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Cited by 218Sports Performance and TrainingMuscle metabolism and nutritionMuscle Physiology and Disorders

Changes in muscle size and MHC composition in response to resistance exercise with heavy and light loading intensity

Holm, L., Reitelseder, S., Pedersen, T. G., Doessing, S., Petersen, S. G., Flyvbjerg, A., Andersen, J. L., Aagaard, P. +1 more·2008·Journal of Applied Physiology
DOI 10.1152/japplphysiol.90538.2008
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Abstract

Muscle mass accretion is accomplished by heavy-load resistance training. The effect of light-load resistance exercise has been far more sparsely investigated with regard to potential effect on muscle size and contractile strength. We applied a resistance exercise protocol in which the same individual trained one leg at 70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) (heavy load, HL) while training the other leg at 15.5% 1RM (light load, LL). Eleven sedentary men (age 25 ± 1 yr) trained for 12 wk at three times/week. Before and after the intervention muscle hypertrophy was determined by magnetic resonance imaging, muscle biopsies were obtained bilaterally from vastus lateralis for determination of myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition, and maximal muscle strength was assessed by 1RM testing and in an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s. Quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area increased ( P < 0.05) 8 ± 1% and 3 ± 1% in HL and LL legs, respectively, with a greater gain in HL than LL ( P < 0.05). Likewise, 1RM strength increased ( P < 0.001) in both legs (HL: 36 ± 5%, LL: 19 ± 2%), albeit more so with HL ( P < 0.01). Isokinetic 60°/s muscle strength improved by 13 ± 5% ( P < 0.05) in HL but remained unchanged in LL (4 ± 5%, not significant). Finally, MHC IIX protein expression was decreased with HL but not LL, despite identical total workload in HL and LL. Our main finding was that LL resistance training was sufficient to induce a small but significant muscle hypertrophy in healthy young men. However, LL resistance training was inferior to HL training in evoking adaptive changes in muscle size and contractile strength and was insufficient to induce changes in MHC composition.

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Crossref · 10.1152/japplphysiol.90538.2008

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  • Holm et al. reported a significantly greater increase in muscle cross-sectional area when training at 70% vs. 15% of 1RM on a volume load equated basis in a cohort of untrained young men over a 12-week study period.

    “Alternatively, Holm et al. [49] reported a significantly greater increase in muscle CSA when training at 70% vs. 15% of 1RM on a volume load equated basis in a cohort of untrained young men over a 12-week study period.”

    From Loading recommendations for muscle strength, hypertrophy, and local endurance: a re-examination of the repetition continuum. (2021) · cites this paper as [49]

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Authors
Holm, L., Reitelseder, S., Pedersen, T. G., Doessing, S., Petersen, S. G., Flyvbjerg, A., Andersen, J. L., Aagaard, P., & Kjaer, M.
Affiliations
Bispebjerg Hospital (DK)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Applied Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Published
2008-11
Volume
105
Issue
5
Pages
1454-1461
ISSN
  • 0161-7567 (ISSN-L)
  • 8750-7587
  • 1522-1601
DOI
10.1152/japplphysiol.90538.2008
OpenAlex
W2016013206
Cited by
218
References
13
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 13
FWCI
10.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (publishedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
Keywords
resistance training, muscle hypertrophy, MHC IIx, muscle strength, muscle cross-sectional area, vastus lateralis, quadriceps, exercise intensity, sedentary men
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Physiological, Adult, Biopsy, Humans, Hypertrophy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Muscle Contraction, Organ Size, Myosin Heavy Chains, Quadriceps Muscle, Muscle Strength, Resistance Training, Young Adult

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