The strength-endurance continuum revisited:a critical commentary of the recommendation ofdifferent loading ranges for different muscular adaptations
James Fisher, James Steele, Patroklos Androulakis‐Korakakis, Dave Smith, Paulo Gentil, Jürgen Gießing
Abstract
The accepted wisdom within resistance training is that differing loads and corresponding repetition maximum (RM) ranges are optimal for inducing specific adaptations. For example, prominent organizations and their respective publications have typically prescribed heavy loads for maximal strength increases ( 85% 1RM/ 6RM), more moderate loads for hypertrophy (67-85% 1RM/6-12RM) and lighter loads for local muscular endurance (LME; 67% 1RM/ 12RM). Since we believe these recommendations originate from a misunderstanding and misinterpretation of DeLorme's strength-endurance continuum, the aim of this narrative review is to discuss the preponderance of research surrounding training load and strength and LME adaptations.