A descriptive ranking of blood pressure and physical fitness of Latin-American ethnic schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: There is a general lack of information about how insufficient physical activity impacts blood pressure and physical fitness in Latin-American ethnic minorities. AIMS: To describe the interactions between insufficient physical activity, blood pressure, and physical fitness outcomes in Latin-American schoolchildren of different ethnicity. METHODS: This was a prospective, international, multi-center, and cross-sectional study of three Latin-American countries involving schoolchildren from seven ethnic groups of Colombia (Tikuna, Nasa, Embera), Brazil (African, Mulato), and Chile (Mapuche), and also European schoolchildren from Brazil and Chile. Data were categorized based on whether participants were physically active (PA) or insufficient physical activity (iPA) using the WHO physical activity recommendations. The main outcomes were systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressure, and scores for physical and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, by estimated V˙O2max), handgrip muscle strength (HGS), and standing long jump (SLJ). Secondary outcomes were anthropometric measures (weight, height, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist-to-height ratio), and body fat percentage (BF%, limited data by country). Primary and secondary outcomes were ranked. RESULTS: For both PA and iPA categories, significant interactions between ethnic groups were found concerning SBP/DBP (F(37.7), ES 0.08; F(51.5), ES 0.08), V˙O2max (F(37.7), ES 0.08; F(51.5), ES 0.08), HGS (F(33.8), ES 0.07; F(5.03), ES 0.04), and SLJ (F(64.3), ES 0.14; F(64.3), 0.14). In the iPA category, Mapuche schoolchildren were classified 1st (119.5; 81.5) with highest SBP/DBP and highest MAP (94.6 mmHg); Embera schoolchildren were classified 1st with lowest V˙O2max (33.7 mL/kg/min); and European schoolchildren were classified 1st (19.9 kg) with lowest HGS and SLJ (121.4 m) physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS: Under conditions of insufficient physical activity conditions, Mapuche schoolchildren had the most detrimental blood pressure, whereas Embera, Tikuna, and European schoolchildren had the lowest levels of physical fitness. These results serve to highlight the need for the early and appropriate promotion of physical activity based on ethnic differences in Latin-American schools.

Effects of Moderate-to-Heavy Sled Training Using Different Magnitudes of Velocity Loss in Professional Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Grazioli, R, Loturco, I, Lopez, P, Setuain, I, Goulart, J, Veeck, F, Inácio, M, Izquierdo, M, Pinto, RS, and Cadore, EL. Effects of moderate-to-heavy sled training using different magnitudes of velocity loss in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 629-635, 2023-This study investigated the effects of a 11-week moderate-to-heavy sled training intervention with different magnitudes of velocity loss on sprint and jump performance, mechanical muscle function, and body composition in professional soccer players. Seventeen players (age 25.8 ± 4.3 years; height 180.0 ± 8.6 cm; mass 77.7 ± 9.7 kg) were randomly allocated into 2 groups, based on different magnitudes of velocity loss: 10% of velocity decrease (G10, n = 8) and 20% of velocity decrease (G20, n = 9). The velocity-based sled training consisted of 20-m resisted sprints with a progressive loading increase from 45 to 65% of body-mass throughout the intervention. Pre-intervention and postintervention sprint and jump performance, hamstring and quadriceps peak torque and isometric rate of torque development, and lower-limb lean mass measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry were assessed and compared. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a significant time-effect for decreases in 10- and 20-m sprint times ( p = 0.018 and p = 0.033, respectively), but without a time-group interaction. The G10 showed greater beneficial effects than G20 for both 10-m (-5.5 ± 3.3%, magnitude-based inference [MBI]: possibly vs. -1.7 ± 5.9%, MBI: possibly trivial) and 20-m (-2.5 ± 2.1%, MBI: possibly vs. -1.4 ± 3.7%, MBI: likely trivial) sprint times. Moreover, there was a significant time effect for countermovement jump height and quadriceps isometric peak torque, which decreased significantly after training ( p = 0.019 and p = 0.010, respectively), with no within-group effect of time vs. group interaction for these respective outcomes. The novel velocity-based sled model proposed here, especially under lower magnitudes of velocity loss, was able to significantly improve linear sprint performance in professional soccer players.

