The Addition of Strength Training to Practice of High Intensity Group Gymnastics May Not Imply in Highest Levels of Strength and Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of maximum strength, endurance muscular and quality of life among practitioners of group gymnastics (IG) of isolated form and practitioners of group gymnastics combinated with strength training (CG). This study is characterized as observational of comparative cross-sectional design. The sample was composted by young women, trained at least for three months, without health complications. Maximum strength (1RM) and endurance muscular (repetition at 60% 1RM) of the lower limbs were evaluated in knee extension exercise, unilaterally. Overall quality of life and in four domains was evaluated by the WHOQOL-bref. Data were described by mean and standard deviation values. Outcomes were compared by independent t-test, adopting a significance level (α) of 0.05. Thirty women were evaluated (isolated gymnastic (IG), n = 15; 30.13 ± 7.24 years—combined gymnastic and strength (CG), n = 15; 29.46 ± 8.18 years). Similarly values were found among groups for all outcomes (p > 0.05). The results suggest that the association of strength training with gymnastics training, possibly accumulating excessive training volume, may not increase the levels of maximum strength, endurance muscular and quality of life in young women.