O treinamento isocinético é uma alternativa eficaz para incrementos neuromusculares e na performance de torque muscular dos flexores e extensores do joelho. No entanto, o treinamento mais efetivo para aumentar o equilíbrio de torque muscular entre isquiotibiais e quadríceps (I/Q) ainda parece desconhecido. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos de três diferentes tipos de treinamentos isocinéticos nas razões I/Q convencional (Rcon) e funcional (Rfun). Adicionalmente, foram avaliados os efeitos desses treinamentos nas variáveis de pico de torque (PT) concêntrico e excêntrico, pico de torque isométrico (PTI) taxa de produção de torque (TPT), ativação muscular (EMG), atraso eletromecânico (AE), espessura muscular (EM) e echo-intensity (EI) dos músculos flexores e extensores do joelho, bem como no desempenho funcional através dos testes squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) e sprint 40m. Quarenta sujeitos homens destreinados (22,87 ± 2,28 anos, 70,66 ± 11,04 kg, 174,29 ± 6,9 cm) realizaram 6 semanas de treinamento para flexores e extensores do joelho em um dinamômetro isocinético Biodex. Eles foram selecionados de forma randomizada em 3 grupos de treinamento: modo concêntrico de extensão e concêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/CON); modo excêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (EXC/EXC); modo concêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/EXC); e um grupo controle que não realizou nenhum treinamento (CNTRL). Todas as sessões de treinamento foram separadas por pelo menos 48h e as variáveis analisadas foram testadas em 2 dias, sendo realizadas 72h antes e depois da realização dos treinamentos. O grupo que treinou no modo EXC/EXC obteve maiores resultados na RFun, assim como aumentos significativos em PT excêntrico, PTI, CMJ e DJ comparado aos demais grupos (p<0,05), enquanto o grupo que treinou no modo CON/CON aumentou TPF em relação aos demais (p>0.05). Todos os grupos aumentaram EM do quadríceps e isquiotibiais de forma similar (p<0,05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos para PT concêntrico, EMG, AE, EI, RCon, SJ ou Sprint 40m (p>0,05). Portanto, o modo de treinamento EXC/EXC pode ser o mais efetivo para aumentar equilíbrio de torque muscular funcional I/Q. Treinamento excêntrico aumenta o torque excêntrico, influenciando nos aumentos na RFun e em saltos verticais que envolvem torque excêntrico (CMJ e DJ). O modo de treinamento CON/CON pode ser o mais efetivo em aumentos na potencia muscular. / Isokinetic dynamometers may be a viable alternative for improvements in neuromuscular and strength performance of knee flexors and extensors. However, the most advantages training protocol to elicit the greatest increases in hamstrings to quadriceps (H/Q) muscle balance is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare three different isokinetic training protocols on H/Q strength balance, calculated by conventional and functional ratios. A secondary aim was to compare the training protocols across varied quadriceps and hamstrings muscle actions on concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT), isometric peak torque (IPT), rate of torque development (RTD), muscle activation (EMG), electromechanical delay (EMD), muscle thickness (MT) and echo-intensity (EI), as well functional performance tested by squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and 40m sprint tests. Forty untrained male subjects (22.87 ± 2.28 yrs, 70.66 ± 11.04 kg, 174.29 ± 6.9 cm) performed 6 weeks of training of their dominant and non-dominant knees on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. They were randomly assigned to 3 training groups; concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC) or no training (CNTRL). All training sessions were separated by at least 48 hours, and all variables were tested in 2 days 72h before and after training. Results revealed that the ECC/ECC group showed significant increases in functional ratio, as well as hamstrings and quadriceps eccentric PT, IPT, CMJ and DJ, compared to all other groups while the CON/CON group increased RTD (p<0.05). In addition, all training groups increased MT of quadriceps and hamstrings similarly (p<0.05). There were no differences between groups for concentric PT, EMG, ED, EI, SJ, conventional ratio or 40m sprint (p>0.05). Our findings suggest that ECC/ECC training may be the most effective at increasing functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training increases eccentric strength, thereby increasing the functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training also improves vertical jumps involving eccentric strength. CON/CON training may be more effective at increasing muscle power.

O treinamento isocinético é uma alternativa eficaz para incrementos neuromusculares e na performance de torque muscular dos flexores e extensores do joelho. No entanto, o treinamento mais efetivo para aumentar o equilíbrio de torque muscular entre isquiotibiais e quadríceps (I/Q) ainda parece desconhecido. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos de três diferentes tipos de treinamentos isocinéticos nas razões I/Q convencional (Rcon) e funcional (Rfun). Adicionalmente, foram avaliados os efeitos desses treinamentos nas variáveis de pico de torque (PT) concêntrico e excêntrico, pico de torque isométrico (PTI) taxa de produção de torque (TPT), ativação muscular (EMG), atraso eletromecânico (AE), espessura muscular (EM) e echo-intensity (EI) dos músculos flexores e extensores do joelho, bem como no desempenho funcional através dos testes squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) e sprint 40m. Quarenta sujeitos homens destreinados (22,87 ± 2,28 anos, 70,66 ± 11,04 kg, 174,29 ± 6,9 cm) realizaram 6 semanas de treinamento para flexores e extensores do joelho em um dinamômetro isocinético Biodex. Eles foram selecionados de forma randomizada em 3 grupos de treinamento: modo concêntrico de extensão e concêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/CON); modo excêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (EXC/EXC); modo concêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/EXC); e um grupo controle que não realizou nenhum treinamento (CNTRL). Todas as sessões de treinamento foram separadas por pelo menos 48h e as variáveis analisadas foram testadas em 2 dias, sendo realizadas 72h antes e depois da realização dos treinamentos. O grupo que treinou no modo EXC/EXC obteve maiores resultados na RFun, assim como aumentos significativos em PT excêntrico, PTI, CMJ e DJ comparado aos demais grupos (p<0,05), enquanto o grupo que treinou no modo CON/CON aumentou TPF em relação aos demais (p>0.05). Todos os grupos aumentaram EM do quadríceps e isquiotibiais de forma similar (p<0,05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos para PT concêntrico, EMG, AE, EI, RCon, SJ ou Sprint 40m (p>0,05). Portanto, o modo de treinamento EXC/EXC pode ser o mais efetivo para aumentar equilíbrio de torque muscular funcional I/Q. Treinamento excêntrico aumenta o torque excêntrico, influenciando nos aumentos na RFun e em saltos verticais que envolvem torque excêntrico (CMJ e DJ). O modo de treinamento CON/CON pode ser o mais efetivo em aumentos na potencia muscular. / Isokinetic dynamometers may be a viable alternative for improvements in neuromuscular and strength performance of knee flexors and extensors. However, the most advantages training protocol to elicit the greatest increases in hamstrings to quadriceps (H/Q) muscle balance is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare three different isokinetic training protocols on H/Q strength balance, calculated by conventional and functional ratios. A secondary aim was to compare the training protocols across varied quadriceps and hamstrings muscle actions on concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT), isometric peak torque (IPT), rate of torque development (RTD), muscle activation (EMG), electromechanical delay (EMD), muscle thickness (MT) and echo-intensity (EI), as well functional performance tested by squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and 40m sprint tests. Forty untrained male subjects (22.87 ± 2.28 yrs, 70.66 ± 11.04 kg, 174.29 ± 6.9 cm) performed 6 weeks of training of their dominant and non-dominant knees on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. They were randomly assigned to 3 training groups; concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC) or no training (CNTRL). All training sessions were separated by at least 48 hours, and all variables were tested in 2 days 72h before and after training. Results revealed that the ECC/ECC group showed significant increases in functional ratio, as well as hamstrings and quadriceps eccentric PT, IPT, CMJ and DJ, compared to all other groups while the CON/CON group increased RTD (p<0.05). In addition, all training groups increased MT of quadriceps and hamstrings similarly (p<0.05). There were no differences between groups for concentric PT, EMG, ED, EI, SJ, conventional ratio or 40m sprint (p>0.05). Our findings suggest that ECC/ECC training may be the most effective at increasing functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training increases eccentric strength, thereby increasing the functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training also improves vertical jumps involving eccentric strength. CON/CON training may be more effective at increasing muscle power.

