Strength enhancement with limited range closed kinetic chain isokinetic exercise of the upper extremity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Specificity plays an important role in the design of strength training protocols. One of the paramount factors is the range of motion (ROM). OBJECTIVE: To explore limited range of motion (ROM) strength training using a closed chain upper extremity push pull motion. Range specific effects and transferability (strength gains outside the trained ROM) were investigated. METHOD: 45 healthy women (18-50 ± 4.2) randomly assigned to one of three groups: Full ROM group, Limited ROM group, Control group. Training and testing were conducted using a closed chain attachment of an isokinetic dynamometer, at a constant linear velocity of 12.22 cm/s (corresponding to the dynamometer angular velocity of 60 • /sec) and a second condition of 36.67 cm/s (corresponding to the dynamometer angular velocity of 180 • /sec). Training lasted 6 weeks X 2 days per week, through either full or limited ROM, representing a middle segment of the linear displacement of the handle through the full ROM. Peak force and work data were evaluated. RESULTS: Significant gains in peak force and work values at full ROM and all sub ranges were noted for both training groups. Transferability of strength was demonstrated for limited ROM training, whereas specificity could be demonstrated only under the condition of range X velocity interaction. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the use of limited ROM training in the upper extremity and are in agreement with previous data regarding the knee extensors. Limited ROM training may be used early on in upper extremity rehabilitation. Particularly, the suggested protocol may be safely applied to scapular rehabilitation.

Effects of range of motion on resistance training adaptations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…After removing duplicates, 1365 titles and abstracts were screened, resulting in 29 potentially eligible full texts. After the full‐text screening, 16 studies were considered for qualitative analysis and meta‐analyses 53‐68 54,60 …”

“…Details from the 16 RCTs ( n = 551 participants) included in the final analysis are presented in Table 1. Resistance training interventions were conducted on male‐only samples in ten studies, 54,56‐59,61‐63,66,67 female‐only in two studies, 55,65 and mixed‐samples in four studies 53,60,64,68 53,54,56,61,63,64,66‐68 with five of them training the squat, 53,56,63,66,67 two a combination of lower‐limb exercises, 61,64 one the leg press exercise, 68 and one the knee extension exercise 54 .…”

“…Nine studies investigated lower‐limb exercises, 53,54,56,61,63,64,66‐68 with five of them training the squat, 53,56,63,66,67 two a combination of lower‐limb exercises, 61,64 one the leg press exercise, 68 and one the knee extension exercise 54 . Seven studies performed upper‐limb exercises, 55,57‐60,62,65 with three studies training the bench press 57,59,65 and the other the elbow flexion, 62 elbow extension, 58 arm push‐and‐pull 55 and lumbar extension 60 exercises. The main strength outcome analyzed was the one‐repetition maximum (1RM), 53,56,57,59,61‐63,65‐67 followed by isometric tests, 54,56,58,60,64,67,68 isokinetic evaluations, 54,55,68 and barbell velocity assessments 59,63 .…”

“…Seven studies performed upper‐limb exercises, 55,57‐60,62,65 with three studies training the bench press 57,59,65 and the other the elbow flexion, 62 elbow extension, 58 arm push‐and‐pull 55 and lumbar extension 60 exercises. The main strength outcome analyzed was the one‐repetition maximum (1RM), 53,56,57,59,61‐63,65‐67 followed by isometric tests, 54,56,58,60,64,67,68 isokinetic evaluations, 54,55,68 and barbell velocity assessments 59,63 . Functional tests included vertical jumps, 53,56,61,63,67 sprints, 61,63 Wingate anaerobic test 63 and flexibility assessment 60 .…”

“…No study provided a trial preregistration. Three studies showed a high risk of bias in the selection of the reported results since they only presented one dependent variable 55,57,65 …”