The Cardiovascular Response to Interval Exercise Is Modified by the Contraction Type and Training in Proportion to Metabolic Stress of Recruited Muscle Groups

Background: Conventional forms of endurance training based on shortening contractions improve aerobic capacity but elicit a detriment of muscle strength. We hypothesized that eccentric interval training, loading muscle during the lengthening phase of contraction, overcome this interference and potentially adverse cardiovascular reactions, enhancing both muscle metabolism and strength, in association with the stress experienced during exercise. Methods: Twelve healthy participants completed an eight-week program of work-matched progressive interval-type pedaling exercise on a soft robot under predominately concentric or eccentric load. Results: Eccentric interval training specifically enhanced the peak power of positive anaerobic contractions (+28%), mitigated the strain on muscle's aerobic metabolism, and lowered hemodynamic stress during interval exercise, concomitant with a lowered contribution of positive work to the target output. Concentric training alone lowered blood glucose concentration during interval exercise and mitigated heart rate and blood lactate concentration during ramp exercise. Training-induced adjustments for lactate and positive peak power were independently correlated (p < 0.05, |r| > 0.7) with indices of metabolic and mechanical muscle stress during exercise. Discussion: Task-specific improvements in strength and muscle's metabolic capacity were induced with eccentric interval exercise lowering cardiovascular risk factors, except for blood glucose concentration, possibly through altered neuromuscular coordination.

Automated summary

The study showed that eccentric interval training can enhance peak power of positive anaerobic contractions, mitigate strain on muscle's aerobic metabolism and lower cardiovascular stress, while concentric training alone can lower blood glucose concentration and reduce heart rate and blood lactate concentration. The training-induced adjustments for lactate and positive peak power were independently correlated with metabolic and mechanical muscle stress during exercise.