Sasaki, K., Teramoto, K., Ohyama, K. B., Kuno, S., Okada, M,. Katasuta, S., & Phmori, H. (2002). Early phase adaptations to resistance training were maintained after 8 weeks of detraining. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 1618.

Males were formed into two groups: detraining (N = 7) and reduced training (N = 8). Each participated in five days of progressive resistance training (3 sets of unilateral knee extensions to failure). After training, the reduced training group decreased training intensity and frequency for eight weeks while the detraining group did not train at all.

Isometric torque and electromyographic activity increased with training in both groups. Changes were maintained in the detraining group. The reduced training group continued to improve but not significantly. Both groups performed similarly in muscular strength.

Implication. Early adaptations to strength training are maintained even when training stops. This suggests that early adaptations are neural, that is, they are learned responses, which are retained as learned skills when no further training is experienced.

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