Published online Jun 26, 2017. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v7.i2.46
Peer-review started: September 5, 2016
First decision: November 10, 2016
Revised: March 10, 2017
Accepted: March 16, 2017
Article in press: March 17, 2017
Published online: June 26, 2017
Processing time: 178 Days and 13.8 Hours
Metabolic stress is a physiological process that occurs during exercise in response to low energy that leads to metabolite accumulation [lactate, phosphate inorganic (Pi) and ions of hydrogen (H+)] in muscle cells. Traditional exercise protocol (i.e., Resistance training) has an important impact on the increase of metabolite accumulation, which influences hormonal release, hypoxia, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell swelling. Changes in acute exercise routines, such as intensity, volume and rest between sets, are determinants for the magnitude of metabolic stress, furthermore, different types of training, such as low-intensity resistance training plus blood flow restriction and high intensity interval training, could be used to maximize metabolic stress during exercise. Thus, the objective of this review is to describe practical applications that induce metabolic stress and the potential effects of metabolic stress to increase systemic hormonal release, hypoxia, ROS production, cell swelling and muscle adaptations.
Core tip: This review aimed to describe practical applications for inducing metabolic stress and the potential effects on the increase of systemic hormonal release, hypoxia, reactive oxygen species production, and cell swelling. These effects are responsible for enhancing muscle adaptations through changes in exercise routines (intensity, volume, rest between sets) and training modes (resistance training, low-intensity resistance training plus blood flow restriction, and high intensity interval training).