EFFECTS OF TWO DIFFERENT FLYWHEEL RESISTANCE TRAINING PROTOCOLS ON EXPLOSIVE KNEE EXTENSION STRENGTH: A PILOT RANDOMIZED STUDY

Abstract

The aim of our study was to evaluate differences in explosive isometric knee extension strength adaptations after a flywheel squat resistance training programs performed under low- and high-load conditions. Twenty physically active adults were randomly assigned to an individually allocated high- or low-load eight-week training intervention. Isometric knee extension rate of torque development (RTD) and rate of electromyography signal rise (RER) variables were assessed pre and post eight-week intervention. Statistically significant improvements in the RTD slope variables (100 and 200 ms time intervals after the onset of torque rise; p < 0,05) were observed, regardless of the training load used. Normalized averaged vastus lateralis and rectus femoris electromyography (EMG) amplitude decreased in the intervals 80 ms before, and 75, 100 and 200 ms after the onset of activation (all p < 0,05), regardless of the training group. Our results suggest that high- and low-load resistance flywheel training interventions induce similar increases in explosive knee extension strength, accompanied with a decrease in time-analog normalized EMG signal amplitude.