[Eccentric muscular contraction: implications in treatment of athletes].
OBJECTIVE
To review the research on the effects and indications of eccentric muscular contraction in the athlete.


METHODS
We searched the Medline database using the key words eccentric and negative work for reports of eccentric muscular contraction published from 1993 to 2004.


RESULTS
The physiologic features of eccentric contraction remain unknown but significantly differ from concentric contraction. Eccentric contraction has a specific effect: during sports practice, it permits the muscular and tendinous complex to support strain and strengthens the muscular action of articular stabilization. But eccentric contraction produces injuries: delayed-onset muscle soreness, and muscle rupture and tendinous injuries such as luxation, rupture, and tendinitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment and prevention must have controlled protocols. In therapy, eccentric contraction must be realized at progressive speeds and resistances. Prevention of tendinous injury necessitates quantifying eccentric activity during training.
Clinique de médecine physique et réadaptation Napoléon, allées de Christus, 40990 Saint-Paul-Lès-Dax, France.
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Middleton
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Montero
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control