故事
练了几年力量不涨,老手的平台期
规律练了一两年以后,力量卡住不涨很常见。这里讲越接近上限为什么越难涨、疲劳怎样盖住力量、周期化有多大用,以及卡住时怎么一步步排查。
最后更新:
先读这一段 练得越久,同样的训练换来的进步越少:离自己的上限越近,身体还能再适应的空间就越小。
科普内容,不替代医师诊断或处方;有症状或在服药请咨询医师。
故事路径
第 1 章
越接近上限越难涨
Why gains slow near your ceiling
练得越久,同样的训练换来的进步越少:离自己的上限越近,身体还能再适应的空间就越小。 一项研究分析了 1897 名力量举运动员 15 年的比赛成绩:最强的四分之一男性,力量每天平均只涨 0.102 公斤,最弱的四分之一是 0.211 公斤;作者认为这可能是天花板效应。练到这一步,卡住多半不是练错了,而是预料之中的事,要问的变成:现在卡住你的是哪一环。
这一篇写给规律练了一年以上、主项重量几个月不动的人,比如卧推卡在一个重量上三个月了。
今天可以开始的一步:把最近几周的训练记录翻出来,看重量、组数和睡眠是不是一起停在了原地。
训练中或训练后突发胸痛、胸闷,或在运动中晕倒,立即拨打急救电话;练完肌肉剧痛、无力,尿色变成可乐色或酱油色,要立即去急诊,详见力量卡住时怎么一步步排查一章。
这一篇写给规律练了一年以上、主项重量几个月不动的人,比如卧推卡在一个重量上三个月了。
今天可以开始的一步:把最近几周的训练记录翻出来,看重量、组数和睡眠是不是一起停在了原地。
训练中或训练后突发胸痛、胸闷,或在运动中晕倒,立即拨打急救电话;练完肌肉剧痛、无力,尿色变成可乐色或酱油色,要立即去急诊,详见力量卡住时怎么一步步排查一章。
证据 · 练过的人需要的刺激更高
Latella 2020 翻查的是 2003 到 2018 年的比赛记录,1897 名力量举运动员里 626 名女性、1271 名男性。总体看,男女每天涨的力量差不多(男性 0.15 公斤,女性 0.12 公斤);按起始力量分成四组后,最强的四分之一男性每天涨 0.102 公斤,最弱的四分之一是 0.211 公斤,而女性的四组之间没有差别。起始力量和涨幅之间的相关也很弱。这是回顾比赛成绩的观察性研究,说明的是越强的男性涨得越慢,作者用天花板效应来解释,没有直接测过原因。另一条线索来自剂量研究。Rhea 2003 汇总了 140 项研究:没练过的人,平均用一次最大重量()的 60% 练涨得最多,练过的人要 80%;没练过的人每个肌群每周练 3 天涨得最多,练过的人 2 天;两类人都是每个肌群 4 组涨得最多。Peterson 2004 只看大学和职业运动员,涨得最多的是 85%、每周 2 天、每个肌群 8 组。
合起来读:一个人越强,换来最大进步所需要的刺激就越高,这正是渐进超负荷的意思。这些是许多研究的平均趋势,用来解释为什么老手难涨,不是给哪个人开的训练处方。新手阶段为什么进步那么快,见渐进超负荷里新手进步快、之后变慢的那一章。
peterson-2004-athlete-strength-dose-response
第 2 章
疲劳会把力量盖住
How fatigue can hide your strength
