Morrissey, M. C., Harman, E. A., Frykman, P. N., & Han, K. H. (1998). Early phase differential effects of slow and fast barbell squat training. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 26, 221-230.

Two groups of women squatted repeatedly: slow (N = 11; 2-s up and 2-s down) and fast (N = 10; 1-s up and 1-s down) for three eight-repetition maximum sets performed three times per week for seven weeks. A variety of tests included vertical jump, long jump, maximum squat, and isometric performances at varying speeds.

Fast training produced better gains in most elements of the long and vertical jumps. In isokinetic work the fast group performed best at fast speeds and the slow group performed best at slow speeds.

Implication. Although both slow and fast resistance training promoted better performance, fast training showed some advantages in quantity and magnitude of training effects. Fast strength training has the potential to produce more benefits (if any) than slow training.

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