Isokinetic vs isotonic strength training in adult men

Abstract

The differences in changes in strength, body composition, anthropometric measurements and selected motor performance tasks, between groups, trained isotonically and isokinetically were compared. Thirty-six male volunteers were randomly assigned to one of four groups: isotonic; isokinetic low speed contraction; isokinetic high speed contraction; and control. Strength training was conducted three days per week, 40 minutes per day for eight weeks. The results demonstrated a clear superiority of the isokinetic training procedures over the isotonic procedures relative to strength, antrhopometric measures and motor performance tasks. The three training groups exhibited similar changes in body composition. The isokinetic high speed group demonstrated the greatest gains overall. The significance of these results is discussed.