Training practices of recreationally resistance trained-women: an observational study

Objective: The aims of this study were to: 1) quantify the weekly volume of sets prescribed for each muscle group of the lower limbs in recreationally-trained women; 2) assess the association between resistance training experience and the weekly volume. Design and Methods: The training programs of 1019 recreationally-trained women subjects were analyzed. Data was ana lyzed for the following lower limb muscle groups: quadriceps femoris, knee flexors, hip adductors, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, triceps surae, and tibialis anterior. A k-cluster analysis was performed to subdivide the weekly volume of sets into 3 groups (low, medium, and high). Results: A significant difference in RT experience (years) and weekly frequency was observed between the 3 groups. For relative (%) weekly volume of sets, a larger number was noted for quadriceps femoris (34.29%), followed by gluteus maximus (28.57%), knee flexors (11.43%), and hip adductors, gluteus medius and triceps surae (all 8.57%). A moderate correlation was observed between RT experience and AVS (rs = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.50 to 0.59; p = 0.001) and a strong correlation between weekly frequency and AVS (rs = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.69 to 0.75; p = 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, strength coaches usually prescribe high weekly volumes of sets for lower limb muscle groups. Additionally, a higher weekly volume of sets was prescribed for the quadriceps femoris and gluteus maximus muscles when compared to the knee flexors. This results suggest that training experience positively correlates with to the absolute weekly volume of sets.