TRAIN TO GAIN : Hormonal Ebb and Flow With Different Types of Training by Jerry Brainum
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How does training style affect anabolic and catabolic hormones? That was
the primary focus of a recently published study whose 10 male subjects,
average age 21, all had at least two years of training experience and
were proficient in squats. The subjects engaged in three different
styles of training:
1) Hypertrophy: four sets of 10 reps on the squat, using a weight
equal to 75 percent of one-rep maximum, resting 90 seconds between sets.
That’s the mode of training most bodybuilders use to increase muscle
size.
2) Strength: 11 sets of three reps on the squat, using 90 percent of one-rep maximum.
3) Power: Eight sets of six reps of jumping squats, using no weight, with three-minute rests between sets.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that the hypertrophy style of
training brings on acute increases in testosterone, cortisol,
sex-hormone-binding globulin and lactate. Key to hormone release with
that type of training are the shorter rest periods, ranging from under a
minute to 90 seconds. The strength style of training usually involves
heavy weights, lower reps and longer rest times between sets, averaging
three minutes or more. The longer rest periods make for greater
recuperation through replenishment of ATP, but at the cost of a
significant anabolic-hormone release.
Those styles also promote different types of fatigue, again related
to the rest periods and amount of weight used. The primary form of
fatigue during hypertrophy workouts is called peripheral fatigue and
results from a buildup of acidic substances within muscle that inhibit
energy reactions. Bodybuilders use supplements to combat the early
fatigue during training, including creatine, which helps replenish
depleted ATP stores in muscle, and beta-alanine, which is the precursor
of carnosine, a primary intramuscular buffer that helps lower the
metabolic acidity that results from intense exercise.
In heavy strength training the dominant form of fatigue is termed
central fatigue. It occurs in the central nervous system and is the
result of activation of motor units that are required for lifting
heavier weights. Central fatigue increases release of the brain
neurotransmitter serotonin, which is produced in the brain from the
essential amino acid L-tryptophane. Some studies suggest that taking
amino acids that compete with tryptophane for entry into the brain,
particularly branched-chain amino acids, can help inhibit central
fatigue.
In the new study researchers measured testosterone, cortisol and
sex-hormone-binding globulin before training, immediately afterward and
at the 60-minute, 24-hour and 48-hour marks following. Only the
hypertrophy workout led to significant rises in hormones. What precisely
caused the increases isn’t clear, but one hypothesis is that higher
lactate increased blood acidity and led to the release of
catecholamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, which in turn
aided the release of testosterone. While cortisol, a catabolic hormone,
is also released during training, its activity is countered by the
higher testosterone, which tips the balance toward anabolic effects in
muscle.
The strength workout led to blunted hormone release, likely a
function of the extended rest times between sets. The longer rests also
resulted in less lactate accumulation, which in turn resulted in less
muscle activity following training than occurred with the hypertrophy
workout. The power workout, involving no resistance, led to negligible
hormone release.
The authors comment that traditional hypertrophy training, as used by
most bodybuilders, “may create an internal muscular environment which
is similar to that of vascular occlusion models and may optimize motor
unit recruitment to that of high-intensity resistance exercise.”
Translation: The accepted style of bodybuilding training, with moderate
weight, a rep range of eight to 10 and short rests between sets, is the
most efficient way to build muscle.
Many believe that using heavy weight and lower reps is the way to
gain muscle size. That style of training is best for building strength
but may not be the optimum method for producing more rapid gains in
mass.
McCaulley, G.O., et al. (2009). Acute hormonal and neuromuscular
responses to hypertrophy, strength and power type resistance exercise. Eu J Appl Physiol. In press.
©,2015 Jerry Brainum. Any reprinting in any type of media, including electronic and foreign is expressly prohibited
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How does training style affect anabolic and catabolic hormones? That was
the primary focus of a recently published study whose 10 male subjects,
average age 21, all had at least two years of training experience and
were proficient in squats. The subjects engaged in three different
styles of training:
