COMPARISON OF ISOMETRIC AND DYNAMIC METHODS OF STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAM

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in the quality of muscle strength employing two methods of strength training (isometric, dynamic). Nineteen male university students volunteered to participate in the experiment, encompassing a five week strength training sessions. The dynamic method was applied to the elbow flexion and extension of the right side (load totalling 60 % of maximal performance) and the isometric method applied on the same muscle groups of the left side (maximal voluntary isometric contraction). Pre- and post-test measurements included maximal isometric strength, the angle a expressed the speed of increasing muscle strength and the number of repetitions performed for each exercise (at a of load 60 % max), as a measure of muscle endurance. No differences were found between the results of strength training when using both methods (isometric, dynamic). A five week training program improved the isometric force by about 8-14 % of pre-test values, and by about 34-54 % in repetition exercises with the load. No differences were exhibited in the rate of the speed of increasing muscle strength.