The improvement of suspension training for trunk muscle power in Sanda athletes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether both suspension training (ST) and traditional training (TT) can improve Sanda athlete's strength quality of trunk muscles and to explore the effect of suspension training on Sanda athletes' trunk muscle power production. Twelve elite Sanda athletes from the Competitive Sports School of Shanghai University of Sport were randomly assigned to experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). EG and CG were regularly trained with suspension training and traditional strength training for 40 minutes three times per week. The total duration of training was 10 weeks. The measurements including peak torque (PT), PT/body weight (BW), and rate of force development (RFD) were used to assess trunk muscles strength. The results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups' performance when it was tested at the higher velocity of dynamometer (test of muscle power), but less significant differences when the two groups performance was tested at the lower velocity of dynamometer (test of maximum strength). The conclusion of this study is that compared with traditional training methods, suspension training can improve back and trunk flexion muscles strength more effectively. In particular, suspension training can improve the explosive power of trunk extension and flexion muscles.

Suspension Training HIIT Improves Gait Speed, Strength and Quality of Life in Older Adults

“…Handgrip strength has been strongly linked to lower limb muscle power, torsion and extension of the knee, and the transverse muscles of the calf [36]. Max et al in a study carried out in Sanda athletes concluded that compared with traditional core strength training methods, suspension training can improve the explosive power of trunk extension and flexion muscles [33]. In our study, the HIIT group achieved significant improvements in handgrip strength after the intervention.…”

Suspension Training: A New Approach to Improve Muscle Strength, Mass, and Functional Performances in Older Adults?

“…Additionally, a recent systematic review including 16 studies showed higher activation of core muscles for ST compared with PRT in the pushup, inverted row, prone bridge, and hamstring curl exercises (Aguilera-Castells and Busca, 2018). Regarding the chronic effects of ST, Ma et al (2017) showed higher increases in core muscle strength and power for ST compared with PRT. Furthermore, Maté-Muñoz et al (2014) compared the effects of PT and ST performed with the same exercises and maximal velocities.…”

“…Results showed that ST is as effective as PT for improving the strength, power and movement velocity. However, these studies were performed with young (Maté-Muñoz et al, 2014) and trained cohorts (Ma et al, 2017). Therefore, future studies should investigate the effects of ST in older adults.…”

“…Suspension training (ST) is a RT mode in which body segments are attached to suspended hanging straps, creating an unstable environment and using the body weight against gravity to perform multi-planar and multi-joint exercises (Byrne et al, 2014;Mok et al, 2015;Cugliari and Boccia, 2017). Interestingly, ST provides a progressive stimulus in the target muscles and a substantial activation in core muscles, suggesting it could be a promising RT mode to optimize muscle strength, mass, power, and functional performance (Maté-Muñoz et al, 2014;Ma et al, 2017).…”

Acute Responses of Core Muscle Activity during Bridge Exercises on the Floor vs. the Suspension System

“…Likewise, performing prone and supine bridges on a whole-body vibration platform induces higher trunk muscle activity compared with performing the same exercise on the floor [ 14 ]. However, research on the muscle activity during prone bridge exercises with feet on the suspension straps is limited [ 15 ], although previous studies have reported the use of suspension training in athletic populations, such as synchronized swimming [ 16 ] and Chinese boxing [ 17 ], and in clinical patients with brain injury [ 18 ] and functional training in older adults [ 19 ].…”