The chronic effects of eccentric exercise interventions in different populations: an umbrella review

Eur J Transl Myol. 2022 Oct 21;32(4):10876. doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2022.10876.

Abstract

The effectiveness of eccentric exercise interventions (EEI) has been extensively explored in different populations. The aim of our umbrella review was to combine all systematic reviews about the chronic efficiency of EEI and to summarize the literature on the chronic effects of different types of eccentric exercise protocols, with or without extra loads and devices (e.g., Flywheel device), compared to other therapeutic interventions, exercise interventions, or no intervention. We screened four major electronic scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro), using one combined string for all included databases (eccentric exercise OR flywheel OR isoinertial exercise OR eccentric training). Included reviews needed to be based on any human population, that executed EEI in comparison with any other type of intervention. The methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2 tool. Considering the inclusion criteria, we included 35 reviews. EEI were found suitable for chronic or long-term pain reduction in patient populations. EEI largely improved muscle performance (muscle strength, and muscle power), muscle architecture (e.g., pennation angle, fascicle length, cross-sectional area, muscle thickness, and muscle mass), decreased risk of injury, incidence, and severity of the injury, and increased range of motion of the joints There is less evidence about the effects of EEI in older adult populations, compared to athletes and younger populations, however, eccentric exercise seems promising for these populations as well.

Grants and funding

Funding: We want to acknowledge the support of the European Regional Development Fund and Physiko- and Rheumatherapie Institute through the Centre of Active Ageing project in the Interreg Slovakia–Austria cross-border cooperation program (partners: Faculty for Physical Education and Sports, Comenius University in Bratislava: Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiko- and Rheumatherapie GmbH). NŠ and ŽK acknowledge the University of Primorska's suppirt through internal research program KINSPO (2990-1-2/2021). The funders had no role in conceptualization of the study, analysis of the data, manuscript preparation or any other activities leading to the creation of this article. There was no additional external funding received for this study.