Cardiopulmonary and Peripheral Responses and Adaptations to Strength Training

The functional and morphological adaptations to strength training are broadly characterized but not yet fully understood. Particularly the cardiopulmonary benefits of strength training are evaluated inconsistently. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the chronic effects of strength training on the cardiopulmonary and muscular system, acquiring knowledge regarding the immediate responses to various training methods can be valuable. Often, only easy-to-measure parameters such as heart rate, oxygen uptake, and blood lactate concentration are used to investigate exercise-induced responses and long-term adaptations. Recent measurement techniques may offer a more detailed insight into the exercise-physiological response and adaptation during and resulting from strength training. These procedures encompass high-resolution imaging, continuous monitoring of blood pressure or cardiac output, molecular diagnostics, and the quantification of short- and long-term blood volume changes. Furthermore, differences in the application of physical training regarding intensity, repetitions, type of exercise, and rest are an important factor complicating the evaluation of strength training effects in both healthy individuals and diseased patient groups. The systematic investigation of manipulating different strength training variables could substantially contribute to enhancing our understanding of the adaptive effects associated with training.

The objective of this Research Topic is to investigate physiological short- and long-term effects of different strength training methods (strength endurance training and traditional resistance training) using state-of-the-art measurement methods. Contributions focusing on advanced parameters such as cardiac output, biological markers, hemoglobin mass, and imaging techniques are particularly welcome. Additionally, the objectives should encompass a more systematic analysis of the impact of intensity, repetitions and rest periods.

Within this Research Topic, we are interested in publishing a collection of original articles, method articles, or (systematic) reviews focused on exercise physiology. Important issues include but are not limited to:
- Acute and/or chronic metabolic, functional, and cardiopulmonary responses to strength training and strength endurance training
- Dose-response relationships between training factors and outcomes in both healthy and clinical populations
- Standardization of reporting of training interventions