The Effects of Upper Body Strength Training Versus Concurrent Strength + Endurance Training on Indices of Strength, Aerobic Power, and Muscle Cross-Sectional Area

Antonio J. The Effects of Upper Body Strength Training Versus Concurrent Strength + Endurance Training on Indices of Strength, Aerobic Power, and Muscle Cross-Sectional Area. JEPonline 2023; 26(4):183–191. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of combining strength and endurance training versus strength training alone on indices of strength, aerobic power, and arm circumference. Eighteen untrained male subjects (25.7 ± 3.8 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: Control Group that did not exercise, Strength Training Group, or the Strength + Endurance Training Group. The Strength Training Group performed an average of 4 sets using the maximum amount of weight the subject could lift 4 to 8 times (4–8 RM). The training took place 3 times·wk⁻¹ for 5 weeks (15 training sessions). The Strength + Endurance Training Group performed identical weight training bouts but, in addition they performed the arm crank exercise. Both the Strength and Strength + Endurance Training Groups experienced a significantly greater increase in strength (i.e., bench press, biceps curl) and arm cross-sectional area (i.e., the left and right arms) in comparison to the Control Group. However, there were no significant differences between the Strength Training Group and the Strength + Endurance Training Group. In this small cohort of untrained young males, strength + endurance training does not impede strength gains or muscle hypertrophy when compared to strength training alone.