The Advanced Human Performance followed up with the second part on
Eccentric Isometrics The Ultimate Way to Strength Train — Part 2 — another detailed piece expanding on the benefits of this type of strength training and also providing examples of the practical application.
Simply,
eccentric isometrics are one of if not the best diagnostic tool when it comes to assessing, analyzing, and adjusting technique and body positioning.
Eccentric Isometrics are perhaps the single most effective stimulus for promoting this.
Significant enhancements in power, torque, potentiation, stability, symmetrical loading, mobility, hypertrophy, and overall movement efficiency can be accrued through properly executed
eccentric isometrics.
Eccentric isometrics can be applied to a majority of movements.
I've often been asked why I include the lunge pattern in my list of recommended
eccentric isometrics particularly when there is so much overlap with squats and hinges.
Eccentric isometrics allow the body to find the ideal balance of stiffness, stability, and mobility.
In essence,
eccentric isometrics act as natural chiropractic adjustment and body re-alignment mechanism through enhanced proprioceptive feedback and neuromuscular re-programing.
I'm not saying
eccentric isometrics can cure cancer or reverse fatal diseases however the benefits of knowing how to minimize oxidative stress and free - radical accumulation throughout the musculoskeletal system is something that should not be undervalued.
Performing
eccentric isometrics with any type of Romanian Deadlift (RDL) using a barbell or dumbbells, as well as single leg variations are perfect.
However
eccentric isometrics build upon movement by correcting movement patterns rather than reinforcing it or even worse, degrading it.
Many individuals mistakenly think
eccentric isometrics are all about going as deep as possible and holding the bottom position.
Note: For more videos and tutorials on
eccentric isometrics check out my YouTube channel HERE.
However, if they are not tuning into the sensory feedback from their muscles and other proprioceptive mechanisms and conscientiously trying to fine - tune their body mechanics then
eccentric isometrics are not only ineffective but can be counterproductive.
Besides the fact that
eccentric isometrics when performed properly improve mobility almost immediately, more importantly they teach the body to move correctly via neuromuscular re-education.
Although there is a specific playlist devoted to
eccentric isometrics, you'll notice that nearly every movement I have on my channel incorporates eccentric isometric to varying degrees.
Before we examine further application of
eccentric isometrics, its important to emphasize that proper movement mechanics be incorporated into these protocols.
With efficient
eccentric isometrics, focusing on concentric positioning is almost unnecessary as the muscles have been properly activated on the lengthening phase and will stay so throughout the rest of the movement / shortening phase.
When performed properly,
eccentric isometrics are more corrective than «Corrective Exercise».
Having experimented with nearly every training modality possible over the last 13 years, I've found few if any techniques more effective for strength and hypertrophy than
eccentric isometrics.
This is not to say that I do not use other training methods but simply that none contribute more to the success of my clients» improvements in strength, power, and hypertrophy than
eccentric isometrics.
Fortunately, through physiological rewiring and neuromuscular re-education,
eccentric isometrics help restore and repair the body's optimal physiology by addressing the root cause of disease and inflammation, namely muscular dysfunction.
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Eccentric isometrics are not just a physiological and biomechanical process.
As previously mentioned,
eccentric isometrics program the body to move in the most biomechanically efficient positions inevitably leading to enhanced performance as well as decreased joint and muscle inflammation.
In addition, include
an eccentric isometric at the bottom and an additional pause at the top.
No other tool works better for correcting gait (walking and running) and lower body movement mechanics than
eccentric isometric lunges.
Olympic lifts performed with
an eccentric isometric hang protocol are also incredibly effective for improving clean and snatch mechanics.
In fact nearly all hang variations of Olympic lifts I use with my athletes involve
an eccentric isometric hang protocol.
Not exact matches
Amortization (
isometric, pause)-- This is the transition from the
eccentric to concentric phase of the jump and takes place within hundredths of a second.
That being said, the method does not differentiate among concentric,
isometric and
eccentric contractions, which are all included in a traditional set.
There are 3 phases of muscle activity when doing an exercise: concentric (when the muscle shortens),
isometric (when the muscle is static and held in place under tension) and
eccentric (when the muscle lengthens).
Before exploring what
eccentric exercising really is, we must first determine the three separate phases of a lift, and those are: the concentric part,
isometric part, and the
eccentric part.
I will be performing one day each of
eccentric,
isometric and concentric focussed reps throughout the week.
Enhancing
eccentric strength improves an athlete's ability to absorb force (while decelerating), whereas
isometrics will improve an athletes ability to overcome inertia.
NOTE: Make sure you're incorporating some unilateral exercises when performing your
isometric &
eccentric training (as shown in the videos above).
Through 30s intervals of both compound and isolation movements, as well as rotation through focusing on
eccentric, concentric, and
isometric contractions, he designs training sessions that improve blood flow, strengthen connective tissue, and, of course, bulid muscle endurance in weak areas.
What happens if we incorporate
isometrics all along the strength training movement pattern through the
eccentric (lowering / yielding) phase.
Therefore, high - velocity strength may be more relevant than rate of force development in concentric contractions, compared to in
isometric and
eccentric contractions.
Thibaudeau states that one the most important benefits of
isometric training is it leads to the highest activation level of all exercise modes, concentric or
eccentric.
As far as the brain is concerned, the concentric phase of movement is different from the
eccentric and
isometric phases of lifting, yet we all measure strength by how much an athlete could concentrically move!
Cal Dietz explains the
isometric phase as the energy station that transfers absorbed
eccentric energy to explosive concentric contractions.
There is an
Eccentric,
Isometric and Concentric Phase.
Deloading the Movement / Isolating One Phase of the Pull - up — you can target the
eccentric phase, concentric phase or mid-point (chin over the bar) with movements such as negatives and
isometric holds.
While CrossFit traditionally calls for maximizing power output and intensity during a training session, there is sometimes magic in improving both the
eccentric and
isometric portions of a lift...
The best tempo for this adaptation is a slower one, around 3 -2-1 (3 second
eccentric, 2 second
isometric, 1 second concentric).
To optimally develop strength all three contraction types must be addressed individually throughout the training process in an
eccentric →
isometric → concentric fashion
The 3 stages of contraction are
Eccentric,
Isometric, and Concentric.
All three muscular contraction types -
eccentric,
isometric and concentric - are programmed differently by the brain.
Research has proven that muscles actually work in an
isometric manner instead of
eccentric manner which is normally believed.
Yet, force is greater than expected when
isometric contractions are performed after
eccentric contractions.