High Responders and Low Responders: Factors Associated with Individual Variation in Response to Standardized Training

Abstract

The response to an exercise intervention is often described in general terms, with the assumption that the group average represents a typical response for most individuals. In reality, however, it is more common for individuals to show a wide range of responses to an intervention rather than a similar response. This phenomenon of 'high responders' and 'low responders' following a standardized training intervention may provide helpful insights into mechanisms of training adaptation and methods of training prescription. Therefore, the aim of this review was to discuss factors associated with inter-individual variation in response to standardized, endurance-type training. It is well-known that genetic influences make an important contribution to individual variation in certain training responses. The association between genotype and training response has often been supported using heritability estimates; however, recent studies have been able to link variation in some training responses to specific single nucleotide polymorphisms. It would appear that hereditary influences are often expressed through hereditary influences on the pre-training phenotype, with some parameters showing a hereditary influence in the pre-training phenotype but not in the subsequent training response. In most cases, the pre-training phenotype appears to predict only a small amount of variation in the subsequent training response of that phenotype. However, the relationship between pre-training autonomic activity and subsequent maximal oxygen uptake response appears to show relatively stronger predictive potential. Individual variation in response to standardized training that cannot be explained by genetic influences may be related to the characteristics of the training program or lifestyle factors. Although standardized programs usually involve training prescribed by relative intensity and duration, some methods of relative exercise intensity prescription may be more successful in creating an equivalent homeostatic stress between individuals than other methods. Individual variation in the homeostatic stress associated with each training session would result in individuals experiencing a different exercise 'stimulus' and contribute to individual variation in the adaptive responses incurred over the course of the training program. Furthermore, recovery between the sessions of a standardized training program may vary amongst individuals due to factors such as training status, sleep, psychological stress, and habitual physical activity. If there is an imbalance between overall stress and recovery, some individuals may develop fatigue and even maladaptation, contributing to variation in pre-post training responses. There is some evidence that training response can be modulated by the timing and composition of dietary intake, and hence nutritional factors could also potentially contribute to individual variation in training responses. Finally, a certain amount of individual variation in responses may also be attributed to measurement error, a fa...

The Effect of Different High-Intensity Periodization Models on Endurance Adaptations

“…This finding is consistent with other recent studies (16,34). Furthermore, a response distribution analysis for Power 40min revealed no significant differences in the variability of response across groups (Fig.…”

Understanding the individual responsiveness to resistance training periodization

“…Nevertheless, future studies should investigate if being an HR for BDNF would delay the onset of neurodegenerative processes as compared with LR. It should be noted that not all subjects who are classified as nonresponders for one blood parameter will necessarily be nonresponders for other markers (Mann et al 2014). For example, the same individual that was an HR for irisin in the present study was also an LR for BDNF.…”

“…Because of this, this phenomenon of 'high responders' and 'low responders' may provide a helpful insight into the mechanisms responsible for training adaptations and methods of training prescription (Mann et al 2014). …”

“…So, the individual responsiveness for one inflammatory marker might be related to the mode of periodization applied. Therefore, further evidence supporting the role of a standardized training intervention, as supported by Mann et al (2014), will provide helpful insights into mechanisms of training adaptation and methods of training prescription. Although baseline values might contribute to differences in responsiveness to exercise, a high interindividual variability is consistently reported by training studies, even within homogenous groups of previously untrained subjects and after fully compliant and supervised training (Hecksteden et al 2015).…”

Control de la carga de entrenamiento pero mas individualizada

“…En realidad, es más común que las personas muestren una amplia gama de respuestas a una intervención en lugar de una respuesta similar. Este fenómeno de 'high responders' y 'low responders' a raíz de una intervención de entrenamiento estandarizado puede proporcionar ideas útiles sobre los mecanismos de adaptación al entrenamiento (16) . 3)Variabilidad intraindividual: Este concepto responde a la oscilación de variables biológicas en un mismo individuo en base a sus circunstancias personales, pudiendo ser identificadas o no.…”