Abstract
The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of concentric and eccentric training on the strength of cervical muscle. The subjects were 18 adult males of whom 6 were exposed to concentric training, 6 were exposed to eccentric training, and 6 were exposed to control. Training intensity was the exertion of maximum isotonic strength on the extension, flexion, left bending and right bending of the neck. All training exercises for concentric and eccentric groups were given 10 times a set, 3 sets in a day, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The changes in the strength of cervical muscle and in the girth of neck due to muscular training were measured regularly once a week. The results were as follows : 1) Maximum 'isometric strength increased significantly (p0.001) by 37.8% in concentric training group, and 39.6% in eccentric training group. No significant difference of strength increase was observed between concentric and eccentric training group. There was a significant decrease in the strength of cervical muscle in the early stage of muscular training, accompanied by severe muscule fatigue, but a remarkable increase in strength due to concentric and eccentric training was observed during the 8 weeks. 2) The girth of neck increased significantly (p 0.001) by 4.9% in concentric training group, and 5.5% in eccentric training group. Significant difference of girth increase was observed after 3 and 4 weeks of muscular training of cervlcal muscle, meanwhile the girth of neck increased slightly by 1.3% in control group. 3) The effect of training on the strength of cervical muscle was found in the increase of the girth of neck at first, and then in the increase of the concentric and eccentric strength.
