title: Morpho-functional response of the elbow extensor muscles to twelve-week self-perceived maximal resistance training.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine morphological and functional changes of the elbow extensor muscles in response to a 12-week self-perceived maximal resistance training (MRT). Twenty-one healthy sedentary young men were engaged in elbow extensor training using isoacceleration dynamometry for 12 weeks with a frequency of five sessions per week (five sets of ten maximal voluntarily contractions, 1-min rest period between each set). Prior to, at 6 weeks and after the training, a series of cross-sectional magnetic resonance images of the upper arm were obtained and muscle volumes were calculated. Maximal and endurance strength increased (P<0.01) by 15% and 45% at 6 weeks, and by 29% and 70% after 12 weeks compared with baseline values, while fatigue rate of the elbow extensors decreased by 67%. The volume of triceps brachii increased in both arms (P<0.01) by 4% at 6 weeks, and by 8% after 12 weeks compared with baseline values (right arm--from 487.4 ± 72.8 cm³ to 505.8 ± 72.3 cm³ after 6 weeks and 525.3 ± 73.7 cm³ after 12 weeks; left arm--from 475.3 ± 79.1 cm³ to 493.2 ± 72.7 cm³ after 6 weeks and 511.3 ± 77.0 cm³ after 12 weeks). A high correlation was found between maximal muscle strength and muscle volume prior (r² = 0.62) and after (r² = 0.69) the training (P≤0.05). A self-perceived MRT resulted in an increase in maximal and endurance strength. Morphological adaptation changes of triceps brachii as a result of 12-week specific strength training can explain only up to 26% of strength gain.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Functional Diagnostics, Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia. jpopadic@uns.ac.rs
authors.forename: Jelena Z Popadic
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Gacesa
authors.forename: Djordje G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Jakovljevic
authors.forename: Dusko B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Kozic
authors.forename: Natasa R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Dragnic
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Brodie
authors.forename: Nikola G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Grujic
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D004550:Elbow; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D053580:Muscle Strength; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009929:Organ Size; D010465:Perception; D010807:Physical Endurance; D055070:Resistance Training; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult