Effects of Repeated Concentric and Eccentric Contractions on Tendon Blood Circulation

Abstract

Previous studies demonstrated that treatment involving eccentric training was effective in the conservative management of chronic tendinosis. However, the mechanisms for these phenomena are unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in blood circulation of the tendons after the repeated concentric and eccentric contractions. 11 healthy males volunteered for this study. Subjects performed the repeated concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) contractions (5 sets of 10 maximal voluntary contractions) of the plantar flexors. During and after repeated contractions, oxyhemoglobin (Oxy), deoxyhemoglobin (Deoxy), total hemoglobin (THb), and oxygen saturation (StO₂) of the Achilles tendons were measured using red laser lights. Oxy and THb increased during and after ECC, but not CON. Deoxy decreased during both CON and ECC. Increase in StO₂ during and after ECC was greater than that during and after CON. These results suggested that changes in blood circulation of the Achilles tendon during and after repeated eccentric contractions were more remarkable than those during and after repeated concentric contractions.

Key words

blood volume - oxygen saturation - tendon - human

• References

• 1 Alfredson H, Pietila T, Jonsson P, Lorentzon R. Heavy-load eccentric calf muscle training for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinosis. Am J Sports Med 1998; 26: 360-366
• 2 Archambault JA, Wiley JP, Bray RC. Exercise loading of tendons and the development of overuse injuries: A review of current literature. Sports Med 1995; 20: 77-89
• 3 Babault N, Pousson M, Ballay Y, Van Hoecke J. Activation of human quadriceps femoris during isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions. J Appl Physiol 2001; 91: 2628-2634
• 4 Duclay J, Martin A, Duclay A, Cometti G, Pousson M. Behavior of fascicles and the myotendinous junction of human medial gastrocnemius following eccentric strength training. Muscle Nerve 2009; 39: 819-827
• 5 Foure A, Nordez A, Cornu C. Effects of eccentric training on mechanical properties of the plantar flexor muscle-tendon complex. J Appl Physiol 2013; 114: 523-537
• 6 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – ethical standards in sports and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2013; 34: 1025-1028
• 7 Jarvinen M, Jozsa L, Kannus P, Jarvinen TLN, Kvist M, Leadbetter W. Histopathological findings in chronic tendon disorders. Scand J Med Sci Sports 1997; 7: 86-95
• 8 Jozsa L, Kannus P, Jarvinen TAH, Balint J, Jarvinen M. Blood flow in rat gastrocnemius muscle and Achilles tendon after Achilles tenotomy. Eur Surg Res 1998; 30: 125-129
• 9 Kashima S. Spectroscopic measurement of blood volume and its oxygenation in a small volume of tissue using red laser lights and differential calculation between two point detections. Opt Laser Technol 2003; 35: 485-489
• 10 Knobloch K, Kraemer R, Jagodzinski M, Zeichen J, Meller R, Vogt PM. Eccentric training decreases paratendon capillary blood flow and preserves paratendon oxygen saturation in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2007; 37: 269-276
• 11 Kubo K, Ikebukuro T. Acute and chronic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on blood circulation of human muscle and tendon in vivo. J Strength Cond Res 2012; 26: 2765-2770
• 12 Kubo K, Ikebukuro T, Tsunoda N, Kanehisa H. Changes in oxygen consumption of human muscle and tendon following repeat muscle contractions. Eur J Appl Physiol 2008; 104: 859-866
• 13 Kubo K, Ikebukuro T, Tsunoda N, Kanehisa H. Noninvasive measures of blood volume and oxygen saturation of human Achilles tendon by red laser lights. Acta Physiol 2008; 193: 257-264
• 14 Kubo K, Ikebukuro T, Yaeshima K, Kanehisa H. Effects of different duration contractions on elasticity, blood volume, and oxygen saturation of human tendon in vivo. Eur J Appl Physiol 2009; 106: 445-455
• 15 Kubo K, Ikebukuro T, Yaeshima K, Yata H, Tsunoda N, Kanehisa H. Effects of static and dynamic training on the stiffness and blood volume of tendon in vivo. J Appl Physiol 2009; 106: 412-417
• 16 Kubo K, Yajima H, Takayama M, Ikebukuro T, Mizoguchi H, Takakura N. Effects of acupuncture and heating on blood volume and oxygen saturation of human Achilles tendon in vivo. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 109: 545-550
• 17 Kubo K, Yuki K, Ikebukuro T. Changes in bone alkaline phosphatase and procollagen type-1 C-peptide after static and dynamic exercises. Res Quart Exer Sport 2012; 83: 49-54
• 18 Langberg H, Ellingsgaard H, Madsen T, Jansson J, Magnusson SP, Aagaard P, Kjaer M. Eccentric rehabilitation exercise increases peritendinous type 1 collagen synthesis in humans with Achilles tendinosis. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2007; 17: 61-66
• 19 Mafi N, Lorentzon R, Alfredson H. Superior short-term results with eccentric calf muscle training compared to concentric training in a randomized prospective multicenter study on patients with chronic Achilles tendinosis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2001; 9: 42-47
• 20 Mahieu NN, McNair P, Cools A, D’Haen C, Vandermeulen K, Witvrouw E. Effect of eccentric training on the plantar flexor muscle-tendon tissue properties. Med Sci Sports Exer 2008; 40: 117-123
• 21 Ohberg L, Alfredson H. Effects on neovascularisation behind the good results with eccentric training in chronic mid-portion Achilles tendinosis?. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2004; 12: 465-470
• 22 Perrey S, Betik A, Candau R, Rouillon JD, Hughson RL. Comparison of oxygen uptake kinetics during concentric and eccentric cycle exercise. J Appl Physiol 2001; 91: 2135-2142
• 23 Yin NH, Chen WS, Wu YT, Shin TT, Rolf C, Wang HK. Increased patellar tendon microcirculation and reduction of tendon stiffness following knee extension eccentric exercises. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2014; 44: 304-312