Acute and Chronic Physiological Adaptations to Resistance Exercises Across Various Populations: Mechanisms and Practical Applications

Muscle strength development is crucial for better function in daily life and sports performance. Improving strength is achieved through resistance exercises, utilizing modalities such as bodyweight exercises, free weights, machines, and plyometrics, making resistance training a versatile form of activity. It is essential to tailor these exercises and loads to the specific needs and abilities of various populations.

Resistance training with proper load management leads to positive adaptations over time. Even short-term protocols can yield immediate fitness improvements. Choosing the right model is vital, especially for different groups. Emphasis will vary for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. Differences also emerge between building physical fitness and rehabilitation. Additionally, different methods are needed for individuals with disabilities. While some fundamental rules remain unchanged, introducing the appropriate form of resistance training for specific groups requires precise modulation of the intervention for optimal results.

This research explores how resistance training affects different populations over both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) periods. It examines physiological, neurological, and biochemical mechanisms, analyzing benefits and adaptations across groups. The issue covers practical applications, offering evidence-based guidelines for optimizing programs to enhance health, performance, and rehabilitation outcomes.

We welcome submissions on physiological issues related to resistance exercises in specific groups, with topics including:

- Physiological, cellular, and molecular adaptations in children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities
- Resistance training interventions to improve health and performance
- Resistance Training protocols for acute performance enhancement (post-activation performance enhancement, priming)

Keywords: strength training, resistance training, muscle hypertrophy, post-activation performance enhancement, priming, physical performance, youth, elderly, adolescents, adults, disability

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.