Interrelationships Between Multiple Speed Tests in Youth Soccer: Are Players Equally Efficient at Performing Different Sprint and Change of Direction Tasks?

ABSTRACT: Freitas, TT, Pereira, LA, Alcaraz, PE, Cadore, EL, Grazioli, R, Azevedo, PHSM, Jeffreys, I, and Loturco, I. Interrelationships between multiple speed tests in youth soccer: Are players equally efficient at performing different sprint and COD tasks? J Strength Cond Res 37(4): 848-853, 2023-We investigated the relationships between linear and multidirectional sprint tests in elite young soccer players, using different speed measurements and their associated deficits. Twenty-three under-17 and 17 under-16 soccer players performed, on the same day, 17-m linear sprint (with 10-m split times), curve sprints for "good" and "weak" sides (CSGS and CSWS, respectively), and zigzag and 505 change of direction (COD) tests. The Pearson's product moment test was used to determine the relationships among the tested variables. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Large and very large significant correlations were observed between CSGS and CSWS and 10-m ( r = 0.73 and r = 0.53, respectively; p < 0.0001) and 17-m sprint velocity ( r = 0.84 and r = 0.74, respectively; p < 0.0001). Moderate and significant associations were identified between zigzag and 17-m sprint performances ( r = 0.40; p = 0.02). No significant relationships were found between 505 performance and 17-m sprint velocity and between the different COD tasks ( p > 0.05). Significant correlations were observed between sprint performance at 10- and 17-m and both CS and COD deficits ( r values ranging from 0.37 to 0.54; p < 0.05). In general, higher linear sprinting velocities were associated with superior performances in smoother multidirectional tasks (i.e., CS and zigzag tests) but not in more aggressive COD maneuvers (i.e., 505). Faster athletes in linear actions presented greater CS and COD deficits. No associations were detected between the different COD measurements, supporting the notion that the technical and mechanical demands of COD actions are angle and velocity dependent. From a practical perspective, comprehensive speed testing batteries (i.e., incorporating linear sprints, CS, and different COD assessments) should be administered to young soccer players, to better understand their ability to change direction and sprint over multiple trajectories.

Effects of a Short-Term Detraining Period on the Strength Deficit and Functional Performance of Highly Trained Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Loturco, I, Grazioli, R, Veeck, F, Nakamura, FY, Inácio, M, Schons, P, Preissler, A, Pinto, RS, Pereira, LA, McGuigan, MR, and Cadore, EL. Effects of a short-term detraining period on the strength deficit and functional performance of highly trained soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): 2058-2063, 2023-The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 4-week detraining period on the neuromuscular performance of highly trained soccer players. Pre and post detraining, 18 adult soccer players (age: 27 ± 4.9 years; height: 180.2 ± 7.1 cm; body mass [BM]: 78.9 ± 7.6 kg) performed vertical jumps, 20-m linear sprints, curve sprint and change of direction speed tests, and a progressive loading test in the half-squat exercise with loads corresponding to 50, 100, and 150% of the players' BM to assess the peak-force (PF), mean power (MP), and strength-deficit (SDef). Pre and post differences in the variables of interest were analyzed using paired t -tests and effect sizes (ES). No significant changes were detected for vertical jumping height and sprint times. Higher PF at 50 and 100% BM and lower SDef were shown when comparing pre- and postassessments (ES = 0.66, 0.68, 0.55; p = 0.018, 0.016, and 0.046, respectively). The MP at 50 and 100% BM increased significantly after the detraining phase (ES = 0.56, 0.82; p = 0.049 and 0.007, respectively). The results indicate that these athletes were able to maintain and achieve satisfactory levels of performance after a short period of training cessation. Interestingly, some strength- and power-derived parameters improved significantly after short-term detraining, which may have important implications for training programs aimed at maximizing speed and power performance. It is recommended that coaches test their players not only at the beginning but also at the end of the season, to better evaluate variations in performance and thus create more efficient and tailored training strategies.

Dance as an Intervention to Reduce Fall Risk in Older Adults: A Systematic Review With a Meta-Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence from randomized clinical