Print Email Facebook Twitter A Muscle Load Feedback Application for Strength Training Title A Muscle Load Feedback Application for Strength Training: A Proof-of-Concept Study Author Noteboom, L. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Nijs, Anouk (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Beek, Peter J. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) van der Helm, F.C.T. (TU Delft Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control) Hoozemans, Marco J.M. (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Date 2023 Abstract Muscle overload injuries in strength training might be prevented by providing personalized feedback about muscle load during a workout. In the present study, a new muscle load feedback application, which monitors and visualizes the loading of specific muscle groups, was developed in collaboration with the fitness company Gymstory. The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of this feedback application in managing muscle load balance, muscle load level, and muscle soreness, and to evaluate how its actual use was experienced. Thirty participants were randomly distributed into ‘control’, ‘partial feedback’, and ‘complete feedback’ groups and monitored for eight workouts using the automatic exercise tracking system of Gymstory. The control group received no feedback, while the partial feedback group received a visualization of their estimated cumulative muscle load after each exercise, and the participants in the complete feedback group received this visualization together with suggestions for the next exercise to target muscle groups that had not been loaded yet. Generalized estimation equations (GEEs) were used to compare muscle load balance and soreness, and a one-way ANOVA was used to compare user experience scores between groups. The complete feedback group showed a significantly better muscle load balance (β = −18.9; 95% CI [−29.3, −8.6]), adhered better to the load suggestion provided by the application (significant interactions), and had higher user experience scores for Attractiveness (p = 0.036), Stimulation (p = 0.031), and Novelty (p = 0.019) than the control group. No significant group differences were found for muscle soreness. Based on these results, it was concluded that personal feedback about muscle load in the form of a muscle body map in combination with exercise suggestions can effectively guide strength training practitioners towards certain load levels and more balanced cumulative muscle loads. This application has potential to be applied in strength training practice as a training tool and may help in preventing muscle overload. Subject strength trainingresistance trainingfeedbackinjurymusclesoverloadovertraining To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c1e3a189-8396-4de7-93d3-1f0fab1662f3 DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11090170 ISSN 2075-4663 Source Sports, 11 (9) Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2023 L. Noteboom, Anouk Nijs, Peter J. Beek, F.C.T. van der Helm, Marco J.M. Hoozemans Files PDF sports_11_00170.pdf 1.37 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:c1e3a189-8396-4de7-93d3-1f0fab1662f3/datastream/OBJ/view