O treinamento isocinético é uma alternativa eficaz para incrementos neuromusculares e na performance de torque muscular dos flexores e extensores do joelho. No entanto, o treinamento mais efetivo para aumentar o equilíbrio de torque muscular entre isquiotibiais e quadríceps (I/Q) ainda parece desconhecido. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos de três diferentes tipos de treinamentos isocinéticos nas razões I/Q convencional (Rcon) e funcional (Rfun). Adicionalmente, foram avaliados os efeitos desses treinamentos nas variáveis de pico de torque (PT) concêntrico e excêntrico, pico de torque isométrico (PTI) taxa de produção de torque (TPT), ativação muscular (EMG), atraso eletromecânico (AE), espessura muscular (EM) e echo-intensity (EI) dos músculos flexores e extensores do joelho, bem como no desempenho funcional através dos testes squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) e sprint 40m. Quarenta sujeitos homens destreinados (22,87 ± 2,28 anos, 70,66 ± 11,04 kg, 174,29 ± 6,9 cm) realizaram 6 semanas de treinamento para flexores e extensores do joelho em um dinamômetro isocinético Biodex. Eles foram selecionados de forma randomizada em 3 grupos de treinamento: modo concêntrico de extensão e concêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/CON); modo excêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (EXC/EXC); modo concêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/EXC); e um grupo controle que não realizou nenhum treinamento (CNTRL). Todas as sessões de treinamento foram separadas por pelo menos 48h e as variáveis analisadas foram testadas em 2 dias, sendo realizadas 72h antes e depois da realização dos treinamentos. O grupo que treinou no modo EXC/EXC obteve maiores resultados na RFun, assim como aumentos significativos em PT excêntrico, PTI, CMJ e DJ comparado aos demais grupos (p<0,05), enquanto o grupo que treinou no modo CON/CON aumentou TPF em relação aos demais (p>0.05). Todos os grupos aumentaram EM do quadríceps e isquiotibiais de forma similar (p<0,05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos para PT concêntrico, EMG, AE, EI, RCon, SJ ou Sprint 40m (p>0,05). Portanto, o modo de treinamento EXC/EXC pode ser o mais efetivo para aumentar equilíbrio de torque muscular funcional I/Q. Treinamento excêntrico aumenta o torque excêntrico, influenciando nos aumentos na RFun e em saltos verticais que envolvem torque excêntrico (CMJ e DJ). O modo de treinamento CON/CON pode ser o mais efetivo em aumentos na potencia muscular. / Isokinetic dynamometers may be a viable alternative for improvements in neuromuscular and strength performance of knee flexors and extensors. However, the most advantages training protocol to elicit the greatest increases in hamstrings to quadriceps (H/Q) muscle balance is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare three different isokinetic training protocols on H/Q strength balance, calculated by conventional and functional ratios. A secondary aim was to compare the training protocols across varied quadriceps and hamstrings muscle actions on concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT), isometric peak torque (IPT), rate of torque development (RTD), muscle activation (EMG), electromechanical delay (EMD), muscle thickness (MT) and echo-intensity (EI), as well functional performance tested by squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and 40m sprint tests. Forty untrained male subjects (22.87 ± 2.28 yrs, 70.66 ± 11.04 kg, 174.29 ± 6.9 cm) performed 6 weeks of training of their dominant and non-dominant knees on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. They were randomly assigned to 3 training groups; concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC) or no training (CNTRL). All training sessions were separated by at least 48 hours, and all variables were tested in 2 days 72h before and after training. Results revealed that the ECC/ECC group showed significant increases in functional ratio, as well as hamstrings and quadriceps eccentric PT, IPT, CMJ and DJ, compared to all other groups while the CON/CON group increased RTD (p<0.05). In addition, all training groups increased MT of quadriceps and hamstrings similarly (p<0.05). There were no differences between groups for concentric PT, EMG, ED, EI, SJ, conventional ratio or 40m sprint (p>0.05). Our findings suggest that ECC/ECC training may be the most effective at increasing functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training increases eccentric strength, thereby increasing the functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training also improves vertical jumps involving eccentric strength. CON/CON training may be more effective at increasing muscle power.

In competitive golf, the player’s ability to hit the ball a long distance affects the score in a positive way. Swing kinematics is considered an important factor in driver performance; one way of improving swing kinematics is through strength and power training. Subsequently, high-level golfers and their coaches often explore novel ways of increasing the distance of a shot, in particular driver carry distance (CD). This licentiate thesis presents two studies with the overall aim of studying how swing kinematic and physical characteristics are associated with driver performance among intercollegiate golf players. The studies report swing kinematics associated with driver performance (study 1) and the impact of isokinetic rotational training on driver performance and swing kinematic variables (study 2). The methods used were (1) a cross-sectional correlation study (n=15) and (2) an open trial intervention study (n=20). The studies investigated (1) the relationship between golf swing kinematics and driver performance, and (2) the impact of strength training on swing kinematics and driver performance variable. The results show variables that were distinctive for the club head speed (CHS) were mainly during the downswing: greater X-factor stretch; and higher pelvis peak speed. Whilst, factors distinctive to the regression model for CD were mainly at impact: reduced thorax rotation; and greater thorax lateral bend. Nine weeks of isokinetic training increased seated rotational force and power, peak arm speed and arm acceleration, ball speed, and CD more compared to isotonic training. Even though isokinetic training did not increase CHS, it did result in greater CD. This licentiate thesis contributes to the understanding of which variables influence driver performance, in particular CD, among high-level golfers. Segmental interactions (pelvis-thorax), lead arm speed and acceleration, isokinetic and isotonic training. These results may guide training interventions aiming to improve driver and golf performance among high-level golfers, particularly those with a background of strength training. Future studies could investigate how the interaction between swing kinematics, clubhead trajectory, and driver performance variables differ between male and female golfers.

