Full-body resistance training promotes greater fat mass loss than a split-body routine in well-trained males: A randomized trial.

While significant progress has been made in understanding the resistance training (RT) strategy for muscle hypertrophy increase, there remains limited knowledge about its impact on fat mass loss. This study aimed to investigate whether full-body is superior to split-body routine in promoting fat mass loss among well-trained males. Twenty-three participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: full-body (n = 11, training muscle groups 5 days per week) and split-body (n = 12, training muscle groups 1 day per week). Both groups performed a weekly set volume-matched condition (75 sets/week, 8-12 repetition maximum at 70%-80 % of 1RM) for 8 weeks, 5 days per week with differences only in the routine. Whole-body and regional fat were assessed using DXA at the beginning and at the end of the study. Full-body RT elicited greater losses compared to split-body in whole-body fat mass (-0.775 ± 1.120 kg vs. +0.317 ± 1.260 kg; p = 0.040), upper-limb fat mass (-0.085 ± 0.118 kg vs. +0.066 ± 0.162 kg; p = 0.019), gynoid fat mass (-0.142 ± 0.230 kg vs. +0.123 ± 0.230 kg; p = 0.012), lower-limb fat mass (-0.197 ± 0.204 kg vs. +0.055 ± 0.328 kg; p = 0.040), and a trend in interaction in android fat mass (-0.116 ± 0.153 kg vs. +0.026 ± 0.174 kg; p = 0.051), with large effects sizes (η2 p ≥ 0.17). This study provides evidence that full-body is more effective in reducing whole-body and regional fat mass compared to split-body routine in well-trained males.

Does cross-education minimize the loss of muscle force and power and sEMG amplitude during short-term detraining in older women who are recreationally engaged in resistance training?

This study aimed to investigate whether 4 weeks of unilateral resistance training (RT) could attenuate the decline in muscle function in the contralateral limb of older women recreationally engaged in RT compared to control group (CTL). Twenty-four participants completed a 10-week RT before the cross-education (CR-Edu) phase and subsequent detraining. Afterward, participants were randomized into two groups: CTL (n = 8 women, n = 16 legs) who underwent 4 weeks of detraining without any training, and CR-Edu (n = 16 women, n = 16 legs) who performed 4 weeks of unilateral RT. Muscle force, power, and surface electromyography were measured unilaterally before and after the 4-week period, using five repetitions conducted at 40% and 60% of the 1RM. The results showed a reduction in muscle force at both 40% and 60% of 1RM, as well as a decrease in power at 60% of 1RM (P-time < 0.05) without significant differences between the two groups (P interaction > 0.05). There was a decline in power at 60% of 1RM (P-time < 0.05) but no significant change at 40% of 1RM (P-time > 0.05), and again, no significant differences were observed between the groups (P-interaction > 0.05). The surface electromyography of vastus lateralis decreased only in the CTL group (P-interaction < 0.05). Older women recreationally engaged in RT who perform in unilateral leg extension compared to a brief period of detraining seem not to retain muscle force and power, and sEMG amplitude of their homologous and contralateral limb.

Existe associação entre nível de atividade física e composição corporal em adolescentes? / Is there an association between level physical activity and body composition of adolescents?

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram (i) testar se existe associação e (ii) diferença entre o nível de atividade física (NAF) e composição corporal de adolescentes de escolas públicas e p riv adas. Participaram do presente estudo 84 adolescentes (feminino: n = 52; 61,9% e masculino: n = 3 2 ; 3 8 ,1 %) com idade média de 16,4 ± 0,8 anos (feminino = 16,5±0,8 anos e masculino 16,4 ± 0,8 anos) regularmente matriculados em uma escola pública e uma privada do município de Fortaleza/CE. O NAF foi quantificado por meio da aplicação do o questionário de atividade física para adolescentes. Posteriormente foram obtidos dados (massa corporal e estatura) para cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC). O percentual de gordura (%G) foi estimado de acordo com o sexo. O teste de correlação de Pea rso n foi utilizado para verificar associação entre as variáveis. Para comparação entre estudantes de escolas públicas e privadas, utilizamos as diferenças de médias estandardizadas, intervalo de co n fiança (90 %), tamanho do efeito e probabilidades de haver diferenças. Não encontramos associações significantes en tre o NAF e IMC (r = 0,033 à 0,214; p > 0,05) e NAF e %G (r = - 0,199 à 0,310; p > 0,05). Não h ouv eram diferenças substanciais entre estudantes de escolas pública e privada para NAF e variáveis de composição corporal. A falta de associação forte entre NAF e composição corporal aponta para o caráter multifatorial que perpassa a relação entre essas duas variáveis na população jovem. Adicionalmente, estudar em escola pública ou privada parece não afetar o NAF e a composição corporal de adolescentes...(AU)

