TRAINING LEVEL, PERCEPTION AND BILATERAL ASYMMETRY DURING MULTI-JOINT LEG-PRESS EXERCISE

This study was designed to investigate the training level, perception and bilateral asymmetry of force applied on the pedals of a leg-press machine during multi-joint leg-press exercise. Force data were acquired throughout the exercise by means of an FSCAN system with sensitive insoles adapted to the right and left pedals of a leg-press device and used to determine the bilateral asymmetry. Perception of bilateral asymmetry was evaluated by means of an inventory including two closed questions. Two groups according to their training experience were considered: subjects adapted (n=8), and trained (n=8). The results suggest that trained subjects present a smaller asymmetry index and a better perception of bilateral asymmetries. Trained subjects presented better perception of bilateral asymmetries, when it occurs during the exercise, than adapted subjects. The training seems to influence the perception and reduce the bilateral asymmetries during the leg-press multi-joint exercise.