Adaptive Effects of Static Muscular Strength Training

Abstract

The trend towards mechanization of tasks involving manual labor has increased the importance of static muscular activity (isometric contractions). Information about the physiological reaction to static muscular activity has been increasing rapidly over the last few decades, but little information has been developed on the adaptive responses to chronic exposure to static muscular activity. This paper reports the results of an experiment on adaptive cardiovascular changes to a five week training program in which the % MVC was maintained at 50% for the entire program, i.e., weekly adjustments were made for increases in strength. The only significant change in the cardiovascular response to the training program was an increase in the rate at which the heart rate increased during periods of contraction. The average level of heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure did not change with training. Neither the systolic or diastolic blood pressure modified their rates of change due to training. Significant changes in strength and endurance hold capacity were also noted.