Short-term isokinetic training increases muscle strength in young subjects

The aim was to investigate the effects of short-term isokinetic training on muscle performance in young individuals. Eleven healthy males subjects underwent to short-term training, consisting of 3 sessions (4 sets, 10 repetitions of concentric isokinetic exercise at 120 degrees.s(-1); 2-minute interval between sets). Data reproducibility from two sessions was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland and Altman test. Training assessments were made pre and post the 2nd and 3rd sessions (1 set, 3 repetitions of concentric knee extension at 60 degrees.s(-1), 120 degrees.s(-1) and 180 degrees.s(-1)). An ANOVA for repeated measures and Tukey post-hoc test was applied to determine differences between tests. The ICC ranged from 0.97 to 0.98 for all velocities. There was an increase in peak torque at 60 degrees.s(-1) (P=0,03) and 120 degrees.s(-1) (P=0,01) after 2 training sessions. Two sessions of isokinetic exercise were sufficient to induce strength increases at the training velocity (120 degrees.s(-1)) and the slower contraction velocity (60 degrees.s(-1)) in young individuals.