Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Training. Scientific Basics and Practical Applications

1 A historical overview on concurrent endurance and strength training

2 Aerobic versus strength training 2.1 Physiological and molecular adaptations to endurance training

2.2 Neural adaptations to endurance training
2.3 Physiological and molecular adaptations to strength training
2.4 Neuromuscular adaptations to strength training

3 The interference effect

3.1 Proposed mechanisms underlying the interference effect
3.2 Molecular adaptations to concurrent training
3.3 Immediate effects of endurance exercise on subsequent strength performance
3.4 Acute effects of strength exercise on subsequent endurance performance
3.5 Long-term effects of strength training on aerobic capacity
3.6 Long-term Effects of supplementary aerobic training on muscle hypertrophy

4 Training-methodological considerations for concurrent aerobic and strength training

4.1 Methodological considerations for concurrent training with a focus on aerobic versus strength development
4.2 Physiological differences of various concurrent endurance and strength training modes
4.3 Recovery strategies to optimize adaptations to concurrent aerobic and strength training
4.4 Nutritional considerations for concurrent training

5 Concurrent aerobic and strength training throughout the lifespan

5.1 Concurrent training in children
5.2 Concurrent training in the elderly
5.3 Concurrent endurance and strength training for body composition and health
5.4 Sex differences in concurrent endurance and strength training

6 Concurrent aerobic and strength training for athletic performance

6.1 Strength training for endurance cyclists
6.2 Strength training for endurance runners
6.3 Strength training for cross-country skiers
6.4 Strength training for swimmers
6.5 Concurrent aerobic and strength training for track and field multi-sport events
6.6 Concurrent aerobic and strength training for soccer performance
6.7 Concurrent aerobic and strength training for other team sports

7 Appendix

This book provides an extensive guide for exercise and health professionals, students, scientists, sport coaches, athletes of various sports and those with a general interest in concurrent aerobic and strength training. Following a brief historical overview of the past decades of research on concurrent training, in section 1 the epigenetic as well as physiological and neuromuscular differences of aerobic and strength training are discussed. Thereafter, section 2 aims at providing an up-to-date analysis of existing explanations for the interference phenomenon, while in section 3 the training-methodological difficulties of combined aerobic and strength training are elucidated. In section 4 and 5, the theoretical considerations reviewed in previous sections will then be practically applied to specific populations, ranging from children and elderly to athletes of various sports. Concurrent Aerobic and Strength Training: Scientific Basics and Practical Applications is a novel book on one of the "hot topics" of exercise training. The Editors' highest priority is to make this book an easily understandable and at the same time scientifically supported guide for the daily practice.

Dr. Moritz Schumann is a research associate at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne. He received his PhD focusing on physiological adaptations to various training modes of concurrent endurance and strength training from the Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyvaskyla (Finland). Dr. Schumann has published numerous international scientific articles discussing methods to optimize concurrent endurance and strength training for both untrained populations and endurance athletes. He has given several national and international presentations for sport and exercise scientists, students and practitioners promoting various aspects of concurrent training and is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Dr. Schumann is working in a large network of international experts to further scientifically explore the methodological challenges of aerobic and strength training for both athletic and clinical populations.

Prof. Dr. Bent R. Ronnestad is a professor at the Section for Sport Science, Lillehammer, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences and a consultant for The Norwegian Olympic Federation, providing physiological research and supervision for the Norwegian elite coaches and athletes in endurance and team sports. He received his PhD from the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences where he was focusing on the effect of concurrent endurance and strength training on cycling performance in well-trained cyclists. Prof. Ronnestad has published a large number of international scientific articles focusing on the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training on elite sport performance in road and MTB cycling, cross-country skiing and endurance running. He has also been an invited speaker on various topics of concurrent training at both international and national conferences and symposiums. Therefore, Prof. Ronnestad is part of a large network of international experts which helps to scientifically explore the methodological challenges of combined aerobic and strength training, especially for well-trained populations.