To investigate the physiological responses to low-load, superset resistance training (two exercises for the agonist and antagonist muscles performed without rest between exercises) to failure using elastic bands.
Twenty-three athletes were randomized to either a superset group (S, n = 12, average age: 19.8 ± 1.5 years) or a traditional set group (T, n = 11, average age: 20.1 ± 1.4 years). Strength, cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscular endurance of the biceps and triceps brachii were assessed before and after 8 weeks. Acute responses (muscle thickness) were measured during one testing session.
Muscle thickness of the biceps significantly increased in both T group (P < 0.05) and S group (P < 0.05) after a single bout of Training. The triceps did not show significant increases in either T group (P > 0.05) or S group (P > 0.05). Blood lactate also increased in both groups after one bout of training (T: from 1.3 ± 0.3 to 5.5 ± 2.4 mmol/L, S: from 1.4 ± 0.5 to 5.1 ± 1.5 mmol/L, P < 0.05). After 8-week training, both groups showed significant increases in the biceps (T: 13.2% ± 5.0%; S: 12.9% ± 7.3%, P < 0.05) and triceps (T: 9.5% ± 9.3%, S: 4.8% ± 4.1%, P < 0.05) without differences between groups. Increases in one repetition maximum for the bench press (7.8% ± 6.5%, P < 0.05) and maximal voluntary contraction for the arm extensors (9.3% ± 11.6%, P < 0.05) were observed for the T group only. Increases in muscular endurance were observed only in the S group for the bench press (26.0% ± 19.1%, P < 0.05) and the barbell curl (17.2% ± 16.6%, P < 0.05).
Superset training may enhance muscular endurance while attenuating maximal strength gains. There does not appear to be a hypertrophic benefit to performing superset training, but it may provide a time-efficient strategy to achieve adaptations in muscle mass.
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between two measures of trunk muscular endurance.
Retrospective data for 520 male law enforcement officers (age 40.16 ± 7.71 years; height = 1.81 ± 0.07 m; body mass = 94.4 ± 15.01 kg) belonging to a single US based law enforcement agency were used for this analysis. The data provided included: age, height, body mass, sit-up repetitions completed in 1-min (SU) and time to completion for the isometric prone plank (IPP). A Pearson’s product correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationships between the SU and IPP.
Significant (P < 0.001) moderate (r = 0.594, R 2 = 0.352) relationships were discovered between the SU and IPP.
Based on the results of this study it appears that both the SU and IPP tests are appropriate for evaluating trunk muscular endurance, but measure separate qualities (i.e., dynamic and static muscular endurance).
In kettlebell sport (KS) half marathon, the lift of the kettlebell is required for the highest number of repetitions in 30 min. No data are available on cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during this exercise routine. The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to KS half marathon compared to 30 min treadmill running, chosen as a reference paradigm of aerobic exercise, at the same average oxygen consumption (VO2).
A male elite KS athlete was enrolled in two trials separated by 7 days of rest. In the first trial, one-hand long-cycle KS exercise with a 1/3 body weight kettlebell was performed for 30 min (kettlebell half marathon, KT); in the second trial, 30 min treadmill running (TR) was performed at the same average VO2 measured in the first trial (speed 9–10 km/h at 1° uphill inclination). Metabolic and cardiopulmonary assessments [respiratory exchange ratio (RER), tidal volume (TV), breathing frequency (f), minute ventilation (VE)], blood lactate (BL) kinetics, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) were measured in both experimental sessions.
The average VO2 was 33.3 mL/min/kg in KT and 30.6 mL/min/kg in TR. The subject achieved RERpeak 1.17, RERmean 0.98, HRpeak 172 bpm (94% HRmax), HRmean 86% of HRmax, BPpeak 220/100 mmHg in KT, BLpeak 7.2 mmol/L (during trial) in KT and RERpeak 1.13, RERmean 0.89, HRpeak 142 bpm (78% HRmax), HRmean 70% of HRmax, BPpeak 160/80 mmHg, BLpeak 3.5 mmol/L (4 min after trial) mmol/L in TR.
Data indicate that a KS half marathon determines much higher cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses to treadmill running performed at similar VO2.
The current study aimed to assess the changes in physical and perceptual markers of health, fitness, and well-being over the first semester of university study in a New Zealand context.
In a pre-post longitudinal design, 90 first-year university students (39 females, 51 males, mean ± SD age: 18 ± 2 years) studying in the field of health, sport and human performance underwent tests of body mass, height, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, predicted VO2max, flexibility, countermovement jump height, handgrip strength, isometric mid-thigh pull strength, and well-being pre and post the first semester of university study (12 weeks).
When evaluating the entire group, there was a significant increase in body mass (0.66 kg, P = 0.004) and BMI (0.2 kg/m2, P = 0.005) and decrease in the “engagement” construct of the well-being questionnaire (− 0.2, P = 0.03) over the first semester of university. In total, 73% of students living on-campus reported a decline in sleep and nutrition habits since starting university, in comparison to ~ 35%–40% of students living off-campus (P ≤ 0.03).
Similar to results seen in other countries, and despite the field of study, the first semester of university in New Zealand is likely to be associated with increases in body mass and BMI; however, changes in physical fitness and overall well-being measures were less obvious in the current study.