Development and Maintenance of Isometric Strength of Subjects with Diverse Initial Strengths

Abstract

Male college students (N=104) ranging in age from 17 to 28 years with diverse initial elbow flexion strengths were trained four days each week for nine weeks. The strength development period was followed by an eight-week period of strength maintenance during which the intensity and frequency of performing single isometric contractions were varied. The results indicated that groups of subjects with different beginning strength levels make about the same absolute gains in strength at about the same rate. Intensity of isometric contractions seemed to be of greater importance in the maintenance of newly developed strength than the frequency at which contractions were performed.