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Training Monitoring for Resistance Exercise: Theory and Applications

Sports Medicine volume 46, pages 687–698 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Resistance exercise is difficult to quantify owing to its inherent complexity with numerous training variables contributing to the training dose (type of exercise, load lifted, training volume, inter-set rest periods, and repetition velocity). In addition, the intensity of resistance training is often inadequately determined as the relative load lifted (% 1-repetition maximum), which does not account for the effects of inter-set recovery periods, repetition velocity, or the number of repetitions performed in each set at a given load. Methods to calculate the volume load associated with resistance training, as well as the perceived intensity of individual sets and entire training sessions have been shown to provide useful information regarding the actual training stimulus. In addition, questionnaires to subjectively assess how athletes are coping with the stressors of training and portable technologies to quantify performance variables such as concentric velocity may also be valuable. However, while several methods have been proposed to quantify resistance training, there is not yet a consensus regarding how these methods can be best implemented and integrated to complement each other. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide practical information for strength coaches to highlight effective methods to assess resistance training, and how they can be integrated into a comprehensive monitoring program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Perth, WA, 6150, Australia

    Brendan R. Scott

  2. Applied Sports Science and Exercise Testing Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia

    Brendan R. Scott, Grant M. Duthie, Heidi R. Thornton & Ben J. Dascombe

  3. Newcastle Knights Rugby League Club, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

    Grant M. Duthie & Heidi R. Thornton

  4. Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

    Ben J. Dascombe

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  1. Brendan R. Scott
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  2. Grant M. Duthie
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Correspondence to Brendan R. Scott.

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No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Conflict of interest

Brendan Scott, Grant Duthie, Heidi Thornton, and Ben Dascombe declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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Scott, B.R., Duthie, G.M., Thornton, H.R. et al. Training Monitoring for Resistance Exercise: Theory and Applications. Sports Med 46, 687–698 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0454-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0454-0

Keywords

  • Resistance Training
  • Resistance Exercise
  • Volume Load
  • Training Load
  • Bench Press