the upward motion of a bicep curl with weights), the force the muscle generates is greater than the resistance placed on the muscle (weight in the hand) leading to a shortening of the muscle. Isotonic exercises can be further classified by the type of contraction that occurs in the muscle. In general, isotonic exercises tend to burn more calories, improve bone density and lower risk of heart disease. Typically, isotonic exercises are more vigorous types of exercises such as cycling, swimming, running, tennis, etc. A bicep curl results in bending and straightening of the elbow joint. These exercise result in a change in the joint angle that the muscle crosses. In this type of exercise, thereis no change in the muscle tone or degree of muscle tension throughout the exercise.In simpler terms, during these exercises, the muscle contracts and causes the body part to which it is connected to move. So what are the different types of exercises we perform? In addition, several studies have demonstrated that strength training may improve our self-esteem and body image more so than aerobic exercises alone. By adding resistance (strength training) into your exercise programwe are still building muscle mass and therefore, decreasing our risk for pre-diabetes and diabetes and contributing to positive changes in our metabolic profile. This finding is quite significant because provides motivation for those who have difficulty “losing weight”. Srikanthan published in July 2011 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, building higher muscle mass may improve insulin sensitivity and decrease the risk for both pre-diabetes and diabetes. According to a study done at UCLA School of Medicine by Dr. One of the main reasons for exercise is for weight loss and to improve your body composition. By combining the first two types of exercises during your weekly workout regimen, you will attain synergistic benefits that both these exercises provide. Basically, there are several different categories of exercise: Isometric Exercises, Isotonic Exercises and Isokinetic Exercises. Yoga often uses this training method to increase muscular strength.Last week we discussed the importance of aerobic and anaerobic training and this week we will focus on the importance of incorporating strength training into your exercise regimen. Isometric training is easy to perform and requires little to no equipment to be performed. Isometric exercises include: pushing against a wall, holding a push-up position, holding dumbbells out at 90 degrees from the shoulder etc. This may seem trivial, but for an athlete who is weak at a particular angle isometric training at this angle will help to illuminate the imbalance. That is, if you hold an isometric contraction at 110 degrees around your elbow, your strength gains are greatest for this angle. However, isometric training also produces specific muscle strength increases in that the increase in muscle strength is greatest at the joint angle that the static contraction is performed at. This is of particular importance in sports that require great strength with little movement, such as: some martial arts, gymnastics or dance. The main benefit of this training is that it provides increases in strength for static contractions.
This training has specific benefits that are useful for all athletes looking to increase their strength. Isometric training as a form of strength training was made popular by Bruce Lee, one of the greatest