Equated volume load: similar improvements in muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy for traditional, pre-exhaustion and drop sets in resistance training.

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Kadir Keskin, Feride Nur Gogus, Mehmet Gunay, Rafael Akira Fujita This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4564565/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 09 Nov, 2024 Read the published version in Sport Sciences for Health → Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Purpose This study investigated the impact of the equated volume load on three different resistance training methods (traditional, pre-exhaustion and drop sets) on muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy in young men. Methods Fifty-three recreationally trained men performed a one-week familiarization and were randomized into three groups: traditional (TRT, n = 18), pre-exhaustion (Pre-Ex, n = 17), and drop set (DS, n = 18). All groups were enrolled in a six-week, twice-weekly intervention program. The TRT performed four sets of 8–12 repetitions with 70%1RM for each leg press and leg extension exercises, with three-minute rest between sets. The Pre-Ex performed leg extensions with 30%1RM until exhaustion before each exercise, while the DS performed leg extensions with 30%1RM after the last set of each exercise. We collected data from 1RM leg press and a 5RM leg extension, isometric strength, muscular endurance, and muscle thickness. Results revealed that all training methods had significant improvements in muscle strength (p < 0.001), endurance (p < 0.001), and hypertrophy (p 0.05). Conclusions Therefore, the TRT, Pre-Ex and DS methods revealed to be equally effective on enhancing muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy. Thus, the study did not support the superiority of pre-exhaustion or drop set over traditional resistance training when the volume is equated. strength training regional muscle hypertrophy total training volume Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Introduction Increasing muscle mass is desired by recreational lifters, and athletes who are involved in power and strength modalities ( 1 ). The resistance training (RT) is an effective method used to increase muscle mass and strength ( 2 ). The manipulation of RT variables, such as the type of exercise, exercise order, training volume, load and rest interval between sets directly affect the magnitude of hypertrophic adaptations ( 3 ). While volume and load are considered the primary variables and have direct relationship with muscle strength and hypertrophy, it is still possible to gain hypertrophy with different training workloads, prioritizing variables such as time under tension and metabolic accumulation ( 4 ). Metabolic accumulation may force recruitment of the type II fibers known as highly hypertrophic ( 5 ). Therefore, practitioners seeking for maximizing muscle hypertrophy may benefit from advanced RT methods inducing both mechanical and metabolic stress. Although there is a lack of scientific research directly addressing their impact on muscle hypertrophy, advanced RT methods such as drop sets (DS), pre-exhaustion (Pre-Ex) have garnered significant popularity and widespread utilization within the context of muscle growth ( 6 ). The Pre-Ex method described by Jones ( 7 ), involves performing a single-joint exercise immediately followed by a multi-joint exercise for the same muscle group. The Pre-Ex is claimed to increase metabolic stress and muscle activation ( 7 ). The single-joint exercise is usually performed to failure, using low loads (20–50%1RM), while the multi-joint exercise involves a heavier load and a lower number of repetitions ( 7 ). The approach is founded on the supposition that when performing multiarticular exercises that involve the activation of multiple muscle groups, the performance capacity may be impeded by the transitory failure of the least robust muscle involved in the exercise. Consequently, certain muscles may not be recruited to their full potential ( 7 ). Numerous acute studies have tried to demonstrate the effectiveness of Pre-Ex ( 8 – 13 ). However, the acute investigations cannot ascertain the long-term changes in muscle strength and hypertrophy. Thus far, we found only three studies that examined the long-term adaptation of Pre-Ex method ( 14 – 16 ). Fisher et al. ( 15 ) and Trindade et al. ( 16 ) reported no distinctions in terms of body mass, fat-free mass, fat mass, and strength between traditional resistance training and Pre-Ex. On the other hand, Aguiar et al. ( 14 ) found significant improvements in maximal strength, muscle cross-sectional area, and muscle endurance in favor of Pre-ex group. Despite the popularity of the Pre-Ex method, its effectiveness is still a matter of uncertainty due to conflicting research findings. Another commonly used method aiming to increase muscle hypertrophy is the DS. The theory of DS is that muscles are not completely exhausted when they reach concentric muscular failure. Thus, DS comprises performing an exercise set until failure, then, reduce the load (approximately 20%) to continue performing few more repetitions until concentric failure ( 2 ). As a result, its believed that DS can effectively fully fatigue the muscles and promote more significant muscle improvements ( 6 ). Enes et al. ( 17 ) revealed that DS training elicited higher rated perceived exertion than traditional training. Additionally, the extended duration of load associated with DS increases both metabolic stress and ischemia ( 18 ). Despite the existing research on the effects of Pre-Ex and DS on muscle strength and hypertrophy, the results are limited and inconclusive. Furthermore, most studies could not equate volume load between experimental conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of the traditional resistance training (TRT) with that of Pre-Ex and DS methods on muscle strength, endurance, and regional muscle hypertrophy in a group of untrained men training with volume equated. Our hypothesis was that the implementation of the Pre-Ex or DS methods would lead to a more significant increase in muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy when compared to the TRT method. Methods Trial Design The present study was a three-arm randomized controlled trial of a supervised program. Participants were randomized into three groups: TRT, Pre-ex, and DS. All groups were enrolled in a six-week, twice-weekly intervention program. Participants completed 1RM tests, muscle endurance, isometric muscle strength and muscle thickness assessment tests. Tests occurred on three separate occasions before and after the six-week RT program. The study was approved by a local Research Ethics Committee (15/11/2022, Project Number:18). Participants We calculated the sample size needed for sufficient statistical power using the G*Power 3.1.2 software ( 19 ). The analysis indicated that a minimum of 39 participants were required to achieve 5% probability of type 1 error and 80% power values. Considering possible dropouts during the study, we recruited a larger sample size of sixty-six young men (healthy, physically active and sport faculty students). They were personally recruited at university common areas and classrooms. Individuals who exhibited any of the following characteristics were excluded from participating in the study: physical disabilities, vegetarian diet, usage of medication that may impact muscle hypertrophy (such as anabolic steroids), engaged in resistance training programs one year prior to the study, existence of diabetes, hypertension, or any other chronic disease. After an informational meeting, six individuals were found to be ineligible for participation. Additionally, four individuals declined to participate in the study for personal reasons. Prior to any participation, all participants were presented with information regarding the potential risks and benefits associated with the study and signed an informed consent to participate in this study. After baseline tests, participants were matched according to their leg press 1RM values, then randomized to one of three conditions: TRT, Pre-ex, and DS. Participants who missed one training sessions were excluded from final analysis. The participants were instructed to abstain from any strenuous physical activities that were not part of the study program and maintain their typical dietary regimens over the entire course of the investigation with no dietary intervention. Interventions Familiarization During the familiarization week, each subject performed a 45 ○ inclined leg press (Jimsa, Eskisehir, Turkey) and leg extension (Jimsa, Eskisehir, Turkey) exercises with 70%1RM. At this time, the experimental protocol was reviewed, and participants had the opportunity to ask questions. We used a goniometer to assess the range of motion for leg press and leg extension exercises. Each participant was instructed to maintain a 90 ○ knee flexion during the leg press and was advised not to exceed this angle. The participants were instructed to maintain proper alignment of their knees, avoiding both medial and lateral deviation. In addition, the participants were advised to maintain contact between their buttocks and the seating surface. The foot placement was low and narrow. The range of motion for leg extension was 90 − 0 ○ . The participants were instructed to fully extend their knees. The cadence was 20 repetitions per minute (rpm; 1s concentric: 2s eccentric) with 3 min. rest interval between sets. Exercise Protocols During the six-week intervention, participants trained two nonconsecutive days per week with leg press and a leg extension machine exercise. All groups completed 8 sets of exercise with 3-minute rest intervals between sets in a session (Fig. 1 ). Regarding TRT group, the load for leg press and leg extension exercises were 70%1RM. They completed 8–12 repetitions for each set of both exercises. The Pre-Ex group completed a single set of leg extensions with 30%1RM until concentric failure with a cadence of 30rpm. Following, they performed three sets of leg press with 70%1RM, with a repetition range of 8–12 repetitions and a rest interval of three minutes between each set. Upon completing a total of four sets, they performed the same sequence once. Regarding DS group, the participants performed 3 sets of leg press with 70%1RM, with a repetition range of 8–12 repetitions, followed by a set of leg extensions with 30%1RM to concentric failure. There were three minute interval between sets. Upon completing a total of four sets, they performed the same sequence once (Fig. 1 ). After the completion of three weeks of RT, the load for TRT sets were increased by 10% for all groups. One of the investigators attended all training sessions, and the participants in the Pre-Ex and DS groups received verbal motivation for the failure sets. Additionally, it was ensured that the TRT sets were performed with no less than 8 repetitions. Outcomes Lower-Body Muscle Strength After a week from familiarization, the maximal strength was assessed using established 1RM protocols ( 20 ). The assessment of 1RM for leg press and 5RM for leg extension exercises (two rest days between them) involved a standardized warm-up comprising five minutes of light-intensity cycle ergometer activity. Following this, the participants performed eight repetitions at 50% of their estimated 1RM, as determined by their performance during the prior familiarization period. The 1RM for leg press exercise was determined in five attempts, using three min of rest, respectively. If any participant indicated that they could surpass the load that had been established, the assessment was repeated following a three-day interval. Regarding leg extension 1RM, we determined using 5RM evaluation, which is more recommended for single joint movements in novice lifters ( 21 ). The 1RM assessment was determined via the application of the Brzycki Eq. (22), employing a 5RM weight selection. We used the IsoMed 2000 dynamometer (D&R Ferstl GmbH, Hemau, Germany) to measure the isometric torque on the dominant leg (kicking leg). Initially, the participants completed a 10-minute warm-up cycling session on a cycle ergometer at a sub-maximal intensity of 1.5W/kgBW, maintaining a pedal rate of 70–80 revolutions per minute. In sequence, the participants