Order of Resistance Training Cycles to Develop Strength and Muscle Thickness in Resistance-Trained Men: A Pilot Study

The aim of the present study was to assess the chronic effects of different order of resistance training cycles on strength and muscle thickness of recreationally resistance-trained men. The study sample was composed of 16 healthy men (age: 25.0 ± 3.8 years, height: 1.77 ± 7.6 cm, total body mass: 81.7 ± 10.4 kg, RT experience: 4.6 ± 0.7 years, relative bench press one repetition maximum: 1.2 ± 0.1, relative squat one-repetition maximum: 1.5 ± 0.2). According to baseline maximal strength, participants were allocated in one of the following groups: Maximal Strength-Strength Endurance (MS-SE) (six weeks of a maximal strength cycle followed by six weeks of a strength endurance cycle); Strength Endurance -Maximal Strength (MS-SE) (six weeks of a strength endurance cycle followed by six weeks of a maximal strength cycle). The following measurements were performed in the pre and post intervention periods: one-repetition maximum (1RM) on parallel back squat and bench press exercises, muscle thickness evaluation of biceps brachialis (MT), triceps brachialis (MT), and vastus lateralis (MT) by ultrasonography. Total load lifted (TLL) and Internal training load (ITL) were also assessed. Both groups presented significant increases in bench press (MS-SE = 0.001, SE-MS = 0.003) and half squat (MS-SE = 0.004, SE-MS = 0.001) 1RM, MT (MS-SE = 0.020, SE-MS = 0.005) and MT (MS-SE = 0.001, SE-MS = 0.001). For MT, a significant increase was observed only for MS-SE group (MS-SE = 0.032, SE-MS = 0.143). No significant difference between groups was observed for any strength or morphological outcomes. In conclusion, both MS-SE and SE-MS training cycles are effective strategies to enhance resistance training adaptations in trained men.