Sandor Dorgo, George A. King and Christopher A. Rice

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Purpose: To investigate the effects of a manual resistance training (MRT) program on muscular strength and endurance and to compare these effects with those of an identically structured weight resistance training (WRT) program.

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Conclusions: The improvements in muscular strength and muscular endurance after a 14-week MRT program were similar to those produced by a WRT program, and well-designed MRT exercises seem to be effective for improving muscular fitness.

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IN PLAIN ENGLISH: Provided tension is produced in muscle – and an overload occurs on the muscle fibers – manually applied resistance, barbells, dumbbells, machines, sand bags or any device can be used to develop muscular strength and muscular endurance.