INTRODUCTION: Various games sports, combat sport, and outdoor activities require a force development in open skills that are executed under instable environmental conditions (e.g. perturbing opponents, instable surfaces, adverse weather conditions). However, traditional strength training programs are commonly related to a force development exercises under stable conditions only. This paper introduces a load training on instable surfaces that is thought to complement traditional strength training programs. Training effects related to functional testing procedures were used to compare both strength training categories. METHOD: Forty physically active sport students (28 male and 12 female) were randomly assigned to load training on instable surfaces (50% of 1RM) and to a traditional strength training (70% of 1RM) with matched exercise extent. None of the subjects had any prior experience with systematic strength training. Functional tests (20m sprint, left-right-hop, 4x9m shuttle, dynamic and static balance tests, sit-ups, standing long jump, and a leg strength lest) were used to evaluate the training effects. RESULTS: Training groups improved their performance except for the 20m sprint and the shuttle run. In contrast, load training on instable surfaces proved to be more beneficial for functional tests that are executed under instable environment conditions (e.g. left-right-hop, standing long jump) than traditional strength training. DISCUSSION: In past, only few studies could show transfer effects from traditional strength training regimens as evaluated by functional testing. This is particularty true for functional tests under instable environmental conditions. One of several causes for this deficiency may be related to the fact that trunk and joint stabilizing muscles are commonly not sufficiently stressed by strength training exercises under stable conditions. This drawback maybe compensated by additional load training exercises that are performed under instable conditions. CONCLUSION: This study shows that load training regimens should be used ss an addition to traditional strength training programs particularly for the force development in open skills in games sports, combat sport, and outdoor sports as alpine skiing that are executed under instable conditions. In contrast, traditional strength training programs under stable environmental conditions are needed that aim for an adaptation in maximal muscle adaptation when maximal training loads are used. REFERENCES Kibele. A. S Behm, D. (2009). Seven weeks of instability and traditional resistance training effects on strength, balance and functional performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23, 9, 2443-245
© Copyright 2010 Book of Abstracts. 5th International Congress on Science and Skiing, Dec. 14 - 19, 2010, St. Christoph am Arlberg. Veröffentlicht von University of Salzburg, Interfakultärer Fachbereich Sport- und Bewegungswissenschaft/USI. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.