Chen
Xinyu Shi
Shu Chen
author_sort Zhe Bai
collection DOAJ
description Eccentric training may be more effective for muscle strength, but the optimal duration, intensity, and contraction velocity for improving upper limb strength remain unclear. We conducted a search across four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) to evaluate the impact of eccentric training on upper limb skeletal muscle strength. A meta-analysis using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was performed. The results from 11 studies involving 368 participants indicated that eccentric training significantly enhanced upper limb strength (SMD = 0.55, CI: 0.32–0.79). Subgroup analysis showed a slight increase in strength in the 1–4 week period (SMD = 0.38, CI: 0.02–0.73), a significant increase in the 4–8 week period (SMD = 0.69, CI: 0.27–1.10), and a substantial increase at 20 weeks (SMD = 0.71, CI: 0.22–1.21). Moderate intensity showed moderate improvements (SMD = 0.47, CI: 0.18–0.77), while high intensity led to significant adaptations (SMD = 0.70, CI: 0.30–1.10). Rapid eccentric contractions (SMD = 0.70, CI: 0.39–1.02) outperformed slow contractions (SMD = 0.35, CI: −0.01–0.71). Eccentric training is effective, with significant results generally requiring 4–8 weeks of high-intensity rapid eccentric training.
format Article
id doaj-art-1d16812145824f3b807d311a1f5f0255
institution Kabale University
issn 2075-1729
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Life
spelling doaj-art-1d16812145824f3b807d311a1f5f02552025-08-20T03:43:27ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-03-0115345610.3390/life15030456Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-AnalysisZhe Bai0Dong Zhang1Dongxue Liang2Xiaoke Chen3Xinyu Shi4Shu Chen5Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Emerging Interdisciplinary Platform for Medicine and Engineering in Sports, Beijing 100191, ChinaInstitute of Artificial Intelligence in Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Emerging Interdisciplinary Platform for Medicine and Engineering in Sports, Beijing 100191, ChinaInstitute of Artificial Intelligence in Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Emerging Interdisciplinary Platform for Medicine and Engineering in Sports, Beijing 100191, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaInstitute of Artificial Intelligence in Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Emerging Interdisciplinary Platform for Medicine and Engineering in Sports, Beijing 100191, ChinaInstitute of Artificial Intelligence in Sports, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Emerging Interdisciplinary Platform for Medicine and Engineering in Sports, Beijing 100191, ChinaEccentric training may be more effective for muscle strength, but the optimal duration, intensity, and contraction velocity for improving upper limb strength remain unclear. We conducted a search across four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) to evaluate the impact of eccentric training on upper limb skeletal muscle strength. A meta-analysis using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was performed. The results from 11 studies involving 368 participants indicated that eccentric training significantly enhanced upper limb strength (SMD = 0.55, CI: 0.32–0.79). Subgroup analysis showed a slight increase in strength in the 1–4 week period (SMD = 0.38, CI: 0.02–0.73), a significant increase in the 4–8 week period (SMD = 0.69, CI: 0.27–1.10), and a substantial increase at 20 weeks (SMD = 0.71, CI: 0.22–1.21). Moderate intensity showed moderate improvements (SMD = 0.47, CI: 0.18–0.77), while high intensity led to significant adaptations (SMD = 0.70, CI: 0.30–1.10). Rapid eccentric contractions (SMD = 0.70, CI: 0.39–1.02) outperformed slow contractions (SMD = 0.35, CI: −0.01–0.71). Eccentric training is effective, with significant results generally requiring 4–8 weeks of high-intensity rapid eccentric training.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/3/456eccentric trainingupper limb musclemuscle strengthintensitydurationcontraction velocity
spellingShingle Zhe Bai
Dong Zhang
Dongxue Liang
Xiaoke Chen
Xinyu Shi
Shu Chen
Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-Analysis
Life
eccentric training
upper limb muscle
muscle strength
intensity
duration
contraction velocity
title Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-Analysis
title_full Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-Analysis
title_short Effect of Eccentric Training with Different Durations, Intensities, and Contraction Velocities on Upper Limb Muscle Strength: A Meta-Analysis
title_sort effect of eccentric training with different durations intensities and contraction velocities on upper limb muscle strength a meta analysis
topic eccentric training
upper limb muscle
muscle strength
intensity
duration
contraction velocity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/3/456
work_keys_str_mv AT zhebai effectofeccentrictrainingwithdifferentdurationsintensitiesandcontractionvelocitiesonupperlimbmusclestrengthametaanalysis
AT dongzhang effectofeccentrictrainingwithdifferentdurationsintensitiesandcontractionvelocitiesonupperlimbmusclestrengthametaanalysis
AT dongxueliang effectofeccentrictrainingwithdifferentdurationsintensitiesandcontractionvelocitiesonupperlimbmusclestrengthametaanalysis
AT xiaokechen effectofeccentrictrainingwithdifferentdurationsintensitiesandcontractionvelocitiesonupperlimbmusclestrengthametaanalysis
AT xinyushi effectofeccentrictrainingwithdifferentdurationsintensitiesandcontractionvelocitiesonupperlimbmusclestrengthametaanalysis
AT shuchen effectofeccentrictrainingwithdifferentdurationsintensitiesandcontractionvelocitiesonupperlimbmusclestrengthametaanalysis