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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(02): 120-129
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1385883
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Neuromuscular Adaptations to Different Modes of Combined Strength and Endurance Training

D. Eklund
1   Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
,
T. Pulverenti
1   Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
,
S. Bankers
1   Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
,
J. Avela
1   Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
,
R. Newton
2   School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
,
M. Schumann
1   Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
,
K. Häkkinen
1   Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 17 June 2014

Publication Date:
26 September 2014 (online)

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Abstract

The present study investigated neuromuscular adaptations between same-session combined strength and endurance training with 2 loading orders and different day combined training over 24 weeks. 56 subjects were divided into different day (DD) combined strength and endurance training (4–6 d·wk-1) and same-session combined training: endurance preceding strength (E+S) or vice versa (S+E) (2–3 d·wk-1). Dynamic and isometric strength, EMG, voluntary activation, muscle cross-sectional area and endurance performance were measured. All groups increased dynamic one-repetition maximum (p<0.001; DD 13±7%, E+S 12±9% and S+E 17±12%) and isometric force (p<0.05–0.01), muscle cross-sectional area (p<0.001) and maximal power output during cycling (p<0.001). DD and S+E increased voluntary activation during training (p<0.05–0.01). In E+S no increase in voluntary activation was detected after 12 or 24 weeks. E+S also showed unchanged and S+E increased maximum EMG after 24 weeks during maximal isometric muscle actions. A high correlation (p<0.001, r=0.83) between the individual changes in voluntary activation and maximal knee extension force was found for E+S during weeks 13–24. Neural adaptations showed indications of being compromised and highly individual relating to changes in isometric strength when E+S-training was performed, while gains in one-repetition maximum, endurance performance and hypertrophy did not differ between the training modes.

Key words

concurrent training - order effect - voluntary activation
 

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