Alterations of mechanical characteristics of human skeletal muscle during strength training

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Abstract
To investigate the influence of strength training on the mechanical characteristics of human skeletal muscle, 14 male subjects went through training of combined heavy concentric and eccentric contractions three times a week for 16 weeks. The strength training program consisted mainly of dynamic exercises for leg extensors with loads of 80 to 120% of one maximum repetition. The force-time curves produced during various vertical jumps were the basis for calculation of various mechanical parameters. In addition to a great increase (pppp<0.001) in maximal force took place, but only minor changes (ns) were observed in fast force production.