Water-Based Concurrent Training Improves Peak Oxygen Uptake, Rate of Force Development, Jump Height, and Neuromuscular Economy in Young Women

Effects of concurrent training sequence on VO2max and lower limb strength performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training sequences on VO_2max and lower limb strength performance to provide scientific guidance for training practice. We searched PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science (WOS), Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases up to December 2022. The included articles were randomized controlled trials that allowed us to compare the strength-endurance (S-E) sequence and endurance-strength (E-S) sequence on VO_2max, maximum knee extension strength, maximum knee flexion strength, and lower limb power. The Cochrane bias risk tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included literature, and Stata 12.0 was used for the heterogeneity test, subgroup analysis, draw forest map, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias evaluation. The results have been presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) between treatments with 95% confidence intervals and calculations performed using random effects models. Significance was accepted when p < 0.05. The studies included 19 randomized controlled trials (285 males and 197 females), 242 subjects in S-E sequence, and 240 subjects in E-S sequence in the analyses. No difference changes between S-E and E-S sequences has been observed on VO_2max in the overall analysis (SMD = 0.02, 95% CI: -0.21-0.25, p = 0.859). The S-E sequence shows a greater increase in lower limb strength performance than does the E-S sequence (SMD = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.02-0.37, p = 0.032), which was manifested in the elderly (p = 0.039) and women (p = 0.017); in training periods >8 weeks (p = 0.002) and training frequencies twice a week (p = 0.003); and with maximum knee flexion (p = 0.040) and knee extension strength (p = 0.026), while no difference was found in lower limb power (p = 0.523). In conclusion, the effect of VO_2max will not change with different concurrent training sequences. The S-E sequence improves lower limb strength more significantly, mainly in the improvement of knee flexion and knee extension. This advantage is more related to factors such as age, gender, training period, and training frequency.

Cardiorespiratory Parameters Comparison Between Incremental Protocols Performed in Aquatic and Land Environments by Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Physical properties of water cause physiological changes in the immersed human body compared with the land environment. Understanding the magnitude of cardiorespiratory alterations might ensure adequate intensity control during aquatic exercise programs.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the oxygen uptake (VO₂), heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) parameters during aquatic and land incremental tests.

METHODS

Four databases (PubMed, LILACS, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus) were searched in September 2020. Eligibility criteria included studies in a crossover design comparing aquatic and land incremental tests for healthy individuals with at least one of the following parameters: VO₂ (maximal, VO_2max; anaerobic threshold, VO_2AT), HR (HR_max; HR_AT), and RPE (RPE_max; RPE_AT). The random-effects meta-analysis included mean difference and 95% confidence interval for VO₂ and HR or standardized mean difference for RPE. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool was adapted to assess methodological quality.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies were eligible and included in the meta-analysis. Aquatic protocols showed lower values compared with land for VO_2max (- 7.07 mL.kg^-1.min^-1; - 8.43 to - 5.70; n = 502), VO_2AT (- 6.19 mL.kg^-1.min^-1; - 7.66 to - 4.73; n = 145), HR_max (- 11.71 bpm; - 13.84 to - 9.58; n = 503), and HR_AT (- 15.29 bpm; - 19.05 to - 11.53; n = 145). RPE_max (0.01; - 0.16 to 0.18; n = 299) and RPE_AT (- 0.67; - 1.35 to 0.02; n = 55) values were similar between aquatic and land protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reinforces the specificity of the environment during incremental tests for prescribing exercises based on physiological parameters as VO₂ and HR parameters presented lower values in aquatic protocols than land protocols. Conversely, RPE seems an interchangeable measure of exercise intensity, with similar values during the protocols in both environments. Substantial levels of heterogeneity were present for the VO_2max and HR_max meta-analyses, and as such, results should be interpreted with attention. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42020212508).

Aerobic and combined water-based trainings in older women: effects on strength and cardiorespiratory outcomes

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to investigate the muscular and cardiorespiratory adaptations of two water-based training programs in older women.

METHODS

Volunteers were divided between a water-based aerobic training (WBA; n=13), water-based combined training (WBC; n=11) or an active control group (CG; n=9) and those assigned to WBA and WBC exercised twice a week for 12 weeks. All outcomes of interest were assessed prior and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), and Bonferroni post-hoc test (α = 0.05). Aerobic training was performed at the percentage of the heart rate corresponding to the anaerobic threshold and resistance training during WBC was performed with sets at maximal effort.

RESULTS

Improvements were observed for the maximal knee extension dynamic strength (1RM) and oxygen uptake (VO2) corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold for both WBA and WBC (1RM: 16 ± 12% vs. 15 ± 16%; VO2: 20 ± 24% vs. 23 ± 13%, respectively), whereas VO2 peak improved in all three groups (WBA: 23 ± 21%; WBC: 18 ± 9%; CG: 7 ± 16%). No increase was found for horizontal chest press 1RM (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that WBA, WBC and CG are effective to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, however, only water-based training programs (WBA and WBC) appear capable of improving the maximal strength of the lower limbs.

Acute Effects of Water-Based Concurrent Training Intrasession Exercise Sequences on Energy Expenditure in Young Women

BACKGROUND

To compare the acute effects of water-based aerobic-resistance and resistance-aerobic concurrent training (CT) sessions on energy expenditure (EE) during and postexercise in young women.

METHODS

Nine active women (24 [3] y; 60 [5] kg) completed 4 sessions: (1) familiarization, (2) aquatic maximal test to determine the heart rate corresponding to the anaerobic threshold, (3) CT protocol with aerobic-resistance sequence, and (4) CT protocol with resistance-aerobic sequence. Both protocols started and ended with the participants in the supine position for 30 minutes to perform resting and postexercise oxygen consumption measurements. The water-based resistance protocol comprised 4 sets of 15 seconds at maximal velocity, and the water-based aerobic protocol was performed at a continuous intensity (heart rate corresponding to the anaerobic threshold). EE measurements were calculated based on oxygen consumption and the corresponding caloric equivalent. Paired t test was used to compare the EE values between the water-based CT intrasession exercise sequences (α = .05).

RESULTS

There was no difference between the water-based aerobic-resistance and resistance-aerobic in total EE (330.78 vs 329.56 kcal; P = .96), EE per minute (7.35 vs 7.32 kcal·min-1; P = .96), and postexercise EE (63.65 vs 59.92 kcal; P = .50).

CONCLUSIONS

The intrasession exercise sequence during water-based CT had no influence on the EE in young women.

Does Aerobic Exercise Impair Neuromuscular Function During Water-Based Resistance Exercises?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of water-based aerobic exercises on the performance of water-based resistance exercises by assessing kinematic parameters during protocols and neuromuscular responses after them.

METHOD

Ten women performed 2 water-based protocols (i.e., resistance and concurrent water-based exercises) on separate days. We evaluated isometric force and electromyographic signal (sEMG) before and after protocols and analyzed kinematic parameters during a water-based resistance exercise.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between knee extension force production and sEMG from the vastus lateralis during the maximal voluntary contraction performed before and after the protocols. However, sEMG from the rectus femoris presented a significant difference between pretest and posttest measurements in both water-based protocols with greater values in the measurement after the end of the protocol (p = .046). The peak angular velocity of knee extension and mean angular velocity of knee extension and flexion showed similar values among the sets, with no difference between protocols. The peak angular velocity of knee flexion presented greater values in the water-based resistance exercises compared with the water-based concurrent protocol in the last set (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The main impairment induced by the water-based concurrent exercises was the lower peak angular velocity in the knee flexors compared with water-based resistance exercises alone.