Morpho-functional response of the elbow extensor muscles to twelve-week self-perceived maximal resistance training

The aim of this study was to determine morphological and functional changes of the elbow extensor muscles in response to a 12-week self-perceived maximal resistance training (MRT). Twenty-one healthy sedentary young men were engaged in elbow extensor training using isoacceleration dynamometry for 12 weeks with a frequency of five sessions per week (five sets of ten maximal voluntarily contractions, 1-min rest period between each set). Prior to, at 6 weeks and after the training, a series of cross-sectional magnetic resonance images of the upper arm were obtained and muscle volumes were calculated. Maximal and endurance strength increased (P<0.01) by 15% and 45% at 6 weeks, and by 29% and 70% after 12 weeks compared with baseline values, while fatigue rate of the elbow extensors decreased by 67%. The volume of triceps brachii increased in both arms (P<0.01) by 4% at 6 weeks, and by 8% after 12 weeks compared with baseline values (right arm--from 487.4 ± 72.8 cm³ to 505.8 ± 72.3 cm³ after 6 weeks and 525.3 ± 73.7 cm³ after 12 weeks; left arm--from 475.3 ± 79.1 cm³ to 493.2 ± 72.7 cm³ after 6 weeks and 511.3 ± 77.0 cm³ after 12 weeks). A high correlation was found between maximal muscle strength and muscle volume prior (r² = 0.62) and after (r² = 0.69) the training (P≤0.05). A self-perceived MRT resulted in an increase in maximal and endurance strength. Morphological adaptation changes of triceps brachii as a result of 12-week specific strength training can explain only up to 26% of strength gain.