The Effects Of Short-term Isokinetic Training On Isometric Strength In Females

While it is well established that long-term resistance training will increase muscular strength, the effects of short-term resistance training on muscular strength are still being explored. This is particularly important for physically active females, including athletes, for whom a rapid return to activity and athletic competition may be desirable. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of three days of velocity-specific isokinetic training on isometric leg extension strength (Nm) of the trained and untrained limbs. METHODS: Eighteen adult females were randomly assigned to a slow velocity training (SVT; n = 9) or fast velocity training (FVT; n = 9) group. All participants performed maximal, isometric leg extension muscle actions of the trained and untrained (control) limbs on a Cybex II dynamometer for the determination of maximal isometric torque on visits 1 (pre-test) and 5 (post-test). Each training group performed 4 sets of 10 leg extension repetitions with the nondominant limb at 30 deg/s (SVT group) or 270 deg/s (FVT group) on visits 2, 3, and 4. A three-way mixed factorial ANOVA (group × limb × time) was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The three-way interaction was not significant (p = 0.388). However, there was a significant two-way (limb × time) interaction (p = 0.011). Follow-up tests revealed there was a significant increase in maximal isometric leg extension torque of the trained limb from pre-test (121.1 7.8 Nm) to post-test (128.7 7.3 Nm). There was no significant change in maximal isometric leg extension torque from pre-test (136.5 7.9 Nm) to post-test (132.2 7.5 Nm) for the untrained limb. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that just three sessions of isokinetic training resulted in increases in maximal isometric torque of the trained leg extensors. This may have important implications for physically active and athletic females, indicating that significant muscular performance gains may be achieved even after very short training periods.