Adaptive changes in bodybuilders in conditions of different energy supply modes and intensity of training load regimes using machine and free weight exercises

Introduction

Improving the training process by optimizing loads is one of the main issues in bodybuilding. There is a constant search for effective combination of strength exercises and training programs. The issue of adaptation to a stressful stimulus in bodybuilding remains relevant. Adaptation changes are of great interest among leading specialists (Aerenhouts & D’Hondt, 2020; Coratella et al., 2020; Heidel, Novak & Dankel, 2022). This problem is especially acute at the stage of specialized basic training in bodybuilding. The complexity of the process of training optimization is associated with a high level of body resistance to physical exertion. Even if the load parameters contribute to the accelerated growth of muscle mass and strength (Chernozub et al., 2020; Marshall et al., 2020; Schwanbeck et al., 2020). At the same time, using a wide range of means, principles and training methods in the previous stages complicates the mechanisms of increasing adaptation reserves in the shortest possible time and requires the search for new ways of improving the training process (Chernozub et al., 2018; Saeterbakken et al., 2022).

The impact of training loads different in volume and intensity on adaptation processes in untrained people is of steady interest among scientists. Scientists in sports physiology and fitness have been paying attention to the research of this problem in recent years (Titova et al., 2018; Saeterbakken et al., 2019; Schott, Johnen & Holfelder, 2019). The integral method of quantitative estimation of load capacity in power fitness (Chernozub et al., 2020; Chernozub et al., 2022) allowed to assess power load parameters which depend on the muscle activity conditions and the level of functional capabilities. The load factor (R_a) reflects the indicator of the load regime intensity in power sports. This coefficient was estimated with the help of maximum strength indicators, work duration in a set, movement amplitude, duration of concentric and eccentric phases, and number of repetitions in a set. Indicators of projectile working mass (m) and load volume in the set (Wn) demonstrate the magnitude of the physical stimulus depending on the training load regime. The effectiveness of using quantitative indicators for assessing the intensity of load regimes was studied in fitness and MMA (Chernozub et al., 2020; Chernozub et al., 2022).

The complex use of morphometric and physiological indicators allows to evaluate the effectiveness of training loads and their adequacy to body capabilities. Blood biochemical markers helped to determine the nature of adaptive and compensatory reactions to a physical stimulus in different regimes of training loads. At the same time, the control of biochemical blood markers shows the level of resistance to training loads in certain modes of energy supply. It is known that the growth of maximum strength and muscle mass occurs after loads in anaerobic modes of energy supply (alactate and glycolytic). These changes occur due to hypertrophy of fast-twitch muscle fibers, growth of intra-muscular and inter-muscular coordination. The alactate and glycolytic anaerobic modes of energy supply differ in the mechanism of action, sources, duration and power (Shaner et al., 2014; Parks et al., 2020; Wilke, Stricker & Usedly, 2020; Wilk, Zajac & Tufano, 2021). At the same time, the question of finding an effective combination of training load (machine or with free weight exercises) in bodybuilding that differ in terms of energy supply and intensity has not been investigated by scientists yet.

For many years, the question of determining the effectiveness of using machine or free weight exercises in bodybuilding, fitness, powerlifting has caused conflicting views among scientists, coaches and athletes (Wirth et al., 2016; Wilke, Stricker & Usedly, 2020). In recent years, a number of specialists have paid close attention to the study of this issue not only in athletes, but also in people who use complexes of similar strength exercises in the process of muscle activity during rehabilitation (Schott, Johnen & Holfelder, 2019; Marshall et al., 2020). At the same time, the issue of determining the nature of changes in the concentration of testosterone, somatropin, and cortisol in the blood serum in response to training during machine and free weight exercises has been actively investigated (Shaner et al., 2014; Schwanbeck et al., 2020; González-Hernández et al., 2022). The results of these studies contribute to the in-depth observation of the features of body adaptive and compensatory reactions to physical stimuli when using similar complexes of training exercises (Stajer, Vranes & Ostojic, 2018; Chernozub et al., 2020; Saeterbakken et al., 2022). However, despite the sufficient number of studies in this direction, there is no clear definition of informative biochemical blood markers for assessing the growth of muscle mass, increasing the functional capabilities of bodybuilders.

