Virtual Training Based on Supersets vs. Concurrent Training in Women.

Overview

There are different forms of physical activity proven to improve muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness. One of them is concurrent training, which is defined as the combination of two or more physical capacities in the same session (resistance and endurance training). Another modality is superset training, which is characterized by performing two or more exercises for the same muscle group, or a different muscle group, consecutively, with minimal recovery between them. To date, the evidence has shown studies comparing different resistance training protocols, vs. aerobic training, and vs. concurrent training, performed in various ways, on muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness. Most of these studies involved men with resistance training experience, and little research linked women. It should be noted that no study found has used virtual training to test the effects of superset training compared to concurrent training in women with low to moderate levels of physical activity. Therefore, this study aims to identify the effect of a superset training program vs. a concurrent training program on muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, motivation, adherence, and health-related quality of life in women with a low to moderate level of physical activity for eight weeks virtually.

Sixty women will be randomly assigned to two groups (superset and concurrent). The interventions will be carried out virtually asynchronously, only sessions 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 will be supervised synchronously. Follow-up will be done through WhatsApp messages. Both groups will have a training frequency of 3 times a week for eight weeks. In the training sessions, strength exercises with self-loading (crunches, one leg squat, side plank, push up, deadlift, lumbar extension stretch, row, glute bridge, front raise) and/or aerobic exercises (floor tape squat, jumping jacks, skaters). Each group will execute the same number of series and repetitions during the 8 weeks, the performance of strength exercises will be standardized at 45 bpm throughout the protocol, and aerobic exercises at 70 bpm. Intensity will be controlled by resting between sets, starting with 90 seconds in week one, decreasing by 15 seconds every two weeks until reaching 45 seconds. Each participant will have initial and final evaluations to measure muscle strength in lower, middle, and upper kinetic chains. Queen's College test will be used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness, BREQ-2, and SF-12 questionnaires will be used to measure motivation and health-related quality of life respectively.