Article

Elastic tubes are devices relatively inexpensive, easy to use, portable and safe,
which are claimed to provide advantages with respect to training with free
weights or weight machine. The aim of this work was to assess neuromuscular
modification induced by the use of two different muscle contraction modalities
(elastic versus weight resistances) until exhaustion. Fourteen healthy physically
active male students (age: 28+/-6 years; body mass 72.1+/-11.0kg; height:
173.5+/-6.9cm) were recruited. They were requested to reach exhaustion with
dynamic contraction at 70% of their own One Repetition Maximal (1RM) using, in
two different days and in random order, Thera Band(R) tubes or traditional weight
plates on an arm machine designed and built for those tasks. Before and after
such contractions a standardized fatiguing isometric test (3 Maximal Voluntary
Contractions, MVC plus 60s at 60% MVC) was requested to assess differences
induced by the exhaustion sessions. During fatiguing tests surface EMG signals
were recorded from biceps brachii muscle with linear arrays of eight electrodes
(silver bars 10mm apart, 5mm long, and 1mm diameter) in single differential
configuration. Initial values and rates of change of Average Rectified Value
(ARV), MeaN power Frequency (MNF) and muscle fiber Conduction Velocity (CV) were
calculated to compare the effects of the two contraction modalities. No
differences were found between "elastic session" and "weight session" PRE MVCs
(31.9+/-8.8 and 29.9+/-8.3nm, respectively) and endurance times (28+/-6 and
26+/-7s, respectively). The same was observed for POST values. During the
post-contraction isometric fatigue test, the only parameters influenced by the
contraction modality were the initial CV and the rate of change in CV which were
12% and 37% greater (p<0.05) respectively after contractions performed with
elastic resistance compared to free weights. These findings confirm others for
which contractions done with the use of elastic band seem to require greater
muscle activation; moreover, they highlight a sort of "muscle conditioning" after
that specific contraction modality which requires the use of faster motor units.
It is thus possible to consider the practical use of such elastic devices to
increase the neuromuscular activation, for instance in specific rehabilitation
settings where slow movements with minimal risk of injury are requested (post
surgery rehabilitation, physical activity with elderly people or children).
CI - Copyright (c) 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Langue : ANGLAIS