Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(06): 481-484
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1398649
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Repeated Concentric and Eccentric Contractions on Tendon Blood Circulation

K. Kubo
1   Life Science (Sports Sciences), University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 14 November 2014

Publication Date:
03 March 2015 (online)

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.

 
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