Variable resistance training has been widely used in athletic preparation. Objectives: To analyze the use of currents (VRT) and the traditional method (TRAD) on speed, power and temperature in a training session. Methods: Fourteen paralympic powerlifting (PP) athletes took part over three weeks. In week 1, familiarization and 1RM tests took place, and, in weeks 2 and 3, pre- and post-training took place, where the propulsive mean velocity and power and temperatures were assessed before and after, at 24 h and 48 h. Results: There was a difference in the sternal pectoral temperatures before and after VRT (p = 0.040) and at 48 h for TRAD and VRT (p = 0.018); in the clavicular pectoralis before and after VRT and TRAD (p = 0.003); in the anterior deltoid after and at 48 h for TRAD and VRT (p = 0.026 and p = 0.017); and in the triceps after and at 24 h and 48 h between TRAD and VRT (p = 0.005). In the training series, the MPV was significant in TRAD between Set1 and Set5 (p = 0.003), in training (VRT) between Set1 and Set5 (p = 0.001) and in Set5 between the methods (p = 0.047). For power, there was a difference between Set1 and 5 in TRAD (p = 0.016) and VRT (p = 0.002). Conclusion: We conclude that training with currents (VRT) promoted greater muscle fatigue when compared to traditional training.

Introduction: Variable resistance strength training (VRT) has been gaining notoriety in the physical preparation of Paralympic Powerlifting (PP) athletes. PP is a strength sport and training tends to increase levels of Oxidative Stress (OS) and Muscle Damage (MD). Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the use of chains as a training method with variable resistance (TRV) and the traditional method with invariable resistance (TRAD) on peak torque (PT), rate of torque development (RTD), biomarkers of oxidative stress (EO), and muscle damage (MD) after a PP training session. Methods: Fourteen PP athletes were analyzed, age (28.00 ± 5.64), body weight (82.00 ± 23.93), and 1RM (141.43 ± 47.43). The study was carried out in three consecutive weeks: in week (1), the familiarization and 1RM test occurred, and in weeks (2) and (3) in the pre- and post-training moments (immediately after, 24 h and 48 h after), the PT, RTD, EO, and DM were evaluated. The training consisted of five sets of five repetitions at 80% of 1 Repetition Maximum (1-RM) in the bench press. Results: For PT, there was an intraclass difference with the use of the chains between the moment before (462.73±94.23) and the moment after (368.48±119.47, “ a ” p =0.004), and between the moment after (368.48±119.47) and 48 h (444.96±111.25, “ b ” p =0.027, η2p=0.309, high effect). There was a difference at the moment after between traditional training (440.98±116.38) and with the use of chains (368.48±119.47, “ c ” p =0.022). There was also a difference between the traditional (500.99±103.67) and with chains (420.36±114.84, “ d ” p =0.004) at the 24 h time point. There was also a difference at the 48-h time point between the traditional (502.90±122.89) and chains (444.96±111.25, “ e ” p <0.001, η2p=0.561, very high effect). In the RTD, there was an intraclass difference, with chains, between the time point before (7721.21±4490.67) and the time point 24 h (12,101.89±5070.36, “ a ” p =0.005, η2p=0.132, moderate effect). And interclass difference, at 24 h, between the traditional (7915.32 ± 4486.39) and chains (12,101.89 ± 5070.36, “b” p = 0.002) and also at 48 h, where a difference was observed between the traditional (8187.01 ± 4903.53) and chains (12,133.42 ± 6399.98, “ c ” p = 0.016, η2p = 0.452, high effect). The traditional group showed a significant increase in sulfhydryl (SH) production between the pre- and post-moments, and between the post and 48 h after moments. In the LDH group, there was a significant difference only at 24 h after the use of chains and traditional training. Conclusion: The variable resistance training (VRT) promoted greater muscle fatigue when compared to traditional training (TRAD) when observing the strength indicators and the biomarkers of EO and DM were positively influenced by training, regardless of the method used.