The objectives of present study were (i) to test if there is an association and (ii) differen ce between the level of physical activity (LPA) and body composition of adolescents from public and private schools. A total of 84 adolescents (female: n = 52, 61.9% and males: n = 32, 38.1%), with a mean age o f .4 ± 0.8 years (female = 16.5 ± 0, 8 years and male 16.4 ± 0.8 years) regularly enrolled in a public an d private school in the municipality of Fortaleza/CE. NAF was quantified through the ap p lication o f t he physical activity questionnaire for adolescents. Subsequently data were obtained (body mass and height) to calculate the body mass index (BMI). The percentage of body fat (% BF) was estimated according to sex . The Pearson correlation test was used to verify association between the variables. For comparison between public and private school students, we used the differences of standardized means, co nfiden ce in terv al (90%), effect size and probability of differences. We did not find significant associations bet ween LPA and BMI (r = 0.033 to 0.214; p> 0.05) and LPA and % BF (r = - 0.19 to 0.310; p> 0.05). There were n o substantial differences between public and private school students for LPA and body co mpo sition. The lack of strong association between NAF and body composition points to the multifactorial character t hat per passes the relationship between these two variables in the young population. Additionally, studying in a public or private school does not seem to affect LPA and the body composition of adolescents...(AU)

Monitoring training load in beach volleyball players: a case study with an Olympic team

AIM: Describe and compare training load dynamics of two Olympic beach volleyball players. METHODS Two Olympic beach volleyball players participated in this study (specialist defender and blocker: both aged 34 years, holding 14 years of competitive experience, height: 1.74 m and 1.81 m, weight: 69 kg and 65 kg, respectively). Internal training load (ITL), total weekly training load (TWTL), monotony and strain were obtained through the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) for three training mesocycles (10 weeks). Lower limb explosive power was assessed through the counter movement jump (CMJ). RESULTS: Mean ITL, TWTL, monotony and strain during the 10-week period were: 370 ± 156; 1997 ± 838; 2.7 ± 1.3; 5621 ± 1802 arbitrary units (Defender) and 414 ± 153; 2392 ± 892; 2.7 ± 1.1; 6894 ± 3747 (Blocker). Mean of CMJ height was 47.0 ± 1.3 and 40.3 ± 1.6 cm, for the defender and blocker, respectively. The defender player presented higher ITL in the second (effect size (ES) = 0.90; 92/5/3, likely) and in the third (ES = 0.91; 94/4/2, likely) mesocycles when compared to the first. Monotony raised from the first to the third mesocycle (ES = 2.91; 98/1/1, very likely). Blocker's ITL was higher in the third mesocycle than the first (ES = 1.42. 98/1/1, very likely) and the second (ES = 1.49; 98/1/1, likely) ones. CONCLUSION: ITL magnitude increased from the first to the third mesocycle, in both players.(AU)

Influence of exercise order on upper body maximum and submaximal strength gains in trained men.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of exercise order on one-repetition maximum (1-RM) and ten-repetition maximum (10-RM) strength gains after 6 weeks of resistance training (RT) in trained men. Sixteen men were randomly assigned into two groups based on the order of exercises performed during training sessions: a group that performed large muscle group exercises first and progressed to small muscle group exercises (LG-SM); while a second group performed the opposite sequence and started with small muscle group exercises and progressed to large muscle group exercises (SM-LG). Four sessions of RT were conducted per week; all exercises were performed for three sets of 8-12 repetitions with 1-min rest intervals between sets. Maximal and submaximal strength were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of RT with 1-RM and 10-RM testing for the bench press (BP), lat pulldown (LPD), triceps pulley extension (TE) and biceps curl (BC), respectively. Two-way ANOVA for the 1-RM and 10-RM tests indicated a significant group x time interaction. The 1-RM values significantly increased for all exercises in both groups (P<0.05), but were not significantly different between groups. However, effect size (ES) data indicated that the LG-SM group exhibited a greater magnitude of gains (1-RM and 10-RM) for the BP and LPD exercises. Conversely, ES indicated that the SM-LG group exhibited a greater magnitude of gains (1-RM and 10-RM) for the TE and BC exercises. In conclusion, the results suggest that upper body movements should be prioritized and performed according to individual needs to maximize maximal and submaximal strength.