Resistance training volume and nutrient intake on lean mass and strength in young women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.30e0419Keywords:
Strength training, Weight lifting, Exercise volume, Muscle growth, Muscle hypertrophy, ProteinAbstract
Introduction: Skeletal muscle plays a central role in resistance training adaptations and overall health, with hypertrophy and strength gains influenced by both genetic and external factors, including training volume (VT), protein intake and energy balance. Objective: This study aimed to explore the interplay effect of individual VT and dietary intake on muscle hypertrophy and strength responsiveness from resistance training. Methods: Forty-five untrained women including strict vegetarians (n = 25; 28.7 ± 4.6 years; 162.3 ± 9.3 cm) and non-vegetarians (n = 20; 30.7 ± 6.6 years; 162.7 ± 9.2 cm) performed a 16-week exercise intervention. Macronutrient intake was assessed through dietary record while individual VT was calculated by the sum of each exercise volume load (sets × repetitions × load). Muscular hypertrophy was estimated based on lower limb lean soft tissue (△ LST) measured via DXA, while strength gains were evaluated through maximal knee extension and flexion peak torque (△ SUM PT) at 60º/s using isokinetic dynamometry. The interaction between VT and macronutrient intake with hypertrophy and strength gains was evaluated using multiple polynomial regressions analyses. Results: The interaction between VT and protein intake (g/kg) significantly explained changes in △ LST (p = 0.034; R² = 0.28), while the interaction between VT and energy intake (kcal/kg) significantly explained changes in △ SUM PT (p = 0.031; R² = 0.29). Conclusion: Individual VT appeared to elicit greater effect on muscle hypertrophy when accompanied by protein intake exceeding 1.5 g/kg. High individual VT combined with low energy intake (15–20 kcal/kg) led to strength loss, whereas higher energy intake (35–45 kcal/kg) associated with greater VT supported more pronounced strength gains.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Bruno Marques Strey, Gabriela Lucianna Martini, Marcio Beck Schemes, Artur Irigoyen, Carolina Guerini de Souza, Ronei Silveira Pinto
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