Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Resistance training intensity and volume affect changes in rate of force development in resistance-trained men

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the effects of two different resistance training programs, high intensity (INT) and high volume (VOL), on changes in isometric force (FRC), rate of force development (RFD), and barbell velocity during dynamic strength testing.

Methods

Twenty-nine resistance-trained men were randomly assigned to either the INT (n = 15, 3–5 RM, 3-min rest interval) or VOL (n = 14, 10–12 RM, 1-min rest interval) training group for 8 weeks. All participants completed a 2-week preparatory phase prior to randomization. Measures of barbell velocity, FRC, and RFD were performed before (PRE) and following (POST) the 8-week training program. Barbell velocity was determined during one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing of the squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) exercises. The isometric mid-thigh pull was used to assess FRC and RFD at specific time bands ranging from 0 to 30, 50, 90, 100, 150, 200, and 250 ms.

Results

Analysis of covariance revealed significant (p < 0.05) group differences in peak FRC, FRC at 30–200 ms, and RFD at 50–90 ms. Significant (p < 0.05) changes in INT but not VOL in peak FRC (INT: 9.2 ± 13.8 %; VOL: −4.3 ± 10.2 %), FRC at 30–200 ms (INT: 12.5–15.8 %; VOL: −1.0 to −4.3 %), and RFD at 50 ms (INT: 78.0 ± 163 %; VOL: −4.1 ± 49.6 %) were observed. A trend (p = 0.052) was observed for RFD at 90 ms (INT: 58.5 ± 115 %; VOL: −3.5 ± 40.1 %). No group differences were observed for the observed changes in barbell velocity.

Conclusions

Results indicate that INT is more advantageous than VOL for improving FRC and RFD, while changes in barbell velocity during dynamic strength testing are similarly improved by both protocols in resistance-trained men.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ANCOVA:

Analysis of covariance

AUC:

Area under the curve

SQ:

Back squat

BP:

Bench press

FRC:

Force

INT:

High-intensity, low-volume training group

VOL:

High-volume, moderate-intensity training group

HPL:

Human-Performance Laboratory

ICC:

Intraclass correlation coefficient

MDL:

Minimal difference

1RM:

One-repetition maximum

POST:

Post-testing

PRE:

Pre-testing

RFD:

Rate of force development

SEM:

Standard error of the measurement

References

  • Aagaard P, Simonsen EB, Andersen JL, Magnusson P, Dyhre-Poulsen P (2002) Increased rate of force development and neural drive of human skeletal muscle following resistance training. J Appl Physiol 93:1318–1326

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen LL, Andersen JL, Zebis MK, Aagaard P (2010) Early and late rate of force development: differential adaptive responses to resistance training? Scand J Med Sci Sports 20:e162–e169

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blazevich AJ, Horne S, Cannavan D, Coleman DR, Aagaard P (2008) Effect of contraction mode of slow-speed resistance training on the maximum rate of force development in the human quadriceps. Muscle Nerve 38:1046–1134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brzycki M (1993) Strength testing—predicting a one-rep max from reps-to-fatigue Journal of Physical Education. Recreation Dance 64:88–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen J (1988) The effect size index: f. In: Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, New Jersey, pp 284–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Cormie P, McGuigan MR, Newton RU (2010) Adaptations in athletic performance after ballistic power versus strength training. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42:1582–1598

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • D’Antona G et al (2006) Skeletal muscle hypertrophy and structure and function of skeletal muscle fibres in male body builders. J Physiol 570:611–627

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flanagan SP (2013) Biomechanics: a case-based approach. Jones & Bartlett Learning

  • Haff GG, Nimphius S (2012) Training principles for power. Strength Condition J 34:2–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haff GG, Stone M, O’Bryant HS, Harman E, Dinan C, Johnson R, Han K-H (1997) Force-time dependent characteristics of dynamic and isometric muscle actions. J Strength Condition Res 11:269–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Häkkinen K, Komi P, Tesch P (1981) Effect of combined concentric and eccentric strength training and detraining on force-time, muscle fiber and metabolic characteristics of leg extensor muscles. Scand J Med Sci Sports 3:50–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Heggelund J, Fimland MS, Helgerud J, Hoff J (2013) Maximal strength training improves work economy, rate of force development and maximal strength more than conventional strength training. Eur J Appl Physiol 113:1565–1573

