The Effect of Autoregulated Flywheel and Traditional Strength Training on Training Load Progression and Motor Skill Performance in Youth Athletes

Abstract

Background: The effects of flywheel resistance training (FRT) on youth are relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of autoregulated FRT with traditional strength training (TST) on jumping, running performance and resistance training load progression in youth athletes. Thirty youth athletes (11.8 ± 0.9 yr) were matched for peak height velocity (PHV) status and block-randomised into two groups: FRT (n = 15, PHV −0.8 ± 1.6) and TST (n = 15, PHV −0.8 ± 1.5). Twelve resistance training sessions over a six-week intervention with flywheel or barbell squats were performed using autoregulated load prescription. Squat jump (SJ); countermovement jump (CMJ); and 10 m, 20 m and 30 m sprints were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The external load increased similarly for FRT and TST (z = 3.8, p = 0.06). SJ increased for both groups (p < 0.05) but running performance was unaffected (p > 0.05). Conclusions: FRT resulted in similar load progression and motor skill development in youth athletes as TST, but the perceived exertion was less. Autoregulation is a practical method for adjusting training load during FRT and should be considered as an alternative to autoregulated TST.

Building for the Future: A Systematic Review of the Effects of Eccentric Resistance Training on Measures of Physical Performance in Youth Athletes

“…Similarly, Raya-González et al [174] investigated the effects of a FIT lateral squat over 10 weeks in an under-16 age group of soccer players and found no improvements in sprint time over 10, 20 and 30 m. Nonetheless, the training intervention led to an increase in CMJ and COD performance. One important difference between these findings and those above [171,172,175] is that in the study by Westblad et al [173], progressions in intensity were achieved via autoregulation. Although the rationale behind autoregulation is to prevent excessive fatigue and therefore, incur greater adaptations [179], caution must be taken to ensure that appropriate supervision is in place, especially in children as young as those in this investigation (mean age 11.8 years) [173].…”

“…The current review found FIT interventions to be the most frequently utilised ERT method in youth athletes (Table 4). These investigations incorporated several different measures to quantify physical before and after a FIT intervention, including sprint speed [171][172][173][174][175], COD performance [171,[174][175][176], NHE breakpoint angle [43], isometric strength [175], and numerous jumping tasks and metrics [43, 171-175, 177, 178]. The participants in these studies had a mean ± standard deviation age of 15.8 ± 2.0 years (range 11.8-18 years).…”

“…< 12 years of age), improvements in sprint performance are not so clear. Westblad et al [173] compared an autoregulated FIT squat and a traditional freeweight barbell squat in pre-PHV athletes over the course of 6 weeks. Both groups improved CMJ and SJ performance without any significant differences in sprint times from preto post-intervention.…”

Efectos de seis semanas de entrenamiento isoinercial sobre la capacidad de salto, velocidad de carrera y equilibrio postural dinámico (Effects of six weeks of isoinertial training on vertical jump performance, running velocity, and dynamic postural balance)

“…En nuestra investigación se aplicó una progresión de la carga similar a la realizada por el estudio que también observó mejoras significativas del sprint (Marotoizquierdo et al, 2017). Es probable que la mayor ganancia porcentual en la velocidad de la carrera observada en nuestro estudio en comparación con otros reportes (Marotoizquierdo et al, 2017;Madruga-Parera et al, 2022;Westblad et al, 2021) se deba principalmente a las características de los participantes. Por ejemplo, en el estudio de Maroto-izquierdo et al, (2017) se intervino deportistas de elite, mientras que en nuestra investigación fueron personas no entrenadas.…”

Inertial Flywheel Resistance Training in Tendinopathy Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review

“…20 Studies have shown that IFRT can be used in all stages of musculoskeletal injury rehabilitation to increase muscle strength and functional performance, from postsurgical to return to sport phases. [21][22][23] Tendinopathy represents a spectrum of tendon pathology, associated with changes to the structural tendon collagen matrix, presence of various inflammatory cells and clinical symptoms of pain and impaired performance, with potential for progression to a chronic degenerative condition. 24 Tendinopathy is common in athletes with high training demands and is associated with repetitive tendon microtrauma, with Achilles and patellar tendinopathy having the highest prevalence in athletes.…”