You are on page 1of 7

Scand J Med Sci Sports 2010: 20 (Suppl.

2): 32–38 & 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S


doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01196.x

Review

Effects of strength training on muscle fiber types and size;


consequences for athletes training for high-intensity sport
J. L. Andersen1, P. Aagaard2
1
Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2Institute of
Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
Corresponding author: Jesper L. Andersen, PhD, Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of
Copenhagen, Building 8, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400 NV, Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: 145 35 31 3319, Fax: 145 35 31 27
33, E-mail: jand0085@bbh.regionh.dk
Accepted for publication 27 January 2010

Training toward improving performance in sports involving affect the performance of the athlete. In addition, the review
high intense exercise can and is done in many different will deal with muscle hypertrophy and how it develops with
ways based on a mixture of tradition in the specific sport, strength training. Overall, it is not the purpose of this review
coaches’ experience and scientific recommendations. to give a comprehensive up-date of the area, but to pin-point
Strength training is a form of training that now-a-days a few issues from which functional training advises can be
have found its way into almost all sports in which high made. Thus, more than a review in the traditional context
intense work is conducted. In this review we will focus on a this review should be viewed upon as an attempt to bring
few selected aspects and consequences of strength training; sports-physiologists and coaches or others working directly
namely what effects do strength training have of muscle fiber with the athletes together for a mutual discussion on how
type composition, and how may these effects change the recently acquired physiological knowledge are put into
contractile properties of the muscle and finally how will this practise.

When watching athletes in action, it is obvious even Bottinelli & Reggiani, 2000). Likewise, the maximum
for the untrained eye that some athletes are ‘‘faster’’ force and power produced by the single muscle fiber
or more ‘‘explosive’’ than others. Likewise, it is is strongly positively related to its content of fast
evident that some athletes manage to perform certain myosin (Bottinelli et al., 1999), which can also be
movements quicker than others. No doubt much of observed during in vivo muscle contraction in the
this can be attributed to superior technical skills intact human (Aagaard & Andersen, 1998). The
achieved through many hours of practice, but any purpose of this review is to look at what happens
coach will tell you that ‘‘fast’’ and ‘‘explosive’’ are with human skeletal fiber type composition and fiber
qualities the athlete had already before he or she was size when exposed to strength training, and how
molded through endless training sessions; he/she had these changes might affect athletic performance. It
‘‘talent.’’ Thus, both coaches and scientists know should be emphasize that the aim of this paper is not
that it is not possible to turn a donkey into a to give an extensive review of the literature within the
racehorse by means of exercise and training. Hard area, but to pin-point a few selected aspects and
work will, at the most, turn the donkey into a fast issues that are of relevance in the exercise planning
and explosive donkey! With this in mind, a number for elite athletes.
of fundamental questions can be asked. What and Defining the terms ‘‘strength training’’ or ‘‘resis-
how much can we improve through training, and tance training’’ may be a little more difficult than it
what are the factors that matter? These questions are seems at first glimpse. A number of variables such as;
unfortunately extremely complex and difficult to type of exercise, order of exercises, load or intensity,
answer. Nevertheless, a number of crucial physical total volume of exercises and rest are obvious para-
parameters can be identified. meters that can be regulated in a training regimen
We know that the ability of a muscle to conduct a (Fleck & Kraemer, 2004). On top of this we can add
fast and forceful contraction contribute positively to other variables such as; speed of contraction, the
performance in certain athletic advents. Within mus- choice between exercising in machines or with free
cle physiology it has been know for many years that weights and overall periodization principals (Fry,
the maximum speed at which a muscle can contract is 2004). Thus, there is no doubt that the end-result
to a high extent explained by the its composition of will be influenced by how these variables are
fast and slow muscle fibers (Harridge et al., 1996; combined (Fry, 2004). For the purpose of this review

