Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2688-7592
Authors
Author Affiliations
Leonie Pfrunder‡
1
Institute of Sports Medicine, Swiss Paraplegic Centre,
Nottwil, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN60550)
Vanessa Vallesi‡
2
Advanced Imaging Research, Swiss Paraplegic Research,
Nottwil, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN590708)
Anneke Hertig-Godeschalk
3
Neuro-Musculoskeletal Functioning and Mobility, Swiss
Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN590708)
Giuseppe Angelo Zito
2
Advanced Imaging Research, Swiss Paraplegic Research,
Nottwil, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN590708)
Rajeev Kumar Verma
4
Department of Radiology, Swiss Paraplegic Centre,
Nottwil, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN60550)
2
Advanced Imaging Research, Swiss Paraplegic Research,
Nottwil, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN590708)
Claudio Perret
3
Neuro-Musculoskeletal Functioning and Mobility, Swiss
Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN590708)
5
Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of
Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN30731)
Fabian Ammann
1
Institute of Sports Medicine, Swiss Paraplegic Centre,
Nottwil, Switzerland (Ringgold ID: RIN60550)
Registration number (trial ID): NCT05156411, Trial registry:
ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/), Type of Study:
Interventional
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Abstract
Eccentric resistance training is a promising strategy for achieving physiological
benefits at lower cardiovascular and metabolic costs compared to traditional
concentric training. Whereas lower-body eccentric training has been studied
extensively, only little is known regarding upper-body eccentric strength
training. This study assessed the impact of an eccentric arm-crank training on
arm muscle volume. A total of 20 eccentric arm-crank training sessions were
completed over a maximum of 12 weeks (2–3 trainings/wk). A training progression
from 20 to 50% of the individual peak power and a duration from 8 to 14 minutes
was applied. Before (“pretest”) and after the training intervention phase
(“posttest”), volume measurements using magnetic resonance imaging and
circumference measurements of the upper arm were performed. Differences between
pretest and posttest measurements were evaluated. Twelve healthy and physically
active participants (median [Q1–Q3] age 28 [27–30] yr, nine females, three
males) were included in the analysis. Relative muscle volume (+5.7%,
p=0.002) and arm circumference (+3.2%, p=0.003) increased after
the training intervention. Twenty eccentric arm-crank training sessions
increased the muscle volume of the upper arm. Because eccentric training is
associated with lower cardiovascular and metabolic demands, it is an attractive
approach to improve upper-body strength. This training approach is especially
interesting for individuals who rely on their upper body for daily activities,
including wheelchair users. In the next step, the training protocol could be
evaluated in this population across both rehabilitation and athletic
settings.
Keywords
resistance training -
upper body strength -
muscle gain -
MRI -
muscle hypertrophy -
eccentric exercise
Publication History
Received: 06 February 2025
Accepted after revision: 21 August 2025
Article published online:
18 September 2025
© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
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