RT Journal Article
T1 Effects of light- vs. heavy-load squat training on velocity, strength, power, and total mechanical work in recreationally trained men and women
A1 Valenzuela-Barrero, Carlos
A1 Núñez Sánchez, Francisco Javier
A1 Loturco, Irineu
A1 Pareja Blanco, Fernando
K1 Resistance training
K1 Training intensity
K1 Sex
K1 Volume load
K1 Physical performance
AB The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of light and heavy loads in the squat exercise on kinematics and mechanical variables in recreationally trained men and women. Twenty-two men and sixteen women were assigned to 4 groups: 40% and 80% one-repetition maximum (1RM) male (M40 and M80) and female (F40 and F80). Over 6 weeks, participants performed twice a week the full back-squat (SQ) exercise with initially equated relative volume load (Sets*Repetitions/Set*%1RM). All groups performed different amountsof work (p < 0.05), while relative work (work/1RM) only differed between load groups (p < 0.001). There was no significant Time*Sex*Load interaction. Based on the magnitude of effect sizes: M80 achieved small improvements in the SQ maximum isometric force (MIF; ES = 0.43, 95% CI [0.16, 0.81]); small gains in squat estimated 1RM strength were observed in the 80%-1RM groups (M80: 0.42 [0.18, 0.77]; F80: 0.44 [0.26, 0.76]) and the F40 group (0.42 [0.17, 0.81]); all groups made moderate to large gains in the average velocity attained against heavy loads (> 60%1RM; F40: 1.20 [0.52, 2.27]; F80: 2.20 [1.23, 3.93]; M40: 0.85 [0.29, 1.59]; M80: 1.03 [0.55,1.77]), as well as small to moderate improvements in the average velocity against light loads (< 60%1RM; F40:0.49[-0.24, 1.68]; F80: 1.10 [0.06, 3.16]; M40: 0.80 [0.41, 1.35]; M80: 0.93 [0.25, 1.84]). Lastly, only the F40 group showed small improvements in countermovement jump (CMJ) height (ES = 0.65 [0.14, 1.37]). In conclusion, light and heavy loads produced similar strength gains in men and women when initially equated by relative volume load, although the standardized mean differences suggest nuances depending on the sample and task.
PB Biology of Sport
YR 2024
FD 2024-03
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10433/26330
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10433/26330
LA en
NO Valenzuela-Barrero, C., Núñez-Sánchez, F. J., Loturco, I., & Pareja-Blanco, F. (2024). Effects of light- vs. heavy-load squat training on velocity, strength, power, and total mechanical work in recreationally trained men and women. Biology of sport, 41(2), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2024.129487
NO Departamento de Deporte e Informática
DS RIO
RD May 22, 2026