However, the perspective provided within this review highlights that other
resistance exercise protocols, beyond the often discussed high-intensity training (American College of Sports Medicine 2009), can be effective in stimulating an acute anabolic response (Burd et al. 2010b) that may translate into trainingmediated
increases in hypertrophy (Léger et al. 2006). A larger metabolically active muscle mass, and discussing other avenues beyond high-intensity contractions to achieve this, will have important implications from a public health standpoint.
For example, skeletal muscle mass is a large contributor to daily energy expenditure and will assist in weight management. Additionally, skeletal muscle, because of its
overall size, is the primary site of blood glucose disposal and thus will likely play a role in reducing the risk for the development of type II diabetes (Wolfe 2006).
However, if
the goal is to achieve maximal strength development, since neural factors are a significant contributor to this outcome (Sale 1988), then high-intensity training regimes are superior in this regard. Training with high-intensity contractions allows
the trainee to get “practice” in activating muscle mass during a single maximal lift. However, greater strength would not require continual training at higher intensity resistance exercise, merely the periodic practice of higher intensity lifts during a low-intensity training program.