Isokinetic peak torque vs 1RM test results as reliable methods to follow up power development

Abstract

The objective of this research was to compare the isokinetic test for maximum peak torque and one-repetition maximum test, as methods for assessment of the maximum strength of the subjects arm flexors.On 14 subjects, non-athletes, at age of 19 +/- 0.5 years, 6 weeks’ of experimental programme was conducted to stimulate the elbow flexors with maximum muscle load. Exercises (flexion) were performed by lifting external weight with one-arm weight on Scott bench. The isokinetic maximum peak torque and one-repetition maximum were tested in three time sequences (1. beginning, 2. after the 3th week and 3. after the 6th week. Results shows that there is no statistically significant difference in the maximum torque in the subjects tested after first three weeks of exercises (p=0.43, d=0.24±0.40), after the next three weeks, 3rd to 6th week (p=0.68, d=0.27±0.23) as well as in total of 6 weeks of the experimental procedure (p=0.78, d=0.51±0.53). The results for one-repetition maximum test, shows significant positive changes in the values for the arithmetic mean for maximum strength after the 3rd week, by 20.9% [±7.9] for p=0.00 (d=0.45±0.15) between 3rd to 6th week by 19.9% [±5.0] (p=0.00; d=0.43±0.10) and in total following the 6 weeks of training, significant change by 45.0% [±10.6] at level p=0.00 (d=0.88±0.17). Those differences in test probably appear because of the [1] manner in which maximum torque test is performed (biomechanical differences between to tests), [2] simultaneous testing of flexion + extension as a part of biodex testing protocol, as well as the [3] phenomena of “learned movement” during exercises, which is slightly different compared to the movements executed when testing the Biodex devices.