Effect of Wrist Resistance Training on Motor Control and Strength in Young Males

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 6-week wrist resistance training on wrist torque control. Nineteen subjects were randomly assigned to either the wrist training group (n=9) or the control group (n=10). The training group performed wrist exercises for six directions (flexion, extension, pronation, supination, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation) while the control group did not. Testing for the isometric torque control error, one-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength, and isokinetic maximum torque (angular velocity of 60o/s wrist movements) were conducted before and after six weeks of resistance training and after every two-week interval of training. The wrist training group showed significant decreases in isometric torque control error in all six directions after the 2-week resistance training, while the control group did not show significant increase or decrease. The training group showed significant increases in the maximum strength in all six directions assessed by 1-RM strength and isokinetic strength tests after the 4-week resistance training, while the control group did not show any statistically significant changes. This study shows that motor control ability significantly improves within the first two weeks of resistance training, while the wrist strength significantly improves within the first four weeks of resistance training in wrist training group compared to the control.