32
16000838, 2010, s2, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01196.x, Wiley Online Library on [30/10/2023]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Strength training in high-intensity sports
we will define strength training as; ‘‘Training that in a IIX constitute the ‘‘pure’’ fiber types, but also ‘‘hy-
efficient manner induces a measurable increase brid fibers’’ co-expressing MyHC I and MyHC IIA
in muscle strength or/and hypertrophy.’’ Thus, this as well as MyHC IIA and MyHC IIX are commonly
review will focus on training that typically engage found (Andersen et al., 1994).
relatively heavy loads (e.g. 70–100% of 1 RM), It is possible to determine the maximum contrac-
performed in series of relative few repetitions tion velocity of single human skeletal muscle fibers
(e.g.  12), as this loading modality appears to be through relative simple but time-consuming experi-
highly efficient of producing muscle hypertrophy ments. When doing that a clear pattern emerges;
(Fry, 2004). fibers containing MyHC I are the slowest and fibers
Skeletal muscle fibers contain a large number of containing MyHC IIX are the fastest, and a relative
different proteins facilitating contraction; some are solid rule of thumb says that the order of contraction
purely structural, with the sole purpose of maintain- velocity for the different fiber types is, MyHC
ing the physical structure of the fiber as force is IoMyHC I/IIA hybridsoMyHC IIAoMyHC
produced, whereas others have their main function in IIA/IIX hybrid oMyHC IIX (Harridge et al.,
the actual contractile process (Schiaffino & Reggiani, 1996; Bottinelli, 2001). The difference in maximum
1996). Although several contractile proteins play shortening speed, when determined in single fibers
important roles when a muscle fiber contracts, the between fibers containing only one of the three
two main players are myosin (the thick filament) and MyHC isoforms (MyHC I:MyHC IIA:MyHC IIX)
actin (the thin filament). When a contraction is is in the order of magnitude of 1:3:8 or 1:4:10, where
initiated the two proteins couple, change conforma- co-expression hybrid fibers are placed nicely in-
tion, one slides past the other as they move in between fibers containing only one MyHC isoform
opposite directions, uncouple, reload while preparing (Fitts & Widrick, 1996; Harridge, 2007). These data
for coupling with the next actin/myosin that passes are results of experiments conducted at relatively low
by, constantly repeating the cycle. In the human temperature (15–18 1C). While this is substantially
skeletal muscle actin exists in a singular form only below the temperature in the intact muscle, recent
(Schiaffino & Reggiani, 1994). Myosin (or to be more data conducted at 35 1C indicate that the fiber type
exact the heavy chain of the myosin molecule; difference at more physiological relevant temperature
MyHC), on the other hand, exists in three different is much less and in the magnitude of 1:2 between
forms (know as isoforms; essentially different ver- MyHC I and MyHC II fibers (Lionikas et al., 2006).
sions of the same protein taking care of the same The next question that arrives is if this difference in
task) in human skeletal muscle (Schiaffino & Re- shortening velocity between ‘‘slow’’ and ‘‘fast’’ fibers
ggiani, 1994). Each of these MyHC isoforms do, can be observed in the intact muscle. The question
when present in a muscle fiber endow the fiber with asked could be; is there a correlation between fiber
specific functional characteristics, the most impor- type composition of a muscle and the velocity prop-
tant being the velocity of contraction. A number of erties of the intact muscle? A number of studies have
other proteins contribute to or modulate the out- exploited this question, and strong relationship have
come but the absolute governing element in the been demonstrated both in different muscles with
equation is the MyHC isoform present. Thus, muscle different fiber type composition in the same indivi-
fibers can be readily separated into different fiber dual (Harridge, 1996; Harridge et al., 1996) and in
types with specific contraction characteristics via the same muscle between different individuals with
identification of the MyHC isoform(s) present in different fiber type composition (Tihanyi et al., 1982;
the individual fibers. Obviously, other criteria for Yates & Kamon, 1983; Aagaard & Andersen, 1998).
fiber type differentiation can be set up, e.g. metabolic The relationship between fiber type composition and
characteristics (Essén et al., 1975), however these are muscle contractile velocity does not emerge at slow
beyond the scope of this review. The three different contraction velocities, because slow fibers in this case
MyHC isoforms should in principle leave us with have ample time to build up force to more or less to
three different major muscle fiber types. In human the same level as the fast fibers (Aagaard & Ander-
skeletal muscle, however, one often find that two sen, 1998). Consequently, the close relationship be-
MHC isoforms are present alongside each other in tween maximal concentric muscle strength and the
the same fiber, which depending on the degree of percentage of MyHC II in intact human skeletal
details could expand the number of different fiber muscle first becomes readily apparent at high con-
types from three to five or even into a continuum of traction velocities (Aagaard & Andersen, 1998).
slow-to-fast fiber types. The three MyHC isoforms Translated to functional terms this mean that a
present are; MyHC I, MyHC IIA and MyHC IIX [in person with a relative large proportion of fast fibers
older literature often refereed to as ‘‘IIB,’’ (Smerdu et will be able to achieve higher muscle force and power
al., 1994)] (Schiaffino & Reggiani, 1996). Fibers output during fast movements including the early
containing only MyHC I, MyHC IIA and MyHC acceleration phase than a person with a low relative

