Flywheel or free weight training for improvement of lower limbs strength?

BACKROUND: New training methods are constantly used to improve the ability of skeletal muscles to develop strength. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of half-squat training with free weights and flywheel device on isokinetic knee muscle strength for well-trained amateur soccer players. METHODS: Forty eight players were randomly divided into three groups (n = 16 each): Desmotech Training group (DT), Free Weight Training group (WT) and one Control Group (CON). DT and WT performed an eight-week half-squat training program, with two sessions per week. The DT group performed training with a flywheel device. Isokinetic concentric-eccentric strength assessments of the knee extensors-flexors muscle groups were performed at different angular velocities (60, 180 and 240 degrees/s). RESULTS: The eight-week training program improved all the isokinetic joint moment indicators examined in the DT and WT groups (p < 0.01). The DT group achieved higher performances at all the isokinetic parameters examined, however, without statistically significant differences to the WT group. CONCLUSIONS: Flywheel-based exercise is an effective training method and is suggested to be used to strengthen the lower limbs of soccer players.