High volume of endurance training impairs adaptations to 12 weeks of strength training in well-trained endurance athletes

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of 12 weeks of strength training combined with a large volume of endurance training with the effect of strength training alone on the strength training adaptations. Well-trained cyclists with no strength training experience performed heavy strength training twice a week in addition to a high volume of endurance training during a 12-week preparatory period (S + E; n = 11). A group of non-strength trained individuals performed the same strength training as S + E, but without added endurance training (S; n = 7). Thigh muscle cross-sectional area, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in leg exercises, squat jump performance, and peak rate of force development (RFD) were measured. Following the intervention period, both S + E and S increased 1RM strength, thigh muscle cross-sectional area, and squat jump performance (p < 0.05), and the relative improvements in S were greater than in S + E (p < 0.05). S increased peak RFD while S + E did not, and this improvement was greater than in S + E (p < 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first controlled study to demonstrate that the strength training response on muscle hypertrophy, 1RM strength, squat jump performance, and peak RFD is attenuated in well-trained endurance athletes during a period of concurrent endurance training.

Signaling Responses After Varying Sequencing of Strength and Endurance Training in a Fed State

“…Prior to any trials, assessment of ̇O 2max and 1RM loads were performed for the purpose of normalising relative training intensity, all assessments were conducted in line with standardised procedures 20,21 . Upon commencing the study, participants attended the laboratory in a fed state.…”

Effect of heavy strength training on muscle thickness, strength, jump performance, and endurance performance in well-trained Nordic Combined athletes

“…It has been shown that large volumes of endurance training reduce strength training adaptations (e.g. Hickson 1980;Kraemer et al 1995;Rønnestad et al 2011b). It may therefore be hypothesized that the rather small improvement in 1RM deep squat in the present study was due to the combination of a small strength training volume and a large endurance training volume on leg muscles.…”

“…However, combining large volumes of endurance training with heavy strength training seems to reduce the hypertrophic response to strength training (e.g. Aagaard et al 2011;Kraemer et al 1995;Losnegard et al 2011;Rønnestad et al 2011b). It is therefore of interest to further investigate the eVect of combining heavy strength training with large volumes of endurance training on muscle thickness and muscle strength and how it aVects vertical jump performance, body mass, and endurance performance in Nordic Combined athletes.…”

The training process: Planning for strength–power training in track and field. Part 1: Theoretical aspects

“…It is also to an extent the basis of Block Periodization. 7,48,[50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58] The follow-up to this article will further detail the benefits of Block periodization through a discussion on how concentrated loads are sequenced and timed. Furthermore, this review will provide evidence on how periodizing the training plan through block programming can augment the strength and power characteristics required for most track and field events.…”