Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Education and Sports Science,
Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Anastasia Beneka, PhD, Lecturer,
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of
Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece. Tel.: +30 5310 39682; Fax: +30 5310 39623;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Thirty six Physical Education students participated in this study
and were randomly assigned in three groups: a. The first experimental
`isokinetic group' (N=12) followed an isokinetic strengthening program for the
rotator cuff muscle group. Its isokinetic exercise protocol consisted of 10 set
of 10 repetitions at 90, 120, 180, 210, 240, 240, 210, 180, 120 and 90~deg/sec
respectively, b. The second experimental `MJDR group' (N=12) used the multi
joint dynamic resistance training mode for the same muscle group. Its exercise
program consisted of four exercises: 1. Pull-ups or lat pull downs, 2. Overhead
press, 3. Reverse pull ups and 4. Push-ups (submaximal effort, 8--15
repetitions in 3--7 sets, rest between sets ranging from 2--4 minutes), c. The
`control' group (N=12) had no strengthening training. Testing was performed in
the supine position with the glenohumeral joint in 900 of abduction in the
coronal plane, with a range of motion of 0--900 of external rotation and 0--650
of internal rotation at 60, 120 and at 1800/sec. The testing procedure was
performed before and after the exercise period of six weeks. The results showed
that in both movements and extremities the performance improvement was not the
same for the three groups (interaction 'group' and 'test'). In both internal
and external rotation and both extremities, statistically significant
improvement in performance was observed only for the two experimental
groups.