were seated on dynamometer chair with their hip joint positioned at approximately 75 degrees (where 0 degrees represents full extension) and the front edge of the seat aligned with the popliteal fossa of the leg being tested. Adjustable straps and pads secured at the shoulders, chest, hip, and right femur was used for stabilization. To align the anatomical axis of rotation of the knee with the mechanical axis of the dynamometer, the bony landmark of the lateral femoral epicondyle was utilized. For isometric flexion test, the knee joint was fixed at 70 ○ . Before the testing the participants performed two submaximal trials then rested for one minute. During the testing, the participants were instructed to generate their maximum force and subsequently maintain it for three seconds. Each individual test consisted of three repetitions of maximal effort, with a 1-minute rest period provided in between each repetition. The maximum force produced out of three trials was used for analysis. Local Muscular Endurance A maximum repetition task assessed muscular endurance at 50%1RM on the leg extension after two days of 1RM evaluations. The participants completed a 10-minute warm-up on a cycle ergometer and then performed a set of leg extensions with 30%1RM with 8–10 repetitions range. The test was ceased either when the participant was unable to perform a complete repetition (full extension of the knees), or when the participant voluntarily requested to discontinue the test. The velocity utilized during the test involved a cadence of 30 repetitions per minute (1s concentric: 1s eccentric). The same relative load (50%1RM) was used for pre and post testing assessments. The total amount of repetitions accomplished was documented. Throughout the muscle strength and endurance tests, the participants were verbally motivated. Regional Muscle Thickness We used a B-mode ultrasonography (MyLab 70 XV, Esaote Biomedica, Genoa, Italy) to perform pre- and post-intervention measurements of muscle thickness (MT) in the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus intermedius (VI), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles. The measurement was conducted 72 hours after the last RT session. Ultrasonography was conducted by a highly experienced, qualified physician using a linear 12-6MHz probe. The physician was blinded to the group allocation. Measurements was performed with participants in a supine position with knees extended. The distance between the greater trochanter and the lateral epicondyle was measured and the muscle thickness measurement was obtained at two different sites corresponding to 50% (middle) and 70% (distal) along the length of the muscle. To promote consistency in the measurements, semi-permanent ink was used to demarcate each site. The ultrasound probe was positioned perpendicular to the muscle tissue and an ultrasound gel was applied to allow direct contact of the probe with the skin and minimize any potential pressure on the soft tissue. After achieving an optimized ultrasound image, a still image was taken, and the thickness of the muscle was assessed using caliper-based tools that were integrated into the machine software. To ensure the reliability of the data, three scans were performed for each site during a single session, and the average of the two closest measurements was employed for analysis. In addition, it should be noted that the physician responsible for assessing muscle thickness in the study had conducted a reliability study focused on the quadriceps muscle thickness region. The results of the study revealed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.92, 0.82, 0.82, and 0.82 for the VL, VM, VI, and RF muscles, respectively. Total Training Volume During the leg press and leg extension sets, the TRT group participants performed a range of 8–12 repetitions. Likewise, the Pre-Ex and DS group performed 8–12 repetitions for their sets, except when dealing with 30%1RM weight, in which case they performed as many repetitions as possible until reaching failure. Total training volume was equated between groups and calculated as follows: Total Training Volume – Pre-Ex and Drop Set Groups: {5 set of leg extension [5 x (load x repetitions)]} + {3 sets of leg press [3 x (load x repetitions)]} Total Training Volume TRT Group: {4 set of leg extension [4 x (load x repetitions)]} + {4 sets of leg press [4 x (load x repetitions)]} Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS is a psychometric response scale employed to evaluate the subjective sensation of muscle soreness ( 23 ). Measurements were recorded 24 and 48 hours after each training session. The evaluation of knee extensor soreness was conducted by means of a 10-cm visual analog scale, where a score of 0 represented the absence of pain, while a score of 10 represented the most severe soreness perceived after exercise. The participants were instructed to perform a body wight squat by maintaining a knee angle of roughly 90 ○ for a duration of two seconds, and subsequently indicate the degree of perceived soreness on the visual analog scale. Perceived Exertion OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale (OMNI-RES) was used to monitor rating of perceived exertion (RPE). OMNI-RES was developed to measure RPE during resistance training and has been confirmed to be reliable and valid ( 24 ). The scale comprises verbal and pictorial descriptors that are specific to the mode of response and are distributed across a relatively narrow numerical range of 0–10. The participants were instructed to report the RPE value indicating a number in the OMNI-RES (0–10) scale after 10 minutes cooling down period. Statistical Analysis The baseline characteristics of all participants and variables that were not impacted by time, such as RPE, DOMS, and volume load for each session, were analyzed using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). An independent sample T-test was employed to determine whether differences in repetitions per session for failure sets existed between Pre-Ex and DS conditions. The main impact of resistance training on assessments of muscle thickness, muscular strength, and muscular endurance was evaluated through the application of a 3 X 2 (group X time) repeated measures ANOVA, followed by a post hoc Bonferroni correction. A syntax model [(group X time) compare(time) adj(Bonferroni)] was employed to anticipate the magnitude of change and effect size of the change over time within each group. The effect size was calculated using the partial eta-squared method. Effect sizes were interpreted as small, medium, and large if they corresponded to partial eta-squared values of 0.01, 0.06, and 0.14, respectively. Furthermore, the percentage changes were determined by dividing the average change in values before and after the intervention by the mean value before the study and then multiplying it by 100. The normality assumptions of the data were evaluated by employing a Shapiro-Wilk test. For all analyses, an alpha level of significance was set at p < 0.05. We performed all analysis with SPSS version 23.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). Results Fifty-six participants (age: 21.8 ± 1.5 years; height: 178 ± 7; body mass: 75.9 ± 10.8kg, and body mass index: 23.9 ± 2.9) consented to partake in the training intervention and 53 were included for the final analysis (Table 1 ). Table 1 Physical Characteristics of Participants. Variables TRT (n = 18) Pre-Ex (n = 17) DS (n = 18) Total (n = 53) p Age (year) 21.1 ± 1.3 20.5 ± 1.4 21.7 ± 1.6 21.1 ± 1.5 0.751 Body mass (kg) 74.3 ± 9.6 73.9 ± 13.2 79.4 ± 8.8 75.9 ± 10.8 0.415 Height (cm) 177.7 ± 6.8 177.9 ± 7.4 179.6 ± 6.9 178.4 ± 7.0 0.992 Body Mass Index (kg/m 2 ) 23.5 ± 2.4 23.3 ± 3.4 24.6 ± 2.7 23.8 ± 2.9 0.672 Lower-Body Muscle Strength The leg press 1RM test showed significant differences for time (p < 0.001), but no differences for group (p = 0.720). After intervention, there were increases of 1RM leg press of 25% (p < 0.001), 23% (p < 0.001), and 23% (p < 0.001) for Pre-Ex, DS, and TRT respectively. Similarly, the leg extension 1RM test showed significant differences favoring time (p < 0.001), but no differences for group (p = 0.929). There were increases of 1RM leg extension load of 19% (p < 0.001), 29% (p < 0.001), and 22% (p < 0.001) for Pre-Ex, DS, and TRT respectively. Likewise, isometric muscle strength exhibited significant differences for time (p < 0.001), but not for group (p = 0.958). There were increase of isometric peak torque of 13% (p < 0.001), 8% (p < 0.001), and 10% (p < 0.001) for Pre-Ex, DS and TRT respectively (Table 2 and Fig. 2 A). Muscle Endurance The muscle endurance test showed significant differences for time (p < 0.001), but no differences for group (p = 0.522). There were increases of muscle endurance of 31% (p < 0.001), 47% (p < 0.001), and 29% (p < 0.001) for Pre-Ex, DS and TRT respectively (Table 2 and Fig. 2 B). Table 2 Changes in muscular strength, and endurance during and after the intervention period.TRT = Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex = pre-exhaustion group; DS = drop set group; 1RM = one repetition maximum; ES = within-group effect size; Pre = pretraining testing; Post = post training testing; cm = centimeters; kg = kilogram†Mean ± SD are shown.‡ = Significant from pre to post testing (< 0.05). Measures TRT(n = 18) Pre-Ex(n = 17) DS(n = 18) Leg Press 1RM (kg) Pre 247.22 ± 37.27 234.12 ± 41.61 246.94 ± 37.34 Post 303.56 ± 61.90 ‡ 293.53 ± 62.94 ‡ 304.16 ± 57.35 ‡ Mean Difference 56.33 ± 29.93 59.41 ± 31.67 57.2 ± 28.81 Change (%) 22.79 25.38 23.17 ES (η p 2 ) 0.56-Large 0.57-Large 0.57-Large Leg Extension 1RM (kg) Pre 140.71 ± 18.03 143.29 ± 17.69 138.94 ± 26.16 Post 171.58 ± 20.20 ‡ 170.05 ± 24.46 ‡ 178.72 ± 29.95 ‡ Mean Difference 30.87 ± 13.46 26.77 ± 14.84 39.78 ± 12,59 Change (%) 21.94 18.68 28.63 ES (η p 2 ) 0.65-Large 0.57-Large 0.75-Large Isometric Strength (peak torque) Pre 275.88 ± 50.45 271.17 ± 63.26 282.22 ± 47.50 Post 302.72 ± 47.65 ‡ 307.41 ± 57.84 ‡ 305.05 ± 50.93 ‡ Mean Difference 26.83 ± 33.78 36.23 ± 26.09 22.83 ± 23.72 Change (%) 9.72 13.36 8.08 ES (η p 2 ) 0.25-Large 0.36-Large 0.19 -Large Muscle Endurance (repetitions) Pre 22.17 ± 4.90 23.24 ± 3.73 21.22 ± 3.85 Post 28.50 ± 4.38 ‡ 30.47 ± .28 ‡ 31.27 ± 4.25 ‡ Mean Difference 6.33 ± 4.44 7.23 ± .82 10.06 ± .58 Change (%) 28.55 31.11 47.41 ES (η p 2 ) 0.47-Large 0.53-Large 0.69-Large TRT = Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex = pre-exhaustion group; DS = drop set group; LP 1RM = leg press one repetition maximum (kg), IMS = Isometric Muscle Strength (peak torque), LE 1RM = leg extension one repetition maximum (kg) Pre = pre-testing, Post = post-testing. * Significantly greater compared to baseline testing (p < 0.05). †Mean ± SD are shown. Regional Muscle Thickness A significant main effect for time (p < 0.001) was observed for the RF at 50% and 70% muscle length. However, there was no main effect for group (p = 0.546; 0.409) respectively. In the VL muscle at 50% and 70% muscle length, a significant main effect for time (p < 0.001) was observed, while a main effect for the group was not observed (p = 0.316; 0.413) respectively. We also found a significant main effect for time (p < 0.001) in the ML muscle at 50% and 70% muscle length, whereas a main effect for the group was not observed (p = 0.504; 0.532), respectively. A statistically significant effect was observed for time (p < 0.001) in the VI muscle at 50% and 70% muscle length, but there was no significant effect observed for the group (p = 0.105; 0.298), respectively (Table 3 and Fig. 3 ). Table 3. Changes in site-specific muscle thickness during and after the intervention period. TRT = Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex = pre-exhaustion group; DS = drop set group; 1RM = one repetition maximum; ES = within-group effect size; Pre = pretraining testing; Post = post training testing; mm = millimeters; RF = rectus femoris; VI = vastus intermedius; VM = vastus medialis; VL = vastus lateralis; 50, 70 = measuring site along the length of each muscle; TQ = Total Quadriceps (Sum of 4 heads of quadriceps). †Mean ± SD are shown. ‡ = Significant from pre to post testing (< 0.05). Measures TRT(n = 18) Pre-Ex(n = 17) DS(n = 18) RF 50 (mm) Pre 19.5 ± 3.33 19.15 ± 2.91 19.89 ± 3.50 Post 22.18 ± 2.38 ‡ 22.95 ± 2.89 ‡ 23.59 ± 3.01 ‡ Mean Difference 