Isometric training
I just found about isometric training and wanted to try it out but from what I see you have to do bench presses,squats and deadlifts. My question is:
Is isometric training made for any exercise or muscle group or only for those above? And how does isometric training help us?
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Isometric exercise aka 'isometrics' are a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction (compared to concentric or eccentric contractions, called dynamic/isotonic movements).
Isometrics are done in static positions, rather than being dynamic through a range of motion. The Plank is one of the most popular isometric exercise, as it challenges many core muscles.
Critical Analysis
Isometric exercises allow for more force generation than concentric exercises because they are not "overcoming" -- you're not actually moving the load, which affects how the cross-bridges cycle (but note that actin/myosin do still cycle during isometric contraction, in humans).
Additionally, isometric muscle action is important to coaches who emphasize the triphasic model of movement because these coaches believe that movement is not eccentric -> concentric contraction, but eccentric -> isometric -> concentric. Thus, these coaches like to train the isometric component of movement.
Furthermore, the Soviet system placed a lot of emphasis on explosive isometric training, again influenced by the triphasic model as well as research that demonstrated some pretty impressive improvements. There were some issues with joint angles and things but I won't get into that here.
The Isometric lifting is a valuable training tool, but it should not be the focus of your training program. Instead, perform functional lifts, which closely resemble athletic movements
Personally/Anecdotally
I like weighted planks a lot, I feel that they have helped develop my stabilization. I also like using them for smaller muscles: forearms, traps, calves.
Isometric versus Concentric Training
Each kind of training produces the greatest improvement when strength tests used are similar to those of training. Most improvements are observed when the test routine matches the training routine. Exercise-type specificity is supported.
Improvement in functional (sporting) performance is the most practical criterion for comparing training effectiveness of various types of exercise, despite functional activities usually being more complex and employing additional capacities to the performance of the trained muscle groups. It appears that concentric training may be superior to static training for improving performance although more research needs to be conducted to conclusively define an answer.
Isometric versus Eccentric Training
It is unclear as to whether isometric training is superior to eccentric training in increasing isometric strength, with the majority of studies indicating no difference. One study has reported eccentric training superior for developing eccentric strength.
There are no reports comparing the effects of the two forms of training on functional strength.
In conclusion, there seems to be a tendency that the modality of training is the modality of function you'd be improving.
Source: Morrissey, M. C., Harman, E. A., & Johnson, M. J. (1995). Resistance training modes: Specificity and effectiveness. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 27
Anecdotally I feel the need to mention that my preferred isometric exercises revolve around smaller muscle groups, where size growth is harder to accomplish (e.g. forearms, calves). Particularly training grip strength isometrically has allowed me to increase the weight at which I need to start using wraps for deadlifts.
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