Class
Article
College
Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Brennan Thompson
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Previous research done at Utah State using a novel training machine, the Eccentron, has shown large improvements in muscular strength compared to traditional resistance training in a time and energy-efficient manner. This type of training could be beneficial for clinicians looking for a modality that can elicit rapid and large strength increases in populations that may not tolerate traditional resistance training. The strength gains made from the Eccentron did not transfer to vertical jump height or sprint speed indicating limited use for training the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC). SSC is a critical contributor to functional and sport performance measures and is best trained using plyometric exercise. Both plyometric exercise and eccentric overload training have the potential for a high degree of muscle soreness and may interfere with one another if performed concurrently. Aquatic plyometrics has been shown to elicit similar improvements in SSC performance with decreased levels of muscle soreness. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the effects of a combined eccentric overload and aquatic-based plyometric training program on muscle function and sport-specific performance measures versus an eccentric-only training protocol.Twenty-six recreationally active, college-aged adults participated in this study and were randomized into one of two groups: eccentric-only training (n = 13) and combined eccentric plus aquatic plyometric training (n = 13). The eccentric-only group participated in one, 5-minute Eccentron workout weekly for 6 weeks, and the combined group participated in the same Eccentron workout with an added plyometric training in the pool once a week for 6 weeks. Participants were tested pre and post-training for depth jump height, maximal eccentric strength, and isometric peak force.Preliminary results show that both groups significantly improved from pre to post-testing in maximal eccentric strength (p = .001) with a large effect size (d = 1.08). Depth jump showed a significant increase in jump height from pre to post-training when collapsed across groups (p = .001). Isometric peak force also showed a significant main effect for both group and trial when collapsed across groups (p = .004; p = .04). None of the mentioned variables had a significant group x trial interaction indicating that a mixed training protocol of aquatic plyometrics and eccentric overload training was not more effective at improving muscle function than an eccentric-only program. Although these results indicate that aquatic plyometric training may not interfere with strength gains when performed concurrently with eccentric overload training. These results also indicate that training the eccentric portion of the SSC may be more important for jump height improvement.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-8-2022 12:00 AM
Included in
Effects of Eccentric Overload Training When Combined With Aquatic Plyometric Training on Muscle Function Measures
Logan, UT
Previous research done at Utah State using a novel training machine, the Eccentron, has shown large improvements in muscular strength compared to traditional resistance training in a time and energy-efficient manner. This type of training could be beneficial for clinicians looking for a modality that can elicit rapid and large strength increases in populations that may not tolerate traditional resistance training. The strength gains made from the Eccentron did not transfer to vertical jump height or sprint speed indicating limited use for training the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC). SSC is a critical contributor to functional and sport performance measures and is best trained using plyometric exercise. Both plyometric exercise and eccentric overload training have the potential for a high degree of muscle soreness and may interfere with one another if performed concurrently. Aquatic plyometrics has been shown to elicit similar improvements in SSC performance with decreased levels of muscle soreness. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the effects of a combined eccentric overload and aquatic-based plyometric training program on muscle function and sport-specific performance measures versus an eccentric-only training protocol.Twenty-six recreationally active, college-aged adults participated in this study and were randomized into one of two groups: eccentric-only training (n = 13) and combined eccentric plus aquatic plyometric training (n = 13). The eccentric-only group participated in one, 5-minute Eccentron workout weekly for 6 weeks, and the combined group participated in the same Eccentron workout with an added plyometric training in the pool once a week for 6 weeks. Participants were tested pre and post-training for depth jump height, maximal eccentric strength, and isometric peak force.Preliminary results show that both groups significantly improved from pre to post-testing in maximal eccentric strength (p = .001) with a large effect size (d = 1.08). Depth jump showed a significant increase in jump height from pre to post-training when collapsed across groups (p = .001). Isometric peak force also showed a significant main effect for both group and trial when collapsed across groups (p = .004; p = .04). None of the mentioned variables had a significant group x trial interaction indicating that a mixed training protocol of aquatic plyometrics and eccentric overload training was not more effective at improving muscle function than an eccentric-only program. Although these results indicate that aquatic plyometric training may not interfere with strength gains when performed concurrently with eccentric overload training. These results also indicate that training the eccentric portion of the SSC may be more important for jump height improvement.