The effect of cycle ergometer strength training in pubescent and post-pubescent untrained males

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether cycle training offers an effective means for improving muscle strength in young people, as strength training has been recognized as safe and effective in improving muscle strength. Nineteen 13-year-old and eighteen 16-year-old boys formed the training group, while the control group was formed by eighteen 13-year-old and twenty 16-year-old boys. Participants took part in a strength-training program involving cycle training 3 times per week for a period of 12 weeks, whereas controls participated only in the school's physical education activities. Maximum knee extension and flexion was evaluated at various angular velocities, as well as local muscular endurance of extensors using an isokinetic dynamometer. With regard to the training group, significant increases (p<0.001) were observed for both extensors and flexors in all angular velocities, as well as for local muscular endurance of extensors, for both age groups (p<0.001). However, for the control group significant increases were observed only in high angular velocities(180°·s $^{-1}$ , 300°·s $^{-1}$ ) (p<0.05 to p<0.001) in both age groups. The findings suggest that the specific cycle training protocol used in this study is an effective means for improving muscle strength training and local muscular endurance in pubescent and postpubescent untrained males.