Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Combined strength and endurance session order: differences in force production and oxygen uptake
Ritva S Taipale1, Jussi Mikkola, Ari T Nummela
1Dept of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Purpose:
To examine acute responses of force production and oxygen uptake to combined strength (S) and endurance-running (E) loading sessions in which the order of exercises is reversed (ES vs SE).
Methods:
This crossover study design included recreationally endurance-trained men and women (age 21-45 y; n=12 men, 10 women) who performed ES and SE loadings. Force production of the lower extremities including countermovement-jump height (CMJ) and maximal isometric strength (MVC) was measured pre-, mid-, and post-ES and -SE, and ground-reaction forces, ground-reaction times, and running economy were measured during E.
Results:
A significant decrease in CMJ was observed after combined ES and SE in men (4.5%±7.0% and 6.6%±7.7%, respectively) but not in women (0.2%±8.5% and 1.4%±7.3% in ES and SE). MVC decreased significantly in both men (20.7%±6.1% ES and 19.3%±9.4% SE) and women (12.4%±9.3% ES and 11.6%±12.0% SE). Stride length decreased significantly in ES and SE men, but not in women. No changes were observed in ground-reaction times during running in men or women. Performing S before E caused greater (P<.01) oxygen uptake during running in both men and women than if E was performed before S, although heart rate and blood lactate were similar between ES and SE.
Conclusions:
Performing S before E increased oxygen uptake during E, which is explained, in part, by a decrease in MVC in both men and women, decreased CMJ and stride length in men, and/or an increase in postexercise oxygen consumption.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Fibers
Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers
Slow oxidative, muscle fibers appear red due to large numbers of capillaries and high levels of...
Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
Energy Supply for Muscle Contraction

