a comparison of increases in volume load over 8 weeks of low-versus high-load resistance training

Background: it has been hypothesized that the ability to increase volume load (vl) via a progressive increase in the magnitude of load for a given exercise within a given repetition range could enhance the adaptive response to resistance training. objectives: the purpose of this study was to compare changes in volume load (vl) over eight weeks of resistance training (rt) in high-versus low-load protocols. materials and methods: eighteen well-trained men were matched according to baseline strength were randomly assigned to either a low-load rt (low, n = 9) where 25 35 repetitions were performed per exercise, or a high-load rt (high, n = 9) where 8 12 repetitions were performed per exercise. both groups performed three sets of seven exercises for all major muscles three times per week on nonconsecutive days. results: after adjusting for the pre-test scores, there was a significant difference between the two intervention groups on postintervention total vl with a very large effect size (f (1, 15) = 16.598, p = .001, ηp2 = .525). there was a significant relationship between pre-intervention and post-intervention total vl (f (1, 15) = 32.048, p < .0001, ηp2 = .681) in which the pre-test scores explained 68% of the variance in the post-test scores. conclusions: this study indicates that low-load rt results in greater accumulations in vl compared to high-load rt over the course of 8 weeks of training.