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Effects of acute resistance training modality on corticospinal excitability, intra-cortical and neuromuscular responses

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Abstract

Objective

Although neural adaptations from strength training are known to occur, the acute responses associated with heavy-strength (HST) and hypertrophy training (HYT) remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to compare the acute behaviour of corticospinal responses following a single session of HST vs HYT over a 72-h period.

Methods

Fourteen participants completed a random counterbalanced, crossover study that consisted of a single HST session [5 sets × 3 repetition maximum (RM)], a HYT session (3 sets × 12 RM) of the leg extensors and a control session (CON). Single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to measure changes in motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude, corticospinal silent period (CSP), intra-cortical facilitation (ICF), short-interval intra-cortical inhibition (SICI) and long-interval intra-cortical inhibition (LICI). Additionally, maximal muscle compound wave (M MAX) of the rectus femoris (RF) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the leg extensors were taken. All measures were taken at baseline, immediately post and 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h post-training.

Results

A significant condition x time interaction was observed for MVIC (P = 0.001), M MAX (P = 0.003), MEP amplitude (P < 0.001) and CSP (P = 0.002). No differences were observed between HST and HYT for all neurophysiological measures. No changes in SICI, ICF and LICI were observed compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that: (1) the acute behaviour of neurophysiological measures is similar between HST and HYT; and (2) the increase in corticospinal excitability may be a compensatory response to attenuate peripheral fatigue.

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Abbreviations

CSP:

Corticospinal silent period

HST:

Heavy-strength training

HYT:

Hypertrophy training

TMS:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

ICF:

Intra-cortical facilitation

LICI:

Long interval cortical inhibition

MEP:

Motor evoked potential

MVIC:

Maximal voluntary isometric contraction

MMAX :

Maximal compound wave

RF:

Rectus femoris

RM:

Repetition maximum

RT:

Resistance training

sEMG:

Surface electromyography

SICI:

Short interval cortical inhibition

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all participants for their contribution to this study. CL is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award. WPT is supported by an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia

    Christopher Latella, Wei-Peng Teo, Dale Harris & Ashlee M. Hendy

  2. Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (CNU), School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia

    Brendan Major

  3. Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Footscray, Australia

    Dan VanderWesthuizen

  4. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

    Wei-Peng Teo & Ashlee M. Hendy

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  1. Christopher Latella
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  2. Wei-Peng Teo
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  3. Dale Harris
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Correspondence to Christopher Latella.

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Communicated by William J. Kraemer.

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Latella, C., Teo, WP., Harris, D. et al. Effects of acute resistance training modality on corticospinal excitability, intra-cortical and neuromuscular responses. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 2211–2224 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3709-7

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