Flywheel or free weight training for improvement of lower limbs strength

BACKROUND New training methods are constantly used to improve the ability of skeletal muscles to develop strength. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of half-squat training with free weights and flywheel device on isokinetic knee muscle strength for well-trained amateur soccer players. METHODS Forty eight players were randomly divided into three groups (n= 16 each): Desmotech Training group (DT), Free Weight Training group (WT) and one Control Group (CON). DT and WT performed an eight-week half-squat training program, with two sessions per week. The DT group performed training with a flywheel device. Isokinetic concentric-eccentric strength assessments of the knee extensors-flexors muscle groups were performed at different angular velocities (60, 180 and 240∘/s). RESULTS The eight-week training program improved all the isokinetic joint moment indicators examined in the DT and WT groups (p< 0.01). The DT group achieved higher performances at all the isokinetic parameters examined, however, without statistically significant differences to the WT group. CONCLUSIONS Flywheel-based exercise is an effective training method and is suggested to be used to strengthen the lower limbs of soccer players.