Effects of training volume on lower-body muscle strength in untrained young men: a contralateral control study

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of training volume (1 vs. 3 sets) on lower-body muscle strength in untrained young men. Methodsː Eighteen untrained young men were recruited and their legs were trained with 1 or 3 sets (in a contralateral design) for 6 weeks, using a knee extension machine. Isokinetic peak torque and one repetition maximum (1RM) were assessed at pre- and post-training. Resultsː There was a similar improvement in the 1RM strength (1SET +14.8% vs. 3SET 16.3%, P > 0.05) and peak torque (1SET +8.1% vs. 3SET 9.3%, P > 0.05) for both conditions from pre- to post-training. The effect size (ES) for the change in 1RM was moderate for both conditions (1SET 1.39 vs. 3SET 1.41), and peak torque was trivial and small for 1SET (0.47) and 3SET (0.55), respectively. Additionally, there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in the dietary intakes from pre- to post-training. Conclusionsː Our results indicate that 1 set is as effective as 3 sets for increasing lower-body muscle strength after a short-term RT period (6 weeks) in untrained young men.(AU)