Premium
Analysis of exercise intensities of women using the Curves® hydraulic training equipment
Author(s) -
La Bounty P,
Wilborn C,
Marcello B,
Campbell B,
Faries M,
Shim J,
Kreider R
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.lb93-c
Subject(s) - cadence , resistance training , medicine , physical therapy , leg press , intensity (physics) , lower body , circuit training , mathematics , zoology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physics , quantum mechanics , biology
The Curves fitness program is a popular form of exercise for women that involves interval resistance‐training using hydraulic machines. While the program has been shown to promote gains in muscular strength and endurance, the relative intensity of women using the hydraulic‐resistance training equipment is unclear. Groups of 10 overweight women experienced with training on the Curve's circuit underwent a battery of tests on each machine conducted over a one‐week period. Subjects performed 3 x 1 RM tests followed by performing 30‐sec bouts of MVC at a cadence of 20 and 30 reps/30 sec. Subjects repeated the testing on 3 separate days to assess reliability. Force output was determined from pressure sensors placed on machines. Data are reported as average percent of 1 RM for the 20 and 30 reps/30 sec bouts, respectively. Results revealed that mean force production for the leg press (82±55; 75±46 % 1RM); hip extension (76±23; 79±27 % 1RM); seated press/row (51±22; 55±25 % 1RM); and, chest press/pull (45±25; 60±26 % 1RM) met NSCA and ACSM recommended guidelines for resistance training. Additionally, the bouts of exercise were significantly correlated to one another (20 reps/30 sec: 0.99 [day 1:day 2]; 0.87 [day 1:day 3]; 0.91 [day 2:day 3]; 30 reps/30 sec: 0.98 [day 1:day 2]; 0.57 [day 1:day 3]; 0.40 [day 2: day 3]). These findings suggest that the Curves resistance‐training machines analyzed elicited recommended amounts of resistance‐training workloads and that use of the equipment from day to day is reliable particularly at the slower cadence. Results support contentions that this form of exercise can effectively promote gains in muscular strength and endurance in women.