Exploring Biomechanics in Suspension-Based Resistance Training

897 Words2 Pages

A review of biomechanics involved in suspension-based resistance training
Heather Herdell
Eastern Michigan University
SPMD 554

Traditional body weight exercises such as push-ups, planks, and crunches require an athlete to be limited in range of motion as some portion of their body is resting on the ground, on a stable platform. Usually, the motions of these particular exercises are occurring in one or two planes. To expand these motions in all three planes, the athlete would need to have space underneath his or her body. One of the many forms of resistance training uses a collection of ropes, cords, anchors, and/or pulleys suspended from above to lift a portion of an athlete’s body as the person holds on to handles. The athlete …show more content…

A drawback to this method of manipulation is that the client and/or coach will need to understand the biomechanics involved in order to properly prescribe the level of resistance needed for improvement (Melrose & Dawes, 2015)since there is no visual gauge as on other machines such as a weight stack with pins. Also, maximum training potential is limited by the athlete’s weight.
When several brands of suspension training systems were compared, one with a pulley system showed the highest amount of muscle activity levels. To attain the most resistance, a coach could choose to use a pulley system device such as Airfit Pro, with a higher angle measure, and shorter …show more content…

Those with skeletomuscular injury or balance problems should not use these devices. Another benefit of using this type of equipment is that the devices are portable, and relatively inexpensive compared to most gym resistance training machines. Coaches can quickly set up, and take down anchors on stable overhead bars, support beams or doorways (Rauschenbach, Morrell, Ridley & Walsh, 2013). The devices can also be used by athletes who travel so that they can maintain their training schedule. Clients may start with doing their traditional body weight exercises on the suspension devices, and gradually increase the resistance by any of the methods described as needed.
Overall, suspension training is valuable tool for increasing core strength and for increasing muscle activity in several specific muscle groups by about 22 percent. It is highly adaptable for most athletes, and is simple to gradually adjust characteristics of these devices. For coaches and athletes or clients, basic knowledge of forces, angles, and center of gravity is all that is needed to tweak exercise prescription and modify traditional body weight

More about Exploring Biomechanics in Suspension-Based Resistance Training

Open Document