The bilateral deficit can be described as when the sum of two unilateral movements exceeds the bilateral output. If the sum does not exceed the bilateral output, a bilateral facilitation is present. Little research has been done in males and females comparison of the bilateral deficit. The purpose of the current study was therefore to compare the bilateral deficit between sexes in a 1 repetition maximum (RM) leg press. Twenty participants, ten males and ten females, were recruited (23.4±2.1 years, 71.2±13.1 kg, 172.2±8.9 cm) and seventeen of them completed the study. The test consisted of two testing sessions (one unilateral with preferred leg, and one bilateral session) with seven days in between. The 1 RM was attained within six attempts, with a three minutes rest between every attempt. The current study showed a bilateral deficit of males (5.6±4.6%) and a bilateral facilitation of females (0.6±5.9%). There was a significant difference between sexes of p=0.031 (p<0.05). Previous studies have examined males and females separately, with different methods and protocols. This study used the same method and protocol in both sexes. Some suggestions of the mechanisms behind the deficit have been proposed and may explain the current findings, but further studies are needed. Future research needs to continue to explore and explain the sex difference in the bilateral strength deficit.

The very short-term resistance training (VST) model, utilizing only 2-3 training sessions, has been used to examine early phase skeletal muscle, neural, and performance adaptations. The VST model has previously been used to examine these early phase adaptations in bilateral and unilateral, isometric, isokinetic, and dynamic muscle actions in the limbs of the upper- and lower-body. The bilateral deficit (BLD) is a phenomenon in which the sum of the forces produced unilaterally is greater than the force produced bilaterally during maximal contraction of the limbs. The appearance of a bilateral deficit has been be related to various factors; including training status and mode of training (bilateral versus reciprocal muscle actions). No previous study, however, has examined the effects of VST on the BLD. The VST model has potential implications for examining acute changes in strength and neuromuscular responses of the trained muscles. These adaptations, however, may be specific to unilateral or bilateral training. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to: 1) examine one repetition maximum (1RM) strength and neuromuscular responses (EMG AMP, EMG MPF, MMG AMP, MMG MPF) during the measurement of bilateral and unilateral leg extension exercise before and after dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) VST; 2) examine the magnitude of the BLD; 3) examine the effect of bilateral versus unilateral training on the BLD; and 4) use the neuromuscular responses measured bilaterally and unilaterally to infer about the motor unit activation strategies that may underlie the BLD and changes in 1RM strength. Twenty-four (14 males, 10 females) subjects (mean ± SD age: 23.0 ± 3.2 yr; height: 174.7 ± 8.5 cm; body mass: 75.4 ± 14.1 kg) with no resistance training experience within the last three months were randomly assigned to either the bilateral (BL) training group or the unilateral (UL) training group. The subjects completed a total of seven visits, consisting of a familiarization, pre-test visit, three training visits, and one post-test visit. The pre-test visit was used to record the subject’s electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) responses from the right and left vastus lateralis (VL) during bilateral and unilateral seated maximum isometric voluntary contractions (MVIC) and 1RM. Visits four through six were the training sessions, with each subject preforming 5 sets of 6 repetitions utilizing 65% of the 1RM for resistance where the BL group trained both limbs (right and left) at the same time and the UL group trained both limbs separately. Visit seven was the post-test and the same testing procedures as the pre-test visit were followed. Statistical analyses consisted of four-way and three-way mixed model ANOVAs, with follow up three-, two- and one-way repeated measures and/or mixed model ANOVAs, Bonferroni corrected paired, and independent samples t-tests