卡住的重量,有时不是力量没长,而是疲劳把它盖住了。 训练既是让身体变强的刺激,也会留下疲劳;连续几周练得很多之后,当天测出来的力量会被疲劳拖低。一篇综述汇总的力量举研究里,赛前把训练量减下来、强度保持住,深蹲提高了 2.3%–5.9%,卧推提高了 1.8%–6.4%;作者的解释是,减量给了神经和肌肉恢复的时间。
疲劳也分轻重。短期练狠、成绩暂时下滑、休息后反而更强,叫功能性超量,是正常训练的一部分。成绩持续下降、怎么休息都缓不过来,还常伴情绪低落、睡眠变差、容易生病,就要想到过度训练综合征;持续的疲劳和成绩下滑也可能来自贫血、感染等别的问题,要让医生先排除。
今天可以开始的一步:卡住时,先安排一段有计划的轻松期,之后再测一次,而不是马上加量。
疲劳也分轻重。短期练狠、成绩暂时下滑、休息后反而更强,叫功能性超量,是正常训练的一部分。成绩持续下降、怎么休息都缓不过来,还常伴情绪低落、睡眠变差、容易生病,就要想到过度训练综合征;持续的疲劳和成绩下滑也可能来自贫血、感染等别的问题,要让医生先排除。
今天可以开始的一步:卡住时,先安排一段有计划的轻松期,之后再测一次,而不是马上加量。
证据 · 减量之后为什么反而更强
Travis 2020 是一篇关于力量项目赛前减量的综述。它汇总的力量举研究里,减量之后深蹲提高 2.3%–5.9%、卧推提高 1.8%–6.4%、硬拉提高 3.8%–4.8%。作者写道,训练有素的力量运动员,在一段短时间的减量之后,最大力量可能被推到顶峰,原因是神经肌肉得到了恢复;作者归纳的做法,是在 1–2 周里把训练量明显降下来,强度保持或略降。综述也坦白,力量项目怎么减量的证据并不多,很多时候要靠反复试。这说明一件事:卡住时测出来的数字,混着力量和疲劳两样东西。多练几周、疲劳越积越多,测出来的数字可能一直不动,甚至往下走;清掉疲劳之后,练出来的部分才显出来。
日常训练里的减量周也是这个道理(见恢复科学里为什么要安排减量周那一章)。Bell 2020 的范围综述发现,力量训练里短期练狠,常在恢复后换来成绩提高;长期练得过量、恢复又不足,则可能变成恢复不过来的非功能性超量。欧洲运动科学学会和美国运动医学会的联合共识写道,成功的训练既要有超负荷,又要避免过量负荷加上恢复不足;排查过度训练时,要先排除疾病和感染,以及长期吃得不够(能量负平衡)、碳水或蛋白吃得不够、缺铁这些因素。
bell-2020-deload
证据 · 完全休息一周会怎样
轻松一周和完全不练一周,不是一回事。Coleman 2024 把 39 名有训练经验的年轻人(29 名男性、10 名女性)随机分成两组,都练一个 9 周的大训练量计划:一组在计划中段完全停练一周,另一组一直练。9 周后,两组腿部肌肉长得差不多,局部耐力和爆发力也没有差别;但一直练的那组,腿部的静力和动态力量都涨得更多,一直练的那组在准备训练的问卷上还略好一点。所以在这项研究里,完全停练一周没有让肌肉对训练更敏感,力量反而少涨了一点。它只有 39 人、9 周,练的是大训练量计划,下肢有人监督、上肢靠自己练;它也不是在测减量:前面那些赛前减量研究保留了强度,只是把量减下来。
读成实操:真的累到需要休息、生病或受伤时,停一周不会让你前功尽弃;但如果只是想突破平台,有计划地减量、保留一些大重量,比什么都不练更接近现有证据。
第 3 章
周期化到底有没有用
Does periodization actually work?
