title: Fitness and lean mass increases during combined training independent of loading order.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the benefits of combined endurance (E) and strength (S) training for the development of physical fitness and health are well known, scientific examination of the effect of loading order when E and S are combined into the same training session (E+S vs S+E) is rare. This study investigated the effects of moderate frequency E+S versus S+E training on physical fitness, body composition, and blood lipids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physically active and healthy young men performed E+S (n = 16) or S+E (n = 18) training 2-3 times a week for 24 wk. Endurance (by incremental bike test) and strength (by dynamic leg press) performance as well as body composition (by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscle cross-sectional area of vastus lateralis (by ultrasound), and blood lipid levels were determined before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time to exhaustion, aerobic power (W), and one-repetition maximum strength significantly increased in the two groups at week 24 (E+S, 12%-15%, P = 0.003-0.001; S+E, 16%-17%, P < 0.001), but no between-group difference was observed. Similarly, the two groups significantly increased total lean mass (E+S, 3%; S+E, 3%; both P = 0.001) and muscle cross-sectional area (E+S, 14%, P = 0.001; S+E, 16%, P < 0.001) at week 24 to a similar extent. No significant changes in body fat or blood lipid levels were observed in either of the two groups at week 24.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results showed that moderate-frequency (2-3 times per week) combined E+S or S+E training led to significant improvements in physical fitness and lean body mass but did not induce significant changes in body fat or blood lipid levels. Furthermore, because no between-group differences were observed, these results indicate that loading order does not seem to affect training adaptations of healthy moderately active young men.
authors: 1Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FINLAND; 2Health and Wellness Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA; and 3Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FINLAND.
authors: Moritz
authors: M
authors: Schumann
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Küüsmaa
authors: Robert U
authors: RU
authors: Newton
authors: Aina-Ilona
authors: AI
authors: Sirparanta
authors: Henna
authors: H
authors: Syväoja
authors: Arja
authors: A
authors: Häkkinen
authors: Keijo
authors: K
authors: Häkkinen
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015930:Diet Records; D002149:Energy Intake; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods* / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training; D013851:Thinness; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides