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Periodization effects during short-term resistance training with equated exercise variables in females

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Abstract

Purpose

During resistance training, volume and load can be altered either gradually (traditional periodization: TP) or with frequent changes between subsequent sessions (daily undulating periodization: DUP). We hypothesized that the periodization model employed would not impact upon training-induced adaptations when exercise variables are equated.

Methods

Nineteen females (22.0 years, moderate resistance training experience of 27.9 months) performed 6 weeks of knee extensor training with 3 weekly sessions exercising one leg using TP and the contralateral leg using DUP. Training load varied between 40, 60, and 80% of one repetition maximum (1RM). Volume, range of motion, and time under tension were equated for each leg with a biofeedback software. Dynamometry, surface EMG and ultrasonography were used to determine temporal changes of knee extensor maximum voluntary strength (MVC), neural drive of the M. quadriceps femoris (QF) and vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscle architecture.

Results

Significant (P < 0.05) gains for isometric (TP 15%, DUP 13%) and isokinetic-concentric (TP 8%, DUP 10%) MVC and knee extensor 1RM (TP 18%, DUP 24%) occurred post training. VL and RF-muscle thickness showed significant (P < 0.05) increases ranging from 12 to 20% for TP and from 13 to 19% for DUP. Furthermore, significant (P < 0.05) increases in VL-pennation angle and VL-fascicle length occurred in both legs while QF EMG remained unchanged. No significant temporal differences were found between both models, displaying similar small to large effect sizes.

Conclusion

Periodization is no adaptation trigger during short-term resistance training with equated exercise variables.

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Abbreviations

1RM:

One repetition maximum

DUP:

Daily undulating periodization

EMG:

Electromyography

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

RF:

Rectus femoris

TP:

Traditional periodization

VL:

Vastus lateralis

VM:

Vastus medialis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section for Biomechanics and Exercise Science, Olympic Training and Testing Center of Rhineland-Palatinate/Saarland, Ringstraße 60, 55543, Bad Kreuznach, Germany

    Thiemo Pelzer & Boris Ullrich

  2. Section for Theory and Practical Performance of Physical Activities, JGU University of Mainz, Albert-Schweizer Straße 22, Mainz, 55128, Germany

    Thiemo Pelzer & Mark Pfeiffer

Authors
  1. Thiemo Pelzer
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  2. Boris Ullrich
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  3. Mark Pfeiffer
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Correspondence to Boris Ullrich.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Communicated by A. Vanhatalo.

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Pelzer, T., Ullrich, B. & Pfeiffer, M. Periodization effects during short-term resistance training with equated exercise variables in females. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 441–454 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3544-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3544-x

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