Affiliations: [a] Group of Study and Research in Metabolism, Nutrition
and Exercise, Gepemene, Brazil | [b] São Paulo Support Foundation for Research, FAPESP,
Brazil | [c] School of Physical Education, University of
Pernambuco, UPE, Brazil | [d] School of Physical Education and Sports, University of
São Paulo, Brazil | [e] Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina State
University, UEL, Brazil
Note: [] Address for correspondence: E.P. Salvador, Grupo de Estudo e
Pesquisa em Metabolismo, Nutrição e Exercício, Centro de
Educação Física e Esporte, Universidade Estadual de Londrina,
Rod. Celso Garcia Cid, km 380, Campus Universitário, CEP 86051-990,
Londrina, PR, Brasil. E-mail: emanuelps@usp.br
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of eight
weeks of strength training on fatigue resistance in men and women. Thirty-three
men and twenty-three women performed eight weeks of strength training in three
weekly sessions. Subjects performed four sets using 80% of 1-RM tests on
bench press, squat and arm curl. Fatigue index (FI) was used for analysis of
decline in motor performance along the sets. The sum of the number of
repetitions accomplished in the four sets in each exercise was used to indicate
the fatigue resistance. Anova or Ancova two-way (time x gender) was employed
for statistical analysis (P < 0.05). Eight weeks of strength training
increased significantly 1-RM strength, fatigue resistance and total number of
repetitions in both genders. FI decreased significantly in both genders after
training (men = 50% vs. women = Time x gender interaction was observed
in the total number of repetitions in squat (P = 0.04) and arm curl
exercises, regarding gains to women (P = 0.01). In conclusion, eight weeks of
ST improved strength, FR, FI and total number of repetitions performed.
However, women obtained greater adaptations than men.
