THE EFFECTS OF 12-WEEK ISOKINETIC TRAINING ON KNEE STABILIZERS STRENGTH AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF GYMNASTICS VAULTS

The aim of the research was to examine the effects of isokinetic training on knee stabilizer muscles strength, and whether this increases the efficiency of performing basic gymnastic vaults. A total of 60 respondents, students of the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education (average age 19.7±1.5 years, weight 75.3±2.9 kg, height 179.8±6.7 cm) were included. The subjects were divided into two groups, experimental (EG) (n=30) and control (CG) (n=30). As part of the 12-week program, the experimental group (EG) in addition to exercises within the regular classes at the university had an additional concentric isokinetic training 3 times a week on the Biodex System 3 dynamometer, while the control group (CG) only had exercises within the regular classes at the university. The results indicated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between EG and CG, both in increasing the knee stabilizer muscles strength and in the performance of gymnastic vaults in favor of EG. It can be concluded that the additional isokinetic training resulted in a greater increase in strength, but also a better performance of gymnastic vaults. The results of the research can be used as guidelines for planning and programming isokinetic strength training of knee stabilizer muscles, which will contribute to a better performance of gymnastic vaults. Since there is a small amount of research on the topic of this work, this study represents a good foundation and basis for some future research on the effects of isokinetic training in sports gymnastics.