Physiological effects of low-intensity strength training without relaxation

The effects of low-intensity strength training without relaxation (LISTR) on the force-velocity properties of hip and knee extensor muscles, the power endurance of the knee extensor muscles, and the aerobic performance of the body were studied. The difference between the LISTR and classical strength training (CST) is that the working muscle groups do not relax at the extreme points of the range of motion. The study was performed in two groups each comprising nine young physically active men who trained three times a week for eight weeks. The study showed that LISTR increased the maximum voluntary force to about the same extent as CST, but this was achieved with lower training loads. Moreover, LISTR did not lead to a decrease in the local muscular work capacity, which is usually observed during CST.