A comparison of two 3-week resistance training programmes commonly used in short-term military rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION: Resistance training is an important component of rehabilitation due to its ability to increase muscular strength and enhance functional ability. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of two different resistance-training programmes currently used in military rehabilitation. METHOD: 27 male rehabilitation patients, serving with the Armed Forces and suffering from a range of lower limb musculoskeletal injuries were divided into two matched groups. Group 1 (n=14) performed the Daily Adjusted Progressive Resistance Exercise (DAPRE), whereas Group 2 (n=13) performed the Functional Strength Training (FST). An 8 repetition maximum (8RM) deadlift and countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) test were used as Functional Assessment Tests (FATs) and as measures of changes in strength and power, respectively. Both were conducted on admission and at discharge. RESULTS: Lower limb strength and power increased significantly in both the DAPRE (p≤0.001/p≤0.001) and the FST (p≤0.001/0.001) groups. There was no significant difference between groups for either strength (p≥0.05) or power (p≥0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term resistance training during rehabilitation can lead to gains in strength and power despite differences in programme design. However we conclude that three weeks of resistance training is insufficient duration to see significant differences between different training protocols.