Table 1. Studies on the difference between the effects of LP and DUP periodization models on muscular hypertrophy: summary of findings and assessment of methodological quality.
| Study | Publication type | Participants | Design | Study duration | Hypertrophy/ lean body mass measurement | Findings | Methodological qualitya | Percentage of the theoretical maximum score for exercise intervention trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmadizad et al. (2014) | Published, peer reviewed | 32 young untrained overweight men | Random assignment either to a control group (n = 8), or non-periodized (n = 8), a LP (n = 8) or a DUP (n = 8) resistance training program performing 6 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single joint isolation exercises was used. The training was carried out 3 times per week. | 8 weeks | BIA | No significant differences between groups in changes in lean body mass (1.9 % increase for the LP group, 2.0 % increase for the DUP group). | 6 | 75% |
| Buford et al. (2007) | Published, peer reviewed | 18 young untrained men and 10 young untrained women | Random assignment either to a LP (n = 9), a DUP (n = 10) or a WUP (n = 9) resistance training program performing 14 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single-joint isolation exercises was used. The training was carried out 3 times per week. | 9 weeks | Chest and thigh circumference (with 7 site skinfolds to control for body fat changes) | No significant differences between groups in changes in muscle girth (2.0% increase for the LP group, 0.2% increase for the DUP group in the chest circumference, 6.6% increase for the LP group, 3.7% increase for the DUP group in the thigh circumference). The LP group decreased body fat by 1.3% (5.0%), while the DUP group decreased body fat by 1.4% (6.6%). | 6 | 75% |
| De Lima et al. (2012) | Published, peer reviewed | 28 young untrained women | Random assignment either to a control group (n = 8), or a LP (n = 10) or a DUP (n = 10) resistance training program performing 16 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single-joint isolation exercises was used. The training was carried out 4 times per week. | 12 weeks | Triceps, suprailiac and thigh skinfolds | No significant differences between groups in changes in lean body mass (4.7% increase for the LP group, 3.5% increase for the DUP group). | 6 | 75% |
| Foschini et al. (2010) | Published, peer reviewed | 32 untrained obese adolescents (boys: n = 15, girls: n = 17) | Random assignment either to a LP (n = 16) or a DUP (n = 16) resistance training program performing 10 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single-joint isolation exercises was used. Participants additionally performed 30 min of aerobic exercise. The training was carried out 3 times per week. | 14 weeks | BOD-POD | No significant differences between groups in changes in lean body mass (3.4% increase for the LP group, 2.4% increase for the DUP group). | 6 | 75% |
| Harries, Lubans & Callister (2016) | Published, peer reviewed | 26 untrained adolescent boys | Assignment either to a control group (n = 10), or a LP (n = 8) or a DUP (n = 8) resistance training program performing 11 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single-joint isolation exercises was used. The training was carried out 2 times per week. | 12 weeks | BIA | No significant differences between groups in changes in lean body mass (2.1% decrease for the LP group, 1.0% increase for the DUP group). | 7 | 87% |
| Inoue et al. (2015) | Published, peer reviewed | 45 untrained obese adolescents (boys: n = 17, girls: n = 28) | Random assignment either to aerobic training, (n = 20), or a LP (n = 13) or a DUP (n = 12) resistance training program performing 10 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single-joint isolation exercises was used. Participants in the LP and DUP groups additionally performed 30 min of aerobic exercise. The training was carried out 3 times per week. | 26 weeks | BOD-POD | No significant differences between groups in changes in lean body mass (7.9% increase for the LP group, 2.6% increase for the DUP group). | 5 | 62% |
| Kok (2006) | Doctoral dissertation | 16 young untrained women | Random assignment based on the participants squat index (1RMSQ/mass) either to a LP (n = 8) or a DUP (n = 8) resistance training program performing 10 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single-joint isolation exercises was used. The training was carried out 3 times per week. | 12 weeks | Ultrasound performed on the right rectus femoris | No significant differences between groups in changes in muscle thickness (3.2% increase for the LP group, 12.9% increase for the DUP group in the cross sectional area). | 5 | 62% |
