This week is about manipulating training variables. We discuss "Dose-response modelling of resistance exercise across outcome domains in strength and conditioning: a meta analysis" by Swinton et al., published in Sports Medicine in 2024. There are thousands of minute changes to resistance training variables, like intensity, frequency, and volume, that rehab and strength and conditioning professionals can make to achieve the desired stimulus for their patients/clients. This recent meta-analysis of 295 studies (6,710 participants) looked at the impact these training variables have on five different physical domains: strength, power, and jump, sprint, and change of direction performance. Resistance training had the largest effect on muscle strength, while it had the least effect on sprint performance. The authors suggest that this is likely due to specificity of resistance training and out measures of muscular strength, while sprint performance is a complex task that requires skilled practice to improve. Intensity was the variable that had the largest impact on physical domains. The effect of resistance training was greater as intensity increased for sprinting and muscle strength, while the effect on jump performance was greatest at lower intensities. Intensities ranging from roughly 50-70% were most effective for power development, and there was little effect of intensity on change of direction performance. These data are useful when designing training programs meant to maximize certain physical domains over others.
The abstract can be found here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38652410/
As always, if you enjoy what you hear, be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast platform and on Instagram @readingrehabpod. If you have any article recommendations be sure to send them our way!