För att kunna prestera bra under fysiskt krävande ishockeymatcher krävs det att spelarna harhög maximal benstyrka och en hög explosiv förmåga. Bilaterala knäböj är en erkänd och välspridd övning för att förbättra power och muskelstyrka i benen. Unilaterala knäböj är än mersportspecifika för ishockeyn. Vid en isokinetisk rörelse är hastigheten förutbestämd ochdärmed konstant medan kraften kan förändras under rörelsen. De flesta isokinetiska systemhar varit designade för unilaterala isolerade övningar, men gällande isokinetiskaflerledsövningar så som knäböj tycks det inte finnas någon forskning om i nuläget.Studiens syfte var att undersöka effekten av sex veckors unilateral styrketräning (knäböj),antingen genom traditionell eller genom isokinetisk träning, på power i unilaterala ochbilaterala jump squats och 17.3 m sprinttid på is hos manliga juniorishockeyspelare.20 manliga ishockeyspelare på elitnivå, 18-19 år gamla, delades slumpmässigt in i två olikaträningsgrupper. Den ena gruppen (QG) utförde isokinetiska unilaterala knäböj i 1080Quantum med 110o vinkel i knäleden, medan den andra gruppen (SG) utförde traditionellaunilaterala knäböj i Smithmaskin med 110o vinkel i knäleden. Träningsperioden varade undersex veckor. Båda grupperna genomförde för- och eftertester bestående av sprinttest på is ochpeak power för unilaterala och bilaterala jump squats.QG visar en signifikant förbättring i peak power utfört på två ben (p=0,004). SG visar ensignifikant förbättring i unilaterala knäböj utfört på höger ben (p=0,018). QG hade en tendenstill signifikant förbättring i issprint (p=0,059).Isokinetiska unilaterala knäböj i Smithmaskin med en koncentrisk hastighet på 0,2meter/sekund och en excentrisk hastighet på maximalt 4,0 meter/sekund och en maximalkraftinsats är ett effektivt sätt att förbättra power på två ben och eventuellt också för attförbättra sprinthastigheten vid issprint för ishockeyspelare. Om isokinetiska unilaterala knäböjär en effektivare metod för att förbättra power jämfört med traditionella unilaterala knäböj iSmithmaskin med maximal hastighet är det svårt att dra slutsatser om från denna studiesresultat. / Ice-hockey are physically demanding. To be able to perform during a game it is required thatthe players have a high maximum leg strength and power. A bilateral squat is a valid and widespread exercise for improving muscle strength and power in the legs. Even more specific forice-hockey is the unilateral squat. During an isokinetic movement the velocity is pre-set andtherefore constant, while the force can be altered during the movement. Most isokineticsystems have been designed for unilateral training, but in terms of isokinetic multi-jointexercises, such as the squat, there seems to be no research until this day.The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of six weeks unilateral strength training(squat), either through traditional or isokinetic training, on power-output and 17.3 m sprinttime on ice among male junior ice-hockey players.20 elite male ice-hockey players, 18-19 years of age, was randomly divided in two differenttraining groups. One group (QG) did isokinetic unilateral squats in 1080 Quantum, with anangle of 110o degrees in the knee joint. The other group (SG) did traditional unilateral squatsin a Smith-machine, also with an angle of 110o degrees in the knee joint. The period oftraining was set to six weeks. Both groups participated in pre- and post-tests consisting ofsprint on ice and peak power in unilateral and bilateral jump squats.A significant improvement was seen with QG in peak power performed on both legs(p=0,004). SG had a significant improvement in unilateral squat performed on the right leg(p=0,018). A tendency to significant improvement was seen with QG in the ice-sprint(p=0,059).Isokinetic unilateral squat in a Smith-machine with a concentric velocity set to 0,2m/sec andan eccentric velocity set to 4,0m/sec with a maximum force is an effective exercise toimprove power-output on two legs, perhaps also to improve sprint ability on ice, among icehockeyplayers. It is difficult to draw conclusion about the results from this study whetherisokinetic unilateral squats is an effective method to improve the power compared totraditional unilateral squats in a Smith-machine with maximum speed.