Researchers out of Japan and Australia recruited 36 wholesome younger adults for this examine. They have been curious to see how doing the identical exercise—an arm resistance train; reducing a heavy dumbbell in a bicep curl—at totally different intensities and frequencies affected health outcomes. One group did a set of six contractions at some point every week (low depth, low frequency), one other did a set of 30 contractions at some point every week (excessive depth, low frequency), and the final did a set of six contractions 5 days every week (low depth, excessive frequency).
Everyone saved up with this routine for 4 weeks earlier than getting their muscle power and muscle thickness measured. After the month was up, these within the group that did a set of six contractions 5 instances every week have been the one ones who noticed vital positive factors in each muscle power and thickness. The group that did 30 contractions in at some point noticed a rise in thickness however not power, whereas the group that did six contractions in at some point didn’t enhance muscle dimension or power.
This examine demonstrates that if muscle power and thickness are your targets (and they need to be, as they have been related to issues like weight administration, coronary heart well being, and blood sugar steadiness), you will wish to do lighter, shorter exercises—however do them extra incessantly.