Multiple-joint velocity-spectrum strength/power development consequent to repetition manipulation
Weiss, L.W.; Relyea, G.E.
Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 41(1): 39-45
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-4707 PMID: 11317146 Document Number: 536158
We assessed the effects of various repetition schemes during heavy-resistance training on multiple-joint isokinetic performance. 48 volunteers (healthy young men from 18-34 years old; x=23.2) participated in 12 weeks (36 sessions) of variable-resistance weight training (8 different exercises) in one of the following programmes: I-3 setsx3-4 RM; II-3x9-10 RM; III-3x15-16 RM; IV, control. The pre and post velocity-spectrum tests were conducted for both the squat (0.41, 0.65, 0.90, 1.14, and 1.39 m.s-1) and bench press (0.50, 0.79, 1.09, 1.39 and 1.69 m.s-1) at which time peak force and peak power were measured. Force and power measurements were adjusted to control for body weight (N/kg and W/kg, respectively). Change (delta) scores were used for comparisons. One-way ANOVA's indicated that when compared to controls, improvements in force were significantly (p<0.05) greater only at the slowest velocity (squats: Group II>Control; bench presses: Groups I, II, III>Control). However, changes in power were significantly (p<0.05) greater than for controls at all 5 velocities tested (squats: Groups I, II>Control; bench presses: Groups I, II>Control except at 1.69 m.sec-1) where only Group I>Control. Due to the mixed findings for force improvements consequent to the various repetition schemes, conclusions are somewhat tentative. It appears, however, that strength increases only for slow velocities in young, previously untrained men consequent to 3 months of a relatively wide range of RM schemes using variable-resistance equipment. Power, on the other hand, appears to increase in the same subjects across a velocity spectrum for both squats and bench presses when no more than 10 RM are performed per set.