Open AccessThe effect of training volume and intensity on improvements in muscular strength and size in resistance‐trained men
Author(s) -
Mangine Gerald T.,
Hoffman Jay R.,
Gonzalez Adam M.,
Townsend Jeremy R.,
Wells Adam J.,
Jajtner Adam R.,
Beyer Kyle S.,
Boone Carleigh H.,
Miramonti Amelia A.,
Wang Ran,
LaMonica Michael B.,
Fukuda David H.,
Ratamess Nicholas A.,
Stout Jeffrey R.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
physiological reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2051-817X
DOI - 10.14814/phy2.12472
Subject(s) - bench press , squat , one repetition maximum , medicine , lean body mass , resistance training , leg press , endocrinology , intensity (physics) , insulin resistance , muscle architecture , growth hormone , hormone , physical therapy , insulin , body weight , anatomy , physics , quantum mechanics
This investigation compared the effect of high‐volume ( VOL ) versus high‐intensity ( INT ) resistance training on stimulating changes in muscle size and strength in resistance‐trained men. Following a 2‐week preparatory phase, participants were randomly assigned to either a high‐volume ( VOL ; n = 14, 4 × 10–12 repetitions with ~70% of one repetition maximum [1 RM ], 1‐min rest intervals) or a high‐intensity ( INT ; n = 15, 4 × 3–5 repetitions with ~90% of 1 RM , 3‐min rest intervals) training group for 8 weeks. Pre‐ and posttraining assessments included lean tissue mass via dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry, muscle cross‐sectional area and thickness of the vastus lateralis ( VL ), rectus femoris ( RF ), pectoralis major, and triceps brachii muscles via ultrasound images, and 1 RM strength in the back squat and bench press ( BP ) exercises. Blood samples were collected at baseline, immediately post, 30 min post, and 60 min postexercise at week 3 ( WK 3) and week 10 ( WK 10) to assess the serum testosterone, growth hormone ( GH ), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 ( IGF 1), cortisol, and insulin concentrations. Compared to VOL , greater improvements ( P < 0.05) in lean arm mass (5.2 ± 2.9% vs. 2.2 ± 5.6%) and 1 RM BP (14.8 ± 9.7% vs. 6.9 ± 9.0%) were observed for INT . Compared to INT , area under the curve analysis revealed greater ( P < 0.05) GH and cortisol responses for VOL at WK 3 and cortisol only at WK 10. Compared to WK 3, the GH and cortisol responses were attenuated ( P < 0.05) for VOL at WK 10, while the IGF 1 response was reduced ( P < 0.05) for INT . It appears that high‐intensity resistance training stimulates greater improvements in some measures of strength and hypertrophy in resistance‐trained men during a short‐term training period.