Interference principle

[samirbk]

In the book, Lou talks about the interference principle, and how the body will usually choose endurance over strength, so jogging 3 times a week or something will jeopardise your gym efforts.

My goal is hypertropy, and on average, i walk around 5kms a day, not for exercise, but just to get to places. My gym is a 30 min walk, i walk my dog, and just stuff like that. Do I need to do something about this, or is walking such a low intensity activity that it doesnt matter?

[Cynic]

You're fine. If walking was so detrimental, body builders would be wheel chair bound.

They are talking about miles of running and marathon training.

[samirbk]

haha that's yeah true, never thought of bodybuilders walking their dogs though.

i just thought of walking as the most aerobic activity, (probably 100% aerobic) so i thought it'd be detrimental to my goals on the opposite end of the spectrum.

but thanks!

[StuWard]

This only refers to intense training. Low intensity activity would have no negative effect.

This study suggests that one type of training can interfere with the other but didn't state that one was preferred over the other.
Consequences of combining strength and endurance training regimens -- Nelson et al. 70 (5): 287 -- Physical Therapy

This article looks at a number of studies and it's really uncertain whether one affects the other but endurance seemed to be more tolerant of strength training than vice versa.
Concurrent Strength Training & Endurance Training

It seems to me that it is likely that doing endurance training can limit the effort you put into the strength training, limiting your strength gains. However it is possible to work on both at the same time and to improve both at once. It just might be less than optimal.

Stu

[StuWard]

"In summary, substantial endurance training may be detrimental to strength and power athletes. In endurance sports, strength training applied correctly appears to have an ergogenic effect without altering VO2max."