title: Effect of short-term equal-volume resistance training with different workout frequency on muscle mass and strength in untrained men and women.
abstract: Changes in muscle mass and strength will vary, depending on the volume and frequency of training. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short-term equal-volume resistance training with different workout frequency on lean tissue mass and muscle strength. Twenty-nine untrained volunteers (27-58 years; 23 women, 6 men) were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups: group 1 (n = 15; 12 women, 3 men) trained 2 times per week and performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions to fatigue for 9 exercises, group 2 (n = 14; 11 women, 3 men) trained 3 times per week and performed 2 sets of 10 repetitions to fatigue for 9 exercises. Prior to and following training, whole-body lean tissue mass (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) and strength (1 repetition maximum squat and bench press) were measured. Both groups increased lean tissue mass (2.2%), squat strength (28%), and bench press strength (22-30%) with training (p < 0.05), with no other differences. These results suggest that the volume of resistance training may be more important than frequency in developing muscle mass and strength in men and women initiating a resistance training program.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. dcandow@laurentian.ca
authors.forename: Darren G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Candow
authors.forename: Darren G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*