when appropriate. An alpha level of P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all ANOVAs. The BL group demonstrated a significant increase (p = 0.006; 6.8%) in BL1RM pre- to post-test, but no change in unilateral summed (US1RM = right + left limb; p = 0.726) 1RM strength. The UL group demonstrated an 8.7% increase in BL strength collapsed across testing mode (BL1RM and US1RM) (p = 0.0001) and UL strength (p = 0.0001) collapsed across limb (UL left + UL right/2) from pre- to post-test. The BL group had a significant (p = 0.001) increase in the BI (indicating a decrease in the BLD) from pre- to post-test, but there was no significant change for the UL group. The BL group demonstrated a significant (p = 0.029) decrease in the EMG mean power frequency (MPF) measurement pre- to post-test, however the UL group showed no change. The unilateral movement, collapsed across limbs (unilateral left and unilateral right) also showed a significant (p = 0.022) decrease in the MMG MPF measurement pre- to post-test, whereas the BL movement showed no change. These findings indicated that BL and UL DCER training increased strength after 3 training sessions. The bilateral DCER training resulted in bilateral, but not unilateral strength increases and unilateral DCER training resulting in both bilateral and unilateral strength increases. However, bilateral training was the only mode of training that significantly decreased the BLD.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o efeito do treinamento de força realizado unilateralmente e bilateralmente nos parâmetros neuromusculares dos músculos extensores de joelho. Completaram o estudo 45 sujeitos do sexo feminino, destreinados em força, que foram divididos entre o grupo controle (GC; n=16; 22,7 ± 2,8 anos; 58,0 ± 5,7 kg; 163,6 ± 6,2 cm), grupo unilateral (GUL; n=14; 24,8 ± 1,4 anos; 60,8 ± 6,4 kg; 163,0 ± 6,5 cm) e grupo bilateral (GBL; n=15; 24,3 ± 3,7 anos; 160,2 ± 5,8 cm). O GUL realizou o exercício extensão de joelhos com um membro de cada vez e o GBL realizou o exercício com os dois membros simultaneamente. Ambos os grupos, GUL e GBL, treinaram por 12 semanas, duas vezes por semana. Outros exercícios completaram o programa de treinamento e foram realizados de forma similar pelos dois grupos. O GC não realizou o treinamento. Todos os sujeitos realizaram as avaliações pré e pós 12 semanas. Para avaliação da força máxima, foram realizados os testes de uma repetição máxima (1RM), isocinético e isométrico de extensão de joelho. Todos os grupos foram avaliados nas condições de teste UL e BL. A espessura muscular foi mensurada por ultrassonografia do grupo muscular quadríceps femoral. Para mensurar a ativação muscular foi realizada a coleta do sinal eletromiográfico dos músculos vasto lateral e reto femoral, de ambos os membros inferiores, nos testes de força isocinético e isométrico. Os valores de índice bilateral (IB) para verificar presença ou não de déficit bilateral (DB) na força, foram calculados a partir dos valores do teste de 1RM (IBRM) e de pico de torque (PT), encontrados no teste isométrico (IBPT), enquanto para ativação muscular (IBEMG) foram calculados a partir do sinal eletromiográfico coletado no teste de força isométrico. Os resultados do presente estudo mostraram que o GBL e o GUL tiveram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) nos valores de 1RM em ambas as condições de teste (UL e BL), mas que os ganhos foram significativamente maiores (p<0,05) na condição que os sujeitos realizaram o treinamento, enquanto o GC não apresentou alteração(p>0,05). Os valores de PT isométrico e isocinético também apresentaram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) nos dois grupos, GUL e GBL, em ambas as condições de teste, mas não para o GC (p>0,05). Além disso, essas variáveis, nos dois grupos de treino, foram significativamente maiores (p<0,05) na condição de teste UL. O GUL e o GBL mostraram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) na EM, enquanto o GC mostrou redução significativa (p<0,05). Em relação à ativação muscular coletada no teste de força isométrico, os três grupos mostraram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) na ativação nas condições de teste UL e BL. Para a ativação muscular coletada durante teste de força isocinético, todos os grupos