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Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(3): 251-256
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965337
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Shift of Peak Torque Angle After Eccentric Exercise

S. S. Yeung1 , E. W. Yeung1
  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision January 31, 2007

Publication Date:
05 July 2007 (online)

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the changes in the mechanical properties of quadriceps muscle following a sub-maximal concentric-eccentric stepping exercise protocol. Twenty-four untrained healthy subjects aged 21.9 ± 0.55 years were asked to perform a 10-minute stepping exercise where the dominant leg worked eccentrically and the non-dominant leg worked concentrically at a rate of 15 cycles/min. The quadriceps isokinetic peak torque and the corresponding peak torque angle at angular velocity of 60°/sec, and muscle soreness were determined at baseline, immediately after, day 1 and day 2 after the exercise protocol. Repeated measures of ANOVA showed no change in the peak torque after the eccentric exercise and concentric exercise (p > 0.05). There was a significant shift in the peak torque angle to longer muscle lengths in the eccentrically-exercised leg immediately (65.6 ± 2.21°) and on the following two days after exercise (day 1: 68.3 ± 2.71°; day 2: 67.4 ± 2.51°) when compared with baseline (61.4 ± 1.55°, p < 0.05). These features were not observed in the concentrically-exercised leg. Eccentric exercise produced a higher level of soreness than concentric exercise at day 1 and 2 after the protocol. Submaximal eccentric exercise could bring about changes in the muscle properties resulting in a shift in the angle-torque relationship to longer muscle length without significant force deficit.

Key words

muscle injury - eccentric exercise - rehabilitation - peak torque angle - delayed‐onset muscle soreness

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Dr. Ph.D. Ella W. Yeung

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hung Hom, Kowloon

Hong Kong

Phone: + 852 27 66 67 48

Fax: + 852 23 30 86 56

Email: rsella@polyu.edu.hk