Thus, the main problem of bodybuilding is the lack of physiologically based mechanisms for the ratio of external stimulus indicators and adaptation processes. Another pressing issue at the stage of specialized basic training is the effective combination of training means and load modes because athletes have high level of resistance to power loads. The in-depth study of these problems will allow to improve the training process in bodybuilding.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of training loads different in intensity and energy supply on performance in bodybuilding; to study the peculiarities of adaptive body changes using machine and free weight exercises at the stage of specialized basic training.

Materials & Methods

Results

Table 1 presents the dynamics of the chest muscles maximum strength development (1 RM) in athletes of all four groups during 12 weeks of the study.

Table 1 shows that during the period of research, there was positive dynamics in the chest muscles maximum strength development in bodybuilders of all groups. The most pronounced growth of the studied indicator was found in athletes of the 4th group (by 21.3%), who used machine exercises with high intensity training load in conditions of anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply. The smallest development of the chest muscle maximum strength was observed in group 2 athletes (by 15.1%) using free weight exercises in conditions of medium intensity training load and anaerobic-glycolytic mode of energy supply. At the same time, in groups of athletes in the conditions of using training load identical in intensity, but different sets of exercises, the average-group difference between the dynamics of the studied indicator is not significant.

Training load parameters

The results of the average group changes in the parameters of projectile working mass, used by bodybuilders during 12 weeks of the study, are graphically presented in Fig. 1.

Figure 1 demonstrates that despite almost identical parameters of the maximum muscle strength development in all groups at the beginning of the study (Table 1), the controlled indicators of the projectile working mass was by 22.7% higher in athletes of groups 3 and 4 who used high intensity training load (R_a = 0.71) regardless of the type of exercises (Fig. 1). After 12 weeks of training, the bodybuilders of groups 3 and 4 showed a similar difference in the projectile working mass parameters compared to group 1 and 2 athletes, who used medium intensity training load (R_a = 0.58).

Figure 2 depicts the results of average group changes in the load volume in a set. Due to the peculiarities of medium-intensity training load mode, group 1 and 2 athletes used 2 times higher volume of training load from the very beginning of the study. The last 4 weeks of research showed that group 1 and 3 representatives, who used the same type of free weight exercises on the background of different load modes, had a 175.4% difference between the groups in the load volume in a set. However, group 2 and 4 athletes, who used machine exercises in conditions of medium (R_a = 0.58) and high (R_a = 0.71) intensity training load, had an identical difference in the studied indicator.

Biochemical parameters

Figure 3 graphically presents the changes in lactate dehydrogenase activity in the blood serum of all group participants using complexes machine and free weight exercises during all stages of the research.

Figure 3 shows that, LDH activity increased in the blood serum of bodybuilders in the following way: group 1—by 16.6%, and group 2—by 14.5%, compared to the state of rest. It happened in response to a stress stimulus at the beginning of the study. However, the activity of this enzyme in group 3 and 4 athletes in response to high intensity training load during machine exercises did not change significantly.

After 12 weeks of training, LDH activity in the blood serum increased with a smaller progression, and only in athletes of group 1 (by 13.1%) and 2 (by 6.8%) in response to medium intensity training load in anaerobic-glycolytic energy supply mode. At the same time, the studied enzyme activity in group 3 and 4 athletes did not change in response to training load in the conditions of anaerobic-alactate energy supply mode, regardless of using the type of strength exercises.

Figure 4 displays the results of changes in the creatinine concentration in the blood serum of the examined bodybuilders in response to different modes of anaerobic energy supply performing machine and free weight exercises.