mostraram incremento significativo na ativação (p<0,05), para ambas as condições de teste, com exceção do GC na condição de teste UL, que mostrou decréscimo significativo (p<0,05). Nenhum dos grupos mostrou alteração significativa (p>0,05) nos valores de IBPT no momento pós. Quanto aos valores de IBRM, apenas o GUL alterou os valores significativamente (p<0,05) no momento pós, levando o déficit para uma direção negativa. Ainda, apenas o GC alterou significativamente (p<0,05) os valores de IBEMG, sendo que os sujeitos que possuíam DB no momento pré deixaram de possuir no momento pós. O GUL utilizou cargas de treino significativamente mais elevadas (p<0,05) que o GBL apenas no quarto mesociclo de treino. Os resultados desse estudo permitem concluir que ambas as formas de executar o treino de força, UL e BL, são similarmente eficientes para incrementar força, espessura muscular e ativação muscular, dos músculos extensores de joelho. / The aim of this study was to compare the effect of strength training performed uniterallity and bilaterallity in neuromuscular parameters of the knee extensor muscles. Completed the study 45 female subjects, untrained in force, which were divided into control group (CG; n = 16; 22.7 ± 2.8 years; 58.0 ± 5.7 kg; 163.6 ± 6.2 cm), unilateral group (ULG; n = 14; 24.8 ± 1,4 years; 60.8 ± 6.4 kg; 163.0 ± 6.5 cm) and bilateral group (BLG; n = 15; 24.3 ± 3.7 years; 160.2 ± 5.8 cm). The ULG performed the knee extension exercise with one member at a time and GBL performed the exercise with the two members simultaneously. Both groups were trained for 12 weeks, twice per week. Other exercises completed the training program and were performed similarly by both groups. The CG did not perform the training. All subjects performed the evaluations pre and post 12 weeks. For evaluate the maximum strength were performed one repetition maximum (1RM), isokinetic and isometric tests of the knee extension. All groups were evaluated in the UL and BL test conditions. The muscle thickness was assessed by ultrasonography in the quadriceps femoralis muscle group. For measure muscle activation the EMG signal was collected from the vastus lateralis muscle and rectus femoris muscle in both legs, in the isometric and isokinetic strength tests. The bilateral index (BI) values to verify the presence or absence of bilateral deficit (BD) in strength were calculated from the values of 1RM (BIRM) and peak torque (PT), obtained in isometric test (BIPT), while for muscle activation (BIEMG) were calculated from the EMG signal collected in isometric strength test. The results of this study showed that BLG and ULG significantly increased (p<0.05) the strength in 1RM in both test conditions (UL and BL), but the gains were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the condition which the subjects performed the training, while the GC not had significant increases (p>0.05). The isometric and isokinetic PT values also showed significant increases (p<0.05) for the ULG and BLG in both test conditions, but not for the CG (p>0.05). Moreover, these variables in both training groups, were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the UL test condition. The ULG and BLG showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the muscle thickness, whereas the CG showed a significant reduction (p<0.05). In relation to muscle activation obtained in isometric strength test, all three groups showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the activation in UL and BL test conditions. For the muscle activation collected during isokinetic strength test, all groups showed a significant increases in activation (p<0.05) for both test conditions, except the GC in the UL test condition, which showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). Neither group showed significant changes (p>0.05) in the BIPT values at post training. In relation to BIRM values, only the GUL changed the values significantly (p <0.05) at post training, leading to a negative direction. Furthermore, only the CG changed significantly (p<0.05) the BIEMG values, the subjects had DB at pre training period, but not at post training period. The GUL used training loads significantly higher (p<0.05) than GBL only during at fourth mesocycle training. The results of this study show that both forms of performing strength training, UL and BL, are effective similarly for increases in strength, muscle thickness and muscle activation in knee extensors muscles.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o efeito do treinamento de força realizado unilateralmente e bilateralmente nos parâmetros neuromusculares dos músculos extensores de joelho. Completaram o estudo 45 sujeitos do sexo feminino, destreinados em força, que foram divididos entre o grupo controle (GC; n=16; 22,7 ± 2,8 anos; 58,0 ± 5,7 kg; 163,6 ± 6,2 cm), grupo unilateral (GUL; n=14; 24,8 ± 1,4 anos; 60,8 ± 6,4 kg; 163,0 ± 6,5 cm) e grupo bilateral (GBL; n=15; 24,3 ± 3,7 anos; 160,2 ± 5,8 cm). O GUL realizou o exercício extensão de joelhos com um membro de cada vez e o GBL realizou o exercício com os dois membros simultaneamente. Ambos os grupos, GUL e GBL, treinaram por 12 semanas, duas vezes por semana. Outros exercícios completaram o programa de treinamento e foram realizados de forma similar pelos dois grupos. O GC não realizou o treinamento. Todos os sujeitos realizaram as avaliações pré e pós 12 semanas. Para avaliação da força máxima, foram realizados os testes de uma repetição máxima (1RM), isocinético e isométrico de extensão de joelho. Todos os grupos foram avaliados nas condições de teste UL e BL. A espessura muscular foi mensurada por ultrassonografia do grupo muscular quadríceps femoral. Para mensurar a ativação muscular foi realizada a coleta do sinal eletromiográfico dos músculos vasto lateral e reto femoral, de ambos os membros inferiores, nos testes de força isocinético e isométrico. Os valores de índice bilateral (IB) para verificar presença ou não de déficit bilateral (DB) na força, foram calculados a partir dos valores do teste de 1RM (IBRM) e de pico de torque (PT), encontrados no teste isométrico (IBPT), enquanto para ativação muscular (IBEMG) foram calculados a partir do sinal eletromiográfico coletado no teste de força isométrico. Os resultados do presente estudo mostraram que o GBL e o GUL tiveram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) nos valores de 1RM em ambas as condições de teste (UL e BL), mas que os ganhos foram significativamente maiores (p<0,05) na condição que os sujeitos realizaram o treinamento, enquanto o GC não apresentou alteração(p>0,05). Os valores de PT isométrico e isocinético também apresentaram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) nos dois grupos, GUL e GBL, em ambas as condições de teste, mas não para o GC (p>0,05). Além disso, essas variáveis, nos dois grupos de treino, foram significativamente maiores (p<0,05) na condição de teste UL. O GUL e o GBL mostraram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) na EM, enquanto o GC mostrou redução significativa (p<0,05). Em relação à ativação muscular coletada no teste de força isométrico, os três grupos mostraram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) na ativação nas condições de teste UL e BL. Para a ativação muscular coletada durante teste de força isocinético, todos os grupos mostraram incremento significativo na ativação (p<0,05), para ambas as condições de teste, com exceção do GC na condição de teste UL, que mostrou decréscimo significativo (p<0,05). Nenhum dos grupos mostrou alteração significativa (p>0,05) nos valores de IBPT no momento pós. Quanto aos valores de IBRM, apenas o GUL alterou os valores significativamente (p<0,05) no momento pós, levando o déficit para uma direção negativa. Ainda, apenas o GC alterou significativamente (p<0,05) os valores de IBEMG, sendo que os sujeitos que possuíam DB no momento pré deixaram de possuir no momento pós. O GUL utilizou cargas de treino significativamente mais elevadas (p<0,05) que o GBL apenas no quarto mesociclo de treino. Os resultados desse estudo permitem concluir que ambas as formas de executar o treino de força, UL e BL, são similarmente eficientes para incrementar força, espessura muscular e ativação muscular, dos músculos extensores de joelho. / The aim of this study was to compare the effect of strength training performed uniterallity and bilaterallity in neuromuscular parameters of the knee extensor muscles. Completed the study 45 female subjects, untrained in force, which were divided into control group (CG; n = 16; 22.7 ± 2.8 years; 58.0 ± 5.7 kg; 163.6 ± 6.2 cm), unilateral group (ULG; n = 14; 24.8 ± 1,4 years; 60.8 ± 6.4 kg; 163.0 ± 6.5 cm) and bilateral group (BLG; n = 15; 24.3 ± 3.7 years; 160.2 ± 5.8 cm). The ULG performed the knee extension exercise with one member at a time and GBL performed the exercise with the two members simultaneously. Both groups were trained for 12 weeks, twice per week. Other exercises completed the training program and were performed similarly by both groups. The CG did not perform the training. All subjects performed the evaluations pre and post 12 weeks. For evaluate the maximum strength were performed one repetition maximum (1RM), isokinetic and isometric tests of the knee extension. All groups were evaluated in the UL and BL test conditions. The muscle thickness was assessed by ultrasonography in the quadriceps femoralis muscle group. For measure muscle activation the EMG signal was collected from the vastus lateralis muscle and rectus femoris muscle in both legs, in the isometric and isokinetic strength tests. The bilateral index (BI) values to verify the presence or absence of bilateral deficit (BD) in strength were calculated from the values of 1RM (BIRM) and peak torque (PT), obtained in isometric test (BIPT), while for muscle activation (BIEMG) were calculated from the EMG signal collected in isometric strength test. The results of this study showed that BLG and ULG significantly increased (p<0.05) the strength in 1RM in both test conditions (UL and BL), but the gains were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the condition which the subjects performed the training, while the GC not had significant increases (p>0.05). The isometric and isokinetic PT values also showed significant increases (p<0.05) for the ULG and BLG in both test conditions, but not for the CG (p>0.05). Moreover, these variables in both training groups, were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the UL test condition. The ULG and BLG showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the muscle thickness, whereas the CG showed a significant reduction (p<0.05). In relation to muscle activation obtained in isometric strength test, all three groups showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the activation in UL and BL test conditions. For the muscle activation collected during isokinetic strength test, all groups showed a significant increases in activation (p<0.05) for both test conditions, except the GC in the UL test condition, which showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). Neither group showed significant changes (p>0.05) in the BIPT values at post training. In relation to BIRM values, only the GUL changed the values significantly (p <0.05) at post training, leading to a negative direction. Furthermore, only the CG changed significantly (p<0.05) the BIEMG values, the subjects had DB at pre training period, but not at post training period. The GUL used training loads significantly higher (p<0.05) than GBL only during at fourth mesocycle training. The results of this study show that both forms of performing strength training, UL and BL, are effective similarly for increases in strength, muscle thickness and muscle activation in knee extensors muscles.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o efeito do treinamento de força realizado unilateralmente e bilateralmente nos parâmetros neuromusculares dos músculos extensores de joelho. Completaram o estudo 45 sujeitos do sexo feminino, destreinados em força, que foram divididos entre o grupo controle (GC; n=16; 22,7 ± 2,8 anos; 58,0 ± 5,7 kg; 163,6 ± 6,2 cm), grupo unilateral (GUL; n=14; 24,8 ± 1,4 anos; 60,8 ± 6,4 kg; 163,0 ± 6,5 cm) e grupo bilateral (GBL; n=15; 24,3 ± 3,7 anos; 160,2 ± 5,8 cm). O GUL realizou o exercício extensão de joelhos com um membro de cada vez e o GBL realizou o exercício com os dois membros simultaneamente. Ambos os grupos, GUL e GBL, treinaram por 12 semanas, duas vezes por semana. Outros exercícios completaram o programa de treinamento e foram realizados de forma similar pelos dois grupos. O GC não realizou o treinamento. Todos os sujeitos realizaram as avaliações pré e pós 12 semanas. Para avaliação da força máxima, foram realizados os testes de uma repetição máxima (1RM), isocinético e isométrico de extensão de joelho. Todos os grupos foram avaliados nas condições de teste UL e BL. A espessura muscular foi mensurada por ultrassonografia do grupo muscular quadríceps femoral. Para mensurar a ativação muscular foi realizada a coleta do sinal eletromiográfico dos músculos vasto lateral e reto femoral, de ambos os membros inferiores, nos testes de força isocinético e isométrico. Os valores de índice bilateral (IB) para verificar presença ou não de déficit bilateral (DB) na força, foram calculados a partir dos valores do teste de 1RM (IBRM) e de pico de torque (PT), encontrados no teste isométrico (IBPT), enquanto para ativação muscular (IBEMG) foram calculados a partir do sinal eletromiográfico coletado no teste de força isométrico. Os resultados do presente estudo mostraram que o GBL e o GUL tiveram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) nos valores de 1RM em ambas as condições de teste (UL e BL), mas que os ganhos foram significativamente maiores (p<0,05) na condição que os sujeitos realizaram o treinamento, enquanto o GC não apresentou alteração(p>0,05). Os valores de PT isométrico e isocinético também apresentaram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) nos dois grupos, GUL e GBL, em ambas as condições de teste, mas não para o GC (p>0,05). Além disso, essas variáveis, nos dois grupos de treino, foram significativamente maiores (p<0,05) na condição de teste UL. O GUL e o GBL mostraram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) na EM, enquanto o GC mostrou redução significativa (p<0,05). Em relação à ativação muscular coletada no teste de força isométrico, os três grupos mostraram incrementos significativos (p<0,05) na ativação nas condições de teste UL e BL. Para a ativação muscular coletada durante teste de força isocinético, todos os grupos mostraram incremento significativo na ativação (p<0,05), para ambas as condições de teste, com exceção do GC na condição de teste UL, que mostrou decréscimo significativo (p<0,05). Nenhum dos grupos mostrou alteração significativa (p>0,05) nos valores de IBPT no momento pós. Quanto aos valores de IBRM, apenas o GUL alterou os valores significativamente (p<0,05) no momento pós, levando o déficit para uma direção negativa. Ainda, apenas o GC alterou significativamente (p<0,05) os valores de IBEMG, sendo que os sujeitos que possuíam DB no momento pré deixaram de possuir no momento pós. O GUL utilizou cargas de treino significativamente mais elevadas (p<0,05) que o GBL apenas no quarto mesociclo de treino. Os resultados desse estudo permitem concluir que ambas as formas de executar o treino de força, UL e BL, são similarmente eficientes para incrementar força, espessura muscular e ativação muscular, dos músculos extensores de joelho. / The aim of this study was to compare the effect of strength training performed uniterallity and bilaterallity in neuromuscular parameters of the knee extensor muscles. Completed the study 45 female subjects, untrained in force, which were divided into control group (CG; n = 16; 22.7 ± 2.8 years; 58.0 ± 5.7 kg; 163.6 ± 6.2 cm), unilateral group (ULG; n = 14; 24.8 ± 1,4 years; 60.8 ± 6.4 kg; 163.0 ± 6.5 cm) and bilateral group (BLG; n = 15; 24.3 ± 3.7 years; 160.2 ± 5.8 cm). The ULG performed the knee extension exercise with one member at a time and GBL performed the exercise with the two members simultaneously. Both groups were trained for 12 weeks, twice per week. Other exercises completed the training program and were performed similarly by both groups. The CG did not perform the training. All subjects performed the evaluations pre and post 12 weeks. For evaluate the maximum strength were performed one repetition maximum (1RM), isokinetic and isometric tests of the knee extension. All groups were evaluated in the UL and BL test conditions. The muscle thickness was assessed by ultrasonography in the quadriceps femoralis muscle group. For measure muscle activation the EMG signal was collected from the vastus lateralis muscle and rectus femoris muscle in both legs, in the isometric and isokinetic strength tests. The bilateral index (BI) values to verify the presence or absence of bilateral deficit (BD) in strength were calculated from the values of 1RM (BIRM) and peak torque (PT), obtained in isometric test (BIPT), while for muscle activation (BIEMG) were calculated from the EMG signal collected in isometric strength test. The