Specific Eccentric–Isokinetic Cluster Training Improves Static Strength Elements on Rings for Elite Gymnasts

Christoph Schärer, Lisa Tacchelli, Beat Göpfert, Micah Gross, Fabian Lüthy, Wolfgang Taube and Klaus Hübner
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Christoph Schärer: Department of Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM), 2532 Magglingen, BE, Switzerland
Lisa Tacchelli: Department of Neurosciences and Movement Sciences, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Beat Göpfert: Department Biomedical Engineering (DBE), University of Basel, 4123 Allschwil, BL, Switzerland
Micah Gross: Department of Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM), 2532 Magglingen, BE, Switzerland
Fabian Lüthy: Department of Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM), 2532 Magglingen, BE, Switzerland
Wolfgang Taube: Department of Neurosciences and Movement Sciences, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Klaus Hübner: Department of Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM), 2532 Magglingen, BE, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-10

Abstract: In gymnastics, coaches are constantly searching for efficient training methods in order to improve the athletes’ performance. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate the effects of a novel, four-week, gymnastic-specific, eccentric–isokinetic (0.1 m/s) cluster training on a computer-controlled training device on the improvement of two static strength elements on rings (swallow and support scale). Nine elite male gymnasts participated in this study. Outcome parameters were maximum strength and strength endurance in maintaining the static position of both elements. After four weeks of training, specific maximum strength increased significantly (swallow: +4.1%; d = 0.85; p = 0.01; support scale: +3.6%; d = 2.47; p = 0.0002) and strength endurance tended to improve (swallow: +104.8%; d = 0.60; p = 0.07; support scale: +26.8%; d = 0.27; p = 0.19). Our results demonstrate that top athletes can considerably improve ring-specific strength and strength endurance in only four weeks. We assumed that the high specificity but also the unfamiliar stimulus of slow eccentric movements with very long times under maximal muscle tension led to these improvements. We suggest to use this type of training periodically and during phases in which the technical training load is low.

Keywords: strength training; eccentric; isokinetic; upper limbs; artistic gymnastics; rings; males (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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