33
16000838, 2010, s2, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01196.x, Wiley Online Library on [30/10/2023]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Andersen & Aagaard
proportion of fast fibers. Likewise, muscles charac- and simultaneously increase the expression of MyHC
terized by a large proportion of fast muscle fibers IIA, whereas the expression of MHC I is much more
(high relative MyHC II content) are substantially unaffected by the resistance exercise (Hather et al.,
more ‘‘explosive’’ [i.e. demonstrating a greater rate of 1991; Adams et al., 1993; Andersen & Aagaard,
force development (RFD)] than muscles with fewer 2000). This is a highly solid observation and a
fast fibers (low relative MyHC II content), as re- general consensus on this point exists among people
flected by an elevated contractile RFD (Harridge et working in the field (Fry, 2004; Folland & Williams,
al., 1996), hence demonstrating an enhanced capacity 2007). Likewise, cessation of resistance training will
for rapid force production. induce, or re-induce MyHC IIX at the expense of
Thus, as it is established that that a person with MyHC IIA (Andersen & Aagaard, 2000; Andersen et
high relative amount of fast fibers, all other things al., 2005). Whether or not the number of fibers
equal, will be more suited for sports in which fast, expressing MyHC I is increased or decreased after
explosive-type movements performed over shorter strength training is debateable, but most likely, there
periods of time is crucial, another question raises; is no or only very subtle changes in the number of
‘‘Can we change the fiber type composition of our fibers expressing MyHC I (Andersen & Aagaard,
muscles through training?’’ The short (disappointing) 2000; Fry, 2004). Thus, the general rule of MyHC
answer is; ‘‘Not really’’ (Andersen et al., 2000). The isoform plasticity in human skeletal muscle appears
long answer has some uplifting nuances. Animal to be: introduction of or increase in the amount of
studies have shown that exposing a muscle with resistance training lead to decrease in MyHC IIX and
predominantly fast muscles fibers to huge amounts increase in MyHC IIA, while a withdrawal or de-
of low-frequency electrical stimulation, similar to crease in resistance training lead to increase in
what is received by slow muscles fibers, over time MyHC IIX and decrease in MyHC IIA, leaving
will gradually change the MyHC composition from MyHC I relatively unaffected (Andersen & Aagaard,
fast to slow. Likewise a complete removal of the 2000; Fry, 2004).
nerve impulse to a slow muscle, e.g. by cutting the From a functional point of view the disappearance
motor nerve, will over time induce a switch from of MyHC IIX with strength training may seem
slow to fast MyHC (Pette & Staron, 2000). Similar somewhat unfavorable since this MyHC isoform
findings were demonstrated some 50 years ago in has the fastest contraction velocity and highest power
animal studies in which fast and slow motor nerves production, and removal from the muscle should
were switched between a fast and slow muscle leading lead to a slowing and reduced power output of the
to a switch in contraction velocity characteristics muscle. Theoretically that is the case when looking at
between the two muscles (Buller et al., 1960). Later the individual fiber, but when looking at the capacity
it has been shown that these shifts were the conse- of the whole and intact muscle this apparent slowing
quence of a change in MyHC isoforms expression is, in most athletic settings, more than out-weighted
from fast to slow and vice versa in the muscles (Pette, by the increase in contractile strength, power and
2001). RFD of the trained muscle (Aagaard, 2004). In
Likewise, in humans a number of critical condi- consequence, maximal unloaded limb movement
tions can introduce large changes in MyHC compo- speed is observed to increase (Schmidtbleicher &
sitions in skeletal muscle, e.g. after a spinal cord Haralambie, 1981; Aagaard et al., 2003) or remain
injury leading to paralysis. This condition will after a unaltered (Andersen et al., 2005) following 3–4
while leads to an almost complete abolishment of the months of heavy-resistance strength training. The
slow MyHC isoforms in the affected muscles, leaving enhancement in muscle force, power and RFD ob-
the muscle to exclusively express the two fast MyHC served following heavy-resistance strength training to
isoforms (Andersen et al., 1996). Thus, these experi- a large extent is caused by the fast fibers demonstrat-
ment and observations tells us that a more or less ing a twofold greater hypertrophy than the slow
complete switch between expression of fast and slow fibers in response to heavy-resistance strength train-
MyHC isoforms is possible in most skeletal muscles. ing (Aagaard et al., 2001; Kosek et al., 2006). More-
Nevertheless, the above described scenario of a over, a differentiated hypertrophy of the fast and
complete change in expression from slow to fast slow fibers with heavy resistance training, in favor of
MyHC after a spinal cord injury and other similar the fast fibers will eventually give rise to not only a
situations are highly un-physiological, and not within bigger muscle but also a muscle in which a relatively
the frame of physical training. lager proportion of the cross-sectional area is being
What are the limits of fiber type changes that we occupied by fast fibers (Andersen & Aagaard, 2000;
can introduce with physical training, and in our case Aagaard, 2004).
strength training? Numerous studies have shown that Data from our lab indicate that heavy resistance
heavy resistance exercise training will decrease the training followed by detraining can evoke a boosting
expression of MyHC IIX in human skeletal muscle in proportions of the MyHC IIX isoform. In a

