Giuseppe Francesco Giancotti

Biomechanical Analysis of Suspension Training Push-up

Abstract Giancotti, GF, Fusco, A, Varalda, C, Capranica, L, and Cortis, C. Biomechanical analysis of suspension training push-up. J Strength Cond Res 32(3): 602–609, 2018—The aims of this study were to evaluate the load distribution between upper and lower extremities during suspension training (ST) push-up at different lengths of ST device and to predict useful equations to estimate the training load. After giving informed consent for participation, 25 subjects (17 men and 8 women; age = 28.1 ± 5.2 years; body mass = 69.4 ± 14.3 kg; height = 171.6 ± 11.3 cm; body mass index (BMI) = 23.4 ± 3.3 kg·m−2) were involved in the study. Each subject performed 14 static push-ups at 7 different lengths of ST device in 2 different elbow positions. The load distribution between upper and lower extremities was evaluated through a load cell and a force platform, respectively. To evaluate body inclination, all tests were recorded and analyzed through motion analysis software. To estimate the training load, a multilevel model regression (p ⩽ 0.05) was used. Results showed that when the length of the ST device increased, the body inclination decreased, whereas the ground reaction force decreased and the load on the ST device increased. Moreover, when subjects moved from extended to flexed elbow, the ground reaction force decreased and the load on the ST device increased. In the created regression model (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.24), the reaction force was the dependent variable, whereas the length of the ST device, BMI, and elbow position were the independent variables. The main findings were that the load distribution between upper and lower extremities changes both when modifying the body inclination and the length of the straps. The use of predicted equations could help practitioners to personalize the workouts according to different specific aims by modifying the length of the ST device to guarantee load progression.

Short-Term Effects of Suspension Training on Strength and Power Performances

Suspension Training (ST) workouts include a variety of movements requiring the individual to maintain balance while performing various resistance exercises in an interval fashion. Although ST is thought to elicit higher muscle activations than traditional exercises, only limited information is available on its acute effects on strength and power performances, especially in relation to gender. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the strength and power acute responses after ST, also in relation to gender. Eighty-eight (46 males, 42 females) participants were administered countermovement jumps (CMJ), squat jumps (SJ), lower limb Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) at 90° angle knee extension, and grip strength (handgrip) before (PRE) and after (POST) a 50 min ST session involving upper, lower body and core exercises. ANOVA for repeated measures was used to evaluate the differences (p < 0.05) in relation to gender and experimental session. After ST session, significantly higher values emerged in males, whereas no significant changes were found in females. Findings indicate that ST as a form of exercise is useful to maintain and improve acute strength and power performances, especially in male participants. Future studies should be carried out to explore the gender-related differences in response to acute bout of ST exercises.

Fitness Assessment Using Step Tests: Should Anthropometrics be Taken into Consideration?

Step tests are commonly used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness as nonexpensive and easy to administered evaluations. Although a positive effect of lower limbs length on step test performance could be hypothesized (Sekeljic et al., 2013), there is a need of substantiate the relationship between anthropometric aspects and step height. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of anthropometric measurements on step test performances. After signing an informed consent, anthropometric data (body weight, height, sitting height) were measured in 13 (Female=9; Male=5) college students (age: 25.7±3.2 years). Lower limbs length was calculated as the difference between standing and sitting height. Heart rate (HR) values were recorded 5-minute after 3 tests performed with 30cm- (HR30), 40cm- (HR40), and 50cm- (HR50) step heights, randomly organized with a 2-day interval in between. ANOVA verified differences (p<0.05) in HR, whereas a correlation analysis was applied to anthropometric and HR values. No difference emerged for step height (HR30: 70.4±12.0 beat.min-1; HR40: 73.7±16.6 beat.min-1; HR50: 82.0±17.8 beat. min-1). Significant (p<0.05) correlations were found only between standing height (168.1±9.4cm) and HR50 (r=-0.69) and between lower limbs length (81.6±6.6 cm) and HR30 (r=-0.63). These findings suggest considering anthropometric measures of the individual when administering step test with 50cm- and 30cm-steps.

Evaluation of the internal training load in fitness activities: Preliminary results

Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and session-RPE methods are widely used as estimate of exercise intensity and to quantify training load in sport activities. However, no information is available in fitness activities although people are often engaged in high intensity physical activities and monitoring individual responses to the training stimulus could provide important feedback on the adaptation to training. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to verify the use of session-RPE using Edwards’ summated heart rate (HR)-zone method as a criterion measure (Herman et al., 2006). After giving their informed consent of participations, 20 volunteers (M=5; F=15; mean age: 21±10 years) practicing regular group-based fitness activities (i.e., 3 weekly sessions of Fit-boxe), participated in the study. Heart rate during the fitness lessons and CR-10 Borg’s scale 30 minutes after the end of the exercise session were recorded. Edwards’ HR method was determined by expressing the HR recordings as percentages of the athlete’s theoretical maximal HR (220-age), multiplying by a specific factor the accumulated time (minutes) in 5 HR zones (50–60% of HRmax=1; 60–70% of HRmax=2; 70–80% of HRmax=3; 80–90% of HRmax=4; 90–100% of HRmax=5), and summating the scores. Session-RPE was calculated multiplying RPE value by the training duration (minutes). RPE recorded 30 minutes after the end of the lesson was 6.1±1.4 points. High and significant correlation (r = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.41-0.88; p = 0.0006) emerged between Edwards’ HR (145.5±32.6 AU) and the session-RPE (247.7±71.6 AU) methods. Results from this preliminary study show that session-RPE can be a useful and inexpensive tool to quantify internal training load in fitness activities, and instructors could use this instrument to monitor their clients, especially when considering the high inter-individual variability of group-based fitness activities.