EFFECTS OF PARTIAL RANGE OF MOTION EXERCISE IN ECCENTRICALLY LOADED MUSCLES-A LITERATURE REVIEW

Resistance training plays an important role in improving muscle hypertrophy and enhancing performance in sports field such as athletes, bodybuilders, power lifters etc. This review investigates the impact of full versus partial range of motion (ROM) during resistance training (RT) on muscle hypertrophy and strength gains, while exploring the mechanisms underlying strength improvements in longer muscle length training. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, focusing on articles published between 2019 and 2025. Studies were selected based on specific criteria, such long muscle length training and English language full-text availability, resulting in 29 articles for detailed (qualitative) analysis. The findings suggest that training at longer muscle lengths is an effective way to increase muscle hypertrophy, torque generation, and neuromuscular efficiency compared to full ROM exercises. Training at longer muscle lengths promotes longitudinal muscle growth, potentially inducing greater hypoxic conditions, leading to superior hypertrophy and making it effective for overcoming muscle growth plateaus in trained individuals. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms and limitations of partial ROM training, particularly regarding cable machine exercises, trunk musculature, and trained individuals, as well as a clearer explanation of the mechanism of greater muscle hypertrophy in longer muscle length training. Individualized approaches are recommended to balance discomfort with effective adaptation strategies. In conclusion, resistance training protocols should prioritize exercises at longer muscle lengths to optimize hypertrophy, strength, and neuromuscular adaptations. Keywords: Partial Range Of Motion, Full Range Of Motion, Longer Muscle Length, Resistance Training, Muscle Hypertrophy