Physiological Responses and Adaptations to Lower Load Resistance Training: Implications for Health and Performance

Weakley, Jonathon; Schöenfeld, Brad J.; Ljungberg, Johanna; Halson, Shona L.; Phillips, Stuart M.

doi:10.1186/s40798-023-00578-4

Cited by 7 publications

References 54 publications

(151 reference statements)

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Effects of Bed Rest on Physical Performance in Athletes: A Systematic and Narrative Review

Spiering¹,

Weakley²,

Mujika³

2023

Sports Med

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Background Athletes can face scenarios in which they are confined to bed rest (e.g., due to injury or illness). Existing research in otherwise healthy individuals indicates that those entering bed rest with the greatest physical performance level might experience the greatest performance decrements, which indirectly suggests that athletes might be more susceptible to the detrimental consequences of bed rest than general populations. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the effects of bed rest might help guide the medical care of athletes during and following bed rest. Objective This systematic and narrative review aimed to (1) establish the evidence for the effects of bed rest on physical performance in athletes; (2) discuss potential countermeasures to offset these negative consequences; and (3) identify the time-course of recovery following bed rest to guide return-to-sport rehabilitation. Methods This review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four databases were searched (SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE/PubMed) in October of 2022, and studies were included if they were peer-reviewed investigations, written in English, and investigated the effects of horizontal bed rest on changes in physical capacities and qualities in athletes (defined as Tier 3–5 participants). The reporting quality of the research was assessed using a modified version of the Downs & Black checklist. Furthermore, findings from studies that involved participants in Tiers 1–2 were presented and synthesized using a narrative approach. Results Our systematic review of the literature using a rigorous criterion of ‘athletes’ revealed zero scientific publications. Nevertheless, as a by-product of our search, seven studies were identified that involved apparently healthy individuals who performed specific exercise training prior to bed rest. Conclusions Based on the limited evidence from studies involving non-athletes who were otherwise healthy prior to bed rest, we generally conclude that (1) bed rest rapidly (within 3 days) decreases upright endurance exercise performance, likely due to a rapid loss in plasma volume; whereas strength is reduced within 5 days, likely due to neural factors as well as muscle atrophy; (2) fluid/salt supplementation may be an effective countermeasure to protect against decrements in endurance performance during bed rest; while a broader array of potentially effective countermeasures exists, the efficacy of these countermeasures for previously exercise-trained individuals requires further study; and (3) athletes likely require at least 2–4 weeks of progressive rehabilitation following bed rest of ≤ 28 days, although the timeline of recovery might need to be extended depending on the underlying reason for bed rest (e.g., injury or illness). Despite these general conclusions from studies involving non-athletes, our primary conclusion is that substantial effort and research is still required to quantify the effects of bed rest on physical performance, identify effective countermeasures, and provide return-to-sport timelines in bona fide athletes. Trial Registration Number and Date of Registration Registration ID: osf.io/d3aew; Date: October 24, 2022.

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Effects of Bed Rest on Physical Performance in Athletes: A Systematic and Narrative Review

Spiering¹,

Weakley²,

Mujika³

2023

Sports Med

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Low- and high-load resistance training exercise to volitional fatigue generate exercise-induced appetite suppression

McCarthy,

Bornath,

Grisebach

et al. 2024

Appetite

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The Effects and Reproducibility of 10, 20, and 30% Velocity Loss Thresholds on Acute and Short-Term Fatigue and Recovery Responses

Weakley,

Johnston,

Cowley

et al. 2023

Journal of Strength &Amp; Conditioning Research

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Weakley, J, Johnston, RD, Cowley, N, Wood, T, Ramirez-Lopez, C, McMahon, E, and García-Ramos, A. The effects and reproducibility of 10, 20, and 30% velocity loss thresholds on acute and short-term fatigue and recovery responses. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2023—This study aimed to establish the effects and reproducibility of implementing 10, 20, and 30% velocity loss thresholds (VLTs) during the free-weight barbell back squat on acute and short-term perceived soreness, neuromuscular fatigue, and physical performance. Using a repeated, counterbalanced, crossover design, 12 team-sport athletes completed on separate sessions 5 sets of the free-weight barbell back-squat until reaching VLTs of either 10, 20, or 30%. Outcomes were measured immediately postexercise and 24 hourS after each session. To assess reproducibility, the same sessions were repeated after 4 weeks. Immediately postexercise, small differences in countermovement jump (CMJ) and 10-m sprint performance were observed between VLT conditions, whereas small to moderate differences in differential ratings of perceived exertion were reported (10% < 20% < 30%). At 24 hours, trivial differences in CMJ outcomes were found but small differences in 10-m sprint performance were detected between conditions (10% < 20% < 30%). In addition, at 24 hours, a single small difference in radial deformation using tensiomyography was found between 10 and 30% conditions, whereas large to very large differences in perceived soreness were reported between conditions (10% < 20% < 30%). Finally, the standard error of measurement of all outcome measures at 24 hours were of a similar magnitude to those reported in tightly controlled, short-term studies. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that VLTs help control the fatigue outcomes that occur as a response to resistance training and that they are reproducible. Therefore, for practitioners who wish to prescribe resistance training and be confident in the subsequent fatigue response, it is strongly advised that VLTs are implemented.

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Physiological Responses and Adaptations to Lower Load Resistance Training: Implications for Health and Performance

Cited by 7 publications

References 54 publications

Effects of Bed Rest on Physical Performance in Athletes: A Systematic and Narrative Review

Effects of Bed Rest on Physical Performance in Athletes: A Systematic and Narrative Review

Low- and high-load resistance training exercise to volitional fatigue generate exercise-induced appetite suppression

The Effects and Reproducibility of 10, 20, and 30% Velocity Loss Thresholds on Acute and Short-Term Fatigue and Recovery Responses

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