Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science

Cross Education: Transfer from the Non-Dominant to Dominant Homologous Muscles

Presenter Information

Kevin Daeger, Hanover College

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Subject Area

Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science

Start Date

11-4-2014 8:30 AM

End Date

11-4-2014 10:00 AM

Description

Cross education studies suggest that bi-lateral strength gains can occurfrom unilateral strength training. Most prior research suggests that cross education occurs onlyfrom dominant to non-dominant homologous muscles. However, there is some evidence that non-dominant to dominant muscle transfer is possible. This may depend on the muscle size or strength and also how regularlythe particular muscles are used. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential for cross education from training the non-dominant flexors and extensors of the knee joint (large and frequently used) and wrist (small and less-used).

Methods: One subject completed nine weeks of intensive training of the non-dominant flexors and extensors of the knee and wrist joints in this case study. Highly intensive, maximal eccentric training on aCybex isokinetic dynamometer was imposed. Each training bout was trackedand peak torque was recorded as an indicator of strength gains achieved. The subject did not in any way train the dominant leg or wrist throughout the training regimen.

Results and Discussion:Training as described and data collection are ongoing. It is anticipated that after training,the dominant, untrained muscles, will show a cross education effect due to the high intensity. The difference of size and strength between these muscle groups may be an important determining factor of cross education, and the smaller and less-used wrist flexor muscles are hypothesized to show the greatest effect.

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Apr 11th, 8:30 AM Apr 11th, 10:00 AM

Cross Education: Transfer from the Non-Dominant to Dominant Homologous Muscles

Indianapolis, IN

Cross education studies suggest that bi-lateral strength gains can occurfrom unilateral strength training. Most prior research suggests that cross education occurs onlyfrom dominant to non-dominant homologous muscles. However, there is some evidence that non-dominant to dominant muscle transfer is possible. This may depend on the muscle size or strength and also how regularlythe particular muscles are used. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential for cross education from training the non-dominant flexors and extensors of the knee joint (large and frequently used) and wrist (small and less-used).

Methods: One subject completed nine weeks of intensive training of the non-dominant flexors and extensors of the knee and wrist joints in this case study. Highly intensive, maximal eccentric training on aCybex isokinetic dynamometer was imposed. Each training bout was trackedand peak torque was recorded as an indicator of strength gains achieved. The subject did not in any way train the dominant leg or wrist throughout the training regimen.

Results and Discussion:Training as described and data collection are ongoing. It is anticipated that after training,the dominant, untrained muscles, will show a cross education effect due to the high intensity. The difference of size and strength between these muscle groups may be an important determining factor of cross education, and the smaller and less-used wrist flexor muscles are hypothesized to show the greatest effect.