From the Guidelines
To remember the difference between the Oxford and DeLorme protocols of exercises, focus on their distinct approaches to progressive resistance training, with Oxford starting with a higher weight and decreasing it, and DeLorme starting with lighter weights and increasing them. The Oxford protocol involves starting with a higher weight and decreasing it across sets, typically beginning with 10 repetitions at 100% of 10RM (repetition maximum), followed by 10 reps at 75% of 10RM, and finally 10 reps at 50% of 10RM. In contrast, the DeLorme protocol works in the opposite direction, starting with lighter weights and increasing them, with 10 reps at 50% of 10RM, then 10 reps at 75% of 10RM, and finishing with 10 reps at 100% of 10RM. A helpful mnemonic is "O-Down, D-Up" - Oxford goes down in weight while DeLorme goes up. Both protocols are typically performed three times weekly with rest days in between. The Oxford protocol may be better for those who want to start with their maximum effort when fresh, while DeLorme allows for a gradual warm-up before reaching maximum effort. These approaches work by progressively overloading muscles, which stimulates strength gains through adaptation to increasing resistance, as supported by the principles of exercise training outlined in 1. Key considerations in prescribing exercise, including the importance of individualized prescriptions based on the FITT model (frequency, intensity, time, type) for aerobic and resistance training, are crucial for maximizing benefits and minimizing risks, as discussed in 1. Resistance training, in particular, has been shown to confer significant benefits in terms of muscle strength and endurance, as highlighted in 1, and its inclusion in exercise programs can be tailored to individual needs and capabilities. Ultimately, the choice between the Oxford and DeLorme protocols should be based on individual patient preferences, abilities, and goals, with a focus on progressive overload and adaptation to achieve optimal outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Key Differences Between Oxford and DeLorme Protocols
- The DeLorme protocol involves progressive resistive exercises where the goal is to arrive at the ten-repetition maximum (10RM) by adding weights 2.
- The Oxford protocol, on the other hand, starts at the 10RM and removes weight 2.
- Both protocols aim to improve strength, with the DeLorme protocol focusing on incremental changes in training weight and the Oxford protocol focusing on decremental changes 2.
Remembering the Protocols
- To remember the difference between the two protocols, one can think of the DeLorme protocol as "adding up" to the 10RM, while the Oxford protocol is "starting high" and removing weight 2.
- Another way to distinguish between the two is to associate the DeLorme protocol with "increasing" weight and the Oxford protocol with "decreasing" weight 2.
Clinical Applications
- The choice between the DeLorme and Oxford protocols may depend on the specific clinical application and the patient's needs 2.
- For example, the DeLorme protocol may be more suitable for patients who require a gradual increase in strength, while the Oxford protocol may be more suitable for patients who need to maintain strength while reducing weight 2.
Historical Context
- The DeLorme protocol was developed by Dr. Thomas L. DeLorme in the 1940s as a rehabilitation technique for injured servicemen 3.
- The Oxford protocol, on the other hand, is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies, but its principles are discussed in the context of progressive resistance exercise 2.