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ARTICLE
The role of volume-load in strength and absolute endurance
adaptations in adolescent’s performing high- or low-load
resistance training
James Steele, James P. Fisher, Ari R. Assunção, Martim Bottaro, and Paulo Gentil
Abstract: This study compared high- (HL) and low-load (LL) resistance training (RT) on strength, absolute endurance, volume-
load, and their relationships in untrained adolescents. Thirty-three untrained adolescents of both sexes (males, n= 17; females,
n= 16; 14 ± 1 years) were randomly assigned into either (i)HL(n= 17): performing 3 sets of 4–6 repetitions to momentary
concentric failure; or (ii)LL(n= 16): performing 2 sets of 12–15 repetitions to momentary concentric failure. RT was performed for
2×/week for 9 weeks. Change in maximum strength (1 repetition maximum) and absolute muscular endurance for barbell bench
press was assessed. Weekly volume-load was calculated as sets (n) × repetitions (n) × load (kg). Ninety-five percent confidence
intervals (CIs) revealed that both groups significantly increased in strength and absolute endurance with large effect sizes (d=
1.51–1.66). There were no between-group differences for change in strength or absolute endurance. Ninety-five percent CIs
revealed that both groups significantly increased in weekly volume-load with large effect sizes (HL = 1.66, LL = 1.02). There were
no between-group differences for change in volume-load though average weekly volume-load was significantly greater for LL
(p< 0.001). Significant Pearson’s correlations were found for the HL group between average weekly volume-load and both
strength (r= 0.650, p= 0.005) and absolute endurance (r= 0.552, p= 0.022) increases. Strength and absolute endurance increases
do not differ between HL and LL conditions in adolescents when performed to momentary concentric failure. Under HL
conditions greater weekly volume-load is associated with greater strength and absolute endurance increases.
Key words: strength training, youth populations, workload, programming.
Résumé : Cette étude compare un entraînement contre une résistance (« RT ») élevée (« HL ») a
`un entraînement contre une
résistance faible (« LL ») sur la force, l’endurance absolue, la charge volumique et leurs associations chez des adolescents non
entraînés. On répartit aléatoirement 33 adolescents non entraînés (16 filles et 17 garçons âgés de 14 ± 1 ans) dans l’un des deux
groupes : (i)HL(n= 17), deux séries de 4–6 répétitions jusqu’a
`l’incapacité volontaire momentanée en miométrie et (ii)LL(n= 16),
trois séries de 12−15 répétitions jusqu’a
`l’incapacité volontaire momentanée en miométrie. L’entraînement consiste en 2 séances
par semaine durant 9 semaines. On évalue la charge maximale levée (« 1RM ») et l’endurance musculaire absolue au développé
avec barre. On calcule la charge volumique d’une semaine par le produit du nombre de séries par le nombre de répétitions par
la charge levée (kg). Les intervalles de confiance (IC) a
`95 % révèlent une augmentation significative de la force et de l’endurance
absolue et une forte ampleur de l’effet (d= 1,51−1,66) dans les deux groupes. Les variations de la force et de l’endurance absolue
ne diffèrent pas entre les groupes. Les IC 95 % révèlent une augmentation significative de la charge volumique hebdomadaire et
une ampleur de l’effet élevée (HL = 1,66, LL = 1,02) dans les deux groupes. Même si la charge volumique hebdomadaire moyenne
est plus élevée chez LL (p< 0,001), on n’observe pas de différences entre les groupes au sujet de la variation de la charge volumique
hebdomadaire. Dans le groupe HL, on observe des corrélations de Pearson significatives entre la charge volumique hebdom-
adaire moyenne et l’augmentation de la force (r= 0,650, p= 0,005) et de l’endurance absolue (r= 0,552, p= 0,022). Les
augmentations de la force et de l’endurance absolue ne diffèrent pas d’un groupe a
`l’autre chez les adolescents effectuant un
effort jusqu’a
`l’incapacité volontaire momentanée en miométrie. Dans la condition HL, la charge volumique hebdomadaire plus
élevée est associée a
`une plus grande augmentation de la force et de l’endurance absolue. [Traduit par la Rédaction]
Mots-clés : entraînement a
`la force, population de jeunes, charge de travail, programme.
Introduction
Resistance training (RT) is a mode of exercise known to have
particularly wide-ranging benefits in a variety of populations. Po-
sition stands providing recommendations for healthy and older
adult populations have existed for some time (Pollock et al. 1998;
Kraemer et al. 2002;American College of Sports Medicine 2009).
With a growing importance to develop favorable exercise habits
earlier in life, these recommendations have extended to provid-
ing RT guidance for youths (Lloyd et al. 2014). Physical activity
guidelines for youth populations across most nations and includ-
ing the World Health Organization (WHO) also include recom-
mendations for some form of muscle-strengthening activity (e.g.,
RT) for health (WHO 2016). RT, in addition to producing hypertro-
Received 26 July 2016. Accepted 18 October 2016.
J. Steele and J.P. Fisher. School of Sport, Health and Social Sciences, Southampton Solent University, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 0YN, UK.
A.R. Assunção. College of Physical Education, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-970, Brazil; Integrated Center of Physical Activity, Brasilia,
DF 70390-070, Brazil.
M. Bottaro. College of Physical Education, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-970, Brazil.
P. Gentil. College of Physical Education, Federal University of Goias, Gôiania, GO 74960-900, Brazil.
Corresponding author: James Steele (email: james.steele@solent.ac.uk).
Copyright remains with the author(s) or their institution(s). Permission for reuse (free in most cases) can be obtained from RightsLink.
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Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 42: 193–201 (2017) dx.doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2016-0418 Published at www.nrcresearchpress.com/apnm on 24 October 2016.