Diagnosis and functionality of the lower limbs in men and women practicing resistance training with free weights

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in functional performance such as thermal images of the lower limbs; muscular power and clinical test performed for predict knee mechanics in males and females practitioners of resistance
exercise with free-weights. Methods: Twenty male and eighteen female practitioners of resistance exercise (RE) with free-weights were recruited for research. All subjects practiced regularly RE 4.8 ± 0.4 days’ week-1 and total volume of 255.1 ± 9.2 minutes per week. All thermal images were performed in a thermoneutral room with temperature of 21oC with a relative humidity of 65%. Then, all subjects performed three CMJ trials and one min rest between trials. Finally, males and females performed the SLSD test with subjects stood on an 8-inch wooden box, assumed a single-limb stance. Results: The two-way ANOVA yielded main effects for the group in the single leg step down test (SLSD test) (F1.36 = 9.260, p<.004), push-off phase (F1.36 = 27.11, p<.0001) and landing phase (F1.36 = 16.72,p<.0002) showed significant differences (p<.05) between genders. Thermal images showed significant difference only in the mean skin temperature at the posterior left and right leg between males vs. females (p<.05). Pearson’s analysis demonstrated that jump height was significantly correlated with SLSD test in males and females. However, male showed negative correlation between skin temperature at the anterior leg and jump height. Conclusion: These finding shown the efficiency thermal images and SLSD test as possible tools to investigate muscle power in males and females that practice RE with free-weights.