Muscle Fiber and Performance Changes after Fast Eccentric Complex Training

Introduction The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a short-term fast eccentric and ballistic complex training program on muscle power, rate of force development (RFD), muscle fiber composition and cross-sectional area (CSA). Methods Sixteen male physical education students were randomly assigned to either a training group (TG, n=8) or a control group (C, n=8). The TG followed a 6-week low volume training program, including fast eccentric squat training with an individually optimized load of 74±7% of maximal half-squat strength (1RM) twice per week and a ballistic training session with loaded (30% 1RM) and unloaded jump squats, once per week, all combined with unloaded plyometric jumps. Results Half squat 1RM was increased in the TG from 1.87±0.28 to 2.14±0.31 kg.kg-1 body mass (14.4±9.3%, p=0.01). The percentage of type I, IIA and IIX fibers were similar in the two groups at pre testing and did not change after the intervention period (p=0.53-0.89). Muscle fiber CSA increased in all fiber types by 8.3 to 11.6% (p=0.02 to 0.001) in TG only. Countermovement jump height and peak power measured at five different external loads (0-65% of 1RM) only increased in the TG by ~20-36% (p

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