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henneman E, Somjen G, Carpenter DO (1965) Functional significance of cell size in spinal motoneurons. J Neurophysiol 28:560–580

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman JR (2006) Norms for fitness, performance and health. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman JR (2014) Physiological Aspects of Sport Training and Performance, 2nd edn. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman JR, Cooper J, Wendell M, Kang J (2004) Comparison of Olympic vs. traditional power lifting training programs in football players The. J Strength Condition Res 18:129–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Mangine GT, Ratamess NA, Hoffman JR, Faigenbaum AD, Kang J, Chilakos A (2008) The effects of combined ballistic and heavy resistance training on maximal lower-and upper-body strength in recreationally trained men The. J Strength Condition Res 22:132–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mangine GT et al (2015) The effect of training volume and intensity on improvements in muscular strength and size in resistance-trained men Physiological Reports 3:e12472

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall P, McEwen M, Robbins D (2011) Strength and neuromuscular adaptation following one, four, and eight sets of high intensity resistance exercise in trained males. Eur J Appl Physiol 111:3007–3016

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGuigan MR, Winchester JB (2008) The relationship between isometric and dynamic strength in college football players. J Sports Sci Med 7:101–105

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • McGuigan MR, Newton MJ, Winchester JB, Nelson AG (2010) Relationship between isometric and dynamic strength in recreationally trained men The. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 24:2570–2573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moritani T (1993) Neuromuscular adaptations during the acquisition of muscle strength, power and motor tasks. J Biomech 26:95–107

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moritani T, deVries HA (1979) Neural factors versus hypertrophy in the time course of muscle strength gain. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 58:115–130

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naclerio F, Faigenbaum AD, Larumbe-Zabala E, Perez-Bibao T, Kang J, Ratamess NA, Triplett NT (2013) Effects of different resistance training volumes on strength and power in team sport athletes. J Strength Condition Res 27:1832–1840

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nuzzo JL, McBride JM, Cormie P, McCaulley GO (2008) Relationship between countermovement jump performance and multijoint isometric and dynamic tests of strength. J Strength Condition Res 22:699–707

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira FB, Oliveira AS, Rizatto GF, Denadai BS (2013a) Resistance training for explosive and maximal strength: effects on early and late rate of force development. J Sports Sci Med 12:402–408

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira FB, Rizatto GF, Denadai BS (2013b) Are early and late rate of force development differently influenced by fast-velocity resistance training? Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 33:282–287

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ratamess NA, Alvar BA, Evetoch TK, Housh TJ, Kibler WB, Kraemer WJ, Triplett NT (2009) American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exercise 41:687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vissing K et al (2008) Muscle adaptations to plyometric vs. resistance training in untrained young men The. J Strength Condition Res 22:1799–1810

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang R et al (2016) Isometric mid-thigh pull correlates with strength, sprint and agility performance in collegiate rugby union players. J Strength Condition Res Mar 12. [Epub ahead of print]

  • Zink AJ, Perry AC, Robertson BL, Roach KE, Signorile JF (2006) Peak power, ground reaction forces, and velocity during the squat exercise performed at different loads The. J Strength Condition Res 20:658–664

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Science and Sport Management, Kennesaw State University, 520 Parliament Garden Way NW, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, Georgia

    Gerald T. Mangine

  2. Institute of Exercise Physiology and Wellness, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

    Jay R. Hoffman, Ran Wang, Jeremy R. Townsend, Adam J. Wells, Adam R. Jajtner, Kyle S. Beyer, Carleigh H. Boone, Amelia A. Miramonti, Michael B. LaMonica, David H. Fukuda & Jeffrey R. Stout

  3. Department of Health Professions, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA

    Adam M. Gonzalez

  4. Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, USA

    Nicholas A. Ratamess

Authors
  1. Gerald T. Mangine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jay R. Hoffman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ran Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Adam M. Gonzalez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jeremy R. Townsend
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Adam J. Wells
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Adam R. Jajtner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Kyle S. Beyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Carleigh H. Boone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Amelia A. Miramonti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Michael B. LaMonica
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. David H. Fukuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Nicholas A. Ratamess
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Jeffrey R. Stout
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerald T. Mangine.

Additional information

Communicated by William J. Kraemer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mangine, G.T., Hoffman, J.R., Wang, R. et al. Resistance training intensity and volume affect changes in rate of force development in resistance-trained men. Eur J Appl Physiol 116, 2367–2374 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3488-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3488-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation