Skip to main content
Log in

Impact of Resistance Training on Endurance Performance

A New Form of Cross-Training?

Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In accordance with the principles of training specificity, resistance and endurance training induce distinct muscular adaptations. Endurance training, for example, decreases the activity of the glycolytic enzymes, but increases intramuscular substrate stores, oxidative enzyme activities, and capillary, as well as mitochondrial, density. In contrast, resistance or strength training reduces mitochondrial density, while marginally impacting capillary density, metabolic enzyme activities and intramuscular substrate stores (except muscle glycogen). The training modalities do induce one common muscular adaptation: they transform type IIb myofibres into IIa myofibres. This transformation is coupled with opposite changes in fibre size (resistance training increases, and endurance training decreases, fibre size), and, in general, myofibre contractile properties. As a result of these distinct muscular adaptations, endurance training facilitates aerobic processes, whereas resistance training increases muscular strength and anaerobic power. Exercise performance data do not fit this paradigm, however, as they indicate that resistance training or the addition of resistance training to an ongoing endurance exercise regimen, including running or cycling, increases both short and long term endurance capacity in sedentary and trained individuals. Resistance training also appears to improve lactate threshold in untrained individuals during cycling. These improvements may be linked to the capacity of resistance training to alter myofibre size and contractile properties, adaptations that may increase muscular force production. In contrast to running and cycling, traditional dry land resistance training or combined swim and resistance training does not appear to enhance swimming performance in untrained individuals or competitive swimmers, despite substantially increasing upper body strength. Combined swim and swim-specific ‘in-water’ resistance training programmes, however, increase a competitive swimmer’s velocity over distances up to 200m. Traditional resistance training may be a valuable adjunct to the exercise programmes followed by endurance runners or cyclists, but not swimmers; these latter athletes need more specific forms of resistance training to realise performance improvement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. McCafferty WB, Horvath SM. Specificity of exercise and specificity of training: a subcellular review. Res Q 1977; 48 (2): 358–71

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Burke EB. Improved cycling performance through strength training. Natl Strength Cond Assoc J 1983; 5 (3): 6–7, 70-71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bulbulian R, Wilcox AR, Darabos BL. Anaerobic contribution to distance running performance of trained cross-country athletes. Med Sci Spors Exerc 1986; 18 (1): 107–18

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Daniels J, Scardina N. Interval training and performance. Sports Med 1984; 1: 327–34

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Tanaka H. Effects of cross-training: transfer of training effects on VO2 max between cycling, running and swimming. Sports Med 1994; 18 (5): 330–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Staron RS, Leonardi MJ, Karapondo DL, et al. Strength and skeletal muscle adaptations in heavy-resistance-trained women after detraining and retraining. J Appl Physiol 1991; 70 (2): 631–40

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kraemer WJ, Patton JF, Gordon SE, et al. Compatibility of highintensity strength and endurance training on hormonal and skeletal muscle adaptations. J Appl Physiol 1995; 78 (3): 976–89

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. MacDougall JD. Morphological changes in human skeletal muscle following strength training and immobilization. In: Jones NL, McCartney N, McComas AJ, editors. Human muscle power. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics Publishers, 1986: 269–85

    Google Scholar 

  9. Houston ME, Froese EA, Valeriote SP, et al. Muscle performance, morphology and metabolic capacity during strength training and detraining: a one leg model. Eur J Appl Physiol 1983; 51: 25–35

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Tesch PA, Komi PV, Hakkinen K. Enzymatic adaptations consequent to long-term strength training. Int J Sports Med 1987; 8: 66–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Goldberg AL, Etlinger JD, Goldspink DF, et al. Mechanism of work-induced hypertrophy of skeletal muscle. Med Sci Sports 1975; 7: 185–98

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Gonyea WJ, Sale D. Physiology of weight-lifting exercise. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1982; 63: 235–7

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Widrick JJ, Trappe SW, Costill DL, et al. Force-velocity and force-power properties of single muscle fibers from elite master runners and sedentary men. Am J Physiol 1996; 271: C676–83

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Widrick JJ, Trappe SW, Blaser CA, et al. Isometric force and maximal shortening velocity of single muscle fibers from elite master runners. Am J Physiol 1996; 271: C666–75

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Fitts RH, Widrick JJ. Muscle mechanics: adaptations with exercise- training. In: Holloszy JO, editor. Exercise and sport sciences reviews. Vol. 24. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1996: 427–73

    Google Scholar 

  16. Abernethy PJ, Jurimae J, Logan PA, et al. Acute and chronic response of skeletal muscle to resistance exercise. Sports Med 1994; 17 (1): 22–38

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Klitgaard H, Zhou M, Richter EA. Myosin heavy chain composition of single fibres from m. biceps brachii of male body builders. Acta Physiol Scand 1990; 140: 175–80

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hickson RC, Dvorak BA, Gorostiaga EM, et al. Potential for strength and endurance training to amplify endurance performance. J Appl Physiol 1988; 65 (5): 2285–90

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Nelson AG, Arnall DA, Loy SF, et al. Consequences of combining strength and endurance training regimens. Phys Ther 1990; 70 (5): 287–94

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Tesch PA, Thorsson A, Colliander EB. Effects of eccentric and concentric resistance training on skeletal muscle substrates, enzyme activities and capillary supply. Acta Physiol Scand 1990; 140: 575–80

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Thorstensson A, Hulten B, Doblen WV, et al. Effect of strength training on enzyme activities and fiber characteristics in human skeletal muscle. Acta Physiol Scand 1976; 96: 392–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Saltin B, Gollnick PD. Skeletal muscle adaptability: significance for metabolism and performance. In: Peachey LD, Adrian RH, Geiger SR, editors. Handbook of physiology. Section 10: skeletal muscle. Bethesda (MD): American Physiological Society, 1983: 555–631

    Google Scholar 

  23. Luthi JM, Howald H, Claassen H, et al. Structural changes in skeletal muscle tissue with heavy-resistance exercise. Int J Sports Med 1986; 7: 123–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Hather BM, Tesch PA, Buchanan P, et al. Influence of eccentric actions on skeletal muscle adaptations to resistance training. Acta Physiol Scand 1991; 143: 177–85

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Schantz P. Capillary supply in hypertrophied human skeletal muscle. Acta Physiol Scand 1982; 114: 635–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Tesch PA, Thorsson A, Kaiser P. Muscle capillary supply and fiber type characteristics in weight and power lifters. J Appl Physiol 1984; 56 (1): 35–8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. MacDougall JD, Ward GR, Sale DG, et al. Biochemical adaptation of human skeletal muscle to heavy resistance training and immobilization. J Appl Physiol 1977; 43 (4): 700–3

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hickson RC. Interference of strength development by simultaneously training for strength and endurance. Eur J Appl Physiol 1980; 45: 255–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Hickson RC, Rosenkoetter MA, Brown MM. Strength training effects on aerobic power and short-term endurance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1980; 12 (5): 336–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. O’Bryant HS, Byrd R, Stone MH. Cycle ergometer performance and maximum leg and hip strength adaptations to two different methods of weight training. J Appl Sports Sci Res 1988; 2 (2): 27–30

    Google Scholar 

  31. Duchateau J, Hainaut K. Isometric or dynamic training: differential effects on mechanical properties of a human muscle. J Appl Physiol 1984; 56 (2): 296–301

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Gettman LR, Ayres JJ, Pollock ML, et al. The effect of circuit weight training on strength, cardiorespiratory function, and body composition of adult men. Med Sci Sports 1978; 10 (3): 171–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gettman LR, Ayres JJ, Pollock ML, et al. Physiologic effects on adult men of circuit strength training and jogging. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1979; 60: 115–20

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Gettman LR, Ward P, Hagan RD. A comparison of combined running and weight training with circuit weight training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982; 14 (3): 229–34

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Wilmore JH, Parr RB, Girandola RN, et al. Physiological alterations consequent to circuit weight training. Med Sci Sports 1978; 10 (2): 79–84

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Hurley BF, Seals DR, Ehsani AA, et al. Effects of high-intensity strength training on cardiovascular function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1984; 16 (5): 483–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Hunter G, Demment R, Miller D. Development of strength and maximum oxygen uptake during simultaneous training for strength and endurance. J Sports Med 1987; 27 (3): 269–75

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Dudley GA, Djamil R. Incompatibility of endurance- and strength-training modes of exercise. J Appl Physiol 1985; 59 (5): 1446–51

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Holloszy JO, Coyle EF. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences. J Appl Physiol 1984; 56 (4): 831–8

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Simoneau JA, Lortie G, Boulay MR, et al. Human skeletal muscle fiber type alteration with high-intensity intermittent training. Eur J Appl Physiol 1985; 54: 250–3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Tesch PA, Karlsson J. Muscle fiber types and size in trained and untrained muscles of elite athletes. J Appl Physiol 1985; 59 (6): 1716–20

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Howald H, Hoppeler H, Claassen H, et al. Influences of endurance training on the ultrastructural composition of the different muscle fiber types in humans. Pflugers Arch 1985; 403: 369–76

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Fitts RH, Costill DL, Gardetto PR. Effect of swim exercise training on human muscle fiber function. J Appl Physiol 1989; 66: 465–75

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Gollnick PD, Armstrong RB, Saltin B, et al. Effect of training on enzyme activity and fiber composition of human skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 1973; 34 (1): 107–11

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Fitts RH, Holloszy JO. Contractile properties of rat soleus muscle: effects of training and fatigue. Am J Physiol 1977; 233: C86–91

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Fitzsimons DP, Diffe GM, Herrick RE, et al. Effects of endurance exercise on isomyosin patterns in fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol 1990; 68 (5): 1950–5

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Staron RS. Correlation between myofibrillar ATPase activity and myosin heavy chain composition in single human muscle fibers. Histochemistry 1991; 96: 21–4

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Morgan DW, Bransford DR, Costill DL, et al. Variations in the aerobic demand of running among trained and untrained subjects. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1995; 27 (3): 404–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Costill DL. The relationship between selected physiological variables and distance running performance. J Sports Med 1967; 7: 61–6

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Jones NL, McCartney N. Influence of muscle power on aerobic performance and the effects of training. Acta Med Scand 1986; 711 Suppl.: 115–22

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Ono M, Miyashita M, Asami T. Inhibitory effect of long distance running training on the vertical jump and other performances among aged males. In: Komi P, editor. Biomechanics V-B. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1976: 94–100

    Google Scholar 

  52. Stone J, Brannon T, Haddad F, et al. Adaptive responses of hypertrophying skeletal muscle to endurance training. J Appl Physiol 1996; 81 (2): 665–72

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Riedy M, Moore RL, Gollnick PD. Adaptive response of hypertrophied skeletal muscle to endurance training. J Appl Physiol 1985; 59 (1): 127–31

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Noakes TD. Implications of exercise testing for prediction of athletic performance: a contemporary perspective. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1988; 20 (4): 319–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Komi PV, Viitasalo JT, Rauramaa R, et al. Effect of isometric strength training on mechanical, electrical, and metabolic aspects of muscle function. Eur J Appl Physiol 1978; 40: 45–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Moritani T, deVries HA. Neural factors versus hypertrophy in the time course of muscle strength gain. Am J Physical Med 1979; 58 (3): 115–30

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Johnston RE, Quinn TJ, Kertzer R, et al. Improving running economy through strength training. Strength Cond 1995; 17 (4): 7–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Basmajian JV, DeLuca CJ. Muscles alive: their functions revealed by electromyography. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  59. Coyle EF. Integration of the physiological factors determining endurance performance ability. In: Holloszy JO, editor. Exercise and sport sciences reviews. Vol 23. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1995: 25–63

    Google Scholar 

  60. Tanaka H, Bassett J, Swensen TC, et al. Aerobic and anaerobic power characteristics of competitive cyclists in the United States Cycling Federation. Int J Sports Med 1993; 14 (6): 334–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Inbar O, Kaiser P, Tesch P. Relationships between leg muscle fiber type distribution and leg exercise performance. Int J Sports Med 1981; 2: 154–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Petersen SR, Miller GD, Wenger HA, et al. The acquisition of muscular strength: the influence of training velocity and initial VO2 max. Can J Appl Sport Sci 1984; 9 (4): 176–80

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Marcinik EJ, Potts J, Schlabach G, et al. Effects of strength training on lactate threshold and endurance performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1991; 23 (6): 739–43

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Rutherford OM, Greig CA, Sargeant AJ, et al. Strength training and power output: transference effects in the human quadriceps muscle. J Sports Sci 1986; 4: 101–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Smith DJ. The relationship between anaerobic power and isokinetic torque outputs. Can J Sports Sci 1987; 12 (1): 3–5

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Costill D, Sharp R, Troup J. Muscle strength: contributions to sprint swimming. Swim World 1980; 21: 29–34

    Google Scholar 

  67. Davis JF. Effects of training and conditioning for middle distance swimming upon various physical measures. Res Q 1959; 30 (4): 399–412

    Google Scholar 

  68. Hawley JA, Williams MM. Relationship between upper body anaerobic power and freestyle swimming performance. Int J Sports Med 1991; 12 (1): 1–5

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Sharp RL, Troup JP, Costill DL. Relationship between power and freestyle swimming. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982; 14 (1): 53–6

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Toussaint HM, Vervoorn K. Effects of specific high resistance training in the water on competitive swimmers. Int J Sports Med 1990; 11 (3): 228–33

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Davis JF. The effect of weight training on speed in swimming. Physical Educator 1955; 12: 28–9

    Google Scholar 

  72. Nunney DK. Relation of circuit training to swimming. Res Q 1960; 31 (2): 188–98

    Google Scholar 

  73. Thompson HL, Stull GA. Effects of various training programs on speed of swimming. Res Q 1959; 30 (4): 479–85

    Google Scholar 

  74. Tanaka H, Costill DL, Thomas R, et al. Dry-land resistance training for competitive swimming. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1993; 25 (8): 952–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Kiselev AP. The use of specific resistance in highly qualified swimmers’ strength training. Sov Sports Rev 1991; 26 (3): 131–2

    Google Scholar 

  76. Bulgakova NZ, Vorontsov AR, Fomichenko TG. Improving the technical preparedness of young swimmers by using strength training. Sov Sports Rev 1990; 25 (2): 102–4

    Google Scholar 

  77. Costill DL, Kovaleski J, Porter D, et al. Energy expenditure during front crawl swimming: predicting success in middledistance events. Int J Sports Med 1985; 6 (5): 266–70

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Craig AB, Skehan PL, Pawelczyk JA, et al. Velocity, stroke rate, and distance per stroke during elite swimming competition. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1985; 17 (6): 625–34

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hirofumi Tanaka.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tanaka, H., Swensen, T. Impact of Resistance Training on Endurance Performance. Sports Med. 25, 191–200 (1998). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199825030-00005

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-199825030-00005

Keywords

Navigation