A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review
Resistance Training Load Effects on Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Gain : Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis (2021)


Lopez, P., Radaelli, R., Taaffe, D. R., Newton, R. U., Galvão, D. A., Trajano, G. S., Teodoro, J., Kraemer, W. J., Häkkinen, K., & Pinto, R. S. (2021). Resistance Training Load Effects on Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Gain : Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53(6), 1206-1216. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002585


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Lopez, Pedro; Radaelli, Regis; Taaffe, Dennis R.; Newton, Robert U.; Galvão, Daniel A.; Trajano, Gabriel S.; Teodoro, Juliana; Kraemer, William J.; Häkkinen, Keijo; Pinto, Ronei S.

Journal or series: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

ISSN: 0195-9131

eISSN: 1530-0315

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 53

Issue number: 6

Pages range:  1206-1216

Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002585

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/75929


Abstract

Purpose: To analyse the effect of resistance training (RT) performed until volitional failure with low-, moderate- and high-loads on muscle hypertrophy and muscle strength in healthy adults; and assess the possible participant-, design-, and training-related covariates which may affect the adaptations.

Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Including only studies that performed sets to volitional failure, the effects of low- (>15 RM), moderate- (9-15 RM), and high-load (≤8 RM) RT were examined in healthy adults. Network meta-analysis was undertaken to calculate the standardised mean difference (SMD) between RT loads in overall and subgroup analysis involving studies deemed high-quality. Associations between participant-, design-, and training-related covariates with SMD's were assessed by univariate and multivariate network meta-regression analysis.

Results: Twenty-eight studies involving 747 healthy adults were included. Although no differences in muscle hypertrophy between RT loads were found in overall (P= .113 - .469) or subgroup analysis (P= .871 - .995), greater effects were observed in untrained participants (P= .033), and participants with some training background who undertook more RT sessions (P= .031 - .045). Muscle strength improvement was superior for both high-load and moderate-load compared to low-load RT in overall and subgroup analysis (SMD= 0.60 - 0.63 and 0.34 - 0.35, respectively; P< .001 - .003), with a non-significant but superior effect for high- compared to moderate-load (SMD= 0.26 - 0.28, P= .068).

Conclusion: While muscle hypertrophy improvements appear to be load independent, increases in muscle strength are superior in high-load RT programs. Untrained participants exhibit greater muscle hypertrophy while undertaking more RT sessions provides superior gains in those with previous training experience.


Keywords: strength training; training response; muscle mass; muscle strength; systematic reviews; meta-analysis


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 3


Last updated on 2024-03-04 at 20:06