Effects of Resistance Training Performed with Different Loads in Untrained and Trained Male Adult Individuals on Maximal Strength and Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review

Marcio Lacio, João Guilherme Vieira, Robert Trybulski, Yuri Campos, Derick Santana, José Elias Filho, Jefferson Novaes, Jeferson Vianna and Michal Wilk
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Marcio Lacio: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
João Guilherme Vieira: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
Robert Trybulski: Department of Medical Sciences, The Wojciech Korfanty School of Economics, 40-065 Katowice, Poland
Yuri Campos: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
Derick Santana: Laboratory of Exercise Physiology and Morphofunctional Evaluation (LABFEX), Granbery Methodist College, Juiz de Fora 36010-359, Brazil
José Elias Filho: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
Jefferson Novaes: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
Jeferson Vianna: Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
Michal Wilk: Institute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, 40-065 Katowice, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: The load in resistance training is considered to be a critical variable for neuromuscular adaptations. Therefore, it is important to assess the effects of applying different loads on the development of maximal strength and muscular hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature and compare the effects of resistance training that was performed with low loads versus moderate and high loads in untrained and trained healthy adult males on the development of maximal strength and muscle hypertrophy during randomized experimental designs. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (2021) were followed with the eligibility criteria defined according to participants, interventions, comparators, outcomes, and study design (PICOS): (P) healthy males between 18 and 40 years old, (I) interventions performed with low loads, (C) interventions performed with moderate or high loads, (O) development of maximal strength and muscle hypertrophy, and (S) randomized experimental studies with between- or within-subject parallel designs. The literature search strategy was performed in three electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science) on 22 August 2021. Results: Twenty-three studies with a total of 563 participants (80.6% untrained and 19.4% trained) were selected. The studies included both relative and absolute loads. All studies were classified as being moderate-to-high methodological quality, although only two studies had a score higher than six points. The main findings indicated that the load magnitude that was used during resistance training influenced the dynamic strength and isometric strength gains. In general, comparisons between the groups (i.e., low, moderate, and high loads) showed higher gains in 1RM and maximal voluntary isometric contraction when moderate and high loads were used. In contrast, regarding muscle hypertrophy, most studies showed that when resistance training was performed to muscle failure, the load used had less influence on muscle hypertrophy. The current literature shows that gains in maximal strength are more pronounced with high and moderate loads compared to low loads in healthy adult male populations. However, for muscle hypertrophy, studies indicate that a wide spectrum of loads (i.e., 30 to 90% 1RM) may be used for healthy adult male populations.

Keywords: adult male; high load; low load; morphological adaptations; strength training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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