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. 2019 May 28;7(6):129.
doi: 10.3390/sports7060129.

Phase-Specific Changes in Rate of Force Development and Muscle Morphology Throughout a Block Periodized Training Cycle in Weightlifters

Dylan G Suarez  1 , Satoshi Mizuguchi  2 , William Guy Hornsby  3 , Aaron J Cunanan  4 , Donald J Marsh  5 , Michael H Stone  6
Affiliations

Phase-Specific Changes in Rate of Force Development and Muscle Morphology Throughout a Block Periodized Training Cycle in Weightlifters

Dylan G Suarez et al. Sports (Basel). .

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinetic and morphological adaptations that occur during distinct phases of a block periodized training cycle in weightlifters. Athlete monitoring data from nine experienced collegiate weightlifters was used. Isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and ultrasonography (US) results were compared to examine the effects of three specific phases of a training cycle leading up to a competition. During the high volume strength-endurance phase (SE) small depressions in rate of force development (RFD) but statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in vastus lateralis cross-sectional area (CSA), and body mass (BM) were observed. The lower volume higher intensity strength-power phase (SP) caused RFD to rebound above pre-training cycle values despite statistically significant reductions in CSA. Small to moderate increases only in the earlier RFD time bands (<150 ms) occurred during the peak/taper phase (PT) while CSA and BM were maintained. Changes in IMTP RFD and CSA from US reflected the expected adaptations of block periodized training phases. Changes in early (<100 ms) and late (≥150 ms) RFD time bands may not occur proportionally throughout different training phases. Small increases in RFD and CSA can be expected in well-trained weightlifters throughout a single block periodized training cycle.

Keywords: athlete monitoring; isometric mid-thigh pull; muscle; periodization; rate of force development.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example Macrocycle and Testing Schedule.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Position.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Cross-sectional area measurement. (b) Muscle thickness and pennation angle measurement.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Phase-specific changes in rate of force development. (a) Strength-endurance phase (T1–T2); (b) Strength-power phase (T2–T3); (c) Peak/taper phase (T4–T5); mean ± SD.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Muscle size and body mass throughout each time point. (a) Cross-sectional area; (b) Muscle thickness; (c) Body mass. Gray dots represent individual subjects and black line represents the group mean. † Significantly different from the previous timepoint (p ≤ 0.05). ‡ Significantly different from T1 (p ≤ 0.05).
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