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Heavier and lighter load resistance training to momentary failure produce similar increases in strength with differing degrees of discomfort
Author(s) -
Fisher James Peter,
Steele James
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.25537
Subject(s) - resistance training , isometric exercise , strength training , physical therapy , medicine , muscle strength , physical medicine and rehabilitation , zoology , biology
It has been suggested that disparities in effort and discomfort between high‐ and low‐load resistance training might exist, which in turn have produced unequivocal adaptations between studies. Methods Strength responses to heavier load (HL; 80% maximum voluntary isometric torque; MVIT) and lighter load (LL; 50% MVIT) resistance training were examined in addition to acute perceptions of effort and discomfort. Seven men (20.6 ± 0.5 years, 178.9 ± 3.2 cm, 77.1 ± 2.7 kg) performed unilateral resistance training of the knee extensors to momentary failure using HL and LL. Results Analyses revealed significant pre‐ to post‐intervention increases in strength for both HL and LL, with no significant between‐group differences ( P > 0.05). Mean repetitions per set, total training time, and discomfort were all significantly higher for LL compared with HL ( P < 0.05). Conclusion This study indicates that resistance training with HL and LL produces similar strength adaptations, but discomfort should be considered before selecting a training load. Muscle Nerve 56 : 797–803, 2017