To the best of our knowledge, there is no study regarding the effect of exercise order manipulation during concurrent training in the water-based exercises on the neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory adaptations in young women. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the effects of different intra-session exercise orders in the neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory adaptations induced by concurrent water-based exercise training in young women. Methods: Twenty-six healthy young women (25.12±2.94years) were randomly placed into two concurrent training groups: resistance training prior to (RA, n=13) or after (AR, n=13) aerobic training. Subjects trained resistance and aerobic training in water environment 2 times per week performing both exercise types in the same training session. The peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), oxygen uptake corresponding to the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VO2VT1 and VO2VT2) was evaluated during a maximal incremental test on a treadmill before and after the training. Moreover, maximal dynamic strength (one repetition maximum test) of the knee extensors and elbow flexors were evaluated and the quadriceps femoris muscle thickness was determined by ultrasonography. Results: There were significant modifications after training in the VO2peak (p<0.001), VO2VT1 (p=0.001) and VO2VT2 (p=0.002) in both groups. Between the groups RA and AR there was no significant difference in the relative gains for all cardiorespiratory variables (VO2peak: p=0.219; VO2VT1: p=0.321; VO2VT2: p=0.939). For maximal dynamic strength (1RM) of the knee extensors (p<0.001) and elbow flexors (p<0.001) there were significant increments after training in both groups. Between the groups RA and AR there was no significant difference in the relative gain for the 1RM of the elbow flexors (p=0.946). However, the RA group presented greater relative gain compared to AR for the 1RM of the knee extensors (27.72 ± 16.81 vs 43.58 ± 14.00%, respectively, p=0.015). The quadriceps femoris muscle thickness (p<0.001) presented modifications after training in both groups. The RA group presented greater relative gain compared to AR for the quadriceps femoris muscle thickness (5.76 ± 1.88 vs 10.24 ± 3.11%, respectively, p<0.001). Discussion: The intra-session sequence in water-based exercises influence the strength and hypertrophy gains to concurrent training, as observed greater relative changes on strength of knee flexors and quadriceps femoris muscle thickness was found when the resistance training was performed prior to aerobic training. In summary, to optimize the strength and hypertrophic gains in the young women, the concurrent training prescription in water-based exercises should include an intra-session order of resistance training prior to aerobic training.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Veröffentlicht von Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.