Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate and compare the effect of four weeks of Traditional Resistance Training (TRT) and Rest–Pause (RP) training, both alone and in combination with Cold Water Immersion (CWI) after exercise, on the expression of key genes mTOR (anabolic pathway) and VEGF and HIF-1 (angiogenic markers) in the muscles of non-athlete young men. 20 non-athlete young men (17 to 25 years old) were randomly divided into five groups in a quasi-experimental study. The resistance protocols included three main lower-body exercises (leg press, leg curl, and leg extension) at an intensity of 70 to 80 of one-repetition maximum (1RM) for 4 weeks. CWI was performed intermittently (4 minutes in 3 cycles). The expression of mTOR, VEGF and HIF-1 genes was measured using the Real-Time PCR technique from blood samples taken before and after the training period. Data were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and LSD post-hoc tests at a significance level of p ≥ 0.05. The results showed that the combination of traditional resistance training with CWI was the most effective protocol, leading to a significant increase in the expression of all three genes: mTOR (P=0.001 relative to control), VEGF (P=0.0001 relative to control), and HIF-1 (P=0.019 relative to control) compared to other training groups. In contrast, the rest-pause protocol (alone or with CWI) failed to significantly increase mTOR gene expression. Contrary to common expectations regarding the attenuation of anabolic signaling in cold conditions, the combination of Traditional Resistance Training and Cold-Water Immersion induced a synergistic molecular response in non-athlete men, optimally stimulating both the hypertrophy and angiogenesis pathways simultaneously, a response that was superior to the intense Rest–Pause protocol. It seems this method can be considered in the design of initial training programs for the non-athlete population to enhance muscular and vascular adaptations.