THE EFFECT OF DYNAMIC CONSTANT EXTERNAL RESISTANCE TRAINING ON THE ISOKINETIC TORQUE-VELOCITY CURVE

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of dynami c constant external resistance (DCER) training on isokinetic peak torq ue (PT) and constant joint angle (CJA) torque at velocities from zero to 5.03 rad . s-1. Twelve male volunteers (XBAR age+/-SD = 21.67+/-2.6 1 years) were trained using DCER exercises (leg extension and squat) f or eight weeks. The subjects were tested pre-training and post-trainin g for isokinetic leg extension PT as well as CJA torque (0.26 rad belo w the horizontal plane) at multiple velocities (zero, 0.84, 1.68, 2.51 , 3.35, 4.19 and 5.03 rad . s-1) using a Cybex II isokinetic dynamomet er. Film analyses indicated that the mean training velocities for leg extension and squat were 1.50+/-0.20 rad . s-1 and 1.41+/-0.26 rad . s -1, respectively. Univariate two-way repeated measures (within subject s design) ANOVAs [time (pre-training versus post-training) x velocity] were used to analyze the changes in PT and CJA torque across the trai ning period. There was no interaction but a significant (p < 0.05) mai n effect for time for the CJA torque measures. The increases in CJA to rque ranged from 6.3 to 10.7 %. For PT, there was a significant (p < 0 .05) time x velocity interaction. Post-hoc comparisons showed that PT increased significantly at all velocities (p < 0.0083) as a result of the training (8.1 to 10.9 %). The results of this investigation indica ted that DCER training significantly increased isokinetic PT and CJA t orque values at velocities up to 3.53 rad . s-1 above the training vel ocity.