Contribution of joint angle specificity and movement specificity in gains seen in training weights lifted

Abstract

Although strength training is a widespread activity and forms an important part of training for many sports, little is known about optimum training protocols or the nature of the changes that occur with such training. For instance, the improvement in training weights appears to be appreciably larger than the increase in strength of the individual muscles used in the movement. It is generally reported that responses to training are very specific. The greatest changes accompanying strength training can be seen in the training modality such as dumbbells, barbells and machines such as multi-gym and Cybex (Sale & MacDougall, 1981). As early as the fifties era, Rasch and Morehouse (1957) reported that training was specific to the movement patterns. Their participants trained the elbow flexors in the standing position and were assessed both standing and in the supine position. The increase in performance was found to be greater in the standing position compared to the supine.