During exercises performed in weight training machines, the friction force (FF) between its mechanical components can influence the magnitude of the overload offered by the machine on force of the exercise. However, little is known about how to measure this friction and what its real effect. Thus the objectives of this study were (i) describe a technique for measuring FF in weight training machines, and (ii) exemplify the technique, by quantifying the FF of the weight training machine at different exercise speeds and loads. For this, a subject performed repetitions of the exercise in different loads and speeds. The loads evaluated were 3 kg, 6 kg and 9 kg; and the speeds were 30°/s, 60°/s and 120°/s. The FF, normalized by selected load, increased significantly with the increasing of the speed and decreased with increasing of the load. Results for friction force around 40% found for highest speed and lowest load show that take the FF in count it's an important factor to consider during muscle equipment choice and maintaining.
Friction; Bodybuilding; Physical Training
