Exercise
Conditions
Keywords
Neuromuscular adaptations, Concurrent training, Interference effect, Endurance, Strength
Brief summary
This study aims to find out if performing combined strength and endurance exercise in the same program (called concurrent training-CT) leads to similar long-term improvements in neuromuscular function as doing each type of exercise separately. The main questions it seeks to answer are: Does performing CT result in similar improvements in strength and power as doing just strength training? Does performing CT result in similar improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness as doing just endurance training? Are neuromuscular adaptations similar between CT and just strength training? Researchers will compare the results between three groups: the CT group, the endurance training group (E), and the strength training group (S) to answer these questions.
Detailed description
This study looks at how different types of exercise affect neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory improvements over time. It aims to see how combining strength and endurance training (concurrent training - CT) affects neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory adaptations compared to doing just strength or endurance training. Participants who regularly do both types of exercise will be split into three groups: Concurrent training (CT), endurance training (E), or strength training (S) and will be involved in 11 weeks of supervised training, three days a week: Endurance training involves 30 minutes of continuous running, three days a week, at an intensity corresponding to the heavy domain (between the first and second ventilatory threshold) Strength training includes weightlifting three days a week, focusing on building both strength and power. Concurrent training incorporates both strength and endurance exercises in the same session, three days a week, with strength training being executed prior to endurance training. Researchers will collect data at three time-points during the 11 weeks: before starting the program (Baseline), at the end of week 5 (Week 5), and at the end of the program (Week 11). Measurements include lower-body strength and power, aerobic capacity, nerve evoked responses, and muscle structure if the quadriceps femoris. Researchers will then compare the CT, E, and S groups at each measurement point to see which type of training elicited the best adaptations for the different neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory outcomes.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALEndurance Exercise
30 minutes of running at an intensity corresponding to the heavy-domain (between the first and second ventilatory thresholds)
BEHAVIORALStrength Exercise
Combination of strength and power exercises Weeks 1-5 focus on building maximal strength Weeks 6-11 focus on maintaining maximal strength and improve muscle power
BEHAVIORALConcurrent Exercise
Combining both strength and endurance training programs, with strength preceding endurance, incorporating a 20-min rest period between each modality
Sponsors
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
University of Lisbon
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Active training status (strength and endurance (running) exercise at least 2 times per week over the last three months prior to inclusion in the study)
Exclusion criteria
* Active smoking status * Orthopedic injuries * On medication * Known cardiovascular or respiratory disease
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maximal Isometric Strength | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Maximal voluntary isometric strength of the plantarflexors and leg press exercise in Newtons |
| Maximal Dynamic Strength | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Maximal dynamic strength on the back squat exercise in kilograms lifted |
| Surface EMG | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Using surface electromyography (EMG), the muscle activation of the plantarflexors muscles will me assessed, as well as the quadriceps femoris during the leg press and back squat exercise |
| H-reflex excitability | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Using percutaneous electrostimulation of the tibial nerve, spinal reflex excitability will be explored by assessing H-reflex evoked responses |
| V-wave | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Using percutaneous electrostimulation of the tibial nerve, neural drive to the active muscle will be assessed by measuring V-wave amplitudes |
| Lower Body Muscle Power | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Lower body muscle power in watts will be assessed during countermovement jumps |
| Muscle fascicle length | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Fascicle length of the vastus lateralis muscles in centimeters |
| Muscle fascicle pennation angle | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Pennation angle of the vastus laterais fascicles, in degrees |
| Muscle thickenss | Baseline, Week 5, Week 11 | Muscle thickenss of the vastus lateralis, in centimeters |
Countries
Portugal
Outcome results
None listed