Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?

ObjectivesInertial training, also called flywheel training is more and more popular among sportsmen. The available data concerning the effectiveness of inertial training compared to conventional resistance strength training are contradictory. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of inerti...

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Main Authors: Alicja Naczk, Katarzyna Kisiel-Sajewicz, Ewa Gajewska, Piotr Gramza, Tomasz Jędzrzejczak, Mariusz Naczk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1487624/full
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author Alicja Naczk
Katarzyna Kisiel-Sajewicz
Ewa Gajewska
Piotr Gramza
Tomasz Jędzrzejczak
Mariusz Naczk
author_facet Alicja Naczk
Katarzyna Kisiel-Sajewicz
Ewa Gajewska
Piotr Gramza
Tomasz Jędzrzejczak
Mariusz Naczk
author_sort Alicja Naczk
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivesInertial training, also called flywheel training is more and more popular among sportsmen. The available data concerning the effectiveness of inertial training compared to conventional resistance strength training are contradictory. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of inertial training (IT) vs. traditional gravity-dependent resistance training (TRT) on elbow flexor and knee extensor strength.MethodsTwenty-six young, recreationally active males were randomized into IT group (n = 13) or TRT group (n = 13). Both groups performed strength training three times a week for 6 weeks. Before and after training, the maximum force of the trained muscles was evaluated under training conditions (one repetition maximum under gravity-dependent conditions and maximal force under inertial conditions) and isometric conditions. Countermovement jump, squat jump, pull-up test, and limb circumference were also evaluated.ResultsElbow flexor muscle strength and arm circumference increased significantly in both IT and TRT over the course of training. There were no significant differences in relative muscle strength increases between groups. Knee extensor muscle strength also improved significantly in IT, regardless of the tested conditions, while TRT showed significant changes in one repetition maximum and isometric force but no significant changes in force obtained under inertial conditions. Thigh circumference increased in IT (P ≤ 0.05) but was unchanged in TRT. Jumping abilities improved significantly in both groups, without any differences between groups.ConclusionWe cannot confirm the superiority of inertial training over traditional resistance training definitively. Nevertheless, inertial training had a slight advantage over traditional resistance training when knee extensor muscle training was considered.
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spelling doaj-art-8d55e440b34342e4b2f3f322974076b62025-08-20T02:33:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2024-11-011510.3389/fphys.2024.14876241487624Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?Alicja Naczk0Katarzyna Kisiel-Sajewicz1Ewa Gajewska2Piotr Gramza3Tomasz Jędzrzejczak4Mariusz Naczk5Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty in Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poznan University of Physical Education, Poznan, PolandDepartment of Kinesiology, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, PolandDepartment of Developmental Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, PolandDepartment of Innovation, Association of Lubusz Innovation Network, Gorzow Wielkopolski, PolandDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty in Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poznan University of Physical Education, Poznan, PolandDepartment of Applied and Clinical Physiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Gora, Zielona Gora, PolandObjectivesInertial training, also called flywheel training is more and more popular among sportsmen. The available data concerning the effectiveness of inertial training compared to conventional resistance strength training are contradictory. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of inertial training (IT) vs. traditional gravity-dependent resistance training (TRT) on elbow flexor and knee extensor strength.MethodsTwenty-six young, recreationally active males were randomized into IT group (n = 13) or TRT group (n = 13). Both groups performed strength training three times a week for 6 weeks. Before and after training, the maximum force of the trained muscles was evaluated under training conditions (one repetition maximum under gravity-dependent conditions and maximal force under inertial conditions) and isometric conditions. Countermovement jump, squat jump, pull-up test, and limb circumference were also evaluated.ResultsElbow flexor muscle strength and arm circumference increased significantly in both IT and TRT over the course of training. There were no significant differences in relative muscle strength increases between groups. Knee extensor muscle strength also improved significantly in IT, regardless of the tested conditions, while TRT showed significant changes in one repetition maximum and isometric force but no significant changes in force obtained under inertial conditions. Thigh circumference increased in IT (P ≤ 0.05) but was unchanged in TRT. Jumping abilities improved significantly in both groups, without any differences between groups.ConclusionWe cannot confirm the superiority of inertial training over traditional resistance training definitively. Nevertheless, inertial training had a slight advantage over traditional resistance training when knee extensor muscle training was considered.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1487624/fullinertialresistancetrainings comparisonmuscle strengthelbow flexorsknee extensors
spellingShingle Alicja Naczk
Katarzyna Kisiel-Sajewicz
Ewa Gajewska
Piotr Gramza
Tomasz Jędzrzejczak
Mariusz Naczk
Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?
Frontiers in Physiology
inertial
resistance
trainings comparison
muscle strength
elbow flexors
knee extensors
title Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?
title_full Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?
title_fullStr Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?
title_full_unstemmed Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?
title_short Is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males?
title_sort is inertial training more effective than traditional resistance training in young healthy males
topic inertial
resistance
trainings comparison
muscle strength
elbow flexors
knee extensors
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1487624/full
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