Determining the Sites of Neural Adaptations to Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Resistance-training causes changes in the central nervous system (CNS); however, the sites of these adaptations remain unclear. Objective To determine sites of neural adaptation to resistance-training by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis on the cortical and subcortical responses to resistance-training. Methods Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that focused on neural adaptations to resistance-training was pooled to assess effect estimates for changes in strength, cortical, and subcortical adaptations. Results The magnitude of strength gain in 30 RCTs ( n = 623) reported a standardised mean difference (SMD) of 0.67 (95% CI 0.41, 0.94; P