title: Effects of high-intensity interval cycling performed after resistance training on muscle strength and hypertrophy.
abstract: Aim of the study was to investigate whether high-intensity interval cycling performed immediately after resistance training would inhibit muscle strength increase and hypertrophy expected from resistance training per se. Twenty-two young men were assigned into either resistance training (RE; N = 11) or resistance training plus high-intensity interval cycling (REC; N = 11). Lower body muscle strength and rate of force development (RFD), quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) and vastus lateralis muscle architecture, muscle fiber type composition and capillarization, and estimated aerobic capacity were evaluated before and after 8 weeks of training (2 times per week). Muscle strength and quadriceps CSA were significantly and similarly increased after both interventions. Fiber CSA increased significantly and similarly after both RE (type I: 13.6 ± 3.7%, type IIA: 17.6 ± 4.4%, type IIX: 23.2 ± 5.7%, P < 0.05) and REC (type I: 10.0 ± 2.7%, type IIA: 14.8 ± 4.3% type IIX: 20.8 ± 6.0%, P < 0.05). In contrast, RFD decreased and fascicle angle increased (P < 0.05) only after REC. Capillary density and estimated aerobic capacity increased (P < 0.05) only after REC. These results suggest that high-intensity interval cycling performed after heavy-resistance exercise may not inhibit resistance exercise-induced muscle strength/hypertrophy after 2 months of training, while it prompts aerobic capacity and muscle capillarization. The addition of high-intensity cycling after heavy-resistance exercise may decrease RFD partly due to muscle architectural changes.
authors.affiliation: Athletics Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsitkanou
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spengos
authors.affiliation: Athletics Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A-N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Stasinaki
authors.affiliation: Athletics Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zaras
authors.affiliation: Athletics Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3382-0438
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bogdanis
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papadimas
authors.affiliation: Athletics Laboratory, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Terzis
mesh_terms: D005080:Exercise Test; D000072696:High-Intensity Interval Training; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008297:Male; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Concurrent training; aerobic capacity; high-intensity interval training