Split or full-body workout routine: which is best to increase muscle strength and hypertrophy?

Objective:

To compare the effects of different resistance training programs on measures of muscle strength and hypertrophy.

Methods:

Sixty-seven untrained subjects were randomized to one of two groups: Split Workout Routine (n=35), in which muscle groups were trained twice per week in an A/B split consisting of eight sets per session, or Full-Body Workout Routine (n=32), in which muscle groups were trained four times per week with four and eight sets per session. Both groups performed eight to 12 repetition maximum per set, with 60 seconds of rest between sets. Maximal strength and muscle thickness were assessed at baseline and after eight weeks of training.

Results:

A significant main effect of time (pre versus post) was observed for maximal strength in the bench press and squat exercises and thickness of the elbow extensor, elbow flexor and quadriceps femoris muscles. Selected variables did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion:

Resistance training twice or four times per week has similar effects on neuromuscular adaptation, provided weekly set volume is equal.

Cognitive Behavioral Approach to Treat Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Our aim was to analyze and compare the effects of three different long-term treatments on anthropometric profiles, eating behaviors, anxiety and depression levels, and quality of life of groups of adults with obesity. Methods: The 43 participants in the study were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the education and health group (EH, n = 12), which received lectures on health topics; the physical exercise group (PE, n = 13), which underwent physical training; and the interdisciplinary therapy plus cognitive behavioral therapy (IT + CBT) (n = 18) group, which received physical training, nutritional advice, and physical and psychological therapy. Results: Total quality of life increased significantly in the EH group (△ = 2.00); in the PE group, body weight significantly decreased (△ = -1.42) and the physical domain of quality of life improved (△ = 1.05). However, the most significant changes were seen in the IT + CBT group, in which the anthropometric profile improved; there were an increase in quality of life in all domains (physical, psychological, social, and environmental), an improvement in eating behaviors [Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), total △ = -8.39], and a reduction in depression [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), △ = -10.13). Conclusion: The IT + CBT program was more effective than the PE and EH programs. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT02573688.

Effects of functional training and 2 interdisciplinary interventions on maximal oxygen uptake and weight loss of women with obesity: a randomized clinical trial

Our aim was to analyze and compare functional training, interdisciplinary therapy, and interdisciplinary education on cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) and anthropometric characteristics of women with obesity. Forty-four women (age = 39.7 ± 5.9 years, body mass index (BMI) = 35.5 ± 2.8 kg/m²) completed 30 weeks of intervention randomly assigned to 3 groups: functional training (FT) (n = 14), interdisciplinary therapy (IT) (n = 19), and interdisciplinary education (IE) (n = 11). The FT group participated in the training program (3/week), the IT group received the same training intervention plus nutrition (1/week) and psychology advice (1/week) and physical therapy (1/week). The IE group participated in interdisciplinary lectures on topics related to health promotion (1/month). CF (ergospirometry), anthropometry, and body composition (electrical bioimpedance) were measured pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post). CF increased (p ≤ 0.05) significantly (Pre vs. Post) in the FT (7.5%) and IT (10.8%) groups, but not in the IE group (1.8%). Body mass (BM), BMI, relative fat mass, and waist circumference significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased (Pre vs. Post) in IT (-4.4%, -4.4%, -2.3%, and -5.1%, respectively). The IE group showed a significant decrease in BM (-3.7%), BMI (-3.7%), and waist circumference (-3.5%), whereas the FT group promoted significant decrease in waist circumference (-3.4%). In conclusion, functional training increased CF but only interdisciplinary interventions improved the anthropometric profile of women with obesity. Novelty Interdisciplinary therapy provided more comprehensive adaptations in women with obesity, including morphological variables and CF. Functional training increased CF but reduced only abdominal obesity. Interdisciplinary education provided benefits on morphological variables, but it does not increase CF.

Treinamento funcional: uma atualização conceitual

Resumo O treinamento funcional (TF) tem crescido em popularidade, porém tal crescimento ainda ocorre de forma desorganizada e multifacetada. Assim, uma atualização conceitual se faz necessário, especialmente, baseado na maneira como o TF tem sido aplicado na maioria das pesquisas. Nesse contexto, o TF tem sido compreendido como aquele que objetiva o aprimoramento sinérgico, integrado e equilibrado de diferentes capacidades físicas para garantir eficiência e segurança durante o desempenho de tarefas cotidianas, sendo baseado nos princípios do treinamento, sobretudo, no princípio da especificidade. As sessões de TF devem focar no aprimoramento de padrões básicos de movimento, estimular adequadamente a força em diversas situações, a potência muscular e a capacidade cardiorrespiratória, ativar frequentemente músculos estabilizadores e incluir atividades complexas, respeitando critérios de segurança e eficácia.

Does whole-body electrical muscle stimulation combined with strength training promote morphofunctional alterations?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of strength training (ST) combined with whole-body electrical stimulation (EMS) on morphofunctional adaptations in active individuals.

METHODS

Fifty-eight volunteers were randomly distributed into the following groups: an untrained control (UN) group (n=16), an ST group (n=21) or an ST combined with EMS (ST+EMS) group (n=21). Both intervention groups (the ST and ST+EMS groups) performed 3 exercises (biceps curl, back squats and high-pulley tricep extensions) twice a week for 8 weeks. The subjects performed 3 sets of 8 to 12 maximum repetitions (MRs) with a 90-second rest duration between sets. The ST+EMS group performed the resistance training exercises wearing a whole-body suit that provided electrical stimulation at frequencies between 80-85 Hz, with a continuously bipolar impulse duration and pulse breadth of 350 µs. The intensity for each muscle group was controlled by Borg's category ratio (CR)-10 scale; the intensity started at 5-6 and eventually reached 7-8. One-repetition maximum strength (1RM) and muscle thickness (MT) were measured before and after the training intervention. MT was evaluated in the biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), and vastus lateralis (VL).

RESULTS

No differences (p>0.05) were found between the ST and ST+EMS groups. Improvements (p<0.05) in the absolute values of the morphofunctional parameters after the training protocol were observed. Significant differences were found between both the intervention groups and the UN group (p<0.05). The ST+EMS group presented high percentage changes (p<0.05) in muscular strength for the 1RMsquat (43.2%, ES=1.64) and the MT of the BB (21.6%, ES=1.21) compared to the ST (20.5%, ES=1.43, 11.9%, ES=0.77) group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the combination of ST+EMS may promote alterations in muscle strength and MT in healthy active subjects.

SWEAT RATE MEASUREMENTS AFTER HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING USING BODY WEIGHT

ABSTRACT Introduction: Physical activity raises body temperature, increases the sweat rate and accelerates fluid loss during exercise, thereby impairing exercise performance. However, studies using the high intensity interval training (HIIT) approach and its effects on rates of perspiration and hydration are still inconclusive. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess sweating and water loss during an HIIT workout session, using body weight, with healthy college students. Methods: Twenty male individuals (31 ± 07 years) were split into two groups: Active group (AG) and Inactive group (IG). The HIIT workout protocol, using body weight, consisted of a single bout with 1:1 stimuli, being: 30” “all out” intensity, involving jumping jack, mountain climber, burpee and squat jump exercises; and 30” of passive recovery, totaling 20 minutes of exercises. For comparison purposes, after 48 hours all the individuals underwent the continuous running protocol with intensity corresponding to 75% of maximum heart rate for 40 minutes. The intensity of the session was monitored continuously, at each 30”, using the perceived exertion scale for both protocols. To ensure euhydration status, all individuals ingested 500 ml of water 120 minutes before the training session. Results: Significant differences (p= 0.01) were found in body mass after HIIT compared to the Moderate session in both Active (HIIT: -0.60 ± 0.29 kg, Moderate: -0.26 ± 0.12 kg) and Inactive (HIIT: -0.92 ± 0.30 kg, Moderate: -0.26 ± 0.26 kg) groups, however, no differences were found between groups. Absolute sweating rate values comparing moderate and HIIT single bout in Inactive (Moderate: 10.55 ± 10.59 ml/min; HIIT: 28.90 ± 13.88 ml/min) and Active (Moderate: 9.60 ± 4.52 ml/min; HIIT: 26.00 ± 15.06 ml/min) groups were different between types of exercise, but not between groups. Conclusions: The sweating rate is influenced by the intensity of the exercise, being higher after HIIT than after a moderate exercise session. However, the sweating rate variation is not affected by the subjects’ physical activity level. Level of Evidence II; Diagnostic studies-Investigating a diagnostic test.

EFFECTS OF A MULTICOMPONENT EXERCISE PROGRAM ON THE FUNCTIONAL FITNESS IN ELDERLY WOMEN

ABSTRACT Introduction: Aging is inevitable and irreversible, but with the advancement of technology, life expectancy is increasing every year, bringing proposals for various interventions to improve the quality of life. One such intervention is physical exercise programs. Objectives: To investigate the impact of multicomponent training in circuits on functional autonomy parameters in elderly women. Methods: Elderly were recruited and distributed in two groups: trained (N = 16) and non-trained (N = 15). Those in the trained group performed 75-minute training sessions twice a week over a 56-week period. The resistance training included upper and lower limbs with a relative intensity of 70% of 1RM, exercises using body weight, stretching and specific tasks for agility, performed in a circuit form and totaling three passages. Participants underwent functional autonomy (FA) assessment by the protocol of the Latin American Developmental Group for Maturity, the 6-minute walk test (T6M), and the sit-and-reach (SR) test. Results: The trained group had a significant decrease in body weight (p=0.02) and body mass index (p=0.015). Significant improvements (p=0,009) were also observed in FA, SR, and T6M after the intervention Compared with the untrained group, the trained group also obtained significant differences in all functional parameters analyzed. Conclusion: A long-term multicomponent training program conducted on a circuit and applied twice a week was enough to improve multiple components of the functional autonomy of elderly women. Level of Evidence II; Prognostic studies - Investigating the effect of a patient characteristic on the outcome of disease.

High intensity interval training does not impair strength gains in response to resistance training in premenopausal women

PURPOSE

To compare the increases in upper- and lower-body muscle strength in premenopausal women performing resistance training (RT) alone or alongside concurrent high-intensity interval training (CT).

METHODS

Sixteen women (26-40 years) were randomly assigned into two groups that performed either RT or CT. Both groups performed the same RT program; however, CT performed additional high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on a bicycle ergometer before RT. The study lasted 8 weeks and the participants were tested for ten repetition maximum (10RM) load in elbow flexion (barbell biceps curl) and knee extension exercises pre- and post-intervention. RT was performed with 10-12 repetitions to self-determined repetition maximum in the first four weeks and then progressed to 8-10. During CT, HIIT was performed before RT with six 1-min bouts at 7-8 of perceived subjective exertion (RPE) and then progressed to eight bouts at 9-10 RPE.

RESULTS

Analysis of variance revealed significant increases in upper and lower body strength for both the RT and CT groups. Biceps barbell curl 10RM load increased from 12.9 ± 3.2 kg to 14 ± 1.5 kg in CT (p < 0.05) and from 13 ± 1.8 kg to 15.9 ± 2.5 kg in RT (p < 0.05), with no significant between-groups differences. Knee extension 10RM increase from 31.9 ± 11.6 kg to 37.5 ± 8.5 kg for CT (p < 0.05) and from 30.6 ± 8.6 kg to 41.2 ± 7.4 kg for RT (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, performing HIIT on a cycle ergometer before resistance training does not seem to impair muscle strength increases in the knee extensors or elbow flexors of pre-menopausal women. This information should be considered when prescribing exercise sessions, since both activities may be combined without negative effects in muscle strength.

The effects of adding single-joint exercises to a multi-joint exercise resistance training program on upper body muscle strength and size in trained men

The aim of this study was compare changes in upper body muscle strength and size in trained men performing resistance training (RT) programs involving multi-joint plus single-joint (MJ+SJ) or only multi-joint (MJ) exercises. Twenty young men with at least 2 years of experience in RT were randomized in 2 groups: MJ+SJ (n = 10; age, 27.7 ± 6.6 years) and MJ (n = 10; age, 29.4 ± 4.6 years). Both groups trained for 8 weeks following a linear periodization model. Measures of elbow flexors and extensors 1-repetition maximum (1RM), flexed arm circumference (FAC), and arm muscle circumference (AMC) were taken pre- and post-training period. Both groups significantly increased 1RM for elbow flexion (4.99% and 6.42% for MJ and MJ+SJ, respectively), extension (10.60% vs 9.79%, for MJ and MJ+SJ, respectively), FAC (1.72% vs 1.45%, for MJ and MJ+SJ, respectively), and AMC (1.33% vs 3.17% for MJ and MJ+SJ, respectively). Comparison between groups revealed no significant difference in any variable. In conclusion, 8 weeks of RT involving MJ or MJ+SJ resulted in similar alterations in muscle strength and size in trained participants. Therefore, the addition of SJ exercises to a RT program involving MJ exercises does not seem to promote additional benefits to trained men, suggesting MJ-only RT to be a time-efficient approach.