Alternative eccentric leg extension exercises

[Mountain Junkie]

One of my exercises for PT involves a leg extension machine for eccentric exercise. I use both legs to raise the leg extension bar, then slowly lower the bar with just one leg.

Unfortunately, the leg extension machine was removed from where I work out. Does anyone have any suggestions for similiar exercises? I've come up with sitting with my back against an exercise ball on the wall and going up and down.

[dogbonez]

If you have help or a fixed bench that you can put your feet under try the "drinking bird" exercise. Lie prone feet held or fixed under a strong bench. Extend your upper trunk as far as possible and then let it go all the way to the mat!
don't break your nose! This is a very difficult exercise that I haused as a test for eccentric strength in the hamstings.
I need a partenr for a new device to be used on existing machines to modify for eccentric exercise using any current equipment. I have appiled for a patent but need funds for development of a working model.
By the way their are at least 8 research grants for eccentric exercise an its use in disease/injury rehab and athletes.
dogbonez@comcast.net PhD, LPT retired ATC

[SponsoredByDuctTape]

The PT way to do it is to place a roll under your knee while you are sitting on a table (or the floor for that matter). Then you can use ankle weights or anything similar and just do extensions that way. You could probably also do it by hanging your lower leg off the side of your couch and either weighting your ankle or getting someone to apply resistance to your feet.

[Vinman]

squats
single leg step ups
lunges etc all encorporate both eccentric and concentric muscle actions.

[haydukelives]

dont do 'em

[XtrPickels]

Except that if you are rehabing something like an acl, Leg extensions are common because of the atrophy of the knee extensors. Squats and lunges maybe not be possible because of ROM / muscle weakness.

If you are doing ACL and you have started step ups, stepping off the front can add some eccentric work, but it will also increase stress/ pain on the patella.

Depending on how much weight you were doing with eccentric work, SponsoredbyDT's method is a good bet. The "roll" is typical something like 6-8" in diameter.

You can also have a partner help you out. Sit on the kitchen table and have someone add slow easssyyy pressure for you to resist. This has decent potential for becoming a bad situation.