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. 2020 Mar 6:8:e8697.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.8697. eCollection 2020.

Effects of resistance training with controlled versus self-selected repetition duration on muscle mass and strength in untrained men

Talisson Santos Chaves  1 , Thaís Marina Pires de Campos Biazon  2 , Lucas Marcelino Eder Dos Santos  1 , Cleiton Augusto Libardi  1
Affiliations

Effects of resistance training with controlled versus self-selected repetition duration on muscle mass and strength in untrained men

Talisson Santos Chaves et al. PeerJ. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of self-selected repetition duration (SELF), with and without volume load (VL) equalized with controlled repetition duration (CON) on muscle strength and hypertrophy in untrained males. We used a within-subjects design in which 20 volunteers (age: 24.7 ± 2.9 years) had one leg randomly assigned to CON (i.e., 2 s concentric, 2 s eccentric) and the other to SELF or to self-selected repetition duration with equalized volume load (SELF-EV). One repetition maximum (1-RM) and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured at baseline (Pre) and after (Post) resistance training (RT; 2×/wk for 8 weeks). For the main study variables (1-RM and muscle CSA), a mixed-model analysis was performed, assuming repetition duration (SELF, SELF-EV and CON), and time (Pre and Post) as fixed factors and the subjects as random factor for each dependent variable (1-RM and CSA). All RT protocols showed significant increases in values of 1-RM from Pre (CON: 73.7 ± 17.6 kg; SELF: 75.9 ± 17.7 kg; and SELF-EV: 72.6 ± 16.9 kg) to Post (CON: 83.4 ± 19.9 kg, effect size (ES): 0.47; SELF: 84 ± 19.1 kg, ES: 0.43; and SELF-EV: 83.2 ± 19.9 kg, ES: 0.57, P < 0.0001). Muscle CSA values increased for all protocols from Pre (CON: 12.09 ± 3.14 cm2; SELF: 11.91 ± 3.71 cm2; and SELF-EV: 11.93 ± 2.32 cm2) to Post (CON: 13.03 ± 3.25 cm2, ES: 0.29; SELF: 13.2 ± 4.16 cm2, ES: 0.32; and SELF-EV: 13.2 ± 2.35 cm2, ES: 0.53, P < 0.0001). No significant differences between protocols were found for both 1-RM and CSA (P > 0.05). Performing RT with SELF, regardless of VL, was equally effective in inducing increases in muscle strength and hypertrophy compared to CON in untrained men.

Keywords: Cadence; Muscle hypertrophy; Muscle strength; Repetition velocity; Strength training.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Increases in maximal dynamic strength at 8 weeks.
Maximal dynamic strength (1-RM) at baseline (Pre) and after 8 weeks (Post) of resistance training with controlled repetition duration (CON), resistance training with self-selected repetition duration and equalized volume (SELF-EV) and resistance training with self-selected repetition duration (SELF). Results are presented as means ± SD. *Significant difference compared to Pre (main time effect, P < 0.0001).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Increases in muscle cross-sectional area at 8 weeks.
Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) before (Pre), and after 8 weeks (Post) of resistance training with controlled repetition duration (CON), resistance training with self-selected repetition duration and equalized volume (SELF-EV) and resistance training with self-selected repetition duration (SELF). Results are presented as means ± SD. *Significant difference compared to Pre (main time effect, P < 0.0001).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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