The effect of a specific training program on hypertrophy and strength

Petersen, Claus Thorsø ; Jessing, Magnus Rosenkær ; Larsen, Kristian

4. semester

Sports Science, Master

2017

2017-06-07

33 pages

This study set out to investigate the effects of acute exercise-induced hormonal response on hypertrophy and strength, by having two groups completing the same high-volume strength protocol, with one group training elbow flexors, and legs immediately after (Group TD), and the other group training elbow flexors and legs on different days (Group FD). 14 subjects completed the intervention, seven in group TD (26.3 ± 4.8 years, weight 81.7 ± 14.6 kg, heights 185 ± 8.8 cm) and seven in group FD (24.7 ± 1.2 years, weight 91.3 ± 15.6 kg, heights 187.4 ± 4.5 cm). The methods used to assess the strength and hypertrophy, in both the elbow flexor and legs, were; isometric strength test, anthropometry and 1 repetition maximum (1-RM). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was completed to test for differences from pre to post, while a Mann Whitney U test was used for analysis between groups. In the isometric strength test only group FD had a significant increase in strength in the legs (P=0.018) but no differences between groups. In the anthropometric tests group TD had significant increases in both arms (P=0.043) and legs (P=0.018) and had a significantly larger increase than group FD in the legs (P=0.048). In the 1-RM tests both group TD and FD had significant increases (P<0.018) however, no significant differences between the groups. These results led to the conclusion that training elbow flexors and legs immediately after, can favor small increases in hypertrophy, but regarding strength, there seems to be no benefit.

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