Lean Body Mass and Muscle Cross-Sectional Area Adaptations Among College Age Males with Different Strength Levels across 11 Weeks of Block Periodized Programmed Resistance Training.

Paul A Moquin,Kevin M Carroll,W Guy Hornsby,Alexander B Wetmore,Michael H Stone,Andrew C Fry

doi:10.3390/ijerph18094735

Abstract

The block periodization training paradigm has been shown to produce enhanced gains in strength and power. The purpose of this study is to assess resistance training induced alterations in lean body mass and cross-sectional area using a block periodization training model among individuals (n = 15) of three differing strength levels (high, moderate and low) based on one repetition maximum back squat relative to body weight. A 3 × 5 mixed-design ANOVA was used to examine within-and between-subject changes in cross-sectional area (CSA), lean body mass (LBM), lean body mass adjusted (LBMadjusted) and total body water (TBW) over an 11-week resistance training program. LBMadjusted is total body water subtracted from lean body mass. The ANOVA revealed no statistically significant between-group differences in any independent variable (p > 0.05). Within-group effects showed statistically significant increases in cross-sectional area (p < 0.001), lean body mass (p < 0.001), lean body mass adjusted (p ˂ 0.001) and total body water (p < 0.001) from baseline to post intervention: CSA: 32.7 cm2 ± 8.6; 36.3 cm2 ± 7.2, LBM: 68.0 kg ± 9.5; 70.6 kg ± 9.4, LBMadjusted: 20.4 kg ± 3.1; 21.0 kg ± 3.3 and TBW: 49.8 kg ± 6.9; 51.7 kg ± 6.9. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest subjects experienced an increase in both lean body mass and total body water, regardless of strength level, over the course of the 11-week block periodized program. Gains in lean body mass and cross-sectional area may be due to edema at the early onset of training.

Highlights

Theoretical considerations indicate that for optimum enhancement of maximum strength and power, initial training should emphasize body composition alterations and enhancement of metabolic/work capacity [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The data did indicate that all subjects increased to statistical significance from pre-to-post intervention in terms of body composition and cross-sectional area (CSA)
Potential sarcoplasmic/edema-based hypertrophy at the onset of a RT program and a continued alteration in lean body mass (LBM) and CSA with drop in volume should be pursued, with very well-trained subjects. If this pattern holds true for athletes, an increase in muscle edema with an increase in RT volume might lead to adverse effects in performance if introduced at the wrong point in time

Summary

Introduction

Theoretical considerations indicate that for optimum enhancement of maximum strength and power, initial training should emphasize body composition alterations and enhancement of metabolic/work capacity [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Evidence indicates that alterations in body composition, gains in lean body mass (LBM) and loss of fat are better accomplished using higher volumes of resistance training [5,7,8,9]. Resistance training can affect alterations in all of these constituents, increase in measured LBM is largely due to muscle hypertrophy [10]. Several factors likely affect the degree to which hypertrophy impacts strength and power development. These include the type of hypertrophy and the initial strength/LBM values.

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Discussion

Conclusion