Short-term strength adaptation in isometric training to volitional failure depends on initial specific tension in elbow flexors

Abstract

We tested a hypothesis that individuals with low maximal voluntary isometric contraction relative to muscle cross-sectional area (MVC/mCSA) would have greater strength gain compared to those with high MVC/mCSA in an early stage from beginning of isometric training to volitional failure. Male adults (n = 24; 22.4 ± 2.5 years, 174.1 ± 6.5 cm, 75.8 ± 14.1 kg) conducted a 3-week isometric training to volitional failure (60-80% MVC, 2-3 times/week, 3 sets/session) in elbow joint flexion with 90° flexion of each arm. Based on the relationship between MVC and mCSA before the intervention, we assigned 16 arms to the higher group (HIGH), 14 to the lower group (LOW) and 18 to the mean group (MEAN). Before the intervention and at the beginning of every week, we measured MVC (myometer) and muscle thickness of anterior upper arm (ultrasound). The mCSA was derived from muscle thickness. The 3-week isometric training to volitional failure increased MVC in all groups, but the relative change in MVC through the intervention was higher in LOW than in HIGH and MEAN groups. The current findings of this study support the abovementioned hypothesis.