| Kok, Hamer & Bishop (2009) | Published, peer reviewed | 20 young untrained women | Random assignment based on the participants squat index (1RMSQ/mass) either to a LP (n = 10) or a DUP (n = 10) resistance training program performing 10 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single-joint isolation exercises was used. The training was carried out 3 times per week. | 12 weeks | Ultrasound performed on the right rectus femoris | No significant differences between groups in changes in muscle thickness (8.7% increase for the LP group, 14.8% increase for the DUP group in the cross sectional area) | 6 | 75% |
| Monteiro et al. (2009) | Published, peer reviewed | 27 young trained men | Random assignment either to a non-periodized (n = 9), a LP (n = 9) or a DUP (n = 9) resistance training program performing 15 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single-joint isolation exercises was used. The training was carried out 4 times per week. | 12 weeks | Biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfolds | No significant differences between groups in changes in lean body mass (1.2% increase for the LP group, 0.3% increase for the DUP group). | 5 | 62% |
| Prestes et al. (2015) | Published, peer reviewed | 49 untrained elderly women | Random assignment either to a control group (n = 10), or a LP (n = 20) or a DUP (n = 19) resistance training program performing 10 different resistance training exercises. A mixture of both free weight and machine based multi-joint and single joint isolation exercises was used. The training was carried out 2 times per week. | 16 weeks | DXA | No significant differences between groups in changes in lean body mass (1.6% decrease for the LP group, 1.7% increase for the DUP group). | 5 | 62% |
| Simão et al. (2012) | Published, peer reviewed | 30 young untrained men | Random assignment either to a control group (n = 9), a LP (n = 10) or a to a mixed WUP and DUP (n = 11) resistance training program performing 4 different resistance training exercises: barbell bench press, machine front lat-pull down, machine triceps extension, and the straight-bar standing biceps curl. The training was carried out 2 times per week. | 12 weeks | Ultrasound performed on the right biceps and triceps | No significant differences between groups in changes in muscle thickness (5.7% increase for the LP group, 9.1% increase for the DUP group in the biceps, 0.8% increase for the LP group, 4.3% increase for the DUP group in the triceps). | 6 | 75% |
| Souza et al. (2014) | Published, peer reviewed | 31 young untrained men | Participants from each quartile according to their quadriceps cross-sectional were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 5), or a non-periodized (n = 9), a LP (n = 9) or a DUP (n = 8) resistance training program performing 2 different resistance training exercises for the lower body: squat and knee extensions. The training was carried out 2 times per week. | 6 weeks | MRI performed on the dominant leg quadriceps | No significant differences between groups in changes in cross-sectional area (4.6% increase for the LP group, 5.2% increase for the DUP group). | 6 | 75% |
| Spineti et al. (2014) | Published, peer reviewed | 53 young untrained men | Random assignment either to a control group (n = 9), or a LP progressing from large to small (LG) muscle groups (n = 10), a LP progressing from small to large (SG) muscle groups (n = 13), a DUP progressing from large to small (LG) muscle groups (n = 11), a DUP progressing from small to large (SG) muscle groups (n = 10) resistance training program performing 4 different resistance training exercises: biceps curl, triceps extension, lat pull down and bench press. The training was carried out 2 times per week. | 12 weeks | Ultrasound performed on the right biceps and triceps | No significant differences between groups in changes in muscle thickness (5.8% and 3.5% increase for the LP groups, 9.3% and 8.2% increase for the DUP groups in the biceps, 0.6% and 9.0% increase for the LP groups, 4.5% and 6.8% increase for the DUP groups in the triceps) | 6 | 75% |
Notes.
a
Denotes the total score on the PEDro scale.
- LP
- linear periodization
- DUP
- daily undulating periodization
- WUP
- weekly undulating periodization
- BIA
- bio-impedance analysis
- BOD-POD
- air displacement plethysmography
- DXA
- dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
- MRI
- magnetic resonance imaging