IN AN ANNUAL PLAN, STRENGTH TRAINING SHOULD PRECEDE ENDURANCE TRAINING

Bell, G. J., Petersen, S. R., Wessel, J., Bagnall, K., & Quinney, H. A. (1991). Adaptations to endurance and low velocity resistance training performed in a sequence. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Science, 16, 186-192.

Males (N = 9) performed five weeks of low-velocity strength training before embarking on five weeks of endurance training. Another group (N = 8) followed the reverse order. This experiment evaluated the effects of the order of training the two capacities.

Both forms of training improved the capacity used regardless of the sequence. Some retention of strength was observed when strength training preceded endurance training. Endurance adaptations were lost during subsequent strength training.

Implication. In an annual plan, low-velocity strength training before endurance training may be more beneficial because strength gains are partly retained during the endurance training.

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