Author(s): REVUELTA-LERA, B., RIAL-VAZQUEZ, J.1, NINE, I.1, FARIÑAS, J.1, RÚA-ALONSO, M.1, MARQUEZ, G.2, IGLESIAS-SOLER, E.1 , Institution: UNIVERSITY OF A CORUÑA / Q6550005J, Country: SPAIN, Abstract-ID: 2283

INTRODUCTION:
During exercises such as leg press there is an imbalance between the torque demanded by the external load and the torque-generating capacity of the muscle, resulting in a stimulus that may be suboptimal. The combined use of elastic band with free weight is a possible solution to this problem (1,2). The aim of this study was to compare 4 different bands and free weight configurations regardingmuscle performance.
METHODS:
22 healthy subjects (16 men and 6 women) with at least 6 months of continuous strength training were recruited. Each subject completed 4 sessions with different bands and free weight combination: only free weight (FW), 10%, 20% and 30% of the load provided by elastic tension.
All sessions consisted of 3 sets of deep unilateral leg press to task failure with a 12RM load and 4 minutes of rest between sets. Total number of repetitions completed (TREPS), mean and peak velocity (MV, PV) were recorded during the entire session. Percentage of velocity loss (VL) and the % of range of movement (%ROM) at which peak velocity was achieved were also calculated. Neuromuscular fatigue was assessed by the twitch interpolation technique.
To explore the effect of condition, one way ANOVA was performed. Additionally, 4x3 ANOVA was used to analyzed condition across sets.
RESULTS:
A main effect of condition was detected for TREPS, PV, MV and %ROM (p≤0.034). Greater number of repetitions were completed in the 30% condition compared to 10% (p=0.015) and a tendency was observed for 30% > FW (p=0.053). PV was higher in FW compared to the other conditions and MV was greater in 30% in comparison with 10% (p=0.019). No differences between conditions were observed for VL (p=0.145).
Only a significant interaction between condition×set was observed for VM (p=0.023). VM was greater in SET2 for 30% compared to 10%. VM was higher in SET3 for 30% in comparison with FW.
CONCLUSION:
Combining elastic bands with free weight seems to be an effective way to achieve a higher number of repetitions whereas replacing 30% of free weight by elastic tension allows maintaining a higher MV. These results show that elastic bands are useful for inducing changes in mechanical stimulus of resistance training (1).

REFERENCES
1. Andersen et al., J Strength Cond Res, 2015.
2. Walker et al., Eur J Appl Physiol, 2013.