THE EFFECT OF NUMBERS OF REPETITIONS ON PEAK TORQUE IN ROWER ANS NON-ATHLETE FEMALES WHEN USING ISOKINETIS TESTING

Abstract

Isokinetic training has been used as a successful means for testing and increasing muscle strength. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that different numbers of repetitions have on fatigue and force generation in females and specifically between athletes and non-athletes. Thirty college-aged females (15 rowers, 15 non-athletes) were tested using an isokinetic machine to measure peak torque. Each subject was tested 5-6 times on the isokinetic machine. This included 1-2 familiarization tests and four experimental testing sessions during which subjects performed randomly assigned maximal knee extensions of either four, six, eight, or ten repetitions, through a 90 degree range of motion, at 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300deg/s. Rest periods between velocities were kept constant at 60 sec. Using SPSS 14.0 data were analyzed using a 2 X 4 X 5 repeated measures ANOVA with alpha < .05. Group, repetitions, and velocity served as the independent variables and peak torque as the dependent variable. Peak torque in rowers was also compared to the time taken to complete a 2000m distance on a rowing ergometer. No significant difference was found between the various repetitions at different velocities. A significant difference was found between peak torques at the different velocities (F=1221.37, p<.05). A significant difference was also found between athletes and non-athletes at the different velocities (F=24.272, p<.05). A correlation of -0.82 was found between peak torque and 2000m time for rowers. The number of repetitions does not appear to effect peak torque production. Athletes appear to produce more torque at all velocities compared to non-athletes. There is a linear relationship between knee extensor peak torque and performance on a rowing ergometer.