Effects of combined different day endurance and strength training on cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular performance in untrained men and women

Abstract

Concurrent endurance (E) and strength has caught the attention of many researchers due to both leads to different adaptations, either cardiorespiratory or neuromuscular. It is well known that combined strength and endurance may elicit conflictive adaptations e.g. the loading from the previous training session could produce fatigue on the next session. Thus the aim of this research is to investigate and compare the different cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular adaptation in previously untrained men and women. 41 previously untrained males and females (21 men and 20 women) completed 24-weeks of periodized combined strength and endurance training on different days. Both groups (males and females) performed the same training protocol. All subjects were tested four times (-12, 0, 12 and 24 weeks) The 24 weeks of combined endurance and strength training on different days on previously untrained men and women resulted in significant cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular increases. Maximal power output increases 17% (p<0.001) in men and 17% in women (p<0.001) with no differences between groups. Maximum heart presented no significant changes over the whole period. Vo2max increased 15% in men and 25% in women (p<0.001). Men decreased 4%(p<0.05) the utilization of Vo2 at 200W. Women decreased 6% (p<0.01) heart rate at 50W, 6% at 75W(p<0.01) and 6% at 100W (p<0.01). Men decreased 8% at 75W (p<0.01); 9% at 100W (p<0.01); 10% at 125W (p<0.01) and 10% at 150W (p<0.01). On the neuromuscular variables there were increases in 1RM leg press of 13% (p<0.001) and 21% (p<0.001) in men and women respectively. Maximal isometric force increased 11% (p<0.001) in men and 19,4% (p<0.001) in women. Explosive isometric force (0- 500ms) increased 12% (p<0.001) in men and 26% in women (p<0.001). Men increased countermovement jump in 6,7% (p<0.05) and women increased 12% (p<0.001). Women decreased lactate utilization 18% at 100W (p<0.01) and 25% at 125W (p<0.001). Men decreased 12% at 100W(p<0.01); 23% at 125W(p<0.001); 31% at 150W(p<0.001); 30% at 175W (p<0.01); 33% at 200W (p<0.05) and 31% at 225W (p<0.001). Combined endurance and strength training in untrained men and women support the fact that induce significant increases in cardiovascular and neuromuscular performance with interferences in the development of