EFFECTS OF ISOKINETIC RESISTANCE TRAINING ON STRENGTH KNEE STABILIZERS AND PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY OF ACROBATIC ELEMENTS IN ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS
The aim of this study was to examine whether additional training protocol of isokinetic training results in increased biomechanical values of certain parameters and whether it increases functional correlation between speed and strength leading to improved performance of acrobatic elements in floor exercises. Additional training protocol, which lasted for one semester, was performed on Biodex 3 apparatus (60°∙s–1). Examinees participating in this research were (N = 80) male students from Faculty of Sport and Education (mean age, 19.8 ± 1.7 year; weight, 75.2 ± 2,9 kg; height 179.7 ± 6.4 cm). Control group (N = 40), between two measurements, conducted only regular practical teaching program of artistic gymnastics. Experimental group (N = 40), besides regular practical teaching program of artistic gymnastics, also had additional program of isokinetic practice on Biodex 3 apparatus. Experimental group showed obvious structural changes that can be dominantly registered through variables assessing the maximum strength of the dynamic knee stabilizers (the maximum moment of force, overall work and average strength) and reciprocal relationship between agonist and antagonist muscles. In variables assessing the performance of elements of floor exercises in artistic gymnastics we obtained statistically significant differences in elements requiring changes of the maximum strength of the dynamic knee stabilizers: dive roll, back handspring, salto forward and backward tucked.