Effect of Eccentric Training on Ankle Plantar Flexor Strength in Recreationally Resistance-Trained Adults

NCT07850115 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: ECC2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This study compared the effects of two 6-week eccentric plantar-flexor training programs on loaded heel-rise performance in cecreational strength-training adults. Forty participants were randomly assigned to either a modified heel-drop training group or a horizontal leg-press training group. Both groups trained three times per week for 6 weeks. Loaded heel-rise performance was assessed at baseline and after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of training. The primary outcome was the highest external load with which participants could complete five technically correct repetitions of the assigned unilateral plantar-flexor exercise.

Conditions

Physical Performance

Keywords

Eccentric training; Plantar Flexors; strengh; Resistance Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Highest External Load During the Five-Repetition Unilateral Heel-Rise Task

  The outcome was the highest external load (kg) with which the participant could complete five technically correct repetitions of the assigned unilateral plantar-flexor exercise. Participants performed the heel-rise task using the same exercise modality as their assigned training group.

  Baseline and after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of training

Study Arms (2)

Heel-Drop Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a 6-week eccentric plantar-flexor training programme based on a modified Alfredson protocol. Training was performed three times per week, with three sets of five repetitions per session. The exercise was performed in a standing position using a step, with external load provided by dumbbells placed in a backpack. Training intensity was individually adjusted using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.

Other: Modified Alfredson-Based Eccentric Heel-Drop Training

Horizontal Leg-Press (HLP) Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a 6-week eccentric plantar-flexor training programme using a computer-controlled horizontal leg press. Training was performed three times per week, with three sets of five repetitions per session. The exercise was performed in a sitting position, and external resistance was generated by independently controlled electric motors. Training intensity was individually adjusted using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.

Other: Horizontal Leg-Press Eccentric Training

Interventions

Modified Alfredson-Based Eccentric Heel-Drop Training OTHER

Participants completed a 6-week eccentric plantar-flexor training programme based on a modified Alfredson protocol, with three training sessions per week. Each session consisted of three sets of five repetitions. The exercise was performed in a standing position on a 9-cm step. The right lower limb performed the concentric phase, while the left lower limb performed the eccentric phase. External load was provided using dumbbells placed in a backpack and was individually adjusted using the 0-10 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.

Heel-Drop Group

Horizontal Leg-Press Eccentric Training OTHER

Participants completed a 6-week eccentric plantar-flexor training programme using a computer-controlled horizontal leg press, with three training sessions per week. Each session consisted of three sets of five repetitions. The exercise was performed in a sitting position. The right lower limb performed the concentric phase, while the left lower limb performed the eccentric phase. External resistance was generated by independently controlled electric motors and was individually adjusted using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.

Horizontal Leg-Press (HLP) Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being of legal age
• Providing informed consent to participate in the study
• Declaring no health contraindications to physical activity
• Engaging in recreational-level strength training

You may not qualify if:

• Professional participation in any sports discipline
• Current injuries in the lower limbs

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education: lead

Study Sites (2)

Zdrofit Arkadia

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, 00-175, Poland

Location

Zdrofit Bemowo Świetlików

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, 01-389, Poland

Location

Study Officials

• Dawid Micek

  Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Aleksandra Truszczyńska-Baszak, Prof.

  Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to one of two parallel intervention groups: a modified Alfredson-based heel-drop training group or a horizontal leg-press eccentric training group. Both groups completed a 6-week training programme.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2026
• First Posted: September 30, 2026
• Study Start: January 18, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2024
• Study Completion: September 1, 2024
• Last Updated: October 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: Data and the study protocol will be available following publication of the study results. No predetermined end date is planned.
• Access Criteria: De-identified individual participant data and the study protocol will be available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Locations

PL (2)