Strength training - Selected procedures and corresponding effects

Therapeutic use of strength training requires knowledge about corresponding effects in healthy and impaired people. Selected strength training programs were analysed with respect to training intensity and specific modes of exercise. In a first study, 10 subjects performed 21 training sessions, three series with 12 repetitions of leg extensions with 50% of maximum voluntary contraction. 11 subjects did 100% of maximum voluntary contraction. In a second study 6 subjects performed the above-mentioned 100% training, and 6 did a power lifting program, knee-bending, three sessions technique training, nine sessions including ten, eight, six, four, ten repetitions with 60, 70, 80, 90 and 60% of maximum weight, and nine sessions of five, four, three, two and five repetitions with 85, 90, 95, 100 and 85%. Pre and post training period, muscle cross section area of the upper thigh, maximum static leg extension and vertical jump height were measured. All training programs increased muscle cross section area (p < 0.05). In the first study, there was no effect on vertical jump height (p > 0.05). Only the 100% training increased maximum static knee extension torque (p < 0.05). In the second study 100% leg extension training increased maximum static knee extension (p<0.05), however, the knee-bending program increased vertical jump (p<0.05). In conclusion, strength training with medium and maximum intensity increased muscle mass. Improvement of maximum muscle power demanded maximum voluntary contractions. Tasks including a higher level of intermuscular coordination demanded training with similar patterns of coordination.