ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MEDICINE 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2022 February;62(2):258-64

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12049-3

Copyright © 2021 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Comparison of traditional and accommodating resistance training with chains on muscular adaptations in young men

Hamid ARAZI ¹ ✉, Majid MOHAMMADI ², Abbas ASADI ³, João P. NUNES ⁴, Gregory G. HAFF ⁵

¹ Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran; ² Department of Physical Education, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran; ³ Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran; ⁴ Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil; ⁵ School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia

BACKGROUND: Providing accommodating resistance with the use of chains (CRT) is a programming technique that may enhance muscle size, strength, and power. However, there is a paucity of studies comparing the responses to CRT and traditional resistance training (TRT) approaches. This study aimed to examine the effects of 8 weeks of CRT and TRT on muscular adaptations in young recreationally-trained men.
METHODS: Thirty men (26±4 y) volunteered to participate in the present study and were randomly assigned to either CRT (N.=10), TRT (N.=10), or a non-exercise control group (CG, N.=10). A resistance-training program (3-4 sets, ~8-12 repetitions at 65-80% of 1RM) was performed three times a week for 8 weeks. Percentage body fat, arm and thigh circumferences, 1RM and endurance (number of repetitions to failure 60% of 1RM) strength tests in the back squat and bench press exercises, and vertical jump power were assessed before and after the intervention.
RESULTS: Following the intervention, both training groups demonstrated improvements in strength compared to CG, where greater gains were observed for CRT (e.g., bench press 1RM: CRT=28%; TRT=19% / back squat endurance: CRT=8%; TRT=2%).
CONCLUSIONS: The use of chains during resistance training may promote greater gains in strength in young men.

KEY WORDS: Resistance training; Athletic performance; Hypertrophy