Progressive versus rapid rate of contraction during 7 wk of isometric resistance training.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of isometric training performed with progressive versus rapid rate of contraction on the knee extensor neuromuscular properties over a 7-wk period.


METHODS
Sixteen healthy male subjects trained quadriceps femoris muscle in a leg extension machine three times a week during 7 wk. The training sessions consisted of six sets of six maximal isometric contractions. A first group trained by performing progressive contractions lasting 4 s, whereas a second group performed contractions with a rapid rate of contraction (i.e., ballistic contractions) lasting about 1 s.


RESULTS
Both groups significantly increased the isometric and isokinetic voluntary torque, and the respective absolute or relative gains were comparable. Isometric training performed with progressive rate of contraction affected the evoked action potential (M wave) of the vastus lateralis muscle and not the related twitch properties. On the other hand, the isometric training completed with ballistic contractions significantly modified the twitch contractile properties of the knee extensors and not the associated M waves of both vastus medialis and vastus lateralis.


CONCLUSIONS
Knee extensors adapted specifically their neuromuscular properties to the type of rate of contraction performed during 7-wk isometric resistance training. Progressive isometric contractions produced modifications of the nervous system at peripheral level (i.e., muscle membrane electrical activity), whereas ballistic isometric contractions affected the knee extensor contractile muscle properties (i.e., excitation-contraction coupling).
Maffiuletti
N A
NA
Groupe Analyse du Mouvement, Université de Bourgogne, UFR STAPS Dijon, France. Nicola.Maffiuletti@u-bourgogne.fr
Martin
A
A
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D007700:Kinetics; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D019415:Torque