Effect of exercise order on the resistance training performance during a circuit training session

• Published in: Revista brasileira de cineantropometria & desempenho humano Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 325 - 333
• Main Authors: Piraua, Andre Luiz Torres, Beltrao, Natalia Barros, de Lima Junior, Dalton Roberto Alves Araujo, Queiroz, Gregorio Reis de, de Souza, Jefferson Gomes, Melo, Bruno Machado, de Araujo, Rodrigo Cappato
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 01-01-2014
• ISSN: 1415-8426; 1980-0037
• DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2014v16n3p325

The aim of this study was to compare total work volume, number of repetitions and rate of perceived effort performed in two different sequences of circuit training sessions. Eleven recreationally trained men (24.0 + or - 4.8 years, 76.1 + or - 8.5 kg, 1.75 + or - 0.06 m) performed two different sequences of circuit training sessions. All sessions consisted of eight stations (exercises) of three sets in circuit, performed to volitional fatigue, alternating upper and lower body exercises, with 1-minute rest interval between exercises. Sequence A began with multiple joint exercises and progressed to single joint exercises, whereas sequence B was performed with the opposite exercise order. Number of repetitions and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were compared by repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (repeated measures MANOVA). Total work volume (TWV) was compared by paired t-test. There were no differences between exercise order for TWV (p=0.47) and RPE of all exercises (p>0.05). For both sequences, number of repetitions was greater when exercise was performed first (p<0.05). These results indicate that during a circuit training session, exercises order influenced the number of repetition, but did not influence TWV and RPE. These findings may suggest that for those who aim overall muscular gains, similar results will be obtained with single and multiple joint, upper and lower body circuit training exercise orders. Similarly, exercise intensity will be similarly perceived regardless of exercise sequences. For those who aim specific muscle group gains, priority exercises must be performed first.Original Abstract: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o Volume Total de Trabalho (VTT), o Numero de Repeticoes (NR), e a Percepcao Subjetiva de Esforco (PSE) de duas sequencias de exercicios executadas no metodo circuito. Onze homens treinados recreacionalmente (24.0 + or -4.8 years, 76.1 + or - 8.5 kg, 1.75 + or - 0.06 m) realizaram duas sequencias diferentes de exercicios contra a resistencia no metodo circuito. As sessoes foram compostas por tres passagens em oito estacoes (exercicios), executadas ate a fadiga, alternados membros superiores e inferiores, com 1 minuto de intervalo entre os exercicios. A sequencia A foi iniciada por exercicios multiarticulares e progrediu para exercicios monoarticulares, enquanto a sequencia B foi executada na ordem inversa. O NR e a PSE foram comparadas pela MANOVA com medidas repetidas. O VTT foi comparado por meio do teste t pareado. Nao houve diferencas significativas entre as ordens de exercicios para o VTT (p=0.47) e PSE (p>0.05). Para ambas as sequencias, o NR foi maior quando os exercicios foram realizados no inicio das sequencias (p<0,05). Esses resultados indicaram que a ordem dos exercicios afetou o numero de repeticoes, mas nao afetou o VTT e a PSE. Esses achados sugerem que, para aqueles que objetivam ganhos musculares gerais, resultados similares podem ser obtidos com exercicios mono e multiarticulares, para membros superiores e inferiores em diferentes ordens no metodo circuito. Da mesma forma, a intensidade do exercicio sera percebida de forma similar independente da sequencia. Para aqueles que objetivam ganhos musculares especificos, exercicios prioritarios devem ser executados no inicio da sessao.