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Neuromuscular adaptations to concurrent strength and endurance training
John P McCarthy1, Myron A Pozniak, James C Agre
1Department of Orthopedics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. mccarthy@surgery.wisc.edu
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|March 7, 2002
Summary
Concurrent strength and endurance training effectively builds muscle and strength comparable to strength training alone. This combined approach does not hinder muscle hypertrophy or neural adaptations in the short term.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Muscle Adaptation
Background:
- Concurrent training, combining strength and endurance, is popular but its effects on muscle adaptation require clarification.
- Understanding the interplay between different training modalities is crucial for optimizing athletic performance and training protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the muscle morphological and neural adaptations from concurrent strength and endurance training.
- To compare these adaptations with those from strength training alone and endurance training alone.
Main Methods:
- Thirty sedentary males underwent 10 weeks of strength (S), endurance (E), or concurrent (CC) training (3 days/week).
- Measurements included muscle biopsies, CT scans for muscle area, and EMG for neural activation before and after training.
Main Results:
- Both S and CC groups showed significant increases in thigh muscle area and Type II myofiber size.
- Maximal isometric strength increased similarly in S and CC groups, with no significant changes in EMG/torque relationship.
- Endurance training alone resulted in minimal muscle area changes.
Conclusions:
- Concurrent training (3 days/week) does not impede strength, muscle hypertrophy, or neural adaptations compared to strength training alone.
- These findings support the efficacy of concurrent training for short-term strength development without compromising gains.