How do leg press exercises comply with limited weight bearing?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate foot loadings in different leg press settings with respect to a possible graduation of weight bearing (WB). DESIGN: Case series. SETTINGS Assessing plantar force values by means of dynamic pedobarography taken place in orthopaedic departments' rehab center. PARTICIPANTS: 15 healthy students (9 men and 6 women, age 23 ± 2, weight 75 ± 6 kg) were recruited as participants from the medical faculty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peak force values from normal gait (referred to as 100%) and single and double leg presses (SLP, DLP) with resistances of 10 kg, 20 kg and 40 kg, obtained with pedobarographic insoles. RESULTS: Performing DLP produced foot loadings (N) of 37 ± 15 with 10 kg, 91 ± 29 with 20 kg and 203 ± 27 with 40 kg, equal to 5%, 12% and 26% of full WB. SLP result in force values of 195 ± 32 with 10 kg, 308 ± 34 with 20 kg and 516 ± 45 with 40 kg, corresponding to 25%, 40% and 67% baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Leg press exercises can be performed in accordance with a given limitation of foot loading. Above mentioned conditions allow a graduation from 5% to 67% of full WB.