Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of concentric and eccentric isokinetic contractions and subsequent recovery period on the hemodynamic factors in men.

Background. Nowadays, with advances in technology and producing the innovative training equipment, performing different resistance exercise protocols for improving the muscular and cardiovascular function is possible.

Method. In this quasi-experimental study, ten healthy male subjects were volunteered to participate in the study and performed two protocols of Concentric/Concentric (CON/CON) and Eccentric/Eccentric (ECC/ECC) isokinetic contractions (4 sets, 10 repetitions, 60˚/S) including knee flexion and extension with dominant leg, in two separate sessions. Hemodynamic factors were measured before, immediately and 30 min after exercise.

Findings. Statistical analyses of data showed that hemodynamic parameters increased in response to both isokinetic contractions (p<0.001) and decreased following recovery period. Moreover, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Rate Pressure Product (RPP) responses to two types of contractions (CON/CON and ECC/ECC) were significantly different (p<0.05). Regardless of contraction type, the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) increased significantly from 1st set to 4th set though, these changes were not significantly different between two protocols (p>0.05).

Conclusion. Hemodynamic changes in response to CON/CON was higher than ECC/ECC protocol which shows that the acute ECC/ECC is safer than CON/CON protocol.