2.83 ± 2.65 3.80 ± 2.46 3.70 ± 2.86 Change % 14,62 19.84 18.60 ES (η p 2) 0.29-Large 0.41-Large 0.65-Large VI 50 (mm) Pre 13.50 ± 2.21 12.66 ± 2.16 13.78 ± 1.60 Post 16.62 ± 2.50 ‡ 16.20 ± 3.16 ‡ 18.19 ± 2.90 ‡ Mean Difference 3.12 ± 2.30 3.53 ± 281 4.41 ± 2.38 Change % 23.11 27.88 32.00 ES (η p 2) 0.36-Large 0.41-Large 0.53-Large VM 50 (mm) Pre 15.57 ± 2.17 15.21 ± 2.29 15.81 ± 2.03 Post 19.63 ± 1.42 ‡ 18.71 ± 1.63 ‡ 18.53 ± 2.14 ‡ Mean Difference 4.07 ± 1.74 3.50 ± 2.31 2.72 ± 2.52 Change % 26.14 23.01 17.20 ES (η p 2) 0.55-Large 0.46-Large 0.35-Large VL 50 (mm) Pre 18.14 ± 2.22 17.70 ± 2.56 18.74 ± 2.68 Post 23.79 ± 2.20 ‡ 23.16 ± 2.31 ‡ 24.72 ± .46 ‡ Mean Difference 5.64 ± 2.10 5.46 ± 2.39 5.97 ± 2.28 Change % 30.92 30.85 31.86 ES (η p 2) 0.62-Large 0.59-Large 0.65-Large TQ 50 (mm) Pre 66.57 ± 7.70 64.72 ± 7.22 68.23 ± 7.47 Post 82.23 ± 6.40 ‡ 81.01 ± 8.08 ‡ 85.04 ± 10.78 ‡ Mean Difference 15.67 ± 5.99 16.28 ± 5.36 16.80 ± 8.87 Change % 23.53 25.15 24.62 ES (η p 2) 0.65-Large 0.65-Large 0.68-Large RF 70 (mm) Pre 10.89 ± 3.36 10.35 ± 3.19 10.76 ± 2.80 Post 12.35 ± 3.56 13.14 ± 3.67 ‡ 14.73 ± 4.29 ‡ Mean Difference 1.46 ± 4.04 2.79 ± 3.66 3.97 ± 5.27 Change % 13.40 26.96 36.90 ES (η p 2) 0.03-Small 0.12-Medium 0.23-Large VI 70 (mm) Pre 11.37 ± 1.90 11.32 ± 2.34 12.00 ± 2.59 Post 14.51 ± 2.81 ‡ 14.16 ± 2.98 ‡ 15.69 ± 3.09 ‡ Mean Difference 3.13 ± 249 2.84 ± 1.79 3.68 ± 2.90 Change % 27.52 25.08 30.66 ES (η p 2) 0.37-Large 0.31-Large 0.45-Large VM 70 (mm) Pre 13.59 ± 2.09 13.03 ± 1.76 13.30 ± 1.80 Post 17.22 ± 1.51 ‡ 17.01 ± 2.08 ‡ 17.93 ± 2.39 ‡ Mean Difference 3.63 ± 2.10 3.98±,2.36 4.63±,2.58 Change % 26.71 30.54 34.80 ES (η p 2) 0.46-Large 0.49-Large 0.58-Large VL 70 (mm) Pre 15.52 ± 3.13 15.03 ± 2.49 15.26 ± 2.56 Post 21.04 ± 2.43 ‡ 19.75 ± 2.35 ‡ 21.79 ± 4.69 ‡ Mean Difference 5.51 ± 3.00 4.71 ± 2.18 6.52 ± 4.03 Change % 35.50 31.33 42.72 ES (η p 2) 0.52-Large 0.43-Large 0.60-Large TQ 70 (mm) Pre 51.38 ± 7.52 49.74 ± 7.46 51.32 ± 6.84 Post 65.13 ± 6.88 ‡ 64.07 ± 8.66 ‡ 70.15 ± 11.81 ‡ Mean Difference 13.74 ± 8.08 14.32 ± 6.28 18.82 ± 11.12 Change % 26.79 28.78 36.67 ES (η p 2) 0.47-Large 0.47-Large 0.62-Large TRT = Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex = pre-exhaustion group; DS = drop set group, Pre = pre-testing, Post = post-testing, RF = rectus femoris, VI = vastus intermedius, VM = vastus medialis VL = vastus lateralis. * Significantly greater compared to baseline testing (p < 0.05). †Mean ± SD are shown. Total Training Volume There were no differences between groups in terms of the training volume load per session (Pre-Ex: 13,470.16 ± 1,833.98kg; DS: 13,490.35 ± 2,367.33 kg; TRT: 13,522.29 ± 1,818.37; p = 0.997). Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness and Perceived Exertion There were statistically significant differences between the experimental groups for DOMS at 24 hours post-exercise, and RPE at 24 and 48 hours post-exercise (p < 0.001). At 24 hours mark, the Pre-Ex and DS group had higher values than the TRT for DOMS (Pre-ex: 3.22 ± 0.34, TRT: 2.82 ± 0.24 and DS: 3.34 ± 0.15) and RPE (Pre-Ex: 6.91 ± 0.71, TRT: 5.93 ± 0.87, and DS: 6.40 ± 0.77). Similarly, at 48 hours mark, the Pre-Ex and DS group had higher values than the TRT for DOMS (Pre-ex: 3.41 ± 0.31, TRT: 2.85 ± 0.20, and DS: 3.49 ± 0.18). Discussion This study compared the effects of various training methods while keeping the training volume equated on the enhancement of muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy. The main findings revealed that traditional, pre-exhaustion and drop sets groups exhibited similar muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy after six-week resistance training program. Furthermore, our results revealed that delayed onset of muscle soreness and perceived rated exertion were higher for Pre-ex and DS compared to TRT. Our results corroborate previous studies showing that when the training volume is equated, the improvements on muscle strength and hypertrophy are similar despite of different resistance training methods ( 16 , 25 , 26 ). When comparing TRT with DS, comparable enhancements in the cross-sectional area of the VL muscle were observed previously ( 25 , 27 ). Angleri et al. ( 25 ) assessed hypertrophy at the midpoint of the VL, while we and Varović et al. ( 27 ) evaluated muscle thickness of the VL and RF muscles at multiple sites along their length. Similarly to those studies, we found no significant differences between different methods of resistance training once we revealed, without significant difference, that the DS group increased 43% the VL, while TRT group increased 35% the VL. Even though DS and TRT differ in terms of structure, with the equivalence of total training volume between them, the overall stimulus to the muscle may be similar. Evidence suggest that metabolic stress may have a role in facilitating muscle growth ( 5 ). It has also been hypothesized that metabolic accumulation and local fatigue may increase of recruitment of type II fibers, resulting in higher hypertrophic adaptations ( 5 ). Thus, inducing the activation of type II muscle fibers can serve as a beneficial approach for increasing both muscle strength and hypertrophy in RT programs. Therefore, researchers attempted to trigger metabolic accumulation and local muscle fatigue, especially for type I fibers with low load RT before a high load RT ( 14 – 16 ), likewise during Pre-ex method. Our results do not provide support for the proposed hypothesis. Aguiar et al. ( 14 ) pre-exhaustive set until failure with a knee extension exercise performed at 20%1RM, before initiating high load resistance training. They showed improvements in maximal strength, muscle cross-sectional area, and muscle endurance. However, repetition numbers for failure sets were 45–55, much lower than our Pre-Ex group (81.76 ± 15.30). In contrast to our Pre-Ex group, the comparison group employed just an additional set at 20%1RM. The possible explanation for the differences between the studies is unequal training volume ( 28 ). The findings by Trindade et al. ( 16 ) and Fisher et al. ( 15 ) similar to our results, supported the idea that Pre-Ex training cannot offer more significant benefits for neuromuscular adaptations when compared to traditional RT. Despite the absence of difference for strength, endurance and hypertrophy outcomes, the DOMS and RPE were different comparing groups. The TRT presented lower rates of DOMS and RPE when compared to Pre-ex and DS groups. Despite the equated volume, probably this happened due to the repetitions to failure achieved in both Pre-ex and DS groups. In both groups, the time under tension was longer, and previous study reported that RPE gradually increases in longer time under tension ( 29 ). Furthermore, our results corroborates Enes et al. ( 17 ), indicating that even with equated volume, the DS showed higher rates of RPE compared to TRT. The present study has come limitations that should be considered. While the Jones pre-exhaustion method ( 7 ) was not strictly adhered with respect to rest intervals between single-joint and multi-joint exercises, a rest period of three-minute was deemed necessary based on previous findings ( 8 , 10 ), which indicated that a Pre-ex set reduces the number of subsequent exercise repetitions significantly. As it could be considered as a limitation of the study, we chosen this approach aiming to achieve metabolic stress while also avoiding a decrease in volume load. Future investigations examining the effects of Pre-ex training should consider incorporating assessments of metabolic markers, muscle biopsies, and intracellular hypertrophy pathways to enable a more accurate and comprehensive conclusion to be drawn. Conclusion Traditional resistance training, drop sets and pre-exhaustion methods revealed to be equally effective on enhancing muscle hypertrophy, strength, and endurance. Our study did not support the superiority of pre-exhaustion or drop sets over traditional resistance training when the volume is equated. As varying exercise selection has a positive effect on enhancing motivation to exercise in resistance-trained men ( 30 ), practitioners may contemplate incorporating drop sets or pre-exhaustion techniques in their exercise programs to introduce variability and potentially elicit physiological adaptations. Declarations Conflict of interest All authors declare no conflict of interest. Funding information This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Author Contribution Conceptualization – KK, FNG, MG, RAFData curation - KK, FNG, MGFormal Analysis - KK, FNG, MG, RAFFunding acquisition – not applicableInvestigation - KK, FNG, MG, RAFMethodology - KK, FNG, MG, RAFProject administration - KK, FNG, MG, RAFResources - KK, FNG, MGSoftware - KK, FNG, MGSupervision - KK, FNG, MGValidation - KK, FNG, MGVisualization - KK, FNG, MGWriting – original draft - KK, FNG, MGWriting – review & editing – KK, RAF Acknowledgement The authors thank you the participants for their time and effort in completing the assessments and training protocols. Furthermore, we express our gratitude to Brad J Schoenfeld for his valuable contribution in providing reviews on the study. References Schoenfeld BJ. The Mechanisms of Muscle Hypertrophy and Their Application to Resistance Training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2010;24(10):2857–72. Krzysztofik, Wilk, Wojdała, Gołaś. Maximizing Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review of Advanced Resistance Training Techniques and Methods. IJERPH. 2019;16(24):4897. Ralston GW, Kilgore L, Wyatt FB, Buchan D, Baker JS. Weekly Training Frequency Effects on Strength Gain: A Meta-Analysis. Sports Med Open. 2018;4(1):36. Schoenfeld BJ, Wilson JM, Lowery RP, Krieger JW. Muscular adaptations in low- versus high‐load resistance training: A meta‐analysis. European Journal of Sport Science. 2016;16(1):1–10. Takarada Y, Takazawa H, Sato Y, Takebayashi S, Tanaka Y, Ishii N. Effects of resistance exercise combined with moderate vascular occlusion on muscular function in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2000;88(6):2097–106. Schoenfeld B. The use of specialized training techniques to maximize muscle hypertrophy. Strength and Conditioning Journal. 2011;33(4):60–5. Jones A. Nautilus Training Principles: Bulletin No. 1. Chapter 37. Copyright. Baye D, editor. 1970. Augustsson J, Thomee R, Hornstedt P, Lindblom J, Karlsson J, Grimby G. Effect of pre-exhaustion exercise on lower-extremity muscle activation during a leg press exercise. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 2003;17(2):411–6. Brennecke A, Guimaraes TM, Leone R, Cadarci M, Mochizuki L, Simão R, et al. Neuromuscular activity during bench press exercise performed with and without the preexhaustion method. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 2009;23(7):1933–40. Fujita R, Silva N, Bedo B, Gomes M. The Pre-Exhaustion Method Does Not Increase Muscle Activity in Target Muscle During Strength Training in Untrained Individuals. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2022;82:17–26. Gentil P, Oliveira E, de Araújo Rocha Júnior V, do Carmo J, Bottaro M. Effects of exercise order on upper-body muscle activation and exercise performance. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 2007;21(4):1082–6. Golas A, Maszczyk A, Pietraszewski P, Stastny P, Tufano JJ, Zajac A. Effects of Pre-exhaustion on the Patterns of Muscular Activity in the Flat Bench Press. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 2017;31(7):1919–24. Soares EG, Brown LE, Gomes WA, Correa DA, Serpa EP, da Silva JJ, et al. Comparison Between Pre-Exhaustion and Traditional Exercise Order on Muscle Activation and Performance in Trained Men. Journal of sports science & medicine. 2016;15(1):111–7. Aguiar AF, Buzzachera CF, Pereira RM, Sanches VC, Januário RB, Da Silva RA, et al. A single set of exhaustive exercise before resistance training improves muscular performance in young men. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2015;115(7):1589–99. Fisher JP, Carlson L, Steele J, Smith D. The effects of pre-exhaustion, exercise order, and rest intervals in a full-body resistance training intervention. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2014;39(11):1265–70. Trindade TB, Prestes J, Neto LO, Medeiros RMV, Tibana RA, de Sousa NMF, et al. Effects of Pre-exhaustion Versus Traditional Resistance Training on Training Volume, Maximal Strength, and Quadriceps Hypertrophy. Frontiers in Physiology [Internet]. 2019;10. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/ 10.3389/fphys.2019.01424/full Enes A, Oneda G, Leonel DF, Ramos RA, Kvas-Cabral VC, Bernardo MF, et al. Drop-Set Resistance Training versus Pyramidal and Traditional Sets Elicits Greater Psychophysiological Responses in Men. Percept Mot Skills. 2023;130(4):1624–43. Goto K, Sato K, Takamatsu K. A single set of low intensity resistance exercise immediately following high intensity resistance exercise stimulates growth hormone secretion in men. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2003;43(2):243–9. Faul F, Erdfelder E, Buchner A, Lang AG. Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods. 2009;41(4):1149–60. Brown LE, Weir JP. ASEP procedures recommendation I: accurate assessment of muscular strength and power. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online. 2001;4(3). Clayton N, Drake J, Larkin S, Linkul R, Martino M, Nutting M, et al. Foundations of fitness programming. Colorado Springs, CO: National Strength and Conditioning Association. 2015; Brzycki M. Strength Testing—Predicting a One-Rep Max from Reps-to-Fatigue. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. 1993;64(1):88–90. Huskisson EC. MEASUREMENT OF PAIN. The Lancet. 1974;304(7889):1127–31. Naclerio F, Rodríguez-Romo G, Barriopedro-Moro MI, Jiménez A, Alvar BA, Triplett NT. Control of Resistance Training Intensity by the Omni Perceived Exertion Scale. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2011;25(7):1879–88. Angleri V, Ugrinowitsch C, Libardi CA. Crescent pyramid and drop-set systems do not promote greater strength gains, muscle hypertrophy, and changes on muscle architecture compared with traditional resistance training in well-trained men. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017;117(2):359–69. Enes A, Alves RC, Schoenfeld BJ, Oneda G, Perin SC, Trindade TB, et al. Rest-pause and drop-set training elicit similar strength and hypertrophy adaptations compared with traditional sets in resistance-trained males. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021;46(11):1417–24. Varović D, Žganjer K, Vuk S, Schoenfeld BJ. Drop-Set Training Elicits Differential Increases in Non-Uniform Hypertrophy of the Quadriceps in Leg Extension Exercise. Sports. 2021;9(9):119. Brigatto FA, Lima LEDM, Germano MD, Aoki MS, Braz TV, Lopes CR. High Resistance-Training Volume Enhances Muscle Thickness in Resistance-Trained Men. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2022;36(1):22–30. Hollander DB, Worley JR, Asoodeh M, Wakesa D, Magnuson M, Dantzler DK, et al. Comparison of Resistance Exercise Perceived Exertion and Muscle Activation at Varied Submaximal Durations, Loads, and Muscle Actions. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research [Internet]. 2017;31(5). Available from: https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/fulltext/2017/05000/comparison_of_resistance_exercise_perceived.28.aspx Baz-Valle E, Schoenfeld BJ, Torres-Unda J, Santos-Concejero J, Balsalobre-Fernández C. The effects of exercise variation in muscle thickness, maximal strength and motivation in resistance trained men. Boullosa D, editor. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(12):e0226989. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 09 Nov, 2024 Read the published version in Sport Sciences for Health → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 24 Jul, 2024 Reviews received at journal 22 Jul, 2024 Reviews received at journal 18 Jul, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 04 Jul, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 02 Jul, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 02 Jul, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 13 Jun, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 13 Jun, 2024 First submitted to journal 11 Jun, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4564565","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":319210463,"identity":"260759f8-c63c-47cd-9794-19db00f473a9","order_by":0,"name":"Kadir Keskin","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Gazi University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kadir","middleName":"","lastName":"Keskin","suffix":""},{"id":319210465,"identity":"e004c9c6-db36-434e-a9f4-dda21247684e","order_by":1,"name":"Feride Nur Gogus","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Gazi University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Feride","middleName":"Nur","lastName":"Gogus","suffix":""},{"id":319210471,"identity":"288e42ae-cf03-4e19-8e95-48909d9a1921","order_by":2,"name":"Mehmet Gunay","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Gazi University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mehmet","middleName":"","lastName":"Gunay","suffix":""},{"id":319210481,"identity":"b0a9e435-8004-4a5f-934f-1e2103ca4943","order_by":3,"name":"Rafael Akira Fujita","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Universidade de São Paulo","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rafael","middleName":"Akira","lastName":"Fujita","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-06-11 13:41:03","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4564565/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4564565/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01281-x","type":"published","date":"2024-11-09T15:58:14+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":59261581,"identity":"2dd0e615-4500-48ec-8c3e-35247231f19b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-06-28 09:51:49","extension":"jpeg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":218871,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eTraining Sessions Design. There were 3-minute interval between each set. LP = leg press, LE = leg extension.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4564565/v1/df9fcefe0b02522d1f693fcf.jpeg"},{"id":59261582,"identity":"133bc6b8-0c2d-40be-a961-9f2495374e27","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-06-28 09:51:49","extension":"jpeg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":83127,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eA) Muscle strength change from pre to post-testing. B) Local muscle endurance changes from pre to post-testing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTRT = Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex = pre-exhaustion group; DS = drop set group; LP 1RM = leg press one repetition maximum (kg), IMS = Isometric Muscle Strength (peak torque), LE 1RM = leg extension one repetition maximum (kg) Pre = pre-testing, Post = post-testing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e* Significantly greater compared to baseline testing (p\u0026lt; 0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e†Mean ± SD are shown.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4564565/v1/757f5bd10e803a8ab2eb65f7.jpeg"},{"id":59262036,"identity":"ee42d4de-a4d3-454f-945f-6d37fcfb2410","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-06-28 09:59:49","extension":"jpeg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":97598,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eA) Regional muscle thickness change at 50% length from pre to post-testing. B) Regional muscle thickness change at 70% length from pre to post-testing. C) Total quadriceps muscle thickness change from pre to post-testing measured at 50 and 70% length.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTRT = Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex = pre-exhaustion group; DS = drop set group, Pre = pre-testing, Post = post-testing, RF = rectus femoris, VI = vastus intermedius, VM = vastus medialis VL = vastus lateralis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e* Significantly greater compared to baseline testing (p\u0026lt; 0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e†Mean ± SD are shown.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4564565/v1/af458776b67683acab8f3f0d.jpeg"},{"id":68750159,"identity":"0396d0fb-d4e3-4705-840c-edf7063ddfa3","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-11-11 16:11:16","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1721113,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4564565/v1/df279611-503b-49e5-94a8-83f055574ca6.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Equated volume load: similar improvements in muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy for traditional, pre-exhaustion and drop sets in resistance training.","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eIncreasing muscle mass is desired by recreational lifters, and athletes who are involved in power and strength modalities (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The resistance training (RT) is an effective method used to increase muscle mass and strength (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The manipulation of RT variables, such as the type of exercise, exercise order, training volume, load and rest interval between sets directly affect the magnitude of hypertrophic adaptations (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). While volume and load are considered the primary variables and have direct relationship with muscle strength and hypertrophy, it is still possible to gain hypertrophy with different training workloads, prioritizing variables such as time under tension and metabolic accumulation (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Metabolic accumulation may force recruitment of the type II fibers known as highly hypertrophic (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, practitioners seeking for maximizing muscle hypertrophy may benefit from advanced RT methods inducing both mechanical and metabolic stress. Although there is a lack of scientific research directly addressing their impact on muscle hypertrophy, advanced RT methods such as drop sets (DS), pre-exhaustion (Pre-Ex) have garnered significant popularity and widespread utilization within the context of muscle growth (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Pre-Ex method described by Jones (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e), involves performing a single-joint exercise immediately followed by a multi-joint exercise for the same muscle group. The Pre-Ex is claimed to increase metabolic stress and muscle activation (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). The single-joint exercise is usually performed to failure, using low loads (20\u0026ndash;50%1RM), while the multi-joint exercise involves a heavier load and a lower number of repetitions (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). The approach is founded on the supposition that when performing multiarticular exercises that involve the activation of multiple muscle groups, the performance capacity may be impeded by the transitory failure of the least robust muscle involved in the exercise. Consequently, certain muscles may not be recruited to their full potential (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). Numerous acute studies have tried to demonstrate the effectiveness of Pre-Ex (\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR9 CR10 CR11 CR12\" citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e). However, the acute investigations cannot ascertain the long-term changes in muscle strength and hypertrophy. Thus far, we found only three studies that examined the long-term adaptation of Pre-Ex method (\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR15\" citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e). Fisher et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e) and Trindade et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e) reported no distinctions in terms of body mass, fat-free mass, fat mass, and strength between traditional resistance training and Pre-Ex. On the other hand, Aguiar et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e) found significant improvements in maximal strength, muscle cross-sectional area, and muscle endurance in favor of Pre-ex group. Despite the popularity of the Pre-Ex method, its effectiveness is still a matter of uncertainty due to conflicting research findings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnother commonly used method aiming to increase muscle hypertrophy is the DS. The theory of DS is that muscles are not completely exhausted when they reach concentric muscular failure. Thus, DS comprises performing an exercise set until failure, then, reduce the load (approximately 20%) to continue performing few more repetitions until concentric failure (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). As a result, its believed that DS can effectively fully fatigue the muscles and promote more significant muscle improvements (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). Enes et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e) revealed that DS training elicited higher rated perceived exertion than traditional training. Additionally, the extended duration of load associated with DS increases both metabolic stress and ischemia (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the existing research on the effects of Pre-Ex and DS on muscle strength and hypertrophy, the results are limited and inconclusive. Furthermore, most studies could not equate volume load between experimental conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of the traditional resistance training (TRT) with that of Pre-Ex and DS methods on muscle strength, endurance, and regional muscle hypertrophy in a group of untrained men training with volume equated. Our hypothesis was that the implementation of the Pre-Ex or DS methods would lead to a more significant increase in muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy when compared to the TRT method.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTrial Design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present study was a three-arm randomized controlled trial of a supervised program. Participants were randomized into three groups: TRT, Pre-ex, and DS. All groups were enrolled in a six-week, twice-weekly intervention program. Participants completed 1RM tests, muscle endurance, isometric muscle strength and muscle thickness assessment tests. Tests occurred on three separate occasions before and after the six-week RT program. The study was approved by a local Research Ethics Committee (15/11/2022, Project Number:18).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eParticipants\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe calculated the sample size needed for sufficient statistical power using the G*Power 3.1.2 software (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e). The analysis indicated that a minimum of 39 participants were required to achieve 5% probability of type 1 error and 80% power values. Considering possible dropouts during the study, we recruited a larger sample size of sixty-six young men (healthy, physically active and sport faculty students). They were personally recruited at university common areas and classrooms. Individuals who exhibited any of the following characteristics were excluded from participating in the study: physical disabilities, vegetarian diet, usage of medication that may impact muscle hypertrophy (such as anabolic steroids), engaged in resistance training programs one year prior to the study, existence of diabetes, hypertension, or any other chronic disease. After an informational meeting, six individuals were found to be ineligible for participation. Additionally, four individuals declined to participate in the study for personal reasons. Prior to any participation, all participants were presented with information regarding the potential risks and benefits associated with the study and signed an informed consent to participate in this study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter baseline tests, participants were matched according to their leg press 1RM values, then randomized to one of three conditions: TRT, Pre-ex, and DS. Participants who missed one training sessions were excluded from final analysis. The participants were instructed to abstain from any strenuous physical activities that were not part of the study program and maintain their typical dietary regimens over the entire course of the investigation with no dietary intervention.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eInterventions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFamiliarization\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDuring the familiarization week, each subject performed a 45\u003csup\u003e○\u003c/sup\u003e inclined leg press (Jimsa, Eskisehir, Turkey) and leg extension (Jimsa, Eskisehir, Turkey) exercises with 70%1RM. At this time, the experimental protocol was reviewed, and participants had the opportunity to ask questions. We used a goniometer to assess the range of motion for leg press and leg extension exercises. Each participant was instructed to maintain a 90\u003csup\u003e○\u003c/sup\u003e knee flexion during the leg press and was advised not to exceed this angle. The participants were instructed to maintain proper alignment of their knees, avoiding both medial and lateral deviation. In addition, the participants were advised to maintain contact between their buttocks and the seating surface. The foot placement was low and narrow. The range of motion for leg extension was 90\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0\u003csup\u003e○\u003c/sup\u003e. The participants were instructed to fully extend their knees. The cadence was 20 repetitions per minute (rpm; 1s concentric: 2s eccentric) with 3 min. rest interval between sets.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eExercise Protocols\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDuring the six-week intervention, participants trained two nonconsecutive days per week with leg press and a leg extension machine exercise. All groups completed 8 sets of exercise with 3-minute rest intervals between sets in a session (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding TRT group, the load for leg press and leg extension exercises were 70%1RM. They completed 8\u0026ndash;12 repetitions for each set of both exercises. The Pre-Ex group completed a single set of leg extensions with 30%1RM until concentric failure with a cadence of 30rpm. Following, they performed three sets of leg press with 70%1RM, with a repetition range of 8\u0026ndash;12 repetitions and a rest interval of three minutes between each set. Upon completing a total of four sets, they performed the same sequence once. Regarding DS group, the participants performed 3 sets of leg press with 70%1RM, with a repetition range of 8\u0026ndash;12 repetitions, followed by a set of leg extensions with 30%1RM to concentric failure. There were three minute interval between sets. Upon completing a total of four sets, they performed the same sequence once (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter the completion of three weeks of RT, the load for TRT sets were increased by 10% for all groups. One of the investigators attended all training sessions, and the participants in the Pre-Ex and DS groups received verbal motivation for the failure sets. Additionally, it was ensured that the TRT sets were performed with no less than 8 repetitions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eOutcomes\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section4\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLower-Body Muscle Strength\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter a week from familiarization, the maximal strength was assessed using established 1RM protocols (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e). The assessment of 1RM for leg press and 5RM for leg extension exercises (two rest days between them) involved a standardized warm-up comprising five minutes of light-intensity cycle ergometer activity. Following this, the participants performed eight repetitions at 50% of their estimated 1RM, as determined by their performance during the prior familiarization period. The 1RM for leg press exercise was determined in five attempts, using three min of rest, respectively. If any participant indicated that they could surpass the load that had been established, the assessment was repeated following a three-day interval. Regarding leg extension 1RM, we determined using 5RM evaluation, which is more recommended for single joint movements in novice lifters (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e). The 1RM assessment was determined via the application of the Brzycki Eq.\u0026nbsp;(22), employing a 5RM weight selection.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe used the IsoMed 2000 dynamometer (D\u0026amp;R Ferstl GmbH, Hemau, Germany) to measure the isometric torque on the dominant leg (kicking leg). Initially, the participants completed a 10-minute warm-up cycling session on a cycle ergometer at a sub-maximal intensity of 1.5W/kgBW, maintaining a pedal rate of 70\u0026ndash;80 revolutions per minute. In sequence, the participants were seated on dynamometer chair with their hip joint positioned at approximately 75 degrees (where 0 degrees represents full extension) and the front edge of the seat aligned with the popliteal fossa of the leg being tested. Adjustable straps and pads secured at the shoulders, chest, hip, and right femur was used for stabilization. To align the anatomical axis of rotation of the knee with the mechanical axis of the dynamometer, the bony landmark of the lateral femoral epicondyle was utilized. For isometric flexion test, the knee joint was fixed at 70\u003csup\u003e○\u003c/sup\u003e. Before the testing the participants performed two submaximal trials then rested for one minute. During the testing, the participants were instructed to generate their maximum force and subsequently maintain it for three seconds. Each individual test consisted of three repetitions of maximal effort, with a 1-minute rest period provided in between each repetition. The maximum force produced out of three trials was used for analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLocal Muscular Endurance\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA maximum repetition task assessed muscular endurance at 50%1RM on the leg extension after two days of 1RM evaluations. The participants completed a 10-minute warm-up on a cycle ergometer and then performed a set of leg extensions with 30%1RM with 8\u0026ndash;10 repetitions range. The test was ceased either when the participant was unable to perform a complete repetition (full extension of the knees), or when the participant voluntarily requested to discontinue the test. The velocity utilized during the test involved a cadence of 30 repetitions per minute (1s concentric: 1s eccentric). The same relative load (50%1RM) was used for pre and post testing assessments. The total amount of repetitions accomplished was documented. Throughout the muscle strength and endurance tests, the participants were verbally motivated.