title: Effects of Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy in Well-Trained Men.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of low- versus high-load resistance training (RT) on muscular adaptations in well-trained subjects. Eighteen young men experienced in RT were matched according to baseline strength and then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: a low-load RT routine (LL) where 25-35 repetitions were performed per set per exercise (n = 9) or a high-load RT routine (HL) where 8-12 repetitions were performed per set per exercise (n = 9). During each session, subjects in both groups performed 3 sets of 7 different exercises representing all major muscles. Training was performed 3 times per week on nonconsecutive days, for a total of 8 weeks. Both HL and LL conditions produced significant increases in thickness of the elbow flexors (5.3 vs. 8.6%, respectively), elbow extensors (6.0 vs. 5.2%, respectively), and quadriceps femoris (9.3 vs. 9.5%, respectively), with no significant differences noted between groups. Improvements in back squat strength were significantly greater for HL compared with LL (19.6 vs. 8.8%, respectively), and there was a trend for greater increases in 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press (6.5 vs. 2.0%, respectively). Upper body muscle endurance (assessed by the bench press at 50% 1RM to failure) improved to a greater extent in LL compared with HL (16.6 vs. -1.2%, respectively). These findings indicate that both HL and LL training to failure can elicit significant increases in muscle hypertrophy among well-trained young men; however, HL training is superior for maximizing strength adaptations.
authors: 1Department of Health Sciences, CUNY Lehman College, Bronx, New York; 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; 3Neuromuscular and Neurometabolic Unit, McMaster University Medical Center, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; and 4Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors: Brad J
authors: BJ
authors: Schoenfeld
authors: Mark D
authors: MD
authors: Peterson
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Ogborn
authors: Bret
authors: B
authors: Contreras
authors: Gul T
authors: GT
authors: Sonmez
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult