Longitudinal study of the effect of high intensity weight training on aerobic capacity.

To investigate the effect of a long-term weight lifting programme characterized by high intensity, low repetition and long rest period between sets on maximal oxygen consumption (\(\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} \)max) and to determine the advantage of this programme combined with jogging, 26 male untrained students were involved in weight training for a period of 3 years. The\(\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} \)max and body composition of the subjects were examined at beginning, 1 year, 2 years (T2), and 3 years after (T3) training. Of the group, 19 subjects performed the weight lifting programme 5 days each week for 3 years (W-group), 4 subjects performed the same weight lifting programme for 3 years with an additional running programme consisting of 2 miles of jogging once a week during the 3rd year (R1-group), and 3 subjects performed the weight lifting programme during the 1st year and the same combined jogging and weight lifting programme as the R1-group during the 2nd and 3rd years (R2-group). The average\(\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} \)max relative to their body mass of the W-group decreased significantly during the 1st year, followed by an insignificant decrease in the 2nd year and a levelling off in the 3rd year. The average\(\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} \)max Of the W-group at T2 and T3 was 44.2 and 44.1 ml · kg−1 · min−1, respectively. The tendency of\(\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} \)max changes in the R1- and R2-groups was similar to the W-group until they started the jogging programme, after which they recovered significantly to the initial level within a year of including that programme, and they then levelled off during the next year. Lean body mass estimated from skinfold thicknesses had increased by about 8% after 3 years of weight lifting. The maximal muscle strength, defined by total olympic lifts (snatch, and clean and jerk), of these three groups increased significantly and there was no significant difference among the amounts of the increase in the three groups. These results suggested that high intensity weight training combined with jogging could be recommended for weight-trained athletes for developing optimal muscle strength without a concomitant reduction in\(\dot V{\text{O}}_{\text{2}} \)max.