Effect of different eccentric tempos on hypertrophy and strength of the lower limbs

Optimizing Resistance Training Technique to Maximize Muscle Hypertrophy: A Narrative Review

Regimented resistance training (RT) has been shown to promote increases in muscle size. When engaging in RT, practitioners often emphasize the importance of appropriate exercise technique, especially when trying to maximize training adaptations (e.g., hypertrophy). This narrative review aims to synthesize existing evidence on what constitutes proper RT exercise technique for maximizing muscle hypertrophy, focusing on variables such as exercise-specific kinematics, contraction type, repetition tempo, and range of motion (ROM). We recommend that when trying to maximize hypertrophy, one should employ a ROM that emphasizes training at long muscle lengths while also employing a repetition tempo between 2 and 8 s. More research is needed to determine whether manipulating the duration of either the eccentric or concentric phase further enhances hypertrophy. Guidelines for body positioning and movement patterns are generally based on implied theory from applied anatomy and biomechanics. However, existing research on the impact of manipulating these aspects of exercise technique and their effect on hypertrophy is limited; it is therefore suggested that universal exercise-specific kinematic guidelines are followed and adopted in accordance with the above recommendations. Future research should investigate the impact of stricter versus more lenient exercise technique variations on hypertrophy.

Time to consider the potential role of alternative resistance training methods in cancer management?

Exercise has emerged as fundamental therapeutic medicine in the management of cancer. Exercise improves health-related outcomes, including quality of life, neuromuscular strength, physical function, and body composition, and it is associated with a lower risk of disease recurrence and increased survival. Moreover, exercise during or post cancer treatments is safe, can ameliorate treatment-related side effects, and may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. To date, traditional resistance training (RT) is the most used RT modality in exercise oncology. However, alternative training modes, such as eccentric, cluster set, and blood flow restriction are gaining increased attention. These training modalities have been extensively investigated in both athletic and clinical populations (e.g., age-related frailty, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes), showing considerable benefits in terms of neuromuscular strength, hypertrophy, body composition, and physical function. However, these training modes have only been partially or not at all investigated in cancer populations. Thus, this study outlines the benefits of these alternative RT methods in patients with cancer. Where evidence in cancer populations is sparse, we provide a robust rationale for the possible implementation of certain RT methods that have shown positive results in other clinical populations. Finally, we provide clinical insights for research that may guide future RT investigations in patients with cancer and suggest clear practical applications for targeted cancer populations and related benefits.