Forms of Variable Resistance Training

Abstract

RESISTANCE TRAINING METHODS HAVE BEEN BROADLY CLASSIFIED INTO 3 CATEGORIES: CONSTANT, ACCOMMODATING, AND VARIABLE RESISTANCE. VARIABLE RESISTANCE TRAINING METHODS, WHICH INCLUDES CAMS AND LEVERS, CHAINS, AND RUBBER-BASED RESISTANCE, WILL BE THE FOCUS OF THIS ARTICLE. THE KINEMATICS, KINETICS, AND HUMAN STRENGTH CURVE CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE 3 TYPES OF VARIABLE RESISTANCE ARE DISCUSSED, GIVEN THAT EACH RESISTANCE TYPE MAY OFFER A UNIQUE SET OF MECHANICAL STIMULI AND, HENCE, MUSCULOSKELETAL ADAPTATIONS. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH FORM OF VARIABLE RESISTANCE WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED.