Effects of resistance training with controlled versus self-selected repetition duration on muscle mass and strength in untrained men

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of self-selected repetition duration (SELF), with and without volume load (VL) equalized with controlled repetition duration (CON) on muscle strength and hypertrophy in untrained males. We used a within-subjects design in which 20 volunteers (age: 24.7 +/- 2.9 years) had one leg randomly assigned to CON (i.e., 2 s concentric, 2 s eccentric) and the other to SELF or to self-selected repetition duration with equalized volume load (SELF-EV). One repetition maximum (1-RM) and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured at baseline (Pre) and after (Post) resistance training (RT; 2x/wk for 8 weeks). For the main study variables (1-RM and muscle CSA), a mixed-model analysis was performed, assuming repetition duration (SELF, SELF-EV and CON), and time (Pre and Post) as fixed factors and the subjects as random factor for each dependent variable (1-RM and CSA). All RT protocols showed significant increases in values of 1-RM from Pre (CON: 73.7 +/- 17.6 kg; SELF: 75.9 +/- 17.7 kg; and SELF-EV: 72.6 +/- 16.9 kg) to Post (CON: 83.4 +/- 19.9 kg, effect size (ES): 0.47; SELF: 84 +/- 19.1 kg, ES: 0.43; and SELF-EV: 83.2 +/- 19.9 kg, ES: 0.57, P < 0.0001). Muscle CSA values increased for all protocols from Pre (CON: 12.09 +/- 3.14 cm(2); SELF: 11.91 +/- 3.71 cm(2); and SELF-EV: 11.93 +/- 2.32 cm(2)) to Post (CON: 13.03 +/- 3.25 cm(2), ES: 0.29; SELF: 13.2 +/- 4.16 cm(2), ES: 0.32; and SELF-EV: 13.2 +/- 2.35 cm(2), ES: 0.53, P < 0.0001). No significant differences between protocols were found for both 1-RM and CSA (P > 0.05). Performing RT with SELF, regardless of VL, was equally effective in inducing increases in muscle strength and hypertrophy compared to CON in untrained men.