The generality of strength suggests that a "strong" individual will typically exhibit higher values of strength across a wide range of strength tasks for a given muscle relative to their weaker counterpart. This concept is often extended to adaptation, suggesting that increasing strength on a given movement or strength task with a given muscle should reflect an increase in other movements or tasks using that same muscle. The concept of a generality of strength adaptation appears less supported in the literature.Objective: To elaborate on recommendations for strength assessment, providing a focus on the "generality of strength" and the "generality of strength adaptation." Design & Methods:We reviewed the literature on a generality of strength. In addition, we examined the resistance training literature to provide evidence and discussion on a generality of strength adaptation. Results/Conclusions:The generality of strength adaptation, even across strength skills using the same muscle on related movements seems quite low. Although some studies show a weak generality of strength adaptation and others show no generality of strength adaptation, it appears that increases in strength diminish as the strength assessment becomes farther removed from the actual training stimulus.(Journal of Trainology 2019;8:5-8)

This study describes a mouse model of progressive resistance exercise that utilizes a full-body/multi-joint exercise (weight pulling) along with a training protocol that mimics a traditional human paradigm (three training sessions per week, ~8–12 repetitions per set, 2 min of rest between sets, around two maximal-intensity sets per session, last set taken to failure, and a progressive increase in loading that is based on the individual’s performance). We demonstrate that weight pulling can induce an increase in the mass of numerous muscles throughout the body. The relative increase in muscle mass is similar to what has been observed in human studies, and is associated with the same type of long-term adaptations that occur in humans (e.g., fiber hypertrophy, myonuclear accretion, and, in some instances, a fast-to-slow transition in Type II fiber composition). Moreover, we demonstrate that weight pulling can induce the same type of acute responses that are thought to drive these long-term adaptations (e.g., the activation of signaling through mTORC1 and the induction of protein synthesis at 1 h post-exercise). Collectively, the results of this study indicate that weight pulling can serve as a highly translatable mouse model of progressive resistance exercise.

Resistance exercise is often performed with the intention of increasing both muscle size and muscle strength (Buckner et al., 2020). Within the scientific literature, adaptations of muscle size and strength are most often examined following resistance training protocols that utilize heavy load [loads near or >70% one repetition maximum (1RM)]

It is suggested that changes in echo intensity (EI) measured through ultrasound can detect muscle swelling. However, changes in EI have never been examined relative to a non‐exercise control following naïve exposure to exercise. Purpose Examine the changes in muscle thickness (MT), EI and isometric strength (ISO) before, immediately after, and 24, and 48 hr following biceps curls. Methods Twenty‐seven non‐resistance‐trained individuals visited the laboratory four times. During visit 1, paperwork was completed and strength was measured. During visit 2, MT and ISO were measured before four sets of curls. Additional measures were taken immediately after exercise, as well as 24 and 48 hr post. Results are displayed as means (SD). Results For MT, there was an interaction (p < .001). For the experimental condition, MT increased from pre [2.88(0.64) cm] to post [3.27(0.67) cm] and remained elevated 48 hr post. There were no changes for MT in the control arm. In the experimental arm, EI increased from pre [22.9(9.6) AU] to post [29.1(12.3) AU] exercise and returned to baseline by 24 hr. For the control condition, EI was different between pre [24.8(10.2) AU] and 48 hr [21.5(10.7) AU]. The change in EI in the experimental condition was greater than the control condition immediately post (p = .039) and at 48 hr (p = .016). For ISO, there was an interaction (p < .001). In the experimental condition, ISO decreased from pre [40.6(14.7) Nm)] to post [24.8(9.4) Nm] and remained depressed. Conclusions Exercise produced a swelling response, which was elevated 48 hr post. Despite a sustained increase in MT, EI was only elevated immediately post exercise.

This study describes a mouse model of human progressive resistance exercise that utilizes a full-body/multi-joint exercise (weight pulling) along with a training protocol that mimics a traditional human paradigm (3 training sessions per week, ~8-12 repetitions per set, 2 minutes of rest between sets, ~2 maximal-intensity sets per session, last set taken to failure, and a progressive increase in loading that is based on the individual's performance). We demonstrate that weight pulling can induce an increase in the mass of numerous muscles throughout the body. The magnitude of increase in muscle mass is similar to what has been observed in human studies, and it is associated with the same type of long-term adaptations that occur in humans (e.g., fiber hypertrophy, myonuclear accretion, and in some instances a fast-to-slow transition in Type II fiber composition). Moreover, we demonstrate that weight pulling can induce the same type of acute responses that are thought to drive these long-term adaptations (e.g., the activation of signaling through mTORC1 and the induction of protein synthesis at 1 hr post-exercise). Collectively, the results of this study indicate that weight pulling can serve as a highly translatable mouse model of human progressive resistance exercise.