Background
Research suggests that aerobic training should precede resistance training as a general rule (Dalleck, 2011).
However, a variation to combining aerobic and resistance activity is to repeatedly perform short bouts of each throughout the entire exercise session (known as integrated concurrent exercise).
Both circuit training and boot camps implement similar patterns of intermittent, reoccurring stints of aerobic and resistance activities.
In this sense, these exercise sessions are markedly different to the serial pattern in which the entire bout of aerobic activity is completed prior to completion of the entire bout of resistance activity.
Although there are limited findings, research examining this topic has shown that integrated concurrent training improves both muscular strength and endurance (Davis et al., 2008).
References
Dalleck, K. (2011) Are Your Clients Performing the Right Kind of Exercise at the Right Time? Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/1183/are-your-clients-performing-the-right-kind-of%20/> [Accessed: 27 November, 2012].
Davis, W.J., Wood, D.T., Andrews, R.G., Elkind, L.M. & Davis, W.B. (2008). Concurrent Training Enhances Athletes’ Strength, Muscle Endurance, and Other Measures. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 22(5), pp.1487-1502.
