EJAP final submitted manuscript.pdf (585.64 kB)
Is the joint-angle specificity of isometric resistance training real? And if so, does it have a neural basis?
journal contribution
posted on 2020-06-25, 08:08 authored by Marcel B. Lanza, Tom BalshawTom Balshaw, Jonathan FollandJonathan FollandPurpose: There are suggestions that isometric resistance training (RT) produces highly angle-specific changes in strength with the greatest changes at the training angle, but these effects remain controversial with limited rigorous evidence, and the possible underpinning physiological mechanism(s) remain opaque. This study investigated the extent of angle-specific changes in strength and neuromuscular activation after RT in comparison to a control group. Methods: A RT group (n = 13) performed 14 isometric RT sessions at a knee-joint angle of 65° (0° is anatomical position) over a 4-week period, whilst a control group (CON, n = 9) maintained their habitual activity. Pre- and post-test sessions involved voluntary and evoked isometric knee extension contractions at five knee-joint angles (35°, 50°, 65°, 80° and 95°), while electromyography was recorded. Results: RT group increased maximum voluntary torque (MVT) at the training angle (65°; + 12%) as well as 80° (+ 7%), 50° (+ 11%) and 35° (+ 5%). Joint-angle specificity was demonstrated within the RT group (MVT increased more at some angles vs. others), and also by more rigorous between-group comparisons (i.e., larger improvements after RT vs. CON at some angles than others). For the RT group, normalized EMG increased at three of the same joint angles as strength, but not for CON. Importantly, however, neither within- or between-group analyses provided evidence of joint angle-specific changes in activation. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study provides robust evidence for joint angle-specific strength gains after isometric RT, with weaker evidence that changes in neuromuscular activation may contribute to these adaptations.
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Published in
European Journal of Applied PhysiologyVolume
119Issue
11-12Pages
2465 - 2476Publisher
SpringerVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer NaturePublisher statement
This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in European Journal of Applied Physiology. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-019-04229-z.Acceptance date
2019-09-09Publication date
2019-09-14Copyright date
2019ISSN
1439-6319eISSN
1439-6327Publisher version
Language
- en
Depositor
Prof Jonathan Folland. Deposit date: 24 June 2020Usage metrics
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