Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness
Volume 8, Issue 2 , Pages 113-122, 2010

Effect of Functional Resistance Training on Muscular Fitness Outcomes in Young Adults

  • Tiana Weiss

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
    • ,
  • Jerica Kreitinger

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
    • ,
  • Hilary Wilde

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
    • ,
  • Chris Wiora

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
    • ,
  • Michelle Steege

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
    • ,
  • Lance Dalleck

      Affiliations

    • Department of Sport and Exercise Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
    • ,
  • Jeffrey Janot

      Affiliations

    • Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding Author Jeffrey M. Janot, Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Avenue, Box 4004, Eau Claire, WI 54701, USA

Article Outline

As functional resistance training becomes a more popular method to improve muscular fitness, questions remain regarding the effectiveness of functional training compared to traditional resistance training. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether functional training has similar effects as traditional resistance training on muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, agility, balance, and anthropometric measures in young adults. In this study, 38 healthy volunteers, aged 18-32 years, were randomly placed into a control group [traditional (n = 19)] and an experimental group [functional (n = 19)]. The participants were tested prior to and after completing the 7-week training study. The testing battery included: weight, girth measurements, flexibility, agility, lower back flexion and extension endurance, push-up test, sit-up test, one-leg balance, one-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press and squat. Results indicated significant (p < 0.05) increases in push-ups, back extension endurance, 1-RM bench press, 1-RM squat, and one-leg balance within each group following training. Traditional training also elicited significant (p < 0.05) increases in bicep girth, forearm girth, calf girth, and sit-ups, while the functional training group experienced significant (p < 0.05) increases in shoulder girth and flexibility. Forearm girth and flexion test time changes following training were the only parameter where there were significant (p < 0.05) differences between training groups. Collectively, these results suggest that both programs are equally beneficial for increasing endurance, balance, and traditional measures of strength. However, changes in various girth measures, torso flexor endurance and flexibility appear to be program-specific.

Keywords:  activities of daily living , exercise movement techniques , multi-joint exercises , muscular flexibility , strength training

No full text is available. To read the body of this article, please view the PDF online.

 

Back to Article Outline

References 

  1. American College of Sports Medicine  . ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription . 7th ed.. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2006;
  2. American College of Sports Medicine  . ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer . 2nd ed.. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2007;
  3. Anderson K , Behm DG . Trunk muscle activity increases with unstable squat movements . Can J Appl Physiol . 2005;30:33–45
  4. Behm DG , Anderson K , Curnew RS . Muscle force and activation under stable and unstable conditions . J Strength Cond Res . 2002;16:416–422
  5. Borg G . Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion . Med Sci Sports Exer . 1982;14:377–381
  6. Brill P . Exercise your independence: functional fitness for older adults . J Aging Phys Act . 2008;16:S88
  7. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology  . The Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness & Lifestyle Approach: CSEP-Health and Fitness Program's Health-Related Appraisal and Counseling Strategy . 3rd ed.. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology; 2003;
  8. Cosio-Lima L , Reynolds K , Winter C , Paolone V , Jones M . Effects of physioball and conventional floor exercises on early phase adaptations in back and abdominal core stability and balance in women . J Strength Cond Res . 2003;17:721–725
  9. de Vreede P , Samson M , van Meeteren N , Duursma S , Verhaar H . Functional-task exercise versus resistance strength exercise to improve daily function in older women: a randomized, controlled trial . J Am Geriatr Soc . 2005;53:2–10
  10. Drinkwater E , Pritchett E , Behm DG . Effect of instability and resistance on unintentional squat lifting kinetics . Inter J Sports Physiol . 2007;2:400–413
  11. Fenwick C , Brown S , McGill S . Comparison of different rowing exercises: trunk muscle activation and lumbar spine motion, load, and stiffness . J Strength Cond Res . 2009;23:350–358
  12. Kibele A , Behm DG . Seven weeks of instability and traditional resistance training effects on strength, balance and functional performance . J Strength Cond Res . 2009;23:2443–2450
  13. Lagally K , Cordero J , Good J , Brown D , McCaw S . Physiologic and metabolic responses to a continuous functional resistance exercise workout . J Strength Cond Res . 2009;23:373–379
  14. Logan P , Fornasiero D , Abernathy P , Lynch K . Protocols for the assessment of isoinertial strength . In:  Fore CJ editors. Physiological Tests for Elite Athletes . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2000;
  15. McBride JM , Cormie P , Deane R . Isometric squat force output and muscle activity in stable and unstable conditions . J Strength Cond Res . 2006;20:915–918
  16. McGill S . Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance . Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Wabuno Publishers; 2004;
  17. McGill S , Karpowicz A , Fenwick C , Brown S . Exercises for the torso performed in a standing posture: spine and hip motion and motor patterns and spine load . J Strength Cond Res . 2009;23:455–464
  18. Milton D , Porcari J , Foster C , Gibson M , Udermann B . The effect of functional exercise training on functional fitness levels of older adults . Gunderson Lutheran Med J . 2008;5:4–8
  19. In:  Baechle TR ,  Earle RW editor. NSCA's Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning . 3rd ed.. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2008;
  20. Pintar J , Learman K , Rogers R . Traditional exercises do not have a significant impact on abdominal peak force in healthy young adults . J Strength Cond Res . 2009;23:2083–2089
  21. Rikli R , Jones C . Development and validation of a functional fitness test for community-residing older adults . J Aging Phys Act . 1999;7:129–161
  22. Stone M , Stone M , Sands W . Principles and Practice of Resistance Training . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2007;
  23. Sweet T , Foster C , McGuigan M , Brice G . Quantitation of resistance training using the session rating of perceived exertion method . J Strength Cond Res . 2004;18:796–802
  24. Whitehurst M , Johnson B , Parker C , Brown L , Ford A . The benefits of a functional exercise circuit for older adults . J Strength Cond Res . 2005;19:647–651
  25. Williams MA, Haskell WL, Ades PA, Amsterdam EA, Bittner V, Franklin BA, et al. Resistance exercise in individuals with and without cardiovascular disease: 2007 update: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology and Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism . Circulation . 2007;116:572–584

PII: S1728-869X(10)60017-2

doi:10.1016/S1728-869X(10)60017-2

Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness
Volume 8, Issue 2 , Pages 113-122, 2010

Article Tools