Retrograde Training: Effects on Lower Body Strength and
                    Power

Derek D. Ferley; Roy Osborn; Matt Vukovich

doi:10.1055/a-1796-7808

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(03): 215-223
DOI: 10.1055/a-1796-7808

Training & Testing

Retrograde Training: Effects on Lower Body Strength and Power

Derek D. Ferley

¹Avera Sports, Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, Sioux Falls, United States

,

Roy Osborn

²School of Health Sciences, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, United States

,

Matt Vukovich

³Health & Nutritional Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, United States

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Backward walking and running on positive grades (retrograde training) represents a closed kinetic chain exercise used by rehabilitation specialists for patellofemoral-related injuries. To date, no longitudinal studies exist to support it use. This investigation examined the effects of retrograde training on lower body strength and power in recreational athletes aged 18–50 years over 6 weeks. Thirty-seven subjects were divided into two groups. Group 1 performed retrograde training 3 days∙wk⁻¹ using treadmill speeds, grades and bout durations ranging from 1.6–4.9 m∙sec⁻¹, 2.5–27.5% and 10–30 seconds, respectively (RG, n=19). Group 2 was a control group who continued their normal training (CON, n=18). Pre- and posttests assessed a variety of unilateral and bilateral measures including vertical and linear jumps, one repetition maximum leg press strength, and positive and negative power during weighted squat jumping on a horizontal leg press with a force plate. RG improved significantly in all tests (P<0.05). Mean effect size (ES) of the relative improvement in a majority of tests revealed a moderate to very large ES of RG training (ES range: 0.77–2.71). We conclude retrograde training effective for improving lower body strength and power in recreational athletes.