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eRegional Muscle Thickness\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe used a B-mode ultrasonography (MyLab 70 XV, Esaote Biomedica, Genoa, Italy) to perform pre- and post-intervention measurements of muscle thickness (MT) in the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus intermedius (VI), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles. The measurement was conducted 72 hours after the last RT session. Ultrasonography was conducted by a highly experienced, qualified physician using a linear 12-6MHz probe. The physician was blinded to the group allocation. Measurements was performed with participants in a supine position with knees extended. The distance between the greater trochanter and the lateral epicondyle was measured and the muscle thickness measurement was obtained at two different sites corresponding to 50% (middle) and 70% (distal) along the length of the muscle. To promote consistency in the measurements, semi-permanent ink was used to demarcate each site. The ultrasound probe was positioned perpendicular to the muscle tissue and an ultrasound gel was applied to allow direct contact of the probe with the skin and minimize any potential pressure on the soft tissue. After achieving an optimized ultrasound image, a still image was taken, and the thickness of the muscle was assessed using caliper-based tools that were integrated into the machine software. To ensure the reliability of the data, three scans were performed for each site during a single session, and the average of the two closest measurements was employed for analysis. In addition, it should be noted that the physician responsible for assessing muscle thickness in the study had conducted a reliability study focused on the quadriceps muscle thickness region. The results of the study revealed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.92, 0.82, 0.82, and 0.82 for the VL, VM, VI, and RF muscles, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTotal Training Volume\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e During the leg press and leg extension sets, the TRT group participants performed a range of 8\u0026ndash;12 repetitions. Likewise, the Pre-Ex and DS group performed 8\u0026ndash;12 repetitions for their sets, except when dealing with 30%1RM weight, in which case they performed as many repetitions as possible until reaching failure. Total training volume was equated between groups and calculated as follows:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal Training Volume \u0026ndash; Pre-Ex and Drop Set Groups: {5 set of leg extension [5 x (load x repetitions)]} + {3 sets of leg press [3 x (load x repetitions)]}\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal Training Volume TRT Group: {4 set of leg extension [4 x (load x repetitions)]} + {4 sets of leg press [4 x (load x repetitions)]}\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDelayed Onset of Muscle Soreness\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS is a psychometric response scale employed to evaluate the subjective sensation of muscle soreness (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e). Measurements were recorded 24 and 48 hours after each training session. The evaluation of knee extensor soreness was conducted by means of a 10-cm visual analog scale, where a score of 0 represented the absence of pain, while a score of 10 represented the most severe soreness perceived after exercise. The participants were instructed to perform a body wight squat by maintaining a knee angle of roughly 90\u003csup\u003e○\u003c/sup\u003e for a duration of two seconds, and subsequently indicate the degree of perceived soreness on the visual analog scale.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePerceived Exertion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale (OMNI-RES) was used to monitor rating of perceived exertion (RPE). OMNI-RES was developed to measure RPE during resistance training and has been confirmed to be reliable and valid (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e). The scale comprises verbal and pictorial descriptors that are specific to the mode of response and are distributed across a relatively narrow numerical range of 0\u0026ndash;10. The participants were instructed to report the RPE value indicating a number in the OMNI-RES (0\u0026ndash;10) scale after 10 minutes cooling down period.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe baseline characteristics of all participants and variables that were not impacted by time, such as RPE, DOMS, and volume load for each session, were analyzed using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). An independent sample T-test was employed to determine whether differences in repetitions per session for failure sets existed between Pre-Ex and DS conditions. The main impact of resistance training on assessments of muscle thickness, muscular strength, and muscular endurance was evaluated through the application of a 3 X 2 (group X time) repeated measures ANOVA, followed by a post hoc Bonferroni correction. A syntax model [(group X time) compare(time) adj(Bonferroni)] was employed to anticipate the magnitude of change and effect size of the change over time within each group. The effect size was calculated using the partial eta-squared method. Effect sizes were interpreted as small, medium, and large if they corresponded to partial eta-squared values of 0.01, 0.06, and 0.14, respectively. Furthermore, the percentage changes were determined by dividing the average change in values before and after the intervention by the mean value before the study and then multiplying it by 100. The normality assumptions of the data were evaluated by employing a Shapiro-Wilk test. For all analyses, an alpha level of significance was set at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05. We performed all analysis with SPSS version 23.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eFifty-six participants (age: 21.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.5 years; height: 178\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7; body mass: 75.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.8kg, and body mass index: 23.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.9) consented to partake in the training intervention and 53 were included for the final analysis (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysical Characteristics of Participants.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTRT (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre-Ex (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;17)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDS (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;53)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge (year)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.751\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBody mass (kg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeight (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e177.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e177.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e179.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e178.4\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.992\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBody Mass Index (kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.672\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLower-Body Muscle Strength\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe leg press 1RM test showed significant differences for time (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), but no differences for group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.720). After intervention, there were increases of 1RM leg press of 25% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), 23% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), and 23% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) for Pre-Ex, DS, and TRT respectively. Similarly, the leg extension 1RM test showed significant differences favoring time (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), but no differences for group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.929). There were increases of 1RM leg extension load of 19% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), 29% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), and 22% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) for Pre-Ex, DS, and TRT respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLikewise, isometric muscle strength exhibited significant differences for time (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), but not for group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.958). There were increase of isometric peak torque of 13% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), 8% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), and 10% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) for Pre-Ex, DS and TRT respectively (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003eA).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMuscle Endurance\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe muscle endurance test showed significant differences for time (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), but no differences for group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.522). There were increases of muscle endurance of 31% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), 47% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), and 29% (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) for Pre-Ex, DS and TRT respectively (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003eB).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChanges in muscular strength, and endurance during and after the intervention period.TRT\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;pre-exhaustion group; DS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;drop set group; 1RM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;one repetition maximum; ES\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;within-group effect size; Pre\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;pretraining testing; Post\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;post training testing; cm\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;centimeters; kg\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;kilogram\u0026dagger;Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD are shown.\u0026Dagger; = Significant from pre to post testing (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasures\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTRT(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre-Ex(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;17)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDS(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeg Press 1RM (kg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e247.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;37.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e234.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;41.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e246.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;37.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e303.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;61.90\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e293.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;62.94\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e304.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;57.35\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;29.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;31.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.2\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;28.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.56-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.57-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.57-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeg Extension 1RM (kg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e140.71\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;18.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e138.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;26.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e171.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;20.20\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e170.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;24.46\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e178.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;29.95\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.87\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;14.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12,59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.57-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.75-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIsometric Strength (peak torque)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e275.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;50.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e271.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;63.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e282.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;47.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e302.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;47.65\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e307.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;57.84\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e305.05\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;50.93\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;33.