Acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross-training modalities
Training structures such as every minute on minute (EMOM), as many repetitions as possible (AMRAP), and rounds for time (RFT) have gained popularity for improving sport performance and general health. However, limited research exists on how different relative loads affect neuromuscular and cardiores...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1636752/full |
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| author | Manuel Barba-Ruíz Francisco Hermosilla-Perona Francisco Hermosilla-Perona José Miguel Fernández-Asensio Marzo Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto Adrián Martín-Castellanos Juan Ramón Heredia-Elvar |
| author_facet | Manuel Barba-Ruíz Francisco Hermosilla-Perona Francisco Hermosilla-Perona José Miguel Fernández-Asensio Marzo Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto Adrián Martín-Castellanos Juan Ramón Heredia-Elvar |
| author_sort | Manuel Barba-Ruíz |
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| description | Training structures such as every minute on minute (EMOM), as many repetitions as possible (AMRAP), and rounds for time (RFT) have gained popularity for improving sport performance and general health. However, limited research exists on how different relative loads affect neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory responses. This study aimed to compare acute effects on heart rate (HR), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), velocity loss, and pacing in participants performing AMRAP, EMOM, and RFT using the same absolute but varying relative loads. Twenty-five participants with over a year of training experience in these structures performed squats, pull-ups, and shoulder press at varying relative intensities (<40%RM, 40–65%RM, and >65%RM). Results showed significant differences in MPV between modalities (p < 0.05), with RFT having higher MPV than AMRAP, especially at lower intensities (<40%RM). EMOM also had higher MPV than AMRAP, with minimal differences compared to RFT. Velocity loss patterns varied by intensity group, with AMRAP inducing higher intra- and inter-set losses than EMOM (p < 0.05). HR analysis revealed EMOM elicited the lowest HR values, followed by AMRAP and RFT, and a larger HR difference was noted in the lowest intensity group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that prescribing relative loads, rather than absolute loads, is important for optimizing performance and managing fatigue in cross training. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fb3e10368d784a5a8f24efd66038f13d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-fb3e10368d784a5a8f24efd66038f13d2025-08-21T05:27:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-08-011610.3389/fphys.2025.16367521636752Acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross-training modalitiesManuel Barba-Ruíz0Francisco Hermosilla-Perona1Francisco Hermosilla-Perona2José Miguel Fernández-Asensio3Marzo Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto4Adrián Martín-Castellanos5Juan Ramón Heredia-Elvar6Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (UAX), Madrid, SpainFacultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (UAX), Madrid, SpainFacultad de Ciencias de la Vida y la Naturaleza, Universidad Nebrija, Madrid, SpainFacultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (UAX), Madrid, SpainDepartment of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, BrazilFacultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (UAX), Madrid, SpainFacultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (UAX), Madrid, SpainTraining structures such as every minute on minute (EMOM), as many repetitions as possible (AMRAP), and rounds for time (RFT) have gained popularity for improving sport performance and general health. However, limited research exists on how different relative loads affect neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory responses. This study aimed to compare acute effects on heart rate (HR), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), velocity loss, and pacing in participants performing AMRAP, EMOM, and RFT using the same absolute but varying relative loads. Twenty-five participants with over a year of training experience in these structures performed squats, pull-ups, and shoulder press at varying relative intensities (<40%RM, 40–65%RM, and >65%RM). Results showed significant differences in MPV between modalities (p < 0.05), with RFT having higher MPV than AMRAP, especially at lower intensities (<40%RM). EMOM also had higher MPV than AMRAP, with minimal differences compared to RFT. Velocity loss patterns varied by intensity group, with AMRAP inducing higher intra- and inter-set losses than EMOM (p < 0.05). HR analysis revealed EMOM elicited the lowest HR values, followed by AMRAP and RFT, and a larger HR difference was noted in the lowest intensity group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that prescribing relative loads, rather than absolute loads, is important for optimizing performance and managing fatigue in cross training.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1636752/fullfatiguepacingperformancesquatstrength |
| spellingShingle | Manuel Barba-Ruíz Francisco Hermosilla-Perona Francisco Hermosilla-Perona José Miguel Fernández-Asensio Marzo Edir Da Silva-Grigoletto Adrián Martín-Castellanos Juan Ramón Heredia-Elvar Acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross-training modalities Frontiers in Physiology fatigue pacing performance squat strength |
| title | Acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross-training modalities |
| title_full | Acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross-training modalities |
| title_fullStr | Acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross-training modalities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross-training modalities |
| title_short | Acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross-training modalities |
| title_sort | acute neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of varying relative loads in cross training modalities |
| topic | fatigue pacing performance squat strength |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1636752/full |
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