Analysis of Concentric and Eccentric Power in Flywheel Exercises Depending on the Subjects’ Strength Level and Body Mass

Abstract

The objective of this study is to describe how flywheel exercise mechanical outputs are affected by the athletes’ body mass (BM) and strength level and by the exercise type. Forty-six recreational athletes came to a laboratory 3 times. On the first day, descriptive data, squat (1 repetition maximum: 1RM) and flywheel familiarization were performed. After a second day of familiarization, subjects performed a randomized flywheel exercise-testing protocol of squat and split squat exercises. The variables used for data analysis were peak concentric power and peak eccentric power, eccentric/concentric ratio, and their relationship with 1RM/BM. Subjects were assigned to a stronger or weaker group according to their 1RM/BM ratio. Group differences were found in absolute values of eccentric overload (EOL) (p , 0.01; effect size [ES] 5 0.51) and EOL/BM (p , 0.01; ES 5 0.46) only in the split squat. Absolute power values in the concentric phase showed differences between inertial load (p,0.01; ES50.41). The stronger group did not present significant differences between inertial loads during squat (p , 0.01; ES 5 0.46), but they showed different ratios with light inertias in comparison with the weaker group (p , 0.01; ES 5 0.46). There were significant differences between groups with light inertias in split squat (nondominant) and squat exercises (p , 0.05; ES 5 0.29) in the eccentric and concentric phases (p , 0.116; ES 5 0.20). Squat and split squat exercises present different profiles depending on the training level. In conclusion, it is recommended that practitioners perform a test to understand the inertial load–power profile (concentric, eccentric, and their ratio) for each exercise and also consider the user’s strength level for selection of the inertial load and for the exercise to use in training.