Letters to the Editor-in-Chief
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On “The Basics of Training for Muscle
Size and Strength”
Dear Editor-in-Chief,
We read the article of Buckner et al. (1), hoping to find new
insights on resistance training. Unfortunately, the article is a
restatement of information contained in previously published
reviews from this group. Here are our major concerns:
HYPERTROPHY AND STRENGTH GAINS
Buckner et al. believe that high-volume phases are unneces-
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sary. Initial alteration in body composition (including myofi-
brillar hypertrophy) is conceptually (along with the more
important increased work capacity) a tenet of resistance train-
ing periodization. The paradigm of first developing muscle
cross-sectional area (CSA) is not new (2) and has substantial
theoretical support. We believe there is sufficient evidence in-
dicating that hypertrophy resulting from resistance training,
along with other factors, enhances maximum strength (3).
The degree of enhancement depends on several factors, in-
cluding training methods and trained state. Although we agree
that the impact can be relatively small, particularly in early
phases of training in inexperienced trainees compared with
neurological adaptations, and so on, total hypertrophy
(myofibrillar) resulting from long-term resistance training
substantially contributes to strength development (3). Evi-
dence from both early muscle activation and CSA studies
and later studies (4) indicates that initial gains (up to
6–8 wk) in hypertrophy (myofibrillar) are small and likely
do not contribute markedly to increased strength. This evi-
dence also suggests that later alterations (~4–8 wk) in CSA
(myofibrillar) can begin to contribute to alterations in strength
and related characteristics.
TRAINING VARIATION
Buckner et al. (5) suggest that there is minimal evidence
supporting the use of variation in resistance training program-
ming or periodization. It should be noted that individuals can-
not tolerate high-volume and/or heavy multijoint exercise
loading for extended periods without experiencing nonfunc-
tional overreaching or overtraining syndrome.
Altering fitness phase order (therefore programming) pro-
duces different outcomes, sometimes subtle, but different (6).
Researchers in early studies examined programming variation
versus various constant repetition programming schemes and
demonstrated that the variation groups produced superior ad-
aptations. Furthermore, a recent systematic review indicates
that using the same training stimulus for >6 wk, especially in
2047
Copyright © 2020 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
trained subjects and athletes can result in a plateau in maximal
strength (7).
TRAINING TO FAILURE
The majority of studies and reviews indicate training to failure
is unnecessary, and loading does make a difference (7). Evi-
dence from both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies indi-
cate selective hypertrophy can result from different loading
schemes; training to failure, particularly with higher repeti-
tions, tended to select type I motor units, whereas heavier load-
ing and ballistic movements targeted type II motor units (8).
These observations likely play an important role in the training
and performance outcomes of athletes.
MISREPRESENTATION OF THE LITERATURE
Finally, selective use of references, careless editing of
quoted statements, and what appear to be misrepresentations
of literature in this review fosters misconceptions among
readers. One particular example is that of Morehouse and
Miller (2). We encourage interested readers to examine
pages 59 to 60 and 244 to 246 to surmise what the authors
actually stated; the meaning derived directly from the source
text is substantially different than what was quoted. Hope-
fully, those interested will critically review the available lit-
erature in its entirety.
Michael H. Stone
Director, Exercise and Sport Science Lab
Sports, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology
Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN
Kent Adams
Kinesiology Department
Exercise Physiology Lab
CSU Monterey Bay, CA
Seaside, CA
Caleb Bazyler
Sports, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology
Center of Excellence for Sport Science and coach Education
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN
Clive Brewer
Director of Performance
Columbus Crew
Columbus, OH
 George Beckham Performance Team Director
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Assistant Professor, Kinesiology Department Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory

CSU, Monterey Bay University of Kansas
Seaside, CA Lawrence, KS
Kevin Carroll
Andrew Galpin
Sports, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology
Co-Director: Center for Sport Performance
Center of Excellence for Sport Science and coach Education
East Tennessee State University Director: Biochemistry & Molecular
Johnson City, TN Exercise Physiology Lab
California State University
Robert D. Chetlin Fullerton, CA
Department of Sports Medicine
Mercyhurst University John Garhammer
Erie, PA Professor Emeritius
California State University
Paul Comfort Long Beach, CA
Directorate of Psychology and Sport
University of Salford Daniel Gahreman
Salford, Greater Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM College of Health and Human Sciences
Centre for Exercise and Sport Science Research Charles Darwin University
Edith Cowan University Darwin, NT, AUSTRALIA
Joondalup, AUSTRALIA
Casuarina NT, AUSTRALIA
Bret Comstock
Department of Exercise Science Stuart Guppy
Bloomsburg University Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research
Bloomsburg, PA Edith Cowan University
Joondalup, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Aaron Cunanan
Sports Science Coordinator G. Gregory Haff
San Francisco Giants Professor of Strength and Conditioning
Course Coordinator Masters of Exercise Science
Brad DeWeese (Strength & Conditioning)
Sports, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology Edith Cowan University
Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education Joondalup, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN
Keijo Häkkinen
Neuromuscular Research Center
Jacob E. Earp
University of Rhode Island Biology of Physical Activity
Kingston, RI Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
University of Jyväskylä, FINLAND
Sandor Dorgo
Department of Kinesiology Disa Hatfield
The University of Texas at El Paso Department of Kinesiology
El Paso, TX University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI
Steven J. Fleck
FlecksRx LL
Cody Haun
Speed Center Sport Science Coordinator
Andrew C. Fry Exercise Science
Exercise Physiology Graduate Program Lagrange College
Dir. of Research, Research & Coaching LaGrange, GA

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Guy Hornsby Nicholas Ratamess

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Coaching and Performance Science School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science
College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences The College of New Jersey
West Virginia University Morganton, WV Ewing, NJ

Chad Kersick Hugo Santana

Exercise Science College of Education, Federal University of
Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory Mato Grosso Do Sul,
School of Health Sciences Avenida Costa E Silva, Campo Grande,
Lindenwood University Mato Grosso do Sul, BRAZIL
St. Charles, MO
Margaret E. Stone
William J. Kraemer Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education
East Tennessee State University
Department of Human Sciences
Johnson City, TN
Program Area: Kinesiology
The Ohio State University
Timothy J. Suchomel
Columbus, OH
Department of Human Movement Sciences
Carroll University
Hugh Lamont
Department of Kinesiology Coastal Carolina University Dylan Suarez
Conway, SC Sports, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology
Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education
Jeff McBride East Tennessee State University
College of Health Sciences Johnson City, TN
Department of Health & Exercise Science
Director: Neuromuscular & Biomechanics Laboratory Kyle Travis
Appalachian State University Sports, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology
Boone, NC Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City
Satoshi Mizuguchi
Sports, Exercise, Recreation and Kinesiology Chris Taber
Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education Exercise Science
East Tennessee State University College of Health Professions
Johnson City, TN Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT
Robert U. Newton
Exercise Medicine, Exercise Medicine Research Institute N. Travis Triplett
Edith Cowan University Exercise Science
Exercise Science Undergraduate Program Director
Joondalup, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Department of Health and Exercise Science
Appalachian State University
Kyle Pierce
Boone, NC
Kinesiology and Health Science
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Jakob Vingren
Chair Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion
Michael W. Ramsey and Recreation
Department of Sport, Exercise, Recreation, and Kinesiology Professor of Exercise Physiology and Biological Sciences
Center of Excellence for Sport Science and coach Education Co-Director Applied Physiology Laboratory
East Tennessee State University University of North Texas
Johnson City, TN Denton, TX

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