The Comparison of Pyramid and Reverse-Pyramid Strength Exercises on AST, ALD, CK, and IGF-1 Enzyme Changes in Non-Athlete Male Adolescents

One of the best and most widely used methods to increase muscle strength is pyramid and reverse-pyramid method. The application of this method has been widely approved in adults but not in adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of pyramid and reverse-pyramid strength exercises on muscle damage and insulin-like growth factor in nonathlete adolescents. 20 non-athlete male adolescents (age: 16.13 ± 1.01 years, height: 170.73 ± 2.13 cm, weight: 57.23 ± 2.04 kg) exercised 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks after an introductory session on resistance exercises. Blood samples were collected in four phases and then aspartate aminotransferase, aldolase, creatine kinase and serum insulin-like growth factor were measured. To analyze the collected data, ANOVA was used in SPSS. Findings indicated that one session of activity and a period of pyramid and reverse-pyramid strength exercises had no significant effect on the serum concentration of AST, ALD and IGF-1 enzymes but it had a significant effect on the serum concentration of CK enzyme in nonathlete adolescents. It seems that pyramid and reverse-pyramid strength exercises have similar effects on muscle strength and muscle tension in adolescents; so they can be used interchangeably.