34
16000838, 2010, s2, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01196.x, Wiley Online Library on [30/10/2023]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Strength training in high-intensity sports
strength training study involving a group of young scheme would roughly be: avoid training involving
healthy male subjects is was observed that the MyHC hours of continues work at a moderate aerobic level,
IIX percentage in the vastus lateralis muscle of the as this type of exercise may lead to an increased
subjects decreased from 9% to only 2% in a number of fibers expressing MyHC I (Schaub et al.,
3 months training period, but somewhat more re- 1989) and/or fibers co-expressing MyHC I and
markable the MyHC IIX percentage subsequently MyHC IIA. Further, aerobic exercise may fully or
increased to 17% after a additional period of partially blunt the hypertrophic muscle response
3 months of detraining (Andersen & Aagaard, from concurrent resistance training (Glowacki et
2000). The MyHC IIX level at the end of the study al., 2004; Baar, 2006; Nader, 2006; Coffey et al.,
were significantly higher than both the level after 2009). Training exercises should comprise high-
training, but also the level before the resistance intensity intermittent work along with substantial
training period (Andersen & Aagaard, 2000). In a amounts of resistance exercise (strength training),
similar study, we found that the MyHC IIX boosting the former giving rise to an improved short-term
after detraining were accompanied by a parallel endurance of the type IIA fibers, and the latter giving
increase in RFD in the trained muscles of the rise to a preferential hypertrophy in the type II
subjects (Andersen et al., 2005), however detraining muscle fibers. The end-result will be a muscle with
also resulted in a loss in muscle mass that returned to is optimized toward the highest possible relative
levels comparable to that observed before the train- amount of MyHC IIA at the expense of both
ing period. This apparent boosting of the MyHC IIX MyHC I and MyHC IIX. Needless to say, this
isoform with detraining (and potentially also by scenario favors athletes that have a relatively high
tapering) is highly interesting if the goal of a long- amount of type II fibers to begin with. Whether or
term training program is to increase the relative not these type II fibers contain MyHC IIA or MyHC
amount of MyHC IIX in the muscle of a specific IIX to begin with is of less importance, since the
athlete, typically an athlete competing in an athletic transformation MyHC IIX ! MyHC IIA inherently
event in which no endurance type of work is neces- will be introduced through training.
sary, and contractile speed, power and/or explosive- In many ways it seems trivial to repeat that the
ness (RFD) is dominantly favored (e.g. a high- or training-induced increase in muscle strength and
long jumper). At this point in time we do not know muscle hypertrophy go hand in hand. This have
how the muscle will react beyond the experimental been observed in many long-term studies conducted
period of 3 months, but it can be expected that the on human subjects, especially involving subjects with
level of MyHC IIX will eventually return to the no or limited prior history of heavy load resistance
original pre-training value. A least one study with a exercise training (Staron et al., 1991; Adams et al.,
somewhat different design seems to indicate that this 1993; Andersen & Aagaard, 2000; Aagaard et al.,
is a likely scenario (Staron et al., 1991). 2001). An interesting aspect of muscle adaptation to
The question remains, however, if a high relative strength training, that is sometimes overlooked or
amount of MyHC IIX in the major skeletal muscles toned down, is the background of the individual who
is interesting to other than athlete’s participation in is exposed to the training. When planning strength
very specialised compositions? The fact is that muscle training for a given athlete it is important to know
fibers containing predominantly MyHC IIX are also and take into account the training background of the
fibers that relay on a metabolism that enables them athlete: A certain amount/volume of training might
to produce very high amounts of energy in short time introduce significant muscle hypertrophy in one
(i.e. exerting very high power), but only over a very athlete with no prior strength training experience,
limited period of time (seconds) (Harridge, 1996; whereas another athlete having conducted large
Harridge et al., 1996). Consequently, the IIX fibers amounts of resistance training may experience reg-
need to rest to avoid exhaustion. Sufficient rest they ular atrophy of his/her muscles if conducting the
will not get in any of the major ball sports, or other same amount and type of resistance training that is
sports in which continues work over longer periods prescribed for a more inexperienced athlete, simply
are need. Thus, fibers containing MyHC IIA might because the stimulus to his/her muscles and nervous
be preferable to athletes that compete in events in system are less intense than the muscle-CNS signal-
which a relative fast but also somewhat enduring ing that they normally receive. The point here is that
muscle is desirable; i.e. in 400–1500 m runners, we should bear in mind that a very hypertrophied
rowers, kayakers, cycling events like sprint and muscle is not in ‘‘equilibrium,’’ and will strive toward
team pursuit etc. Training to meet these conditions a less hypertrophied status if the stimulus to the
is much ‘‘easier’’ to plan than training to provoke muscle is lowered or removed.
fibers to express exclusively MyHC IIX. However, if For muscular hypertrophy to occur a number of
the intention is to produce a very fast 100 or 200 m things have to happen. After the initial stimuli, being
sprinter (i.e. targeting the latter training regime) the the resistance training, several cellular and hormonal