The results analysis shows that the initial measurements of creatinine concentration in the blood serum decreased in athletes of all groups in response to a stress stimulus. Thus, in representatives of groups 3 and 4, the concentration of the studied biochemical indicator shows an average 2-fold decrease in response to high intensity training load in the conditions of anaerobic-alactate energy supply mode, compared to the results recorded in bodybuilders of groups 1 and 2. At the same time, there was no significant difference between the effect of using machine or free weight exercises on the parameters of the studied biochemical indicator.

After 12 weeks of training, the creatinine concentration demonstrated changes in athletes of all examined groups in response to a stress stimulus. Thus, its concentration increased by 7.6% (<0.05) on average in athletes of all groups. The basal creatinine level was 3.7 times higher in athletes of groups 3 and 4. These changes in the basal level of creatinine indicate an accelerated growth of muscle mass in athletes of groups 3 and 4.

Discussion

This research describes the influence of training loads of different intensity and energy supply on performance in bodybuilding. It studies the process of adaptation to training loads (machine and free weight exercises) at the stage of specialized basic training. The study results indicate that there is no significant difference between machine and free weight exercises at this stage of training. We have identified that it is the high-intensity loads in combination with the anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply that contributed to maximum adaptive body changes. The results of this study will contribute to the optimization of training loads at the stage of specialized basic training. The obtained results will also help to better understand the processes of adaptation in bodybuilding while using high and medium intensity training loads on the background of anaerobic modes of energy supply.

The lack of uniform mechanisms for training activity optimization is one of the unsolved problems in the modern training system of bodybuilding. The combination of effective load variations, principles, methods and tools is one of the most controversial scientific directions. In-depth study of adaptive body changes in bodybuilders is one of the priority areas of research in sports physiology (Tang, Chan & Kuo, 2014; Chernozub et al., 2020; Saeterbakken et al., 2022). Determining the peculiarities of adaptive body changes of bodybuilders using machine and free weight exercises in different modes of energy supply and their effectiveness is one of the directions of this problem. However, the majority of studies are specifically aimed at the comparative assessment of the effectiveness of using machine and with free weight exercises due to the dynamics of morpho functional indicators and changes in certain biochemical blood indicators (Wochyński & Sobiech, 2017; Aerenhouts & D’Hondt, 2020; Wilke, Stricker & Usedly, 2020). At the same time, leading scientists in this direction paid only partial attention to the course of adaptive changes in conditions of using these exercises on the background of different intensity of training load and modes of anaerobic energy supply allowing to increase the effectiveness in the shortest possible time while reducing the risk of adaptation failure.

The greatest increase in maximum muscle strength and circumferential measurements of bodybuilders occurred during high-intensity training loads (R_a = 0.71) in the anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply. The rate of morpho functional indicators growth does not depend on type of exercises (machine or free weight). These adaptive changes are associated with accelerated hypertrophy of fast-twitch type B muscle fibers, which actively participate during exercises in anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply (Joanisse et al., 2020; Lopez et al., 2021). At the same time, the increase in the maximum muscle strength indicators is associated with growing indicators of intra-muscular and inter-muscular coordination in conditions of the anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply (Wilk, Zajac & Tufano, 2021; Carvalho et al., 2022).

The results of bioimpedance measurement indicate that using free weight exercises and medium intensity training load significantly decreased the level of body fat with a minimal increase in fat-free mass. Such changes in this body composition indicator highlights significant energy expenditure due to the large amount of work performed and the use of a significant number of stabilizer muscle groups during free weight exercises, as well as the possible manifestation of compensatory reactions to a physical stimulus (e.g., Chernozub et al., 2020). The level of body fat of athletes performing machine exercises in the anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply did not change during the research. However, the fat-free mass increased two times compared to the results of the participants using anaerobic-glycolytic energy supply mode for the same period, which indicates long-term adaptation on the background of pronounced hypertrophy of fast-twitch muscle fibers (e.g., Moesgaard et al., 2022).

