Caffeine Supplementation Effects on Concurrent Training Performance in Resistance-Trained Men: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of acute caffeine supplementation on the performance during a session of resistance training alone (RT) or in combination with aerobic training (i.e. concurrent training; CT). Method: Fourteen resistance-trained men (23.1 ± 4.2 years) were recruited and performed both RT and CT under three different conditions: control (CONT), placebo (PLA), and caffeine (CAF; 6 mg.kg-1) for a total of six experimental conditions. Results: Both total and per set number of repetitions, and total volume load were lower during CT as compared to RT, irrespective of the supplementation condition (all p < .001), whereas a supplementation main effect was observed for the total number of repetitions (p = .001), the number of repetitions in the first (p = .002) and second sets (p = .001), and total volume load (p = .001). RPE values were higher after the CT sessions than after the RT sessions (p < .001), whereas no differences were observed between supplementation conditions (p = .865). Conclusions: Caffeine supplementation was not sufficient to minimize the acute interference effect on strength performance in a CT session when compared to RT alone. In contrast, caffeine improved strength performance during the first set of both CT and RT, while maintaining a similar RPE between the supplementation conditions. However, the overall effect was small.

Impact of Resistance Training Volume on Physical and Perceptual Outcomes of Breast Cancer Survivors Submitted to a Combined Training Program: A Randomized, Single-Blinded Study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the effect of resistance training volume on physical and perceptual outcomes of breast cancer survivors submitted to a combined training program. DESIGN: Randomized single-blinded study. METHODS: Nineteen breast cancer survivor women were randomized to a single-set (SS) or a multiple-set (MS) group. Both groups completed an 8-week combined training intervention in which the SS and MS groups performed 1 and 3 sets per resistance exercise, respectively. The following outcomes were assessed preintervention and postintervention: maximal knee extension dynamic strength (1-repetition maximum), quadriceps muscle thickness, peak oxygen uptake, time to exhaustion, cancer-related fatigue, and quality of life. RESULTS: Both interventions increased knee extension 1-repetition maximum (SS: 29.8% [37.5%]; MS: 19.3% [11.8%]), quadriceps muscle thickness (9.4% [4.1%]; 8.9% [5.9%]), and quality of life (4.3% [6.3%]; 7.9% [9.0%]), with no difference between the groups. However, only MS improved cancer-related fatigue (-2.1% [1.7%]) and time to exhaustion (21.3% [14.9%]), whereas peak oxygen uptake remained unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer-related fatigue and time to exhaustion, improved only in the MS group after the intervention. On the other hand, similar knee extension 1-repetition maximum, quadriceps muscle thickness, and quality of life improvements were observed in breast cancer survivors irrespective of the resistance training volume performed.

Short-Term Effects of Land-Based Versus Water-Based Resistance Training Protocols on Post-Exercise Hypotension in Normotensive Men: A Crossover Study.

Considering that water immersion may acutely reduce blood pressure (BP) and that exercise may elicit positive post-exercise hypotension (PEH) responses, we aimed to analyze the presence of PEH in normotensive individuals and compare its magnitude between two resistance training sessions performed in aquatic or land environments. Ten physically active men (23.2 ± 3.1 years) performed the two training protocols in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion. BP measurements were performed for 30 min (at 5 min intervals) both prior to (resting) and after each of the protocols. No differences were observed between protocols at baseline (p > 0.05). Only the water-based resistance training protocol resulted in a systolic BP reduction from 10 to 20 min post-exercise (all p < 0.05) compared to baseline. Compared to the land-based session, systolic BP was lower in the water-based protocol from 10 to 25 min post-exercise (all p < 0.05). On the other hand, diastolic BP showed a similar PEH effect between water and land-based protocols for the entire 30 min post-session period (all p < 0.001). Our results suggest that water-based resistance training holds the potential as a nonpharmacological strategy to lower BP levels following exercise.

