부산대학교 도서관

The present study is the first to examine whether moderately intense resistance training improves flexibility in an exclusively young, sedentary women population. Twenty-four, young, sedentary women were divided into 3 groups as follows: agonist/antagonist (AA) training group, alternated strength training (AST) group, or a control group (CG). Training occurred every other day for 8 weeks for a total of 24 sessions. Training groups performed 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions per set except for abdominal training where 3 sets of 15 to 20 reps were performed. Strength (1 repetition maximum bench press) and flexibility were assessed before and after the training period. Flexibility was assessed on 6 articular movements: shoulder flexion and extension, horizontal shoulder adduction and abduction, and trunk flexion and extension. Both groups increased strength and flexibility significantly from baseline and significantly when compared with the CG (p [less than or equal to] 0.05). The AST group increased strength and flexibility significantly more than the AA group (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) in all but one measurement. This study shows that resistance training can improve flexibility in young sedentary women in 8 weeks. KEY WORDS stretching, resistance training, articular movements, exercise order, physical fitness