title: The effectiveness of a pendulum swing for the development of leg strength and counter-movement jump performance.
abstract: Various training devices have been developed to facilitate 'plyometric' training, one such device being the 'pendulum swing'. To assess the effectiveness of the pendulum swing, the results of a 3 week training programme using a combination of pendulum swing and weight-training exercises were compared to those of a weight-training programme. Subjects were assigned to one of two groups (n = 9) for weight-training only or for combined pendulum and weight-training. Both groups performed the same number of exercise repetitions. Measurements of isometric knee and hip extension-flexion, 1-RM squat weight, maximum jump height and power for a counter-movement jump were taken pre-training, 2 days after the end of the programme and 2 weeks after the end of the programme. The data were analysed using two-way MANOVA and MANCOVA techniques. Both methods showed significant (P < 0.05) increases in knee and hip extension strength. Hip and knee flexion strength increased only for the weight-trained group. Counter-movement jump height increased for both groups (weight-trained, P < 0.05; combined, P < 0.01). Maximum power increased only for the combined group (P < 0.05). When the pre-training scores were used as a covariate, the weight-trained group showed a greater increase in hip flexion and extension strength and knee flexion strength than the combined training group (P < 0.05). The combined group showed the greatest increase in knee extensor strength. It is concluded that the pendulum system induces a training effect which could be used to supplement weight-training for improving vertical jump performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Environmental Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Alsager, UK.
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Trzaskoma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wit
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iskra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lees
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016552:Ergometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005246:Feedback; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009862:Online Systems; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology