IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 2024;32:2835-2844. doi: 10.1109/TNSRE.2024.3435798. Epub 2024 Aug 8.
While resistance training promotes muscle hypertrophy and strength, accessibility of equipment is a barrier. This study evaluated a wearable VAriable Resistance Suit (VARS) as a novel and alternative method to achieve muscle strength improvement. It was hypothesized that by providing adjustable, bi-directional and speed dependent resistance, VARS can target specific muscles to improve muscle strength via an accessible and portable device. Twelve untrained healthy male adults (22.08 ± 4.1 years old) participated in an 8-week long resistance training using VARS to strengthen four muscles (biceps brachii, triceps brachii, biceps femoris, rectus femoris) of their non-dominant arm and leg using VARS. The results showed significant improvements in the muscle strength measured by isokinetic dynamometer - 49.9±9.6% increase in isokinetic force and 30.6±7.6% increase in isometric force. Muscle size and body composition were also assessed using ultrasound imaging and bioelectrical impedance analysis, which did not show significant changes. The study demonstrates the efficacy and feasibility of VARS as a resistance training tool to achieve muscle strength improvement and its potential extension to clinical populations.
虽然抗阻训练可以促进肌肉肥大和力量增长，但设备的可及性是一个障碍。本研究评估了一种可穿戴式变阻力服（VARS），作为一种新颖且替代的方法来实现肌肉力量的改善。研究假设，通过提供可调节、双向和速度相关的阻力，VARS 可以通过一种易于使用和便携的设备针对特定肌肉来提高肌肉力量。12 名未经训练的健康成年男性（22.08 ± 4.1 岁）参与了一项为期 8 周的抗阻训练，使用 VARS 来增强非优势手臂和腿部的 4 块肌肉（肱二头肌、肱三头肌、股二头肌、股直肌）。结果表明，等速测力计测量的肌肉力量显著提高——等速力量增加了 49.9±9.6%，等长力量增加了 30.6±7.6%。肌肉大小和身体成分也使用超声成像和生物电阻抗分析进行了评估，结果没有显示出显著变化。这项研究证明了 VARS 作为一种抗阻训练工具的有效性和可行性，可用于提高肌肉力量，并有可能扩展到临床人群。
