Abstract
The objective of the present study was to verify the energy expenditure (EE), energy system contributions and autonomic control during and after an acute low-load or high-load resistance training (RT) protocol to momentary failure (MF) in young adults. Eleven young men (22 ± 3 yrs, 71.8 ± 7.7 kg; 1.75 ± 0.06 m) underwent a randomized crossover design of three knee extension acute protocols: a low-load RT [30% of their maximal strength (1RM); RT30] or a high-load RT (80% of 1RM; RT80) protocol, with all sets being performed to MF; or a control session (Control) without exercise. Participants were measured for EE, energy system contributions, and cardiac autonomic control before, during, and after each exercise session. Exercise EE was significantly higher for RT30 as compared to RT80. Furthermore, post measurements of blood lactate levels and the anaerobic lactic system contribution were significantly greater for RT30 as compared to RT80. In addition, parasympathetic restoration was lower for RT30 as compared to RT80. In conclusion, a low-load (30% 1RM) RT session produced higher EE during exercise than a high-load (80% 1RM) RT session to MF, and may be a good option for fitness professionals, exercise physiologists, and practitioners when choosing the optimal RT protocol that provides more EE, especially for those who want or need to lose weight.
Highlights
Total EE was significantly higher for RT30 (p = 0.0001) and RT80 (p = 0.0001) as compared to control session without exercise (Control) (Fig 1B), no significant difference was found for Total EE between RT30 and RT80 (p = 0.9724; Fig 1B)
To determine whether a low-load (30% of 1RM, RT30) or a highload (80% of 1RM; RT80) resistance training (RT) protocol, with all sets being performed until momentary failure (MF), can provide different EE during and after an acute session, we tested the energy cost and the energy system contributions in young, healthy and sedentary men
In accordance with our initial hypothesis, the RT30 protocol produced greater EE during exercise as compared to RT80; EPOC did not differ between the RT protocols to MF
Summary
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to Resistance training (RT) is known to promote several benefits for the practitioners such as increases in energy expenditure (EE), skeletal muscle mass, strength, and power and reductions in fat mass, visceral and subcutaneous fat, inflammatory markers, lipid profile, and cardiometabolic risk factors [1] It seems that RT performed with loads equal to or greater than 80% of 1 repetition maximal (1RM) increase the hypertrophic gains and muscle strength in a greater magnitude when compared to lower intensity protocols [2, 3]. There was no additional external funding received for this study
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