King Grub
2014-02-18, 11:02
A single bout of lower body aerobic exercise may negatively affect a subsequent lower body resistance exercise workout. However, less is known regarding the effects of a lower body aerobic workout on muscle activation and performance during a subsequent upper body resistance exercise workout. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation and performance during lower and upper body resistance exercise workouts following a single bout of lower body aerobic exercise on an elliptical machine. Fourteen men (mean age = 24.1 ± 2.3 y, height = 180.8 ± 6.9 cm, body mass = 91.9 ± 16.4 kg) completed four trials in random order. Two trials consisted of thirty minutes on the elliptical machine, utilizing the lower body only, at 70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate prior to either a back squat or bench press workout, consisting of three sets to failure performed at 75% 1RM. The other two trials consisted of only the back squat or bench press resistance workouts. To quantify muscle activation, bipolar surface EMG electrodes were placed on the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis or pectoralis major. Acute lower body aerobic exercise on an elliptical machine significantly reduced the number of repetitions completed for the back squat, but not bench press exercise. There was no significant difference in muscle activation between the elliptical and no elliptical conditions. However, for both exercises and conditions, muscle activation increased significantly between the first and final repetitions for the first two sets, but not for the third set. These results suggest that in order to optimize the quality of a lower body resistance training workout, the workout should not be preceded by lower body aerobic exercise.
J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Feb 12. EFFECTS OF A SINGLE BOUT OF LOWER BODY AEROBIC EXERCISE ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND PERFORMANCE DURING SUBSEQUENT LOWER AND UPPER BODY RESISTANCE EXERCISE WORKOUTS.
J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Feb 12. EFFECTS OF A SINGLE BOUT OF LOWER BODY AEROBIC EXERCISE ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND PERFORMANCE DURING SUBSEQUENT LOWER AND UPPER BODY RESISTANCE EXERCISE WORKOUTS.