I was wondering something.
Lets say someone dedicates a certain period of training time to increasing muscle mass.
A certain amount of volume is done at a level of intensity that around lets say 65-75%.
( I don’t know if I did a reasonable job of defining a range as an example, but I’ll find out).
Appropriate macros are consumed, the stars are aligned, and some new muscle mass is aquired.
The subject decides to focus more on developing strength.
The average intensity is increased, and the volume lowered somewhat.
(I assume the latter needs to happen on some level to keep fatigue managable, correct?)
Exercise selection is similar or the same.
At what point does the lowering of volume result in a loss of the muscle gained in the previous phase of training?
Is there data on a minimal level of volume that has to be maintained to keep the acquired muscle mass?
I assume that a macros are kept similar in both phases.
Strength improvement is the result of gaining more muscle mass and getting good at using it. These things don’t happen in isolation usually.
As far as how little stimulation is needed to preserve existing muscle mass, it is likely that even a slight reduction in training volume decreases muscle CSA by reducing certain energy elements stored in the muscle as an adaptation, but this isn’t terribly significant (nor really what you were asking).
I don’t think we can predict how long a “lower volume” program is going to take to result in significant atrophy. It would depend on the individual, their training history, and responsiveness to training.
My interpretation from the first part of your answer is that when strength improvement is the goal,
training both directed at hypertrophy and strength needs to be present in the program simultaneously, but
the degree to which both are trained for, changes over time.
So the muscle loses the adaptation that it doesn´t need.
I imagine that this leads to a reduction in energy elements, but a maintenance of the contractile
elements since maintaining this adaptation is still required, if one would enter a training period of higher intensity and lower volume, within reason.
(While not practically relevant, I still find it interesting)
Makes sense that it would be a case by case thing.
Thank you for your answer btw, appreciate the free information you guys are putting out!