35
16000838, 2010, s2, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01196.x, Wiley Online Library on [30/10/2023]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Andersen & Aagaard
signal pathways will be activated (Bickel et al., 2005; each nucleus has to serve a lager cytoplasm volume
Bamman et al., 2007; Coffey & Hawley, 2007), (Kadi et al., 2004; Petrella et al., 2008). It seems that
descriptions of which are beyond the scope of this the myonuclei are fully capable of doing this – at
review. Essentially these signal-pathways govern the least until a certain limit. At some point in the
processes leading to hypertrophy. Two of the major hypertropic process new myonuclei have to be added
processes evidentially leading to hypertrophy are (i) for cellular hypertrophy to commence, this point in
increase in muscle protein synthesis (Kumar et al., often referred to as the myonuclear domain ceiling
2009) and (ii) myogenic satellite cell proliferation (Kadi et al., 2004; Petrella et al., 2008). Although it is
(Kadi et al., 2005). Even though hypertrophy only is probably individual for different muscles, fiber types
manifested, or more rightly so; measurable, after 4–6 and persons this myonuclear domain ceiling has been
weeks of intensive resistance training from the un- suggested to arrive around a  25% hypertrophy of
trained state (Seynnes et al., 2007), the processes CSA of the muscle fibers (Kadi et al., 2004). At this
leading to hypertrophy commence already within the point new myonuclei, from the pool of quiescent
first exercise session (Atherton et al., 2005). Although satellite cells, will be added to the muscle fiber to
the two processes will be initiated directly after the ensure that the hypertropic process can continue.
training session, one will contribute much more to Thus, the muscle seems to have two gears; a first
the increase in muscle mass than the other. The reactive gear with an expansion limit, and a second
increase in protein synthesis is the immediate re- blunt gear with fewer limitations. In the late stage of
sponse of the muscle fibers to the training stimulus the hypertropic process the muscle fibers will drive in
received, whereas the activation (proliferation) of both gears simultaneously. The interesting part is
satellite cells are trailing somewhat behind, as if the that the proliferation for the later differentiation of
muscle fibers are ‘‘waiting’’ to see if this stimulus are the satellite cells appears to start early in the initia-
withheld over a longer period, before the costly affair tion phase of the resistance-training program, hence
of incorporating new nuclei into the fibers are im- preparing the muscle fiber for the situation that may
plemented (Kadi et al., 2005; Kosek et al., 2006; arrive in the future (Petrella et al., 2008).
Seynnes et al., 2007). The plateau in muscle size increase that an athlete
The muscle mass, or CSA of the individual fibers, often meet typically is around 25% muscle expansion
is maintained when protein synthesis and muscle in a intensive hypertropic inducing training program.
protein degradation is in equilibrium. A disturbance This plateau or ceiling effect may be related to the
in this balance will lead to either muscle hypertrophy individuals ability to activate his/her second ‘‘gear-
or muscle atrophy (Tang et al., 2008; Kumar et al., shift,’’ i.e. to activate the pool of myogenic satellite
2009). Since one of the main the purposes of resis- cells. Thus, in a recent study extreme responders,
tance training frequently is to increase muscle mass moderate responders and non-responders were iden-
obviously it is unfavorable when muscle protein tified according to the hypertrophic effect of a 16-
degradation exceeds muscle protein synthesis, as week resistance training program, after which ex-
this eventually will result in muscle atrophy. As a treme responders (cellular hypertrophy of  50%)
matter of fact, muscle protein degradation is in- showed a markedly higher activation (proliferation)
creased right after a resistance training session, and of their satellite cells and greater myonuclei addition
the magnitude of degradation may even be bigger compared with moderate responders ( 25% hyper-
than the degree of protein synthesis in the first short trophy) and non-responders (0% hypertrophy) (Pet-
period after the training session (a few hours), but rella et al., 2008). Results as these give us strong hints
provided that the subjects are not in a fasting state as to why some athletes may react promptly and
the net protein balance (synthesis minus degradation) strongly to resistance training whereas others don’t.
subsequently becomes positive during the following In summary, the MyHC composition of human
hours of recovery (Kumar et al., 2009), hence facil- skeletal muscle seems to be modulated when sub-
itating a hypertrophy response. Furthermore, the jected to resistance training and subsequent detrain-
increase in synthesis is withheld for a longer period ing. Most pronounced is the significant decrease in
than the increase in protein degradation (Biolo et al., the expression of the fastest human skeletal muscle
1995). Thus, the muscle fibers are prepared and will MyHC isoform IIX, with a corresponding increase in
react to resistance training by increasing the net the MyHC IIA isoform. It is speculated that the
synthesis of contractile (and cytoskeletal) proteins. increase in the relative amount of MyHC IIA along
This is not an inexpensive process, but on the other with a documented twofold greater hypertrophy of
hand not expensive either in sense that the cellular the fast fibers, compared with the slow fibers, as well
regulatory machinery is already present and can be as the training-induced increase in maximal muscle
set into action right away. strength are highly beneficial in a wide range of
With the onset of fiber hypertrophy the individual sports. Likewise, the apparent boosting in MyHC
muscle fiber increase the myonuclear domain i.e. IIX isoform content that seems to occur with de-

