Rev Bras Fisiol Exerc 2020;19(1):13-15
doi: 10.33233/rbfe.v19i1.3985
OPINION
Calisthenics
and bodyweight exercises: different concepts or scientific synonyms?
Calistenia e exercício com o peso
corporal: conceitos distintos ou sinônimos científicos?
Leury Max da Silva Chaves¹,
Gabriel Vinicius Santos¹, Cauê La Scala Teixeira², Marzo
Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto¹
¹Graduate
Program in Physical Education, Department of Physical Education, Federal
University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, ²Obesity Study
Group, Federal University of São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil
Received
October 21, 2019; accepted January 30, 2020
Corresponding
author:
Marzo Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto, Universidade de Sevilla, Departamento de
Educación Física y Deporte, C/ Pirotecnia s/n 41013 Sevilla Espanha
Marzo Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto: medg@ufs.br
Leury Max da Silva Chaves : leury_max@hotmail.com
Gabriel Vinicius Santos : gabrielviniciusufs@gmail.com
Cauê La Scala Teixeira: caue_jg@yahoo.com.br
Bodyweight exercises (also popularly known as calisthenics) is a classic
training method and its practice has been widespread since the 19th century,
but little evidenced in the scientific literature over the years. This type of
training aims to promote multi-system adaptations using body weight as an
overload with no or few implements [1-3]. This characteristic makes exercise
with body weight easy to apply, in addition to having an excellent cost-benefit
ratio when compared to other training possibilities that require machines or
materials [4,5].
Bodyweight exercises have occupied a prominent place in recent years and
have been cited by the worldwide research of fitness trends of the American
College of Sports Medicine for the first time in 2013, where it occupied the
third position. In 2015, it reached the first place in this ranking and is
currently among the top 10. This can mean the search for a practical, efficient
and low-cost activity, in addition to the challenging factor that advanced
movements present, which can provide less monotony when compared to other
strength training methods [1,4].
Thus, bodyweight exercises are present in different contexts (or
modalities), such as circus activities, gymnastics, CrossFit®, cross training,
functional training, Mat Pilates, pole dance, martial arts, street running,
among other sports, both as a main and complementary activity [2]. In recent
years, another terminological variation related to bodyweight training has
emerged, the Street Workout (also popularly known as Calisthenics). In Street
Workout, practitioners compete to demonstrate their skills in challenges
against other athletes [6], with more complex movements with better fluidity
being valued.
Although several modalities use bodyweight exercises and these exercises
are popularly known as calisthenics, it is important to emphasize that the term
"Calisthenics" is an independent training method that has its own
concept and characteristics. According to Professor Phoktion
Heinrich Clias (in his book Kallisthenie
- Exercises for Beauty and Strength), author of one of the pioneering concepts
about Calisthenics, a calisthenic training session should present a logical and
systematized structure, so that the form of execution of the exercises is
clear, the action velocity, the types of exercises that can be inserted,
stimulated metabolic pathways, physical capacities to be developed, among other
aspects. In this author's proposal, calisthenic training or “free exercises” is
divided into three large groups of exercises (introductory, fundamental and
conclusive), in which rhythm is given to the execution of movements. From this
perspective, bodyweight exercise would be a means and Calisthenics would be a
method, that is, a systematic way of using this means.
However, some more recent authors [6-9] present simpler definitions of
Calisthenics, such as that presented by Kotarsky [1]:
“Calisthenics is a form of resistance training that uses one's own body weight
as a way to improve the general condition”.
In addition, more recent research involving the term
"Calisthenics" (or calisthenic exercises) has shown interventions
based on bodyweight exercises applied under different methods, not necessarily
following the classic concept proposed by Clias
(which includes rhythm, for example) [7-10].
In the study by Machado et al. [11] the authors applied the
bodyweight exercises in a high intensity interval training (HIIT) model, naming
this type of training "new calisthenics". In the referred study, the
authors state that this training model consists of performing sets of effort
interspersed with a rest interval, and in each set, practitioners should be
instructed to perform bodyweight exercises (eg.
jumping jacks, burpee, among others) at the maximum possible velocity, without controlled
or rhythmic cadence.
In the study by Guerra et al. [12], bodyweight exercise, also
called by the authors "calisthenics", were applied during school
Physical Education classes in a circuit format, in which, in each station,
students should perform as many repetitions as they could in 30 seconds, a
characteristic that also shows the absence of cadence and rhythm control
[13,14].
In view of the above, in order to build a more solid body of evidence
about bodyweight exercises, the conceptual distinction between Calisthenics and
bodyweight exercise seems to be incoherent, as this distinction may hinder the
development of the body of knowledge about this tool. Thus, we suggest that
Calisthenics and Calisthenic Exercises are understood as synonyms of bodyweight
exercises. In practical terms, bodyweight exercise (calisthenics) would be the
means, while the different ways of applying bodyweight exercises would be the
methods.