Water-based continuous and interval training in older women: Cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular outcomes (WATER study).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two water-based aerobic programs on cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular outcomes in older women. Forty-one women (60 to 75 years old) volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were randomized into a water-based continuous (CTG; n = 21; 63.9 ± 2.5 years) or an interval (ITG; n = 20; 64.8 ± 3.6 years) aerobic training group. Both training programs were performed for 12 weeks (45-min sessions twice a week), with exercise intensity based on rating of perceived exertion (Borg's RPE 6-20 Scale). Pre and post training assessments of cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular outcomes were performed. Data analyses were conducted using Generalized Estimating Equations and Bonferroni post-hoc test (α = 0.05). After the intervention, the CTG and the ITG displayed similar improvements in time to exhaustion (8% vs. 11%), peak oxygen uptake (9% vs. 7%), maximal dynamic knee extension strength (5% vs. 6%), dynamic muscular endurance of knee extensors (10% vs. 11%), maximal vastus lateralis electromyographic signal amplitude (13% vs. 35%), as well as an increase in muscle thickness (5% vs. 6%) and decrease in muscle echo intensity (-2% vs. -3%) of the quadriceps femoris. In conclusion, older women benefited from water-based exercise training prescribed based on participants' RPE, with both the interval and the continuous training programs resulting in similar increases in the cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular parameters.

Efeitos de um macrociclo de treinamento sobre a aptidão física em atletas de futsal feminino durante uma temporada / Effects of a training macrocycle on the physical fitness in female futsal athletes during a season

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar os efeitos de macrociclo de treinamento sobre variáveis de aptidão física em atletas semiprofissionais de futsal feminino. Foram avaliadas quatorze atletas (21,1 ± 4,8 anos) semiprofissionais durante 27 semanas de treinamento, correspondentes a: período pré-competitivo e período competitivo. Foram realizadas avaliações antropométricas (massa corporal, estatura e percentual de gordura corporal), testes de potência de membros inferiores (salto vertical e salto horizontal) e membros superiores (arremesso de medicine ball), de força de membros inferiores (1RM de agachamento e legpress) e de membros superiores (supino) e de velocidade (linear e com troca de direção) antes e após o período pré-competitivo e após a primeira fase do período competitivo. ANOVA para medidas repetidas foi utilizada para comparação das variáveis entre os três momentos de avaliação com post hoc de Bonferroni (α = 0,05). Potência de membros inferiores, velocidade linear e força de membros inferiores e superiores (1RM legpress e supino) apresentaram melhora no desempenho nos três momentos (p < 0,001). Percentual de gordura corporal, potência de membros superiores, força de membros inferiores (1RM agachamento) (p < 0,001) e velocidade com troca de direção (p = 0,002) melhoraram o desempenho do momento pré para o momento pós período pré-competitivo e mantiveram este desempenho no momento pós período competitivo. A massa corporal não apresentou diferença significativa entre os momentos. Conclui-se que, os resultados encontrados indicam que as atletas responderam positivamente quanto às variáveis de aptidão física, comprovando a eficácia do treinamento. Ainda, destaca-se a importância do planejamento dos treinos para o sucesso da equipe. (AU)

The aim of the present study was to analyze the macrocycle training effects on physical fitness variables in semiprofessional female futsal athletes. Fourteen semiprofessional athletes (21.1 ± 4.8 years) were measured during 27 weeks of training, corresponding to: precompetitive period and competitive period. The anthropometric variables (body mass, height and body fat percentage), lower limb (vertical and horizontal jump) and upper limb (medicine ball throw) muscle power, lower limb (1RM squat and legpress) and upper limb (1RM bench press) strength and speed (linear and with change of direction) tests were performed pre and post the pre-competitive period and post the first phase of the competitive period. ANOVA for repeated measures plus Bonferroni post hoc were used to compare the variables between the three evaluation moments (α = 0.05). Performance of the lower limb muscle power, linear speed and lower and upper limbs strength (1RM legpress and bench press) were improved at the three moments (p < 0.001). Body fat percentage, upper limb muscle power, lower limb strength (1RM squat) (p <0.001) and speed with change of direction (p = 0.002) improved the performance from pre to post pre-competitive period moment and kept this performance in the post competitive period. Body mass presented no significant difference between the moments. We concluded that the athletes improved physical fitness variables, proving the effectiveness of the training. Still, it is highlighted the importance of the training planning for the team success. (AU)