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;26.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;23.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19 -Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMuscle Endurance (repetitions)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.38\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.47\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;.28\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.25\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.53-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.69-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTRT\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;pre-exhaustion group; DS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;drop set group; LP 1RM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;leg press one repetition maximum (kg), IMS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Isometric Muscle Strength (peak torque), LE 1RM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;leg extension one repetition maximum (kg) Pre\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;pre-testing, Post\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;post-testing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e* Significantly greater compared to baseline testing (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026dagger;Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD are shown.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eRegional Muscle Thickness\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA significant main effect for time (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) was observed for the RF at 50% and 70% muscle length. However, there was no main effect for group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.546; 0.409) respectively. In the VL muscle at 50% and 70% muscle length, a significant main effect for time (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) was observed, while a main effect for the group was not observed (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.316; 0.413) respectively. We also found a significant main effect for time (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) in the ML muscle at 50% and 70% muscle length, whereas a main effect for the group was not observed (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.504; 0.532), respectively. A statistically significant effect was observed for time (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) in the VI muscle at 50% and 70% muscle length, but there was no significant effect observed for the group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.105; 0.298), respectively (Table\u0026nbsp;3 and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"No\" id=\"Taba\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"8\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;3. Changes in site-specific muscle thickness during and after the intervention period.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTRT\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;pre-exhaustion group; DS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;drop set group; 1RM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;one repetition maximum; ES\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;within-group effect size; Pre\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;pretraining testing; Post\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;post training testing; mm\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;millimeters; RF\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;rectus femoris; VI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;vastus intermedius; VM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;vastus medialis; VL\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;vastus lateralis; 50, 70\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;measuring site along the length of each muscle; TQ\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Total Quadriceps (Sum of 4 heads of quadriceps).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026dagger;Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD are shown.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026Dagger; = Significant from pre to post testing (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeasures\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTRT(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePre-Ex(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;17)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDS(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRF 50 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.38\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.89\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.01\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14,62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.29-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.41-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVI 50 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.50\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.16\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.19\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.90\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;281\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.41-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.53-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVM 50 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.81\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.42\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.71\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.63\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.14\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.55-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.46-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.35-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVL 50 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.20\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.31\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;.46\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.62-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.59-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTQ 50 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.40\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.08\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10.78\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.68-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRF 70 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.89\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.67\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.29\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03-Small\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12-Medium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.23-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVI 70 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.81\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.98\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.09\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;249\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.84\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.37-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.31-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.45-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVM 70 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.59\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.51\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.08\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.39\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.98\u0026plusmn;,2.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.63\u0026plusmn;,2.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.46-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.49-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.58-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVL 70 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.43\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.35\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.69\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.71\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.52-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.43-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.60-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTQ 70 (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.88\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.66\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.15\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.81\u003csup\u003e\u0026Dagger;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;6.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChange %\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eES (η\u003csub\u003ep\u003c/sub\u003e\u003csup\u003e2)\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.62-Large\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTRT\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Traditional resistance training group; Pre-Ex\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;pre-exhaustion group; DS\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;drop set group, Pre\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;pre-testing, Post\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;post-testing, RF\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;rectus femoris, VI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;vastus intermedius, VM\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;vastus medialis VL\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;vastus lateralis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e* Significantly greater compared to baseline testing (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026dagger;Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD are shown.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTotal Training Volume\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere were no differences between groups in terms of the training volume load per session (Pre-Ex: 13,470.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,833.98kg; DS: 13,490.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2,367.33 kg; TRT: 13,522.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1,818.37; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.997).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDelayed Onset of Muscle Soreness and Perceived Exertion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere were statistically significant differences between the experimental groups for DOMS at 24 hours post-exercise, and RPE at 24 and 48 hours post-exercise (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). At 24 hours mark, the Pre-Ex and DS group had higher values than the TRT for DOMS (Pre-ex: 3.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.34, TRT: 2.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24 and DS: 3.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15) and RPE (Pre-Ex: 6.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.71, TRT: 5.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87, and DS: 6.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.77). Similarly, at 48 hours mark, the Pre-Ex and DS group had higher values than the TRT for DOMS (Pre-ex: 3.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31, TRT: 2.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20, and DS: 3.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study compared the effects of various training methods while keeping the training volume equated on the enhancement of muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy. The main findings revealed that traditional, pre-exhaustion and drop sets groups exhibited similar muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy after six-week resistance training program. Furthermore, our results revealed that delayed onset of muscle soreness and perceived rated exertion were higher for Pre-ex and DS compared to TRT.