Investigation of the effects of resistance exercises applied in concentric and eccentric phases on muscle hypertrophy in sedentary men

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the hypertonic effects of concentric and eccentric phase resistance exercises on elbow and knee muscle groups in sedentary men. In the study, "pre-test and post-test without control group" design, one of the quasi-experimental research methods, was used. Twenty (sedentary) men aged 25-35 years, inexperienced (0-1 year experience), who were new to sports, participated in the study as volunteers. The participants were divided into two groups as concentric exercise group (n=10) and eccentric exercise group (n=10) by non-random assignment method. In weight studies, flat pramid loading arrangement of 1RM with 60-80% loading content was used in both groups. Before the groups started the study, they received one lesson training about the movements they would perform. After the training, the participants performed concentric and eccentric intensity resistance exercises 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks under the supervision of an instructor. In weight training, double pramidal training technique was used in both groups. Before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the study, arm and leg thicknesses were measured manually with a tape measure. The measurements included elbow and knee flexor muscle groups. In the analysis of the data obtained from the research, descriptive statistics were used for descriptive information of the participants, independent sample T test was used for the comparison of pre-test post- test measurements between groups, and Paired Sample T test was used for the comparison of pre-test post-test measurements within groups. The significance level was accepted as p<0,05. As a result of the study, a significant difference was found in the pre-test and post-test measurements for both groups training in eccentric and concentric phase (p<0,05). The 8-week training protocol provided a significant increase in muscle mass in both study groups. Another important result of the study was that the eccentric intensity training group showed more improvement in arm and leg measurements than the concentric intensity training group. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p>0,05).