Influence of static strength training on the force-velocity relationship of the arm flexors

Twenty-nine boys about 16 years old were divided into a training group and a control group. The training group exercised the arm flexors in a static strength training program with 90% of the maximal static strength during 9 weeks, three times a week. Before and after the training period, the force-velocity relationship of the arm flexors was established. For this purpose the maximal speed of flexion against different but constant loads was measured. A best fitting curve was computed according to Hill's equation: (F+a) (v+b) = C. The mean maximal static strength of the training group increased from 238 N to 270 N. No change occurred in the maximal speed at low forces but the speed increased at high forces. This resulted in a more concave course of the F-v curve. Maximal power did not change significantly. No significant changes were observed in the control group.