Specificity of limited range of motion variable resistance training

The present study evaluated the effect of limited range of motion (ROM) variable resistance training on full ROM strength development. Twenty-eight men and 31 women were randomly assigned to one of the three training groups (A, B, AB) or a control group (C). A, B, and AB performed variable resistance bilateral knee extension exercise 2 (N = 25) or 3 (N = 19) d.wk-1 for 10 wk with an amount of weight that allowed one set of 7-10 repetitions. Group A trained in a ROM limited to 120 degrees to 60 degrees of knee flexion. Group B trained in a ROM limited to 60 degrees to 0 degrees of knee flexion. Group AB trained full ROM. Prior to and immediately following training, isometric knee extension strength was evaluated at 9 degrees, 20 degrees, 35 degrees, 50 degrees, 65 degrees, 80 degrees, 95 degrees, and 110 degrees of knee flexion with a Nautilus knee extension tensiometer. Reliability coefficients for repeated measurements of isometric strength at multiple joint angles were high (r = 0.86-0.95, P less than 0.01; SEE = 23.1-37.2 N.m). Compared to the control group, all training groups improved in isometric strength (P less than 0.01 at each angle tested except for group A at 9 degrees and 20 degrees of knee flexion and group B at 95 degrees of flexion. Isometric strength gains for group AB were similar throughout the full ROM. Isometric strength gains for the limited ROM trained groups were greater in the trained ROM than in the untrained ROM (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)