Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
3
Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
4
Associate Professor of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Purpose: Myo-reps offers a time-efficient approach to resistance training, but its comparative effects on muscular adaptations remain unclear. Whether combining Myo-reps with traditional sets provides additional benefits for muscle thickness, strength, or exploratory circulating biomarkers of neurotrophic and neuromuscular responses warrants investigation. To compare the effects of eight weeks of Myo-reps, traditional, and combined resistance training on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), rectus femoris thickness, and lower-body strength in resistance-trained men.
Methods: Thirty-six men were randomized to traditional, Myo-reps, or combined training; 30 completed post-intervention assessments and were included in complete-case analyses. Training was performed three times weekly, with protocols matched for prescribed repetition count. Outcomes were assessed before and after training. Between-group effects were evaluated using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA.
Results: Training group affected rectus femoris thickness (p = 0.011, ηp² = 0.295), with greater adjusted post-intervention thickness after combined than traditional training (p = 0.010). Hack squat strength increased within all groups, but the adjusted group effect was nonsignificant (p = 0.513, ηp² = 0.050). BDNF and CGRP increased within the Myo-reps and combined groups; however, adjusted group effects were nonsignificant for BDNF (p = 0.762, ηp² = 0.021) and CGRP (p = 0.058, ηp² = 0.197).
Conclusion: Combined training produced greater localized hypertrophic adaptation than traditional training, whereas no protocol-specific effects on strength, BDNF, or CGRP were established.
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