Resistance training with different repetition duration to failure: effect on hypertrophy, strength and muscle activation
Lucas Túlio Lacerda,
Rodrigo Otávio Marra-Lopes,
Marcel Bahia Lanza,
Rodrigo César Ribeiro Diniz,
Fernando Vitor Lima,
Hugo Cesar Martins-Costa,
Gustavo Ferreira Pedrosa,
André Gustavo Pereira Andrade,
Armin Kibele,
Mauro Heleno Chagas
Affiliations
Lucas Túlio Lacerda
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Rodrigo Otávio Marra-Lopes
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Marcel Bahia Lanza
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Rodrigo César Ribeiro Diniz
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Fernando Vitor Lima
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Hugo Cesar Martins-Costa
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Gustavo Ferreira Pedrosa
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
André Gustavo Pereira Andrade
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Armin Kibele
Institute for Sports and Sport Science, University of Kassel, Mönchebergstraße, Kassel, Germany
Mauro Heleno Chagas
Weight Training Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Background This study investigated the effects of two 14-week resistance training protocols with different repetition duration (RD) performed to muscle failure (MF) on gains in strength and muscle hypertrophy as well as on normalized electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and force-angle relationships. Methods The left and right legs of ten untrained males were assigned to either one of the two protocols (2-s or 6-s RD) incorporating unilateral knee extension exercise. Both protocols were performed with 3–4 sets, 50–60% of the one-repetition maximum (1RM), and 3 min rest. Rectus femoris and vastus lateralis cross-sectional areas (CSA), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) at 30o and 90o of knee flexion and 1RM performance were assessed before and after the training period. In addition, normalized EMG amplitude-angle and force-angle relationships were assessed in the 6th and 39th experimental sessions. Results The 6-s RD protocol induced larger gains in MVIC at 30o of knee angle measurement than the 2-s RD protocol. Increases in MVIC at 90o of knee angle, 1RM, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis CSA were not significant between the 2-s and 6-s RD protocols. Moreover, different normalized EMG amplitude-angle and force-angle values were detected between protocols over most of the angles analyzed. Conclusion Performing longer RD could be a more appropriate strategy to provide greater gains in isometric maximal muscle strength at shortened knee positions. However, similar maximum dynamic strength and muscle hypertrophy gains would be provided by protocols with different RD.
