Effects of increased leg resistance training and reduced aerobic training on selected physiological parameters in United States Air Force men and women

The aim of this 10-week training study was to determine the effects of high volume leg resistance training compared to high volume aerobic training on predicted and maximal aerobic capacity administered on the treadmill and cycle ergometer. 12 trained (M = 6) and (F = 6) Air Force subjects (26 to 36 yrs) volunteered and were assigned to one of two groups: non-traditional (NT, n = 6) or traditional (T, n = 6). No significant changes occurred in the NT or T group's predicted VO₂ max (ml/kg/min) when measured on the cycle ergometer. Predicted aerobic capacity on the treadmill increased 17% for the NT group, but T group's VO₂ max remained unchanged. VO₂ max when measured on the treadmill improved 14 and 16% for the T and NT groups, respectively. An increased volume of heavy legresistance training induced mean percent increases in the NT groups maximal VO₂ when measured on the treadmill and cycle ergometer.