A case study of isokinetic training: is maximal effort enough to increase strength?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Isokinetic dynamometer is an electromechanical device that allows measuring the torque of a segment, as well as estimating power and fatigue by observing the variation of torque over time. This device also controls the speed of the angular movement, whether it is generated by an eccentric or concentric contraction. This equipment is utilized for both evaluation and strength training. OBJECTIVE: Verify the effects of strength training performed on an isokinetic dynamometer on the capacity to generate isometric torque. METHOD: Two healthy, sedentary men, aged 23 e 24 performed 16 strength training sessions (always at maximum effort) for elbow joint flexor muscles of the dominant limb. The sessions were composed by a training of four sets of eight repetitions in a range of movement of 130°, at 45º/s. The evaluations of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in a 90º of elbow flexion was realized in the first, eighth and sixteenth sessions. Thickness of the flexor muscles of the elbow joint was also measured with ultrasonography at the same sessions in which the maximum isometric torque was measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in torque gain or in muscle thickness at the end of the training protocol. CONCLUSION: Strength training, exclusively performed in the concentric mode on an isokinetic dynamometer did not caused an increase in the capacity to generate isometric torque and did not change muscle thickness.