Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the effects of power training using traditional vertical resistance exercises versus direction specific horizontal inertial flywheel training on performance in common sport-related tasks. Twenty-three healthy and physically active males (age: 22.29 ± 2.45 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were allocated into either the traditional training (TT) group where the half squat exercise on a smith machine was applied or the horizontal flywheel training (HFT) group performing the front step exercise with an inertial flywheel. Training volume and intensity were matched between groups by repetitions (5–8 sets with 8 repetitions) and relative intensity (the load that maximized power (Pmax)) over the period of six weeks. Speed (10 m and 20 m), countermovement jump height (CMJH), 20 m change of direction ability (COD) and strength during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) were assessed before and after the training program. The differences between groups and by time were assessed using a two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures, followed by paired t-tests. A significant group by time interaction (p=0.004) was found in the TT group demonstrating a significantly higher CMJH. Within-group analysis revealed statistically significant improvements in a 10 m sprint (TT: −0.17 0.27 s vs. HFT: −0.11 0.10 s), CMJH (TT: 4.92 2.58 cm vs. HFT: 1.55 2.44 cm) and MVIC (TT: 62.87 79.71 N vs. HFT: 106.56 121.63 N) in both groups (p < 0.05). However, significant differences only occurred in the 20 m sprint time in the TT group (−0.04 0.12 s; p = 0.04). In conclusion, the results suggest that TT at the maximal peak power load is more effective than HFT for counter movement jump height while both TT and HFT elicited significant improvements in 10 m sprint performance while only TT significantly improved 20 m sprint performance.
Highlights
The generation of force over a short period of time is required in many sports activities (Cormie et al, 2007)
This study aimed to assess the effect of six weeks of resistance training performed at the loads that maximized power using traditional training with a half squat (TT) versus training using a horizontal flywheel with a front step (HFT)
We hypothesized that the TT and horizontal flywheel training (HFT) would differ in their magnitude of improvement for each sport-related task based on the theory of specificity
Summary
The generation of force over a short period of time is required in many sports activities (Cormie et al, 2007). Movements requiring rapid development of force include sprint acceleration, jumping and change of direction (COD) (Newton and Kraemer, 1994). According to the Newton’s second law [F = m·(Δv/t)], increased force development will result in an increased velocity of movement (Newton et al, 2012). Researchers have focused on importance of the measure of power for performance as it describes the interaction of both force and velocity (P = F*v) (Baker, 2001a; Baker, 2001b; Haff et al, 2001; Kawamori et al, 2005). Improvements in maximal power output have induced an enhanced performance in jumping, sprinting, and COD tests, as well as beneficial changes in isometric strength (McBride et al, 2002; Winchester et al, 2005). It should be noted that changes in power output
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