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Abstract

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(4): 1661-1679, 2022. The purpose of the present study was to investigate muscle thickness and strength outcomes of the quadriceps femoris induced by different resistance training (RT) frequencies and detraining. In addition, muscle architecture (MA) parameters were also assessed. Twenty-seven healthy resistance-trained subjects (men, n = 17; women, n = 10; 20.8 ± 1.9 years; RT experience = 3.3 ± 1.6 years) volunteered to participate in this study. One leg of each subject was randomly allocated into the 2 sessions per week condition (2x) and the contralateral leg was then placed in the 4 sessions per week condition (4x). There were 16 RT sessions in 2x and 4x. After 4 weeks, 4x were divided into 2 other conditions: more 4 weeks with 2x(4x (+2x)) and detraining (4x (+Det)). Muscle thickness (MT), fascicle length (FL), pennation angle (PA) of the quadriceps muscles and one-repetition maximum for unilateral knee extension (1RMKE) were evaluated. A significant increase of 1RMKE in 2x, 4x, and 4x (+2x) and a decrease in 4x (+Det) was observed (all p < 0.05). The MA showed similar results in most dependent variables for MT, FL and PA. Specifically 4x (+Det) condition demonstrated antagonistic results when compared to the 4x (+2x) in MT of rectus femoris (p = 0.001) and increased FL in vastus intermedius (p = 0.001).

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