results of this study showed that BLG and ULG significantly increased (p<0.05) the strength in 1RM in both test conditions (UL and BL), but the gains were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the condition which the subjects performed the training, while the GC not had significant increases (p>0.05). The isometric and isokinetic PT values also showed significant increases (p<0.05) for the ULG and BLG in both test conditions, but not for the CG (p>0.05). Moreover, these variables in both training groups, were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the UL test condition. The ULG and BLG showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the muscle thickness, whereas the CG showed a significant reduction (p<0.05). In relation to muscle activation obtained in isometric strength test, all three groups showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the activation in UL and BL test conditions. For the muscle activation collected during isokinetic strength test, all groups showed a significant increases in activation (p<0.05) for both test conditions, except the GC in the UL test condition, which showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). Neither group showed significant changes (p>0.05) in the BIPT values at post training. In relation to BIRM values, only the GUL changed the values significantly (p <0.05) at post training, leading to a negative direction. Furthermore, only the CG changed significantly (p<0.05) the BIEMG values, the subjects had DB at pre training period, but not at post training period. The GUL used training loads significantly higher (p<0.05) than GBL only during at fourth mesocycle training. The results of this study show that both forms of performing strength training, UL and BL, are effective similarly for increases in strength, muscle thickness and muscle activation in knee extensors muscles.

Bilateral deficit (BLD) is a phenomenon where the force generated from simultaneous bilateral limb contractions is less than the sum force generated by separate right and left limb contractions. There have been many BLD studies, but the measures of force generation have predominantly been with isometric and isokinetic contractions. There are, however, no dynamic upper body isotonic unilateral weight lifting studies on acute power output. The purpose of this study was to determine acute power output between bilateral and unilateral weight lifting under the conditions of traditional and circuit weight lifting. Seventeen male BYU rugby players (age = 21.8 ± 2.1 years; mass = 93.5 ± 12.5 kg; height = 181.9 ± 5.0 cm) participated in the study. Each subject participated in 4 randomized weight lifting testing sessions separated by at least 48 h. Each weight lifting protocol included 6 dumbbell lifts (bench press, bent over row, overhead press, bicep curls, front raise, and bent over raise) performed as explosively as possible for 5 sets of 5 repetitions at 40–50% of 1RM. GymAware [GYM] units measured power output for the right and left arms. Peak and mean power (of all lifts combined) was greatest in the unilateral traditional weight lifting (UTWL) group compared to all other groups (p < .0001 for each comparison). No significant differences in overall peak and mean power (all lifts combined) existed between the other 3 groups. UTWL peak and mean power outputs were significantly highest for all lifts. UTWL and bilateral traditional weight lifting (BTWL) generated the second or third highest peak power outputs for all lifts, but they were not statistically different from each other except for the bent over raise. Bilateral circuit weight lifting (BCWL) generated the lowest peak power output in all lifts, but was not statistically different from the third lowest peak power output except for the bent over raise. Our study determined that dynamic upper body isotonic unilateral movements generate significantly greater power output than dynamic upper body isotonic bilateral movements using free weights. It was also concluded that traditional weight lifting protocols generated greater power output than circuit weight lifting protocols.

Aim: The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of 6 weeks bilateral (BL) versus unilateral (UL) complex training combined with high intensity interval training (HIIT) on maximal strength, jumping ability, straight sprint (5, 10, 20 and 30 m), change of direction speed (CODS), repeated sprint ability (RSA) and specific endurance in Swedish elite male and female handball players. Another purpose was to examine if a bilateral deficit (BLD) exists in strength and jumping ability (power deficit) and if it changes differently with 6 weeks BL and UL complex training. Method: 18 male and 12 female elite handball players was selected to either a 6 weeks bilateral (BL, n = 10) or unilateral (UL, n = 20) complex strength training program. In addition both groups trained HIIT. Training volume, intensity and exercise motion was similar between the groups. Tests included maximal (1RM) UL and BL Smith machine squat strength, UL counter movement jump with arm swing (CMJ) and BL (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) jumping ability, modified T-test, straight sprint (5, 10, 20 and 30 m), repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA) and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test (Yo-Yo IR) before and after 6 weeks training. Results: There was no significant difference between BL and UL groups and any of the selected tests. The UL group significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased sprint time pre- to post testing only between 0-10 m and significantly decreased RSAtotal pre- to post testing (p &lt; 0.01). BL group significantly (p &lt; 0.01) increased sprint time pre- to post testing only between 0-30 m. When pooling data from both groups significant (p &lt; 0.01) improvements were seen in maximal UL and BL strength, UL CMJ dominant leg, CODS and Yo-Yo IR test as well as increasing the BLD and power deficit for elite male and female handball players. Conclusion: 6 weeks of complex training using only BL or UL exercises combined with HIIT resulted in no significant changes between groups in any of the selected tests. Training unilaterally could possibly be a safer training method since the absolute load is lesser than BL training. / Syfte och frågeställningar: Syftet med studien är att undersöka effekterna av 6 veckors bilateral (BL) och unilateral (UL) kombinationsträning kombinerad med högintensiv intervall träning (HIIT) på maximal styrka, hoppförmåga, linjär sprint (5, 10, 20 och 30 m), snabbhet med riktningsförändringar (CODS), maximala upprepade sprinter med kort återhämtning (RSA) och specifik uthållighet på manliga och kvinnliga elithandbollsspelare. Ett annat syfte var att undersöka om bilateral deficit (BLD) existerar i styrke- och hoppövningar (power deficit) och huruvida 6 veckors BL och UL kombinationsträning påverkar förhållandet. Metod: 18 manliga och 12 kvinnliga elithandbollsspelare indelades i antingen ett bilateralt (BL, n = 10) eller ett unilateralt (UL, n = 20) kombinationsträningsprogram. Utöver kombinationsträningen utförde båda grupperna högintensiv intervallträning (HIIT). Träningsvolymen, intensiteten och övningsval var lika mellan grupperna. Testerna inkluderade maximal (1RM) UL och BL knäböjstyrka i Smith maskin, UL counter movement jump med armsving (CMJ) och BL CMJ, squat jump, (SJ), modifierat T-test, linjär sprint (5, 10, 20 och 30 m), upprepade shuttle sprintar (RSSA) och Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Yo-Yo IR) före och efter 6 veckors träning. Resultat: Det fanns ingen signifikant skillnad mellan BL eller UL gruppen i någon av de valda testerna. UL gruppen förbättrade signifikant (p &lt; 0.05 ) sprint tiden mellan 0-10 m och minskade RSAtotal (p &lt; 0.01) efter träningsperioden. BL gruppen ökade signifikant (p &lt; 0.01) sprint tiden mellan 0-30 m. När data från båda grupperna lades samman visade resultatet signifikanta (p &lt; 0.01) förbättringar i maximal UL och BL styrka, UL CMJ på det dominanta benet, CODS och Yo-Yo IR test och även en signifikant ökning i BLD och power deficiten för manliga och kvinnliga elithandbollspelare. Slutsats: 6 veckors kombinationsträning med enbart BL eller UL övningar och HIIT resulterade inte i signifikanta skillnader mellan grupperna på något av de valda testerna. ULträning kan möjligtvis vara en säkrare träningsmetod eftersom den absoluta belastningen är lägre jämfört med BL träning. / <p>Uppsatsen tilldelades stipendiemedel ur Överste och Fru Adolf Johnssons fond VT 2015.</p>