THE EVOLUTION OF THE SCIENCE OF RESISTANCE TRAINING: The Early Pioneers of Progress

Ph ot o co ur te sy of D rs .T od d. The evolution of the science of resistance training has been influenced by the anecdotal insights of individuals involved with the various sports using resistance training (e.g., Olympic weightlifting), commercial product development, and the progressive advances in the technological and analytical capabilities available in exercise science laboratories around the world. Scientists who studied strength training were therefore interested from different perspectives resulting in a continuum from basic to more applied research studies. The early evolution of the science of resistance training started at the more applied aspects of understanding how programs affected end point outcomes in patients and individuals interested in strength fitness. Through time, the search for greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms of adaptation pushed the study of resistance training into the hands of many different laboratories because of its prolific adaptive characteristics. The early evolution of the science of resistance training in the United States offers some subtle insights into its worldwide impact for the field of resistance training research. Therefore, the purpose of this brief review is to provide a narrow perspective on part of the history that shaped the science in the field of resistance training. For an extensive view of resistance training history and physical culture, I direct your attention to the University of Texas and the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sport, directed by Drs. Janice and Terry Todd (Figure 1).