Leg and Calf Press Training Modes and Their Impact on Jump Performance Adaptations

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 766 - 772
• Main Authors: Caruso, John F, Coday, Michael A, Ramsey, Charles A, Griswold, Shawn H, Polanski, David W, Drummond, Jan L, Walker, Ron H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Strength and Conditioning Association 01.05.2008; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Ankle; Anthropometry; Cohort Studies; Electromyography; Exercise; Female; Humans; Leg; Legs; Male; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Physical Education and Training - methods; Physical Endurance - physiology; Probability; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sports - physiology; Task Performance and Analysis; Torque
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31816a849a

To examine the effects of resistance exercise (REX) mode on jump performance, subjects were assigned to one of three groups over a 6-week period with no cross-over. Subjects were assigned to leg and calf press REX on either a standard (n = 10) or ergometer (n = 9) device while a third group (n = 9) served as controls (CTRL). REX subjects worked out twice per week, which consisted of a three-set, 10-repetition paradigm for leg and calf press exercises. Immediately before and after the 6-week period, subjects performed tests that assessed jump (standing vertical jump, four-jump test protocol, depth jump) ability, while a fourth estimated knee extensor fast-twitch percentage (FT%) from fatigue incurred through a 50-repetition isokinetic protocol. Data analyses utilized 3 × 2 (group × time) repeated-measures ANCOVAs. Several dependent variables showed effects by group (standard REX, ergometer REX > CTRL) and time (post > pre). An interaction occurred for explosive leg power factor, a four-jump test variable, with standard REX post-test values as the interaction source. A trend for an interaction occurred for depth jump hang time, as ergometer REX values improved over time. Results suggest that mode-specific adaptations occur with REX training. Thus, athletes are best served with the selection of a REX device that is most specific to the demands of their jump performance task.