36
16000838, 2010, s2, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01196.x, Wiley Online Library on [30/10/2023]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Strength training in high-intensity sports
training following strength training is a phenomenon amount of resistance training should be modified
that should be further examined if the intention is to accordingly.
create a very fast, explosive (albeit non-endurant)
type of muscle. In relation to the choice of investing Key words: high-intensity sport, fiber types, fiber size,
time and efforts in resistance training for a given MHC IIX boosting.
athlete it is important to closely examine the athletes
training background and take into account whether
or not the athlete respond with extensive muscle
hypertrophy or with almost no hypertrophy. Very
recent data indicate that a great deal of difference Acknowledgement
may exist among different individuals in terms of this Conflicts of interest: The authors have no potential conflicts of
particular response, which means that the type and interest

References
Aagaard P. Making muscles stronger: Andersen LL, Andersen JL, Magnusson diversity. Prog Biophys Mol Bio 2000:
exercise, nutrition, drugs. J SP, Suetta C, Madsen JL, Christensen 73: 195–262.
Musculoskel Neuron Interact 2004: 4: LR, Aagaard P. Changes in the human Buller AJ, Eccles JC, Eccles RM.
165–174. force-velocity relationship in response Interactions between motoneurones
Aagaard P, Andersen JL. Correlation to resistance training and subsequent and muscles in respect of the
between contractile strength and detraining. J Appl Physiol 2005: 99: 87– characteristic speeds of their responses.
myosin heavy chain isoform 94. J Physiol 1960: 150: 417–439.
composition in human skeletal muscle. Atherton PJ, Babraj JA, Smith K, Singh Coffey VG, Hawley JA. The molecular
Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998: 30: 1217– J, Rennie MJ, Wackerhage H. Selective bases of training adaptation. Sports
1222. activation of AMPK-PGC-1a or PKB- Med 2007: 37: 737–763.
Aagaard P, Andersen JL, Dyhre-Poulsen TSC2-mTOR signaling can explain Coffey VG, Pilegaard H, Garnham AP,
P, Leffers AM, Wagner A, Magnusson specific adaptive responses to O’Brien BJ, Hawley JA. Consecutive
SP, Halkjaer-Kristensen J, Simonsen endurance or resistance training-like bouts of diverse contractile activity
EB. A mechanism for increased electrical muscle stimulation. FASEB J alter acute responses in human skeletal
contractile strength of human pennate 2005: 19: 786–788. muscle. J Appl Physiol 2009: 106:
muscle in response to strength training: Baar K. Training for endurance and 1187–1197.
changes in muscle architecture. J strength: lessons from cell signaling. Essén B, Jansson E, Henriksson J, Taylor
Physiol 2001: 534: 613–623. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2006: 38: 1939– AW, Saltin B. Metabolic characteristics
Aagaard P, Simonsen EB, Andersen JL, 1944. of fibre types in human skeletal
