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Kassiano W, Costa BDDV, Kunevaliki G, Lisboa F, Tricoli I, Francsuel J, Lima L, Stavinski N, Cyrino ES. Bigger Calves from Doing Higher Resistance Training Volume? Int J Sports Med 2024; 45:739-747. [PMID: 38684187 DOI: 10.1055/a-2316-7885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
We compared the effects of different weekly calf training sets on muscle size changes. Sixty-one untrained young women performed a calf training program for 6 weeks, 3 d·wk-1, with differences in resistance training volume. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: 6-SET, 9-SET, and 12-SET weekly calf training sets. The calf raise exercise was performed in sets of 15-20 repetitions maximum. The muscle thickness measurements of medial gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and soleus (SOL) were taken via B-mode ultrasound. We used the sum of the three-muscle thickness as a proxy for the triceps surae (TSSUM). The 12-SET group elicited greater increases than the 6-SET in LG (6-SET=+ 8.1% vs. 12-SET=+ 14.3%; P=0.017), SOL (6-SET=+ 6.7% vs. 12-SET=+ 12.7%; P=0.024), and TSSUM (6-SET=+ 6.9% vs. 12-SET=+ 12.0%; P=0.005), but there was no significant difference in MG changes (6-SET=+ 6.6% vs. 12-SET=+ 9.9%; P=0.067). There were no significant differences when comparing 9-SET vs. 6-SET and 12-SET (P≥0.099). Although all groups experienced calf muscle hypertrophy, our results suggest that the higher dose range may optimize triceps surae muscle size gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witalo Kassiano
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriel Kunevaliki
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Brazil
| | - Felipe Lisboa
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Brazil
| | - Ian Tricoli
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Brazil
| | - Jarlisson Francsuel
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Brazil
| | - Luis Lima
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Brazil
| | - Natã Stavinski
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Brazil
| | - Edilson S Cyrino
- Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise Laboratory, Centre of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Brazil
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Kinoshita M, Maeo S, Kobayashi Y, Eihara Y, Ono M, Sato M, Sugiyama T, Kanehisa H, Isaka T. Triceps surae muscle hypertrophy is greater after standing versus seated calf-raise training. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1272106. [PMID: 38156065 PMCID: PMC10753835 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1272106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The triceps surae muscle plays important roles in fundamental human movements. However, this muscle is relatively unresponsive to resistance training (difficult to hypertrophy) but prone to atrophy with inactivity compared with other muscles. Thus, identifying an effective training modality for the triceps surae is warranted. This study compared triceps surae muscle hypertrophy after standing/knee-extended versus seated/knee-flexed plantarflexion (calf-raise) training, where the gastrocnemius is lengthened and shortened, respectively. Methods: Fourteen untrained adults conducted calf-raise training with one leg in a standing/knee-extended position and the other leg in a seated/knee 90°-flexed position at 70% of one-repetition maximum. Each leg performed 10 repetitions/set, 5 sets/session, 2 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained to assess muscle volume of each and the whole triceps surae. Results: Muscle volume significantly increased in all three muscles and the whole triceps surae for both legs (p ≤ 0.031), except for the gastrocnemius muscles of the seated condition leg (p = 0.147-0.508). The changes in muscle volume were significantly greater for the standing than seated condition leg in the lateral gastrocnemius (12.4% vs. 1.7%), medial gastrocnemius (9.2% vs. 0.6%), and whole triceps surae (5.6% vs. 2.1%) (p ≤ 0.011), but similar between legs in the soleus (2.1% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.410). Conclusion: Standing calf-raise was by far more effective, therefore recommended, than seated calf-raise for inducing muscle hypertrophy of the gastrocnemius and consequently the whole triceps surae. This result and similar between-condition hypertrophy in the soleus collectively suggest that training at long muscle lengths promotes muscle hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momoka Kinoshita
- Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Sumiaki Maeo
- Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
- Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Yuuto Kobayashi
- Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Yuuri Eihara
- Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Munetaka Ono
- Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Mauto Sato
- Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Takashi Sugiyama
- Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
- Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kanehisa
- Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
- Department of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Kanoya, Japan
| | - Tadao Isaka
- Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
- Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan
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Bell ZW, Wong V, Spitz RW, Yamada Y, Song JS, Kataoka R, Chatakondi RN, Abe T, Loenneke JP. Unilateral high-load resistance training influences strength changes in the contralateral arm undergoing low-load training. J Sci Med Sport 2023; 26:440-445. [PMID: 37423835 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Within-subject training models have become common within the exercise literature. However, it is currently unknown if training one arm with a high load would impact muscle size and strength of the opposing arm training with a low load. DESIGN Parallel group. METHODS 116 participants were randomized to one of three groups that completed 6-weeks (18 sessions) of elbow flexion exercise. Group 1 trained their dominant arm only, beginning with a one-repetition maximum test (≤5 attempts), followed by four sets of exercise using a weight equivalent to 8-12 repetition maximum. Group 2 completed the same training as Group 1 in their dominant arm, while the non-dominant arm completed four sets of low-load exercise (30-40 repetition maximum). Group 3 trained their non-dominant arm only, performing the same low-load exercise as Group 2. Participants were compared for changes in muscle thickness and elbow flexion one-repetition maximum. RESULTS The greatest changes in non-dominant strength were present in Groups 1 (Δ 1.5 kg; untrained arm) and 2 (Δ1.1 kg; low-load arm with high load on opposite arm), compared to Group 3 (Δ 0.3 kg; low-load only). Only the arms being directly trained observed changes in muscle thickness (≈Δ 0.25 cm depending on site). CONCLUSIONS Within-subject training models are potentially problematic when investigating changes in strength (though not muscle growth). This is based on the finding that the untrained limb of Group 1 saw similar changes in strength as the non-dominant limb of Group 2 which were both greater than the low-load training limb of Group 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary W Bell
- Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Canada
| | - Vickie Wong
- Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, Science, and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA
| | - Robert W Spitz
- Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, Science, and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA
| | - Yujiro Yamada
- Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, Science, and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA
| | - Jun Seob Song
- Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, Science, and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA
| | - Ryo Kataoka
- Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, Science, and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA
| | - Raksha N Chatakondi
- Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, Science, and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA
| | - Takashi Abe
- Graduate School of Health and Sports Science & Institute of Health and Sports Science and Medicine, Juntendo University, Japan
| | - Jeremy P Loenneke
- Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, Science, and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, USA.
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Schoenfeld BJ, Wackerhage H, De Souza E. Inter-set stretch: A potential time-efficient strategy for enhancing skeletal muscle adaptations. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:1035190. [PMID: 36457663 PMCID: PMC9706104 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.1035190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Time is considered a primary barrier to exercise adherence. Therefore, developing time-efficient resistance training (RT) strategies that optimize muscular adaptations is of primary interest to practitioners. A novel approach to the problem involves combining intensive stretch protocols with RT. Conceivably, integrating stretch into the inter-set period may provide an added stimulus for muscle growth without increasing session duration. Mechanistically, stretch can regulate anabolic signaling via both active and passive force sensors. Emerging evidence indicates that both lengthening contractions against a high load as well as passive stretch can acutely activate anabolic intracellular signaling pathways involved in muscle hypertrophy. Although longitudinal research investigating the effects of stretching between RT sets is limited, some evidence suggests it may in fact enhance hypertrophic adaptations. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is threefold: (1) to review how the active force of a muscle contraction and the force of a passive stretched are sensed; (2) to present evidence for the effectiveness of RT with inter-set stretch for muscle hypertrophy (3) to provide practical recommendations for application of inter-set stretch in program design as well as directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad J. Schoenfeld
- Department of Exercise Science and Recreation, Lehman College, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Henning Wackerhage
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eduardo De Souza
- Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, United States
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