The indicator of the projectile working mass was 25% higher in conditions of high intensity training load, and the parameters of load volume in a series of four sets were twice smaller compared to the results found during medium intensity training load despite identical initial parameters for the development of maximum muscle strength of the examined groups. At the same time, the use of machine or free-weight exercises did not affect the parameters of these load indicators. The characteristic difference in the projectile working mass values and performed volume load depends entirely on the power load regime and the variability of the parameters of its main components. (e.g., Chernozub et al., 2018). Thus, doubling the duration of concentric and especially eccentric phases of movement significantly reduces not only the level of inertia during exercise, but also the number of repetitions in a set, which is necessary to ensure the fatigue of the working muscles within the limits of the predominantly anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply (Chernozub et al., 2020; Kubo, Ikebukuro & Yata, 2021).

The increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity in the blood serum of bodybuilders in response to medium-intensity training load are confirmed by the results of a series of studies in power fitness (e.g., Titova et al., 2018). A significant increase in LDH activity within the physiological norm in response to strength training indicates the accumulation of lactate in the blood of athletes during muscle activity and the activation of the predominantly anaerobic-glycolytic mechanism of ATP resynthesis (e.g., Wochyński & Sobiech, 2017). The level of LDH activity in response to high intensity training load during strength exercises, especially machine exercises, did not change both in conditions of short-term and long-term adaptation. This is due to the fact that in these conditions of muscle activity, energy supply occurs due to the creatine phosphokinase mechanism of ATP resynthesis and the absence of lactate in the blood (Stajer, Vranes & Ostojic, 2018; González-Hernández et al., 2022). The obtained results also indicated that there was no need to involve additional muscle groups during machine exercises, which are extremely necessary for stabilizing the body position in free weight exercises (e.g., Chernozub et al., 2018).

The changes in creatinine concentration did not depend on the type of exercises. Rather, the change of this blood biochemical marker depended up on the intensity of loads and the mode of energy supply. The obtained data confirm the results of research in fitness (e.g., Chernozub et al., 2020). However, the increase in the basal level of creatinine concentration by 6 times indicate an increase in the adaptive reserves for the creatine phosphokinase mechanism of ATP resynthesis during anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply and high intensity training load (e.g., Tang, Chan & Kuo, 2014).

Thus, the obtained results indicate the expediency of using high intensity load (R_a = 0.71) and anaerobic-alactate energy supply mode in combination with machine exercises at the stage of specialized basic training in bodybuilding. The study proved that adaptive body changes were the most pronounced on the background of accelerated growth of strength and muscle mass with minimal reduction in body fat (Coratella et al., 2020; Heidel, Novak & Dankel, 2022). Biochemical indicators of LDH activity and creatinine concentration in the blood serum are not only markers for evaluating adaptive body changes in conditions of strength load of various intensity (Stajer, Vranes & Ostojic, 2018; Chernozub et al., 2020; González-Hernández et al., 2022), but they also contribute to the development of new mechanisms for improving the training process. The optimization of training process takes place due to the correction of load volume components taking into account those processes that will take place in the body depending on the involvement of certain mechanisms of energy supply.

Conclusions

Using sets of machine exercises in combination with high intensity training load contribute to the growth of strength capabilities and muscle mass of bodybuilders at the stage of specialized basic training in the shortest possible time. The absence of additional involvement of stabilizer muscles in the process of performing machine exercises allows to reduce energy consumption in most cases, and using high intensity training load in the conditions of anaerobic-alactate energy supply mode will allow to increase the reserves of the creatine phosphokinase mechanism of ATP resynthesis and thus the efficiency of the long-term adaptation process as a whole. The implementation of the study results in the training activity will help to find effective ways of optimizing training load taking into account the adaptation potential of the body, the peculiarities of the training stages and muscle activity.

The studied blood biochemical markers were used for evaluating adaptive changes in bodybuilders in response to high and medium intensity training load while using machine and free weight exercises. A clear distinction of changes in LDH activity and creatinine concentration in the blood serum in response to this stress stimulus allows to determine the level of involvement of certain energy supply modes and energy recovery mechanisms during muscle activity, which in the perspective will help with developing innovative systems for load correction and optimization of the training process as a whole.

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