Acute Effect of Velocity-Based Resistance Training on Subsequent Endurance Running Performance: Volume and Intensity Relevance

• Published in: Applied sciences 2024-04, Vol.14 (7), p.2736
• Main Authors: Pérez-Castilla, Alejandro, Ruiz-Alias, Santiago A., Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo, Miras-Moreno, Sergio, García-Pinillos, Felipe, Marcos-Blanco, Aitor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Economic indicators; endurance training; Exercise; Fatigue; human physical conditioning; musculoskeletal and neural physiological phenomena; Physiology; resistance training; Running; Strength training; Velocity; Warm up (exercise); Weight training; Women
• ISSN: 2076-3417; 2076-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/app14072736

This study aimed to compare the acute effect of four back squat velocity-based training (VBT) protocols in terms of intensity (60% vs. 80% of the one repetition maximum [1RM]) and volume (10% vs. 30% threshold for velocity loss in the set) on the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) estimated from a running track test (RTT) in recreationally trained young adult men and women. Twenty participants (eleven men and nine women) undertook five randomized protocols in separate occasions: (i) RTT alone (control condition); (ii) VBT with 60% 1RM and a 10% velocity loss followed by RTT (VBT60–10 + RTT); (iii) VBT with 60% 1RM and a 30% velocity loss followed by RTT (VBT60–30 + RTT); (iv) VBT with 80% 1RM and 10% velocity loss followed by RTT (VBT80–10 + RTT); (v) VBT with 80% 1RM and 30% velocity loss followed by RTT (VBT80–30 + RTT). All VBT protocols involved three sets with three minutes of rest. The MAS was higher for RTT (control) than VBT60–30 + RTT (p < 0.001; Δ = 3.8%), VBT60–10 + RTT (p = 0.006; Δ = 2.8%), VBT80–10 + RTT (p = 0.008; Δ = 2.7%), and VBT80–30 + RTT (p = 0.019; Δ = 1.9%). No protocol × sex interaction was noted (p = 0.422). Therefore, regardless of sex, MAS is acutely impaired after VBT, especially if the training sets are performed with a low relative load and a high velocity loss threshold.