Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Physical Education

First Advisor

Alfred Finch

Second Advisor

Blanche Evans

Third Advisor

Frank D. Bell

Abstract

Resistance training is being used to better sports performances worldwide. Increases in strength have been shown to enhance performance and decrease the incidence of injury. The optimum speed and load needed to increase strength in the least amount of time has yet to be determined. Researchers have categorized different methods used to increase strength including the Dynamic Effort, Maximum Effort, and Repeated Effort Methods and Compensatory Acceleration. However, the optimum combination of these methods has not been shown through scientific study. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a six week training program using the Dynamic Effort, Maximum Effort, and Repeated Effort Methods with Compensatory Acceleration as compared to a six week training program using the Maximum Effort and Repeated Effort Methods. Eight male volunteers with at least one year of prior resistance training experience and who had been injury free for at least six months served as subjects. The subjects performed a One Repetition Maximum (l RM) bench press and two bench press trials on the Ariel Computerized Exercise System (ACES) at speeds of2 deg-sec" and 25 dog-sec". Video records were taken of the I RM trials. Electrodes were placed on the left pectoralis major and left triceps brachii. The Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS) collected EMG data at 500 Hz for all trials. A 2x2 factorial ANOV A with repeated measures was used to statistically analyze each of the following factors: (a) average maximal strength level; (b) peak force productions on the ACES; (c) peak vertical bar velocity; (d) vertical bar velocity at stickpoint; (e) peak elbow angular velocity; IV (f) elbow angular velocity at stickpoint; (g) peak IEMG values; (h) time to peak IEMG values; (i) percentage of phase at peak IEMG; and (j) bodyfat percentage. Additionally, a t-test was performed on the percentage of gain in 1 RM. Significant differences at the .05 level between training programs were found only for the peak IEMG values for the triceps brachii during the 2 deg-sec' ACES trials. A Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences existed between pre-test and post-test values for both groups in the 1 RM trials. The Post-hoc analysis of the peak vertical bar velocities during the 1 RM trials showed significant differences between pre-test and post-test values. Additionally, the pre-test and post-test values for the peak elbow angular velocities showed significant differences. The triceps brachii showed significant differences in time to peak IEMG and percentage of phase at peak IEMG between pre-test and post-test values during the 2 deg-sec' ACES trials. The results of this study suggest that the combination of the Maximum Effort, Dynamic Effort, and Repeated Effort Methods with Compensatory Acceleration was no more effective in increasing the bench press strength of these subjects than the use of the Maximum Effort and Repeated Effort Methods only. However, further study is needed with athletes of greater resistance training experience and with different lifting movements before conclusions can be made of the effectiveness of these methods and the possible combinations of them.

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