周期化有一点用,但没有传说中那么大;它管用的那一部分,多半来自让重量和训练量有起伏,而不是某个计划的名字。 周期化就是有计划地把训练分成阶段,让重量和训练量按周或按次起伏。一篇 里,周期化训练比一直练同一套,最大重量多涨一些,作者称之为中等效应,而且在没练过的人身上差别更大;另一篇把两组的训练总量拉平之后,差别更小,肌肉增长则没有差别。
总量和频率更要紧:一份汇总 67 项研究的分析里,每周组数越多、练得越勤,力量涨得越多,但回报递减得很快。每组练到离力竭多近,对力量几乎没有影响,对长肌肉有影响。
今天可以开始的一步:与其换一个名字更响的计划,先算清楚自己每周在主项上练了几次、做了多少组。
总量和频率更要紧:一份汇总 67 项研究的分析里,每周组数越多、练得越勤,力量涨得越多,但回报递减得很快。每组练到离力竭多近,对力量几乎没有影响,对长肌肉有影响。
今天可以开始的一步:与其换一个名字更响的计划,先算清楚自己每周在主项上练了几次、做了多少组。
证据 · 几篇 Meta 分析各看到什么
Williams 2017 汇总了 1988 到 2015 年的 18 项研究:周期化训练比不周期化的,一次最大重量涨得更多,效应量 0.43(95% 0.27–0.58)。效应量是把两组的差别换算成标准单位,0.43 在作者看来是中等。没练过的人差别更大,练得更勤、研究时间更长的差别也更大;每次或每周轮换轻重的波浪式排法,比一段一段往上加重的线性排法更有利。作者的结论是,训练刺激的变化对提高最大力量似乎很关键。这篇的一个问题是,周期化那组常常也练得更多。Moesgaard 2022 只收两组训练总量相同的 35 项研究:周期化对一次最大重量仍有好处,效应量 0.31(95% CI 0.04–0.57),对肌肉增长没有差别(0.13,95% CI −0.10 到 0.36)。波浪式比线性好一点(0.31),但只在练过的人身上(0.61,95% CI 0.00–1.22,下限贴着 0),没练过的人里没有差别(0.06)。作者推测,周期化对最大力量的好处可能来自神经方面的适应。Grgic 2017 汇总 13 项研究,线性和每天轮换的波浪式对肌肉增长几乎一样(−0.02)。
美国运动医学会的力量训练立场声明建议,有半年以上经验的人在更宽的重量范围里按周期安排训练,并逐步侧重大重量。读准边界:上面的差别都不大,研究里的练过的人多是年轻男性,没有哪一种排法被证明能让每个卡住的人突破。
grgic-2017-linear-vs-undulating-hypertrophy-metakraemer-2009-acsm-progression
证据 · 总量、频率和离力竭多近
Pelland 2026 用 67 项研究、2058 名受试者(79.1% 是男性,平均约 25 岁)做了一系列回归分析:每周训练量越大,肌肉和力量都涨得越多,但都有回报递减,力量那一头递减得明显更快;每周练的次数越多,力量也涨得越多,同样是递减,对肌肉增长的影响却小到可以忽略。作者也说明了,他们本身是健身行业的教练和写作者。Robinson 2024 是同一个团队的另一组探索性回归,把每组结束时还剩几次(储备次数)当作离力竭多近的尺子:力量的增长在很宽的范围里都差不多,肌肉增长则越接近力竭越多。储备次数是作者根据研究描述估出来的,所以确切关系还说不清。
合起来读:对一个卡住的力量项目,每组都顶到力竭不是那个旋钮;训练量和频率是,但回报递减,而且多练会带来更多疲劳(见疲劳会把力量盖住一章)。每个肌群每周练多少组的细节,见渐进超负荷里练多少组、几次、多接近力竭的那一章。
第 4 章
最大重量有一部分是技术
A max lift is partly a skill
一次能举起的最大重量,不只看肌肉多大,有一部分是神经在练一项技术:越常在接近最大的重量下练,这项技术越熟。 一篇 比较了轻重量和大重量,都练到力竭:肌肉长得差不多,一次最大重量却是大重量那组涨得更多。一项随机试验里,没练过的人 8 周只做测最大重量的单次尝试,最大重量涨得和做大量训练的那组一样多,肌肉却长得少。
卡点也是这项技术的一部分。一个动作里总有一段特别吃力,叫卡点,动作在那里最容易变形;卧推的卡点平均在杠铃推起约 30% 高度的地方,每个人的位置不太一样。换动作要有目的:一篇系统综述认为,有计划地换动作可能有帮助,太频繁、太随意地换反而可能拖累进步。
今天可以开始的一步:保留你的主项,不要为了新鲜感把它换掉。
卡点也是这项技术的一部分。一个动作里总有一段特别吃力,叫卡点,动作在那里最容易变形;卧推的卡点平均在杠铃推起约 30% 高度的地方,每个人的位置不太一样。换动作要有目的:一篇系统综述认为,有计划地换动作可能有帮助,太频繁、太随意地换反而可能拖累进步。
今天可以开始的一步:保留你的主项,不要为了新鲜感把它换掉。
证据 · 为什么练测试本身就会涨
Schoenfeld 2017 的这篇 汇总了 21 项研究,比较轻重量(一次最大重量的 60% 及以下)和大重量(高于 60%),每组都练到力竭、至少练 6 周:肌肉增长两边差不多,一次最大重量是大重量涨得更多,关节不动的静力力量没有差别。也就是说,大重量的优势恰好落在最大重量这一项上。Mattocks 2017 把 38 名没练过的人随机分两组练 8 周的腿屈伸和坐姿推胸:一组每个动作做 4 组、练到力竭;另一组每次只做最多 5 次单次尝试,测自己能举起的最大重量。大训练量那组的肌肉在多数部位长得更多,总训练量也多得多;但两组一次最大重量涨得一样,静力和等速力量也没有差别。作者的结论是,训练量和肌肉增长都没有带来比单纯练测试更多的力量。
