The physiological effects of concurrent strength and endurance training sequence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative chronic training trials
PubMed 28783467 · doi:10.1080/02640414.2017.1364405
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the chronic effects of intra-session concurrent training sequence on lower body 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max/peak). Eligible studies compared strength-endurance (SE) against endurance-strength (ES) order within the same session. Effect sizes were pooled using fixed, random-effects, or Inverse Variance Heterogeneity (IVHet) models.
What was found
Lower body 1RM improvement was significantly greater when strength training preceded endurance training, with a pooled mean change of 3.96 kg (95% CI: 0.81 to 7.10 kg). In contrast, training sequence had no statistically significant effect on VO2max/peak, with a pooled mean difference of 0.39 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (95% CI: -1.03 to 1.81 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹).
Why it matters
Athletes and practitioners seeking to maximize lower body strength while maintaining concurrent aerobic conditioning should prioritize performing strength exercises prior to endurance work within the same session.
Limits
The abstract does not state the total number of included studies or participants, nor does it specify participant training status (untrained vs. trained), sex, or intervention durations. Upper body strength, muscle hypertrophy, and sport-specific performance outcomes were not reported in the abstract.