Advantages And Disadvantages Of Resistance Training

Resistance training is a type of training that requires an athlete to work against a resistance, usually with the use of weights (Fleck and Kraemer,1951). Resistance training can lead to several adaptations over time such as: increased strength, power, mass and endurance (Haff and Triplett 1994). However, before these structural adaptations occur, the body must first go through neural adaptations. Seynnes, de Boer and Narici (2007) stated that it is widely accepted that the initial strength gain adaptation from resistance training is mainly due to neural factors. When beginning resistance training, there is increased activity within the motor cortex and significant changes occur to the corticospinal tracts, meaning signals from the motor cortex travel to the working muscle more efficiently. Neural adaptations of resistance training include motor unit recruitment, size principle, rate coding, motor synchronisation and neural drive (Haff and Triplett 1994).

There are two types of muscles fibres, slow-twitch and fast-twitch both having different properties. Slow-twitch fibres have a greater capacity for aerobic supply, but rapid force development is low, ideal for endurance activities such as long distance running. In contrast, fast-twitch fibres have a rapid force development and low aerobic supply, ideal for sprinting or jumping (Haff and Triplett 1994). Duchateau, Semmler and Enoka (2006) established that motor unit recruitment is the changing number of motor units, this gives us the ability to produce force. Depending on the activity being performed it will determine the type of muscle fibre being