读准边界:这两项研究的受试者大多或全部没练过,在新手身上,头几周变强主要靠神经学会更好地调动已有的肌肉(见神经驱动 vs 肌纤维)。对练了几年的人,大重量练习会不会也带来同样多的进步,没有被直接测过;按机制推,最大重量里技术的那一份,仍然需要在接近最大的重量下练出来。
实操 · 卡点和换动作该怎么看
Kompf 2017 的综述把卡点定义为动作里难度不成比例地陡增的那个位置:它是这个动作的瓶颈,也是动作最容易变形、出错的地方。卧推的卡点平均在杠铃推起约 30% 高度处;不同人的卡点位置差别不小,练得久的人会逐渐找到最适合自己身体结构的发力方式。作者认为,先弄清自己卡在哪、为什么卡,再设计针对它的训练。这篇综述汇总的是观察性研究,没有哪一种针对卡点的练法被试验证明有效,所以本站不给具体动作。换动作也要分清有计划和随意。Kassiano 2022 的系统综述纳入 8 项研究、241 名年轻男性:有计划、有针对性地换动作,可能让肌肉不同部位长得更好、最大力量涨得更多;动作给的刺激重复,或换得太频繁,反而可能拖累进步。Baz-Valle 2019 让 21 名有训练经验的男性练 8 周,一组固定动作,一组每次训练由手机应用随机换动作:两组卧推和深蹲的最大重量都明显提高、没有差别,随机换的那组训练动机更高。
合起来读:主项本身要保留,在它上面才能练出技术、看出进步;辅助动作可以有计划地换,理由是针对卡点或薄弱的部位,而不只是新鲜感。这里的研究都不大,受试者也都是年轻男性。
baz-valle-2019-random-exercise-variation
第 5 章
健身房外面的几道关
Limits that sit outside the gym
力量卡住,原因常常不在训练计划里,而在睡眠、吃得够不够这些健身房外面的事。 连续几晚睡不够,深蹲这类多关节动作的力量会下降,一晚少睡的影响倒不大。长期吃得比消耗少,一篇 里,能量缺口让肌肉增长受阻,力量的增长倒和吃够的人差不多。补蛋白对长肌肉的效果,在练过的人身上更大,随年龄增长变小;对力量只是小幅加成。
还有一种可能要诚实面对:你也许已经接近自己现阶段的上限,之后的进步会很慢、幅度很小,这不是不够努力。绕过生理上限的捷径基本不存在,真有那么神的多半是药物或骗局。
今天可以开始的一步:卡住时,先回头看最近的睡眠、体重和吃饭有没有变,再动训练计划。
还有一种可能要诚实面对:你也许已经接近自己现阶段的上限,之后的进步会很慢、幅度很小,这不是不够努力。绕过生理上限的捷径基本不存在,真有那么神的多半是药物或骗局。
今天可以开始的一步:卡住时,先回头看最近的睡眠、体重和吃饭有没有变,再动训练计划。
证据 · 少睡和吃不够各拖累什么
Knowles 2018 的系统综述(17 项研究,质量被评为中等或偏弱)发现:一晚不睡对最大力量影响不大;连续几晚睡不够,深蹲这类多关节动作的力量才会下降,单关节动作没有。没睡够那天怎么调整,见睡不够的时候,还练不练。Murphy 2022 汇总了在能量缺口下做力量训练至少 3 周的:和吃够的对照组比,瘦体重的增长明显受阻(效应量 −0.57),力量的增长没有显著差别(−0.31)。按回归估算,每天约 500 千卡的缺口就足以让瘦体重不再增加。所以一边减脂一边练,最先受影响的是长肌肉;在这些至少 3 周的试验里,力量照样在涨,和吃够的人没有显著差别。
Morton 2018 汇总了 49 项随机试验、1863 名受试者:在至少 6 周的力量训练里,补蛋白让一次最大重量多涨约 2.49 公斤,作者检查过的年龄、训练经验等因素都没有改变这一项;在练过的人身上更大、随年龄变小的,是补蛋白对瘦体重的效果。一天该吃多少、怎么分配,见蛋白质 + 力量。
欧洲运动科学学会和美国运动医学会的联合共识把长期吃得不够、碳水或蛋白不够、缺铁都列为成绩下滑时要先排查的因素。上限这件事,Latella 2020 的比赛数据里,最强的那批男性涨得最慢,作者认为可能是天花板效应;女性的四组之间却没有这样的差别。肌肉能长多少为什么有个人上限,见肌肥大机制里增肌天花板那一章。
第 6 章
力量卡住时怎么一步步排查
Working through a plateau, step by step
先记住什么时候必须停。 训练中或训练后突发胸痛、胸闷,或在运动中晕倒,立即拨打急救电话。疼痛和肿胀远远超出这次的训练量、肌肉无力到动不了,尤其是尿色变成可乐色或酱油色:可能是横纹肌溶解,要立即去急诊。成绩持续下降、怎么休息都缓不过来,还伴着情绪低落、睡不好、老生病,先停下来去看医生。
除此之外,平台期按一次只改一样来排查:
先记录:每组的重量、次数、还剩几次,以及睡眠和体重。先安排一段有计划的轻松期,之后再测一次。再看主项每周练几次、做多少组。保留主项,辅助动作围绕卡点有目的地换。
今天可以开始的一步:从下一次训练起,把每组的重量、次数和感觉还剩几次记下来。
除此之外,平台期按一次只改一样来排查:
先记录:每组的重量、次数、还剩几次,以及睡眠和体重。先安排一段有计划的轻松期,之后再测一次。再看主项每周练几次、做多少组。保留主项,辅助动作围绕卡点有目的地换。
今天可以开始的一步:从下一次训练起,把每组的重量、次数和感觉还剩几次记下来。
