Implementing Flywheel (Isoinertial) Exercise in Strength Training: Current Evidence, Practical Recommendations, and Future Directions

Inertial flywheel knee- and hip-dominant hamstring strength exercises in professional soccer players: Muscle use and velocity-based (mechanical) eccentric overload

“…In addition to this, present results showed that CON and ECC mean power during the first set in VP was lower than in any other set. This was probably to the fact that the first set in VP with a 0.21964 kg/m 2 moment of inertia in this population could be used as a protocol to stimulate the postactivation potentiation responses to obtain a subsequent better performance [ 46 ].…”

“…population could be used as a protocol to stimulate the postactivation potentiation responses to obtain a subsequent better performance [46]. When prescribing hamstring strength training exercises, individual hamstring muscles are not activated in a similar manner [47] and changes in response to resistance training occur non-uniformly along the muscle [35,36].…”

“…The magnitude of this overload is largely dependent on previous experience with this technology as was shown by Tous-Fajardo et al [ 25 ], and the experience with these devices is crucial to optimize training. Previous studies using flywheel technology have shown benefits such us improved performance [ 24 , 28 , 29 ], chronic adaptations on muscular strength, power and gains in lean mass [ 28 – 30 ], higher force and power production combined with low energy expenditure [ 28 ] or reduced hamstring injuries in professional soccer players [ 11 , 22 , 28 ]. It should be noted that with the use of this flywheel technology a familiarization process is required and there is a lack of standard procedures for exercise loading prescription and limited evidence with elite athletes [ 28 ].…”

Effects of flywheel training on strength-related variables in female populations. A systematic review

“…step ups and rear foot elevated split squats [11,13] and more recently, flywheel (isoinertial) training [14][15][16][17][18], where a wide variety of exercises can be performed. Several studies have described the advantages of flywheel training and attempted to explain its physiological mechanisms, and outcomes for performance and health [10,19].…”

“…Flywheel training typically involves similar movement patterns to traditional resistance training (squats or lunges), although this depends upon the desired goal of the programme [18,[21][22][23][24]. The morphological and strength benefits of flywheel training likely derive from the combination of both concentric-eccentric contractions [19]; however, the main peculiarity of this training methodology is the overload generated during the eccentric portion of the exercise [20,25]. The benefits deriving from eccentric exercise have been largely reported in the literature, including preferential recruitment of high threshold motor units, higher force output production and lower energy expenditure compared with both isometric and concentric muscle contractions [26,27].…”