THE CHRONIC EFFECT OF STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY TRAINING ON STIFFNESS AND RANGE OF MOTION

Abstract

Twelve male subjects were in the training group (T) who performed concentric strength training (CON) on one side and concentric plus flexibility training (CON_F) on the other side; other 10 subjects served as a control (C). A strength and stretch tests were administered before and after the training period. After 6 weeks of training a significant difference between pre and posttest was found for the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test on T group. The ROM increased significantly only in CONC_F group. No differences between groups or time existed was found for stiffness. Concentric training was able to enhance strength without any alterations in the stiffness of muscle-tendon unit (MTU). The concentric training combined with flexibility training was able to increase strength and ROM without any augmentation in stiffness.