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur results corroborate previous studies showing that when the training volume is equated, the improvements on muscle strength and hypertrophy are similar despite of different resistance training methods (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e). When comparing TRT with DS, comparable enhancements in the cross-sectional area of the VL muscle were observed previously (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e). Angleri et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e) assessed hypertrophy at the midpoint of the VL, while we and Varović et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e) evaluated muscle thickness of the VL and RF muscles at multiple sites along their length. Similarly to those studies, we found no significant differences between different methods of resistance training once we revealed, without significant difference, that the DS group increased 43% the VL, while TRT group increased 35% the VL. Even though DS and TRT differ in terms of structure, with the equivalence of total training volume between them, the overall stimulus to the muscle may be similar.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvidence suggest that metabolic stress may have a role in facilitating muscle growth (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). It has also been hypothesized that metabolic accumulation and local fatigue may increase of recruitment of type II fibers, resulting in higher hypertrophic adaptations (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). Thus, inducing the activation of type II muscle fibers can serve as a beneficial approach for increasing both muscle strength and hypertrophy in RT programs. Therefore, researchers attempted to trigger metabolic accumulation and local muscle fatigue, especially for type I fibers with low load RT before a high load RT (\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR15\" citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e), likewise during Pre-ex method. Our results do not provide support for the proposed hypothesis. Aguiar et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e) pre-exhaustive set until failure with a knee extension exercise performed at 20%1RM, before initiating high load resistance training. They showed improvements in maximal strength, muscle cross-sectional area, and muscle endurance. However, repetition numbers for failure sets were 45\u0026ndash;55, much lower than our Pre-Ex group (81.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.30). In contrast to our Pre-Ex group, the comparison group employed just an additional set at 20%1RM. The possible explanation for the differences between the studies is unequal training volume (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e). The findings by Trindade et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e) and Fisher et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e) similar to our results, supported the idea that Pre-Ex training cannot offer more significant benefits for neuromuscular adaptations when compared to traditional RT.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the absence of difference for strength, endurance and hypertrophy outcomes, the DOMS and RPE were different comparing groups. The TRT presented lower rates of DOMS and RPE when compared to Pre-ex and DS groups. Despite the equated volume, probably this happened due to the repetitions to failure achieved in both Pre-ex and DS groups. In both groups, the time under tension was longer, and previous study reported that RPE gradually increases in longer time under tension (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, our results corroborates Enes et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e), indicating that even with equated volume, the DS showed higher rates of RPE compared to TRT.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present study has come limitations that should be considered. While the Jones pre-exhaustion method (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e) was not strictly adhered with respect to rest intervals between single-joint and multi-joint exercises, a rest period of three-minute was deemed necessary based on previous findings (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e), which indicated that a Pre-ex set reduces the number of subsequent exercise repetitions significantly. As it could be considered as a limitation of the study, we chosen this approach aiming to achieve metabolic stress while also avoiding a decrease in volume load. Future investigations examining the effects of Pre-ex training should consider incorporating assessments of metabolic markers, muscle biopsies, and intracellular hypertrophy pathways to enable a more accurate and comprehensive conclusion to be drawn.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eTraditional resistance training, drop sets and pre-exhaustion methods revealed to be equally effective on enhancing muscle hypertrophy, strength, and endurance. Our study did not support the superiority of pre-exhaustion or drop sets over traditional resistance training when the volume is equated. As varying exercise selection has a positive effect on enhancing motivation to exercise in resistance-trained men (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e), practitioners may contemplate incorporating drop sets or pre-exhaustion techniques in their exercise programs to introduce variability and potentially elicit physiological adaptations.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eConflict of interest\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll authors declare no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding information\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eConceptualization \u0026ndash; KK, FNG, MG, RAFData curation - KK, FNG, MGFormal Analysis - KK, FNG, MG, RAFFunding acquisition \u0026ndash; not applicableInvestigation - KK, FNG, MG, RAFMethodology - KK, FNG, MG, RAFProject administration - KK, FNG, MG, RAFResources - KK, FNG, MGSoftware - KK, FNG, MGSupervision - KK, FNG, MGValidation - KK, FNG, MGVisualization - KK, FNG, MGWriting \u0026ndash; original draft - KK, FNG, MGWriting \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing \u0026ndash; KK, RAF\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors thank you the participants for their time and effort in completing the assessments and training protocols. Furthermore, we express our gratitude to Brad J Schoenfeld for his valuable contribution in providing reviews on the study.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchoenfeld BJ. The Mechanisms of Muscle Hypertrophy and Their Application to Resistance Training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2010;24(10):2857\u0026ndash;72.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKrzysztofik, Wilk, Wojdała, Gołaś. Maximizing Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review of Advanced Resistance Training Techniques and Methods. IJERPH. 2019;16(24):4897.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRalston GW, Kilgore L, Wyatt FB, Buchan D, Baker JS. Weekly Training Frequency Effects on Strength Gain: A Meta-Analysis. Sports Med Open. 2018;4(1):36.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchoenfeld BJ, Wilson JM, Lowery RP, Krieger JW. 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PLoS ONE. 2019;14(12):e0226989.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"sport-sciences-for-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ssfh","sideBox":"Learn more about [Sport Sciences for Health](http://link.springer.com/journal/11332)","snPcode":"11332","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11332/3","title":"Sport Sciences for Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"strength training, regional muscle hypertrophy, total training volume","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4564565/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4564565/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003ePurpose\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study investigated the impact of the equated volume load on three different resistance training methods (traditional, pre-exhaustion and drop sets) on muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy in young men.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFifty-three recreationally trained men performed a one-week familiarization and were randomized into three groups: traditional (TRT, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18), pre-exhaustion (Pre-Ex, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;17), and drop set (DS, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;18). All groups were enrolled in a six-week, twice-weekly intervention program. The TRT performed four sets of 8\u0026ndash;12 repetitions with 70%1RM for each leg press and leg extension exercises, with three-minute rest between sets. The Pre-Ex performed leg extensions with 30%1RM until exhaustion before each exercise, while the DS performed leg extensions with 30%1RM after the last set of each exercise. We collected data from 1RM leg press and a 5RM leg extension, isometric strength, muscular endurance, and muscle thickness.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003erevealed that all training methods had significant improvements in muscle strength (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), endurance (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), and hypertrophy (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), with no significant difference between groups (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTherefore, the TRT, Pre-Ex and DS methods revealed to be equally effective on enhancing muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy. Thus, the study did not support the superiority of pre-exhaustion or drop set over traditional resistance training when the volume is equated.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Equated volume load: similar improvements in muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy for traditional, pre-exhaustion and drop sets in resistance training.","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-06-28 09:51:44","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4564565/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2024-07-24T07:22:28+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-07-22T13:22:37+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-07-18T13:28:06+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"340056397438662178382767288322575114899","date":"2024-07-04T09:15:13+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"89254729817215481844664273781207822161","date":"2024-07-02T09:09:37+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2024-07-02T09:06:16+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-06-13T10:08:19+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2024-06-13T10:07:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Sport Sciences for Health","date":"2024-06-11T13:39:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"sport-sciences-for-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ssfh","sideBox":"Learn more about [Sport Sciences for Health](http://link.springer.com/journal/11332)","snPcode":"11332","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/11332/3","title":"Sport Sciences for Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d29be097-514c-45e8-aafd-10f48348e523","owner":[],"postedDate":"June 28th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-11-11T16:06:42+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-4564565","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01281-x","journal":{"identity":"sport-sciences-for-health","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Sport Sciences for Health"},"publishedOn":"2024-11-09 15:58:14","publishedOnDateReadable":"November 9th, 2024"},"versionCreatedAt":"2024-06-28 09:51:44","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s11332-024-01281-x","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01281-x","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-4564565","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-4564565","identity":"rs-4564565","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}