Robert Trybulski1,2, Dusko Bjelica3,4, Vlad Adrian Geantă5, Corina Dulceanu5, Patricia-Roxana Panțâr5, Viorel Petru Ardelean5
1Faculty of Medicine, Katowice Business University, Katowice, Poland, 40-659 Katowice, Poland
2Provita Medical Centre, Żory, Poland
3Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Montenegro, 81400 Nikšić, Montenegro
4Montenegrian Sports Academy, Podgorica, Montenegro
5Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania
Short-term biochemical, structural, and functional muscle responses to eccentric-based exercise: A scoping review with an evidence gap map
Monten. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2027, 16(1), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/mjssm.270303
Abstract
This scoping review aims to map the literature on the acute effects of eccentric, concentric, and isometric train- ing, summarize key outcomes, and identify gaps for future research. Following 2020 PRISMA guidelines, a search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science on April 1, 2025. Studies were included if they involved healthy or recreationally trained adults undergoing eccentric, concentric, or isometric training, with assessments of biochemical (creatine kinase, myoglobin) or neuromuscular (muscle strength, DOMS) outcomes at baseline and post-exercise (0–72 hours). Studies required comparator groups and multi-arm designs. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB2 and ROBINS-I. Of 4,463 records, 13 studies involving 225 participants (182 men and 43 women) met the inclusion criteria. Most studies involved young, recreationally trained males. Across the included studies, eccentric exercise was generally associated with larger increases in creatine kinase and myoglobin, greater delayed-onset muscle soreness, and larger reductions in muscle strength than concentric or isometric exercise. Some studies also reported transient increases in muscle cross-sectional area following eccentric exercise, consistent with acute post-exercise swelling. Protocols and assessment time points varied considerably, with most outcomes assessed within 24–48 hours after exercise. Four studies were judged to have a high overall risk of bias, while the remaining studies raised some concerns. Overall, the available evidence suggests that eccentric exercise may produce greater acute and short-term perturbations in markers associated with muscle damage and neuromuscular function than concentric or isometric exercise. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the small evi- dence base, methodological heterogeneity, risk-of-bias concerns, and limited demographic representation.
Keywords
eccentric training; resistance training; muscle damage; muscle inflammation; fatigue
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