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Box squats and bench presses were the "core" exercises the trainees periodized differently in the linear and undulating periodization group. |
Harries, Lubans and Callister are now the first to compare the differential effects of these types of periodization on strength and size gains in 26 adolescent male sub-elite rugby players (aged 14 to 18 years). And what they found is... well, interesting to say the least.
Want to become stronger, bigger, faster and leaner? Periodize appropriately!
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30% More on the Big Three: Squat, DL, BP!
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30% More on the Big Three: Squat, DL, BP!
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Block Periodization Done Right
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Block Periodization Done Right
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Linear vs. Undulating Periodizationt
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Linear vs. Undulating Periodizationt
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12% Body Fat in 12 Weeks W/ Periodizatoin
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12% Body Fat in 12 Weeks W/ Periodizatoin
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Detraining + Periodization - How to?
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Detraining + Periodization - How to?
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Tapering 101 - Learn How It's Done!
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Tapering 101 - Learn How It's Done!
Participants were randomly assigned to two different training progression models. A linear periodization program (LP) an undulating periodization program (DUP) for 12 weeks (see Table 1).
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Table 1: Core exercise (back squat + bench press) progression for LP and DUP programs (Harries. 2015). |
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Table 2: Training program session template for linear and daily undulating groups. What is important to note is that the programs differed differed only in the manipulation of volume and intensity for the back squat and bench press, not for the other exercises (Harries. 2015). |
Does it make a difference that the trainees were adolescents? Obviously it could, but if you look at the studies in adult subjects, the results are similarly ambiguous. As of now, it seems as if both types of periodization work and whether one is more effective than another may depend on (a) unknown individual variables and/or (b) rarely tested previous training experience. What I would like to know is whether someone who has always been using a classic linear periodization scheme may see greater strength and size gains if he / she switches to an undulating scheme.
When performing the core strength exercises, the back squat and bench press, the heaviest load used during each training session (daily max load) was prescribed using percentages of the maximum training weight. Participants were instructed to incrementally increase the load on the barbell to achieve this daily maxload by commencement of the third set. Sets one and two of each core strength exercise during each training session were considered warm up sets and participants were instructed to use 60–70% of the daily max load on the first set, and 70–80% on the second set. For the third and all subsequent sets participants used 100% ofthe daily max load (the loading pattern for each training group is described in detail in Table 1).Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. ![]() |
Figure 1: Comparison of the increases in 1-RM box squat & bench press performance (Harries. 2015). |
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Figure 1: Comparison of the changes in muscle mass and body fat (Harries. 2015). |
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Periodization Techniques Revisited: Improved Strength & Size Gains W/ 12-Week Undulatory vs. Linear Periodization | read more |
- Harries, Simon K., David R. Lubans, and Robin Callister. "Comparison of resistance training progression models on maximal strength in sub-elite adolescent rugby union players." Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (2015).
- Hoffman, Jay R., et al. "Comparison between linear and nonlinear in-season training programs in freshman football players." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 17.3 (2003): 561-565.
- Hoffman, Jay R., et al. "Comparison between different off-season resistance training programs in Division III American college football players." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 23.1 (2009): 11-19.
- Rhea, Matthew R., et al. "A comparison of linear and daily undulating periodized programs with equated volume and intensity for strength." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 16.2 (2002): 250-255.