Placing Greater Torque at Shorter or Longer Muscle Lengths? Effects of Cable vs. Barbell Preacher Curl Training on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy in Young Adults

João Pedro Nunes, Jeferson L. Jacinto, Alex S. Ribeiro, Jerry L. Mayhew, Masatoshi Nakamura, Danila M. G. Capel, Leidiane R. Santos, Leandro Santos, Edilson S. Cyrino and Andreo F. Aguiar
Additional contact information
João Pedro Nunes: Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State University, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
Jeferson L. Jacinto: Center for Research in Health Sciences, University of Northern Paraná, Londrina 86041-140, PR, Brazil
Alex S. Ribeiro: Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State University, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
Jerry L. Mayhew: Exercise Science Program, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501, USA
Masatoshi Nakamura: Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata 950-3198, Japan
Danila M. G. Capel: Center for Research in Health Sciences, University of Northern Paraná, Londrina 86041-140, PR, Brazil
Leidiane R. Santos: Center for Research in Health Sciences, University of Northern Paraná, Londrina 86041-140, PR, Brazil
Leandro Santos: Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State University, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
Edilson S. Cyrino: Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State University, Londrina 86057-970, PR, Brazil
Andreo F. Aguiar: Center for Research in Health Sciences, University of Northern Paraná, Londrina 86041-140, PR, Brazil

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-8

Abstract: Muscular strength and hypertrophy following resistance training may be obtained in different degrees depending on the approach performed. This study was designed to compare the responses of the biceps brachii to two preacher curl exercises, one performed on a cable-pulley system (CAB; in which a greater torque was applied during the exercise when elbows were flexed and biceps shortened) and one performed with a barbell (BAR; in which greater torque was applied when the elbows were extended and biceps stretched). Thirty-five young adults (CAB: 13 men, 5 women; BAR: 12 men, 5 women; age = 24 ± 5 years) performed a resistance training program three times per week for 10 weeks, with preacher curl exercises performed in three sets of 8–12 repetitions. Outcomes measured included elbow flexion peak isokinetic torque at angles of 20°, 60°, and 100° (considering 0° as elbow extended), and biceps brachii thickness (B-mode ultrasound). Following the training period, there were significant increases for both groups in elbow flexion peak torque at the 20° (CAB: 30%; BAR = 39%; p = 0.046), 60° (CAB: 27%; BAR = 32%; p = 0.874), and 100° (CAB: 17%; BAR = 19%; p = 0.728), and biceps brachii thickness (CAB: 7%; BAR = 8%; p = 0.346). In conclusion, gains in muscular strength were greater for BAR only at longer muscle length, whereas hypertrophy was similar regardless of whether torque emphasis was carried out in the final (CAB) or initial (BAR) degrees of the range of motion of the preacher curl in young adults.

Keywords: variable resistance; muscle architecture; exercise selection; strength training; Scott curl (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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