Isometric Training and Long-term Adaptations; Effects of Muscle Length, Intensity and Intent: a Systematic Review

Date
2018
Authors
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Abstract

Isometric training is used in the rehabilitation and physical preparation of athletes, special populations and the general public. However, little consensus exists regarding training guidelines for a variety of desired outcomes. Understanding the adaptive response to specific loading parameters would be of benefit to practitioners. The objective of this systematic review, therefore, was to detail the medium to long-term adaptations of different types of isometric training on morphological, neurological and performance variables. Exploration of the relevant subject matter was performed through MEDLINE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL databases. English, full-text, peer-reviewed journal articles and unpublished doctoral dissertations investigating medium to long-term (≥3 weeks) adaptations to isometric training in humans were identified. These studies were evaluated further for methodological quality. Twenty-three research outputs were reviewed. Isometric training at longer muscle lengths (0.86-1.69%/week, ES = 0.03-0.09/week) produced greater muscular hypertrophy when compared to equal volumes of shorter muscle length training (0.08-0.83%/week, ES = -0.003-0.07/week). Ballistic intent resulted in greater neuromuscular activation (1.04-10.5%/week, ES = 0.02-0.31/week vs. 1.64-5.53%/week, ES = 0.03-0.20/week) and rapid force production (1.2-13.4%/week, ES = 0.05-0.61/week vs. 1.01-8.13%/week, ES = 0.06-0.22/week). Substantial improvements in muscular hypertrophy and maximal force production were reported regardless of training intensity. High-intensity (≥ 70%) contractions are required for improving tendon structure and function. Additionally, long muscle length training results in greater transference to dynamic performance. Despite relatively few studies meeting the inclusion criteria, this review provides practitioners with insight into which isometric training variables (e.g. joint angle, intensity, intent) to manipulate to achieve desired morphological and neuromuscular adaptations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Description
Keywords
Eccentric , Fascicle , Force , Mechanical loading , Muscle , Stiffness , Strength , Tendon
Source
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. doi: 10.1111/sms.13375
Rights statement
Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons. All rights reserved. Authors retain the right to place his/her pre-publication version of the work on a personal website or institutional repository. This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in (please see citation) as it is not a copy of this record. An electronic version of this article can be found online at: (Please see Publisher’s Version).