实操 · 一次只改一样,怎么看记录
一次只改一样,是为了看得出哪一样起了作用。同时换计划、加量、改饮食,下次涨了或跌了,你都说不清原因。下面每一步对应前面讲过的一个机制,不是一份训练计划。第一步,先怀疑疲劳。连续几周练得很多、重量不动甚至往下走时,先安排一段有计划的轻松期:保留一些大重量,把总量明显减下来,然后再测。赛前减量的研究在力量举运动员身上看到了提高(见疲劳会把力量盖住一章);完全停练一周在一项研究里没有带来好处,力量还少涨了一点。
第二步,再看剂量。卡住时,问的是主项每周练几次、做多少组,而不是每组顶不顶到力竭:训练量和频率越大,力量涨得越多,但回报递减;离力竭多近对力量影响不大。
第三步,看技术和卡点。最大重量有一部分是技术,只在接近最大的重量下才练得到;保留主项,辅助动作围绕卡点或薄弱的部位有计划地换。
第四步,看健身房外面。最近是不是在减重、睡得少、蛋白吃得不够。
怎么看记录:同一个动作、同一个重量,比平时明显吃力,是疲劳还没清掉的信号;能做的次数或还剩的次数在几周里慢慢变多,即使最大重量没变,也是在进步。欧洲运动科学学会和美国运动医学会的联合共识写道,目前用来发现过度训练的几类指标(激素、表现测试、心理问卷、生化和免疫指标),没有一个达到被普遍接受的标准,所以记录看的是趋势,不是某一天。
红旗 · 哪些情况要停下就医
下面这些不是平台期的普通疲劳,而是要立即处理的信号。本站不诊断,出现时先停下来。训练中或训练后突发胸痛、胸闷,像被压住或攥紧,可能放射到手臂、脖子或下颌,伴气短、出冷汗:可能是心脏急症,立即拨打急救电话。在运动中晕倒:立即拨打急救电话。平时晕倒过一次,也要找医生查原因。疼痛和肿胀远远超出这次的训练量、肌肉无力到动不了,尤其是尿色变成可乐色或酱油色:可能是横纹肌溶解,要立即去急诊。不习惯的运动一下子练得太猛,是它的诱因之一。成绩持续下降、怎么休息都缓不过来,常伴情绪低落、睡眠变差、容易生病:要想到过度训练综合征,先停下来去看医生;持续的疲劳和成绩下滑也可能来自贫血、感染等别的问题,要让医生先排除。关节疼痛减量后迟迟不好、反复在同一处复发,或者关节卡住、肢体麻木、力量突然丧失:不要再试一次,去看医生,具体信号见训练常见伤。
参考文献 · 20
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- Coleman, M., Burke, R., Augustin, F., Piñero, A., Maldonado, J., Fisher, J. P., Israetel, M., Androulakis Korakakis, P., Swinton, P., Oberlin, D., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2024). Gaining more from doing less? The effects of a one-week deload period during supervised resistance training on muscular adaptations. PeerJ, 12, e16777. Thirty-nine resistance-trained young adults (29 men, 10 women) were randomized to abstain from resistance training for 1 week at the midpoint of a 9-week high-volume program (DELOAD) or to train continuously (TRAD). 'Results indicated no appreciable differences in increases of lower body muscle size, local endurance, and power between groups. Alternatively, TRAD showed greater improvements in both isometric and dynamic lower body strength compared to DELOAD.' Conclusion: 'a 1-week deload period at the midpoint of a 9-week RT program appears to negatively influence measures of lower body muscle strength but has no effect on lower body hypertrophy, power or local muscular endurance' (abstract, PMID 38274324). 10.7717/peerj.16777
- Williams, T. D., Tolusso, D. V., Fedewa, M. V., & Esco, M. R. (2017). Comparison of periodized and non-periodized resistance training on maximal strength: a meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 47(10), 2083-2100. Eighteen studies (81 effects, 1988-2015): 'the magnitude of improvement in 1RM following periodized resistance training was greater than non-periodized resistance training (ES = 0.43, 95% CI 0.27-0.58)'; undulating programs were more favorable, and 'Improvements in 1RM were greater among untrained participants'; higher frequency and longer studies were associated with larger improvements. Conclusion: 'periodized resistance training plans have a moderate effect on 1RM compared to non-periodized training plans. Variation in training stimuli appears to be vital for increasing maximal strength' (abstract, PMID 28497285). 10.1007/s40279-017-0734-y
- Moesgaard, L., Beck, M. M., Christiansen, L., Aagaard, P., & Lundbye-Jensen, J. (2022). Effects of periodization on strength and muscle hypertrophy in volume-equated resistance training programs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 52(7), 1647-1666. Thirty-five studies, volume equated between conditions: periodized versus non-periodized training favored periodization for 1RM strength (ES 0.31, 95% CI 0.04-0.57), while muscle hypertrophy did not differ (ES 0.13, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.36). Undulating beat linear periodization for 1RM (ES 0.31, 95% CI 0.02-0.61), but only in trained participants (ES 0.61, 95% CI 0.00-1.22), not untrained (ES 0.06). Conclusion: 'when volume is equated between conditions, periodized resistance training has a greater effect on 1RM strength compared to NP resistance training'; 'Periodization of volume and intensity does not seem to affect muscle hypertrophy in volume-equated pre-post designs', and the strength effect may relate to neurophysiological adaptations (abstract, PMID 35044672). 10.1007/s40279-021-01636-1
- Pelland, J. C., Remmert, J. F., Robinson, Z. P., Hinson, S. R., & Zourdos, M. C. (2026). The resistance training dose response: meta-regressions exploring the effects of weekly volume and frequency on muscle hypertrophy and strength gains. Sports Medicine, 56(2), 481-505 (epub December 2025). Multilevel meta-regressions of 67 studies (2,058 participants, 79.1% male, mean age 25), adjusted for duration and training status: 'gains in muscle size and strength increase as volume increases. However, both best-fit models suggest diminishing returns, with the diminishing returns for strength being considerably more pronounced.' Frequency had effects compatible with negligible for hypertrophy, while 'strength gains increase with increasing frequency, albeit with diminishing returns' (abstract, PMID 41343037). The authors note they are coaches and writers in the fitness industry. 10.1007/s40279-025-02344-w
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- Morton, R. W., et al. (2018). A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(6), 376–384. 49 RCTs, 1,863 participants, resistance training of 6 weeks or more. Protein supplementation added 2.49 kg to 1RM and 0.30 kg to fat-free mass; for fat-free mass the effect fell with age and was larger in resistance-trained people, while none of the covariates (age, training status, post-exercise protein dose, baseline protein intake) changed the effect on 1RM strength. Break point for FFM gains at 1.62 g/kg/day (95% CI 1.03-2.20; 42 study arms, 723 participants; the biphasic model was not statistically significant, p = 0.079); given the CI, the authors say ~2.2 g/kg/day may be prudent for those maximising gains; timing, post-exercise dose and source play a minor if any role; they cite per-dose MPS break points of 0.24 (younger) and 0.40 g/kg (older). One author reports grant support from the US National Dairy Council (abstract and full text, PMC5867436). 10.1136/bjsports-2017-097608
- Bäcker, H. C., Richards, J. T., Kienzle, A., Cunningham, J., & Braun, K. F. (2023). Exertional rhabdomyolysis in athletes: systematic review and current perspectives. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 33(2), 187-194. Exertional rhabdomyolysis is a breakdown of skeletal muscle cells after intense exercise in otherwise healthy people, raising creatine kinase or myoglobin, and may result in kidney insufficiency. 25 studies with 772 patients; running (including marathons) accounted for 54.3% of cases and weightlifting for 14.8%. Conclusion: exertional rhabdomyolysis 'seems to be underestimated, and it is essential to screen patients who present with muscle soreness/cramps and/or dark urine after heavy endurance events' (abstract, PMID 36877581). 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001082