A comparison of elastic tubing and isotonic resistance exercises

The aim of this study was to assess eff ects of a short-term resistance program on strength in fi t young women using weight machines / free weights or elastic tubing. 42 physically fi t women (21.79 ± 0.7 years) were randomly assigned to the following groups: (i) the Thera-Band ® Exercise Station Group (TBG); (ii) the weight machines / free weights group (MFWG); or (iii) the control group (CG). Each experimental group performed the same periodised training program that lasted for 8 weeks, with 2 – 4 sessions per week and 3 – 4 sets of 8 – 15 submaximal reps. A load cell (Isocontrol; ATEmicro, Madrid, Spain) was used to test the evolution of the Maximum Isometric Voluntary Contraction (MIVC) in 3 diff erent exercises: Vertical Rowing (VR), Squat (S) and Back Extension (BE). A mixed model MANOVA [group (CG, TBG, MFWG) x testing time (pre-test, post-test)] was applied to determine the eff ect of the diff erent resistance training devices on strength. The only groups to improve their MIVC (p < 0.005) were TBG and MFWG, respectively: VR 19.87 % and 19.76 % ; S 14.07 and 28.88; BE 14.41 % and 14.00 % . These results indicate that resistance training using elastic tubing or weight machines / free weights have equivalent improvements in isometric force in short-term programs applied in fi t young women.