COMPARISON BETWEEN THE EFFECT OF FREE WEIGHT AND MACHINE EXERCISE ON THE QUADRICEPS MUSCLES AMONG MALE STUDENTS IN IIUM KUANTAN

Abstract

 Introduction: Exercise is an activity that has been in every human being to be healthy physically and mentally. The research aimed to compare the efficacy of free weight (FW) versus machine (M) exercises in enhancing the quadriceps muscle size among male students at IIUM Kuantan. Method : Twenty-four male students were selected for the study and underwent measurement of quadriceps muscle girth at 18 cm from anteromedial knee joint using measuring tape based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were divided into FW and M exercises with n=12 each resistance exercise. Subjects trained for 2 times per week for a total of 8 weeks. Subject muscle girth measured at the end of the training. Result: there is notable increases in the quadriceps size for both resistance exercises on the 4-week and 8-week timeframe. Meanwhile, there is no significant difference in comparing both resistance exercises in different weeks of training at 4^th week and at 8^th week . Conclusion: both resistant exercises were beneficial in those athletes that want to improve their muscle size and strength in their upper leg muscles. Both resistance exercises contribute to increasing the size of quadriceps and the combination of both exercises made the exercise more enjoyable and fun.