ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2020 February;60(2):244-50

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.19.10066-7

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Efficacy of whole-body suspension training on enhancing functional movement abilities following a supervised or home-based training program

Emily L. KULLMAN ✉, Shelby M. SAYLOR, Kathleen D. LITTLE

Department of Health and Human Performance, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of suspension training on functional movement and body composition, and to compare the effectiveness of home-based training to supervised training.
METHODS: Seventeen healthy subjects (8 males, 9 females, age=21.8±3.4 y) with no recent history of resistance training were randomly assigned to a home-based or supervised training group. Subjects performed an 8-week suspension training program consisting of 10 exercises targeting major muscle groups, twice per week for the duration of the study. Pre- and post-intervention testing included body composition using air displacement plethysmography, and a functional movement screen (FMS) to measure functional movement abilities.
RESULTS: The 8-week training program significantly improved total FMS scores across the whole sample of subjects (Pre=16.4; Post=17.5; P=0.004), with no differences in improvements between groups. When compared separately, only the supervised group significantly improved FMS scores. There was also a significant increase in lean mass across the total sample of subjects (Pre=52.4 kg; Post=53.3 kg; P=0.03) with no differences between groups. But when compared independently, neither group exhibited a significant increase in lean mass.
CONCLUSIONS: When completed as a whole-body exercise program over an 8-week period, suspension training can improve functional ability and increase lean mass in both a supervised and a home-based setting.

KEY WORDS: Exercise; Physical fitness; Physical functional performance