Key words

backward walking - backward running - closed kinetic chain - eccentric strength

Full Text

References

References
1 Jewiss D, Ostman C, Smart N. Open versus closed kinetic chain exercises following an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sports Med (Hindawi Publ Corp) 2017; 2017: 4721548
2 Beynnon BD, Fleming BC. Anterior cruciate ligament strain in-vivo: a review of previous work. J Biomech 1998; 31: 519-525
3 Fleming BC, Oksendahl H, Beynnon BD. Open- or closed-kinetic chain exercises after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2005; 33: 134-140
4 Tagesson S, Oberg B, Good L. et al. A comprehensive rehabilitation program with quadriceps strengthening in closed versus open kinetic chain exercise in patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency: a randomized clinical trial evaluating dynamic tibial translation and muscle function. Am J Sports Med 2008; 36: 298-307
5 Uçar M, Koca I, Eroglu M. et al. Evaluation of open and closed kinetic chain exercises in rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Phys Ther Sci 2014; 26: 1875-1878
6 Cho SH, Bae CH, Gak HB. Effects of closed kinetic chain exercises on proprioception and functional scores of the knee after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Phys Ther Sci 2013; 25: 1239-1241
7 Kim Y-J, Park R-J. The effects of closed kinetic chain exercises of unstable floor on the stability of the knee joints of patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Korean Soc Phys Med 2008; 3: 11-20
8 Gottlieb U, Balasukumaran T, Hoffman JR. et al. Agreement of gait events detection during treadmill backward walking by kinematic data and inertial motion units. Sensors (Basel) 2020; 20: 6331
9 Threlkeld AJ, Horn TS, Wojtowicz G. et al. Kinematics, ground reaction force, and muscle balance produced by backward running. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989; 11: 56-63
10 Swati K, Ashima C, Saurabh S. Efficacy of backward training on agility and quadriceps strength. Elixir Human Physio 2012; 53: 11918-11921
11 Flynn TW, Soutas-Little RW. Mechanical power and muscle action during forward and backward running. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1993; 17: 108-112
12 Chaloupka EC, Kang J, Mastrangelo MA. et al. Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during forward and backward walking. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1997; 25: 302-306
13 Flynn TW, Connery SM, Smutok MA. et al. Comparison of cardiopulmonary responses to forward and backward walking and running. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1994; 26: 89-94
14 Adesola A, Azeez O. Comparison of cardio-pulmonary responses to forward and backward walking and running. Afr J Biomed Res 2009; 12: 95-100
15 Wright S, Weyand PG. The application of ground force explains the energetic cost of running backward and forward. J Exp Biol 2001; 204: 1805-1815
16 Cavagna GA, Legramandi MA, La Torre A. Running backwards: soft landing-hard takeoff, a less efficient rebound. Proc Biol Sci 2011; 278: 339-346
17 Cipriani DJ, Armstrong CW, Gaul S. Backward walking at three levels of treadmill inclination: an electromyographic and kinematic analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1995; 22: 95-102
18 Lange GW, Hintermeister RA, Schlegel T. et al. Electromyographic and kinematic analysis of graded treadmill walking and the implications for knee rehabilitation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1996; 23: 294-301
19 Rasica L, Porcelli S, Minetti AE. et al. Biomechanical and metabolic aspects of backward (and forward) running on uphill gradients: another clue towards an almost inelastic rebound. Eur J Appl Physiol 2020; 120: 2507-2515
20 Ferley DD, Scholten S, Vukovich MD. Combined sprint interval, plyometric, and strength training in adolescent soccer players: effects on measures of speed, strength, power, change of direction, and anaerobic capacity. J Strength Cond Res 2020; 34: 957-968
21 Ferley DD, Hopper DT, Vukovich MD. Incline treadmill interval training: short vs. long bouts and the effects on distance running performance. Int J Sports Med 2016; 37: 958-965
22 Ferley DD, Osborn RW, Vukovich MD. The effects of incline and level-grade high-intensity interval treadmill training on running economy and muscle power in well-trained distance runners. J Strength Cond Res 2014; 28: 1298-1309
23 Haff G, Triplett N. National Strength and Conditioning Association: Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2016
24 Uthoff A, Oliver J, Cronin J. et al. Sprint-specific training in youth: backward running vs. forward running training on speed and power measures in adolescent male athletes. J Strength Cond Res 2020; 34: 1113-1122
25 Terblanche E, Page C, Kroff J. et al. The effect of backward locomotion training on the body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of young women. Int J Sports Med 2005; 26: 214-219
26 Requena B, González-Badillo JJ, de Villareal ES. et al. Functional performance, maximal strength, and power characteristics in isometric and dynamic actions of lower extremities in soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 2009; 23: 1391-1401
27 Andersen LL, Magnusson SP, Nielsen M. et al. Neuromuscular activation in conventional therapeutic exercises and heavy resistance exercises: implications for rehabilitation. Phys Ther 2006; 86: 683-697
28 Kraemer WJ, Adams K, Cafarelli E. et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2002; 34: 364-380
29 Pesta D, Thaler A, Hoppel F. et al. Effects of a 10-week conventional strength training program on lower leg muscle performance in adolescent boys compared to adults. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2014; 54: 147-153
30 Vernillo G, Giandolini M, Edwards WB. et al. Biomechanics and physiology of uphill and downhill running. Sports Med 2017; 47: 615-629
31 Gottschall JS, Kram R. Ground reaction forces during downhill and uphill running. J Biomech 2005; 38: 445-452
32 Ferley DD, Vukovich MD. Assessing the reliability of using a horizontal leg press equipped with a force plate to report on measures of positive and negative neuromuscular characteristics. J Strength Cond Res 2019; 33: 360-371
33 Seger JY, Thorstensson A. Effects of eccentric versus concentric training on thigh muscle strength and EMG. Int J Sports Med 2005; 26: 45-52
34 Hortobágyi T, Hill JP, Houmard JA. et al. Adaptive responses to muscle lengthening and shortening in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1996; 80: 765-772
35 Valtonen A, Pöyhönen T, Heinonen A. et al. Muscle deficits persist after unilateral knee replacement and have implications for rehabilitation. Phys Ther 2009; 89: 1072-1079
36 Mikkola J, Vesterinen V, Taipale R. et al. Effect of resistance training regimens on treadmill running and neuromuscular performance in recreational endurance runners. J Sports Sci 2011; 29: 1359-1371
37 Taipale RS, Mikkola J, Nummela A. et al. Strength training in endurance runners. Int J Sports Med 2010; 31: 468-476
38 Ploutz LL, Tesch PA, Biro RL. et al. Effect of resistance training on muscle use during exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985) 1994; 76: 1675-1681
39 Campos GE, Luecke TJ, Wendeln HK. et al. Muscular adaptations in response to three different resistance-training regimens: specificity of repetition maximum training zones. Eur J Appl Physiol 2002; 88: 50-60
40 Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA. Fundamentals of resistance training: progression and exercise prescription. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36: 674-688