This investigation compared the effect of high‐volume (VOL) versus high‐intensity (INT) resistance training on stimulating changes in muscle size and strength in resistance‐trained men. Following a 2‐week preparatory phase, participants were randomly assigned to either a high‐volume (VOL; n = 14, 4 × 10–12 repetitions with ~70% of one repetition maximum [1RM], 1‐min rest intervals) or a high‐intensity (INT; n = 15, 4 × 3–5 repetitions with ~90% of 1RM, 3‐min rest intervals) training group for 8 weeks. Pre‐ and posttraining assessments included lean tissue mass via dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry, muscle cross‐sectional area and thickness of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), pectoralis major, and triceps brachii muscles via ultrasound images, and 1RM strength in the back squat and bench press (BP) exercises. Blood samples were collected at baseline, immediately post, 30 min post, and 60 min postexercise at week 3 (WK3) and week 10 (WK10) to assess the serum testosterone, growth hormone (GH), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF1), cortisol, and insulin concentrations. Compared to VOL, greater improvements ( P < 0.05) in lean arm mass (5.2 ± 2.9% vs. 2.2 ± 5.6%) and 1RM BP (14.8 ± 9.7% vs. 6.9 ± 9.0%) were observed for INT. Compared to INT, area under the curve analysis revealed greater ( P < 0.05) GH and cortisol responses for VOL at WK3 and cortisol only at WK10. Compared to WK3, the GH and cortisol responses were attenuated ( P < 0.05) for VOL at WK10, while the IGF1 response was reduced ( P < 0.05) for INT. It appears that high‐intensity resistance training stimulates greater improvements in some measures of strength and hypertrophy in resistance‐trained men during a short‐term training period.

Wang, R, Hoffman, JR, Tanigawa, S, Miramonti, AA, La Monica, MB, Beyer, KS, Church, DD, Fukuda, DH, and Stout, JR. Isometric mid-thigh pull correlates with strength, sprint, and agility performance in collegiate rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3051–3056, 2016—The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationships between isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) force and strength, sprint, and agility performance in collegiate rugby union players. Fifteen members of a champion-level university's club rugby union team (mean ± SD: 20.67 ± 1.23 years, 1.78 ± 0.06 m, and 86.51 ± 14.18 kg) participated in this investigation. One repetition maximum (1RM) squat, IMTP, speed (40 m sprint), and agility (proagility test and T-test) were performed during 3 separate testing sessions. Rate of force development (RFD) and force output at 30, 50, 90, 100, 150, 200, and 250 milliseconds of IMTP, as well as the peak value were determined. Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between these measures. Performance in the 1RM squat was significantly correlated to the RFD between 90 and 250 milliseconds from the start of contraction (r's ranging from 0.595 to 0.748), and peak force (r = 0.866, p ≤ 0.05). One repetition maximum squat was also correlated to force outputs between 90 and 250 milliseconds (r's ranging from 0.757 to 0.816, p ≤ 0.05). Sprint time over the first 5 m in the 40 m sprint was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) correlated with peak RFD (r = −0.539) and RFD between 30 and 50 milliseconds (r's = −0.570 and −0.527, respectively). Time for the proagility test was correlated with peak RFD (r = −0.523, p ≤ 0.05) and RFD between 30 and 100 milliseconds (r's ranging from −0.518 to −0.528, p's < 0.05). Results of this investigation indicate that IMTP variables are significantly associated with strength, agility, and sprint performance. Future studies should examine IMTP as a potential tool to monitor athletic performance during the daily training of rugby union players.

This study compared the acute and chronic response of circulating plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to high-intensity low-volume (HI) and low-intensity high volume (HV) resistance training. Twenty experienced resistance trained men (23.5±2.6 y, 1.79±0.05 m, 75.7±13.8 kg) volunteered for this study. Prior to the resistance training program (PRE), participants performed an acute bout of exercise using either the HI (3-5 reps; 90% of one repetition maximum [1RM]) or HV (10-12 reps; 70% 1RM) training paradigm. The acute exercise protocol was repeated following 7-weeks of training (POST). Blood samples were obtained at rest (BL), immediately- (IP), 30-min (30P) and 60-min (60P) post exercise at PRE and POST. A 3-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze acute changes in BDNF concentrations during HI and HV resistance exercise at PRE and POST. No training x time x group interaction in BDNF was noted (p=0.994). Significant main effects for training (p=0.050) and time (p<0.001) in BDNF were observed. Significant elevations in BDNF concentrations were seen from BL at IP (p=0.001), 30P (p<0.001), and 60P (p<0.001) in both HI and HV combined during PRE and POST. BDNF concentrations were also observed to increase from PRE to POST when collapsed across groups and time. No significant group x training interaction (p=0.342), training (p=0.105), or group (p=0.238) effect were noted in the BDNF area under the curve response. Results indicate BDNF concentrations are increased after an acute bout of resistance exercise, regardless of training paradigm, and are further increased during a 7-week training program in experienced lifters.

Wang, R, Hoffman, JR, Sadres, E, Bartolomei, S, Muddle, TWD, Fukuda, DH, and Stout, JR. Evaluating upper-body strength and power from a single test: the ballistic push-up. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1338–1345, 2017—The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of the ballistic push-up (BPU) exercise and to develop a prediction model for both maximal strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM]) in the bench press exercise and upper-body power. Sixty recreationally active men completed a 1RM bench press and 2 BPU assessments in 3 separate testing sessions. Peak and mean force, peak and mean rate of force development, net impulse, peak velocity, flight time, and peak and mean power were determined. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to examine the reliability of the BPU. Stepwise linear regression was used to develop 1RM bench press and power prediction equations. Intraclass correlation coefficient's ranged from 0.849 to 0.971 for the BPU measurements. Multiple regression analysis provided the following 1RM bench press prediction equation: 1RM = 0.31 × Mean Force − 1.64 × Body Mass + 0.70 (R ² = 0.837, standard error of the estimate [SEE] = 11 kg); time-based power prediction equation: Peak Power = 11.0 × Body Mass + 2012.3 × Flight Time − 338.0 (R ² = 0.658, SEE = 150 W), Mean Power = 6.7 × Body Mass + 1004.4 × Flight Time − 224.6 (R ² = 0.664, SEE = 82 W); and velocity-based power prediction equation: Peak Power = 8.1 × Body Mass + 818.6 × Peak Velocity − 762.0 (R ² = 0.797, SEE = 115 W); Mean Power = 5.2 × Body Mass + 435.9 × Peak Velocity − 467.7 (R ² = 0.838, SEE = 57 W). The BPU is a reliable test for both upper-body strength and power. Results indicate that the mean force generated from the BPU can be used to predict 1RM bench press, whereas peak velocity and flight time measured during the BPU can be used to predict upper-body power. These findings support the potential use of the BPU as a valid method to evaluate upper-body strength and power.