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Different load intensity transition schemes to avoid plateau and no-response in lean body mass gain in postmenopausal women

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Abstract

Purpose

This study sought to investigate the impact of different schemes of load intensity transition (LIT, performed until, or close to, voluntary concentric failure) at 12 weeks on lean body mass (LBM) gains in postmenopausal women (PW) after a 24-weeks intervention. Moreover, since changes in LBM after resistance training (RT) vary widely from person to person, this study also investigated how the LIT affects low- and high-responders for RT-induced change in LBM.

Methods

Twenty-four participants were randomized into two schemes of LIT: from lower-load RT (LL, ~ 30% of 1RM) to higher-load RT (HL, ~ 80% of 1RM) (n = 12, loads necessary to perform 27–31 repetitions during 12 weeks plus 12 weeks with loads necessary to perform 8–12 repetitions) and from HL to LL (n = 12, loads necessary to perform 8–12 repetitions during 12 weeks performing plus 12 weeks with loads necessary to perform 27–31 repetitions). LBM (DXA) was measured at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks of training.

Results

There was a progression of RT volume (load intensity x number of repetitions) (P Time < 0.001) in both schemes (Post hoc: P < 0.05); however, greater volume progression was observed in the LL group in both phases. LL to HL and HL to LL similarly stimulating LBM gains after 12 and 24 weeks of RT (P < 0.05). Low-responders (no-gains in LBM at 12 weeks of RT) and high-responders for RT at 12 weeks demonstrate LBM gains after the LIT (i.e., at 24 weeks), regardless of the schemes used.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that LIT, regardless of the schemes used, is an effective strategy of RT-progression (after 12 weeks) for increasing LBM in PW (low- and high-responders).

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES, Code 001) and Fundação de Amparo e Pesquisa de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Exercise Research Group, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Marcelo A. S. Carneiro, Gersiel N. de Oliveira Júnior, Jairo F. R. Sousa, Fernanda M. Martins, Samarita B. Santagnello, Markus V. C. Souza & Fábio L. Orsatti

  2. Department of Sport Sciences, Health Science Institute, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Markus V. C. Souza & Fábio L. Orsatti

  3. Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State University, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, km 380, Londrina, Paraná, Zip-code 86050-070, Brazil

    Marcelo A. S. Carneiro

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  1. Marcelo A. S. Carneiro
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Correspondence to Fábio L. Orsatti.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Local Ethical Committee (no. 85052218.0.0000.5154) and all participants signed an informed consent form before participation. All procedures performed herein were following the Ethical Standards of the Institutional and National Research Committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all individual women included in the study.

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Carneiro, M.A.S., de Oliveira Júnior, G.N., Sousa, J.F.R. et al. Different load intensity transition schemes to avoid plateau and no-response in lean body mass gain in postmenopausal women. Sport Sci Health 18, 1359–1368 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-022-00907-2

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