ECCENTRIC ACTIVATION AND MUSCLE DAMAGE - BIOMECHANICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS DURING DOWNHILL RUNNING

An eccentric muscle activation is the controlled lengthening of the muscle under tension. Functionally, most leg muscles work eccentrically for some part of a normal gait cycle, to support the weight of the body against gravity and to absorb shock. During downhill running the role of eccentric work of the 'anti-gravity' muscles - knee extensors, muscles of the anterior and posterior tibial compartments and hip extensors - is accentuated. The purpose of this paper is to review the relationship between eccentric muscle activation and muscle damage, particularly as it relates to running, and specifically, downhill running.