Magnusson SP, Dyhre-Poulsen P. Bamman MM, Petrella JK, Kim JS, muscle. Acta Physiol Scand 1975: 95:
Changes in maximal unloaded knee Mayhew DL, Cross JM. Cluster 153–165.
extension velocity induced by analysis tests the importance of Fitts RH, Widrick JJ. Muscle mechanics:
resistance training. Med Sci Sports myogenic gene expression during adaptations with exercise-training.
Exerc 2003: 35(Suppl.): S369 (abstract). myofiber hypertrophy in humans. J Exerc Sports Sci Rev 1996: 24:
Adams GR, Hather BM, Baldwin KM, Appl Physiol 2007: 102: 2232–2239. 427–473.
Dudley GA. Skeletal muscle myosin Bickel CS, Slade J, Mahoney E, Haddad Fleck SJ, Kraemer WJ. Designing
heavy chain composition and resistance F, Dudley GA, Adams GR. Time resistance training programs, 3rd edn.
training. J Appl Physiol 1993: 74: 911– course of molecular responses of Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL,
915. human skeletal muscle to acute bouts USA. 2004.
Andersen JL, Aagaard P. Myosin heavy of resistance exercise. J Appl Physiol Folland JP, Williams AG. The
chain IIX overshooting in human 2005: 98: 482–488. adaptations to strength training:
skeletal muscle. Muscle and Nerve Biolo G, Maggi SP, Williams BD, Tipton morphological and neurological
2000: 23: 1095–1104. KD, Wolfe RR. Increased rates of contributions to increased strength.
Andersen JL, Klitgaard H, Saltin B. muscle protein turnover and amino Sports Med 2007: 37: 145–168.
Myosin heavy chain isoforms in single acid transport after resistance exercise Fry AC. The role of resistance exercise
fibres from m. vastus lateralis of in humans. Am J Physiol 1995: 268: intensity on muscle fibre adaptations.
sprinters: influence of training. Acta E75–E84. Sports Med 2004: 34: 663–679.
Physiol Scand 1994: 151: 135–142. Bottinelli R. Functional heterogeneity of Glowacki SP, Martin SE, Maurer A,
Andersen JL, Mohr T, Biering-Sørensen mammalian single muscle fibres: do Baek W, Green JS, Crouse SF. Effects of
F, Galbo H, Kjaer M. Myosin heavy myosin isoforms tell the whole story? resistance, endurance, and concurrent
chain isoform transformation in single Pflugers Arch 2001: 443: 6–17. exercise on training outcomes in men.
fibres from m. vastus lateralis in spinal Bottinelli R, Pellegrino MA, Canepari R, Med Sci Sports Exerc. Med Sci Sports
cord injured individuals: effects of Rossi R, Reggiani C. Specific Exerc 2004: 36: 2119–2127.
long-term functional electrical contributions of various muscle fibre Harridge SD. The muscle contractile
stimulation (FES). Pflugers Arch 1996: types to human muscle performance: system and its adaptation to training.
431: 513–518. an in vitro study. J Electromyogr In: Marconnet P, Saltin B, Komi PV,
Andersen JL, Schjerling P, Saltin B. Kinesiol 1999: 9: 87–95. Poortmans J, eds. Human muscular
Muscle, genes and athletic Bottinelli R, Reggiani C. Human skeletal function during dynamic exercise.
performance. Sci Am 2000: 283: 48–55. muscle fibres: molecular and functional Karger, Basel. 1996: 82–94.

37
16000838, 2010, s2, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01196.x, Wiley Online Library on [30/10/2023]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License
Andersen & Aagaard
Harridge SD. Plasticity of human skeletal exercise. J Appl Physiol 2009: 106: Schmidtbleicher D, Haralambie G.
muscle: gene expression to in vivo 2026–2039. Changes in contractile properties of
function. Exp Physiol 2007: 92: 783– Lionikas A, Li M, Larsson L. Human muscle after strength training in man.
797. skeletal muscle myosin function at Eur J Appl Physiol 1981: 46: 221–228.
Harridge SDR, Bottinelli R, Canepari M, physiological and non-physiological Seynnes OR, de Boer M, Narici MV.
Pellegrino MA, Reggiani C, temperatures. Acta Physiol 2006: Early skeletal muscle hypertrophy and
Esbjörnsson M, Saltin B. Whole- 186: 151–158. architectural changes in response to
muscle and single-fibre contractile Nader GA. Concurrent strength and high-intensity resistance training.
properties and myosin heavy chain endurance training: from molecules J Appl Physiol 2007: 102: 368–373.
isoforms in humans. Pflügers Arch to man. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2006: Smerdu V, Karsch-Mizrachi I, Campione
1996: 432: 913–920. 38: 1965–1970. M, Leinwand L, Schiaffino S. Type IIx
Hather BM, Tesch PA, Buchanan P, Petrella JK, Kim JS, Mayhew DL, Cross myosin heavy chain transcripts are
Dudley GA. Influence of eccentric JM, Bamman MM. Potent myofiber expressed in type IIb fibers of human
actions on skeletal muscle adaptations hypertrophy during resistance training skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol 1994:
to resistance training. Acta Physiol in humans is associated with satellite 267: C1723–C1738.
Scand 1991: 143: 177–185. cell-mediated myonuclear addition: a Staron RS, Leonardi MJ, Karapondo
Kadi F, Charifi N, Denis C, Lexell J, cluster analysis. J Appl Physiol 2008: DL, Malicky ES, Falkel JE, Hagerman
Andersen JL, Schjerling P, Olsen S, 104: 1736–1742. FC, Hikida RS. Strength and skeletal
Kjaer M. The behaviour of satellite Pette D. Historical perspectives: plasticity muscle adaptations in heavy-resistance-
cells in response to exercise: what have of mammalian skeletal muscle. J Appl trained women after detraining and
we learned from human studies? Physiol 2001: 90: 1119–1124. retraining. J Appl Physiol 1991:
Pflugers Arch 2005: 451: 319–327. Pette D, Staron RS. Myosin isoforms, 70: 631–640.
Kadi F, Schjerling P, Andersen LL, muscle fiber types, and transitions. Tang JE, Perco JG, Moore DR,
Charifi N, Madsen JL, Christensen LR, Microsc Res Tech 2000: 50: 500–509. Wilkinson SB, Phillips SM. Resistance
Andersen JL. The effects of heavy Schaub MC, Brunner UT, Von training alters the response of fed state
resistance training and detraining on Schulthess C, Neidhart M, Baumann mixed muscle protein synthesis in
satellite cells in human skeletal muscles. H. Adaptation of contractile proteins young men. Am J Physiol Regul Integr
J Physiol 2004: 558: 1005–1012. in human heart and skeletal muscles. Comp Physiol 2008: 294: R172–R178.
Kosek DJ, Kim JS, Petrella JK, Cross Biomed Biochim Acta 1989: 48: S306– Tihanyi J, Apor P, Fekete G. Force-
JM, Bamman MM. Efficacy of 3 days/ S312. velocity-power characteristics and fiber
wk resistance training on myofiber Schiaffino S, Reggiani C. Myosin composition in human knee extensor
hypertrophy and myogenic isoforms in mammalian skeletal muscles. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup
mechanisms in young vs. older muscle. J Appl Physiol 1994: 77: 493– Physiol 1982: 48: 331–343.
adults. J Appl Physiol 2006: 101: 501. Yates JW, Kamon E. A comparison of
531–544. Schiaffino S, Reggiani C. Molecular peak and constant angle torque-
Kumar V, Atherton P, Smith K, Rennie diversity of myofibrillar proteins: gene velocity curves in fast and slow-twitch
MJ. Human muscle protein synthesis regulation and functional significance. populations. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup
and breakdown during and after Physiol Rev. 1996: 76: 371–423. Physiol 1983: 51: 67–74.

38

You might also like