Evaluation of Training with Elastic Bands on Strength and Fatigue Indicators in Paralympic Powerlifting

Abstract

Background: Variable resistance training has recently become a component of strength and conditioning programs. Objective: This randomized counterbalanced cross-over study aimed to investigate the use of elastic bands (EB) and the traditional method (TRAD) and force indicators in a training session. Methods: 12 Paralympic athletes (age: 28.60 ± 7.60 years) participated in this three-week study. In the first week, the participants were familiarized with EB and TRAD and were tested for maximal repetition (1-RM). The research occurred in weeks 2 and 3, which included the pre-post training, during which the following measures were extracted: maximum isometric force (MIF), the peak torque (PT), rate of force development (RFD), fatigue index (FI), and time to MIF (Time). The athletes performed two tests, EB and TRAD, separated by a one-week interval. Results: Significant differences were found between the pre- and post-test for 1RM (p = 0.018, η2p = 0.412), MIF (p = 0.011, η2p = 0.415), PT (p = 0.012, η2p = 0.413), and RFD (p = 0.0002, η2p = 0.761). With the use of EB, there was a difference in RFD between TRAD before and EB after (p = 0.016, η2p = 0.761). There were significant differences in the before and after for FI between TRAD and EB (p < 0.001) and for Time (p < 0.001), indicating that training with the use of elastic bands promotes overload, characterized by increased fatigue and decreased strength. Conclusions: Training with EB did not decrease 1RM, PT, MIF or RFD, however, there was an increase in fatigue and time to reach MIF when compared to the method with fixed resistance.

Does the Level of Training Interfere with the Sustainability of Static and Dynamic Strength in Paralympic Powerlifting Athletes?

“…Thus, the evaluation of an athlete's training status and initial condition is the crucial point for the correct elaboration of a training program to be applied in different phases of the sports preparation [11]. In these initial conditions, some training variables are manipulated to prescribe and control resistance training programs such as: sets, time intervals, position and intensity [11][12][13]. On the other hand, in these initial conditions, there are possible disparities between different training methods to determine mechanical outputs in strengthpower exercises.…”

A Bibliometrics-Enhanced, PAGER-Compliant Scoping Review of the Literature on Paralympic Powerlifting: Insights for Practices and Future Research

“…Concerning training, the use of elastic bands (vs. the fixed-resistance methodology) in PP seems to promote overload, increase fatigue, and decrease strength, whilst it appears to be an effective and common practice in powerlifting [ 65 ]. However, this conclusion is drawn from one study only [ 28 ], warranting further research in the field. As well, the determinants of training in terms of the optimal preparation interval should be further investigated: the only study available [ 29 ] failed to detect any age-, sex-, and gender-specific differences.…”

“…Seven studies [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] were excluded with reason ( n = 2, not reporting sufficient details; n = 5, not disaggregating data according to para-sports discipline). Finally, 37 studies [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ] were retained in the present scoping review. We found that the included studies focused on a range of aspects involving health, classification, the etiology of injuries, and performance.…”

“…Aidar et al [ 28 ] compared the effect of two different three-week training sessions (elastic bands vs. fixed resistance) conducted in randomized order, through static (maximum isometric force, peak torque, rate of force development, and time to maximum isometric force), dynamic indicators of force (1 repetition maximum, 1RM), and fatigue in a sample of 12 PP athletes (aged 28.60 ± 7.60 years). The authors found an increase in force between pre- and post-training for 1RM ( p = 0.018, effect size (ES) = 0.412), maximum isometric force ( p = 0.011, ES = 0.415), peak torque ( p = 0.012, ES = 0.413), and the rate of force development ( p = 0.0002, ES = 0.761), suggesting that training with the use of elastic bands has more detrimental effects compared to the method with fixed resistance, promoting overload, increasing fatigue, and decreasing strength.…”

Special Issue “Researching Sports Biomechanics for Disabled People”

“…Moderate-to-high correlations were found among most performances, as well as correlation between body fat percentage and both CMJ and Yo-Yo IR1 results in addition to CMJ's highest correlation with TS. [5]. Compared with traditional strength training, authors did not find any differences in force indicators but (higher) fatigue and (longer) time to reach maximum isometric force.…”