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Endurance Training Intensity Does Not Mediate Interference to Maximal Lower-Body Strength Gain during Short-Term
Jackson J Fyfe1, Jonathan D Bartlett2, Erik D Hanson3
1Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living, College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria UniversityMelbourne, VIC, Australia; College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria UniversityMelbourne, VIC, Australia.
Concurrent training combining resistance exercise with either high-intensity interval training (HIT) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) attenuates maximal strength and jump performance gains compared to resistance training alone. Endurance training intensity does not appear to be a key factor in this interference effect.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
- Human Performance
Background:
- Concurrent training, combining endurance and resistance exercise, is popular for improving fitness.
- The potential interference effect of endurance training on resistance training adaptations is a key area of research.
- Understanding the impact of different endurance training intensities (HIT vs. MICT) on strength and power is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of concurrent training (HIT+RT or MICT+RT) versus resistance training (RT) alone on maximal strength, jump performance, and body composition.
- To investigate whether endurance training intensity mediates the interference effect on resistance training adaptations.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-three recreationally active males completed 8 weeks of training.
- Groups included: high-intensity interval training + resistance training (HIT+RT), moderate-intensity continuous training + resistance training (MICT+RT), and resistance training alone (RT).
- Measurements included maximal strength (1-RM), counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance, and body composition (DXA) pre-, mid-, and post-training.
Main Results:
- All groups improved maximal leg press strength, but RT alone yielded greater gains than HIT+RT and MICT+RT.
- RT alone also induced greater improvements in peak CMJ force and rate of force development (RFD) compared to HIT+RT.
- Lower-body lean mass increased similarly in RT and MICT+RT groups, but gains were attenuated in the HIT+RT group.
Conclusions:
- Concurrent training, regardless of endurance training intensity (HIT or MICT), attenuates maximal lower-body strength and CMJ performance improvements compared to RT alone.
- Endurance training intensity is not a critical mediator of the interference effect on maximal strength gains during short-term concurrent training.
- Resistance training alone appears superior for maximizing strength and power adaptations in the short term.
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