Introduction and Purpose: Various strategies have been utilized by researchers to improve physical condition and muscle growth in non-athletes. Resistance training, as the primary exercise method that enhances anabolic hormones and promotes muscle growth, has been extensively studied. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of two training methods, flat-pyramid and double-pyramid, on the follistatin-to-myostatin ratio and IGF-1 in non-athletic men.
Materials and methods: This study was semi-experimental. The sample consisted of 30 non-athletic men aged 18 to 25 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 18–25 kg/m². The training protocol for the flat-pyramid and double-pyramid groups was conducted over twelve weeks, with three to five sessions per week. In the flat-pyramid model, participants performed each exercise in seven training sets after a warm-up. The double-pyramid group followed the same exercises but performed them in eight consecutive sets. Blood samples (10 cc) were collected from the cubital vein before and after the study to assess hormonal levels. Repeated measures analysis was used for statistical analysis at a significance level of P<0.05.
Results: he results indicated that 12 weeks of flat-pyramid and double-pyramid training led to a significant increase in the follistatin-to-myostatin ratio and IGF-1 compared to the control group (P<0.05); however, the difference between the two training groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Discussion and Conclusion: Implementing resistance training protocols based on pyramid models, regardless of the specific pyramid type, can enhance anabolic hormones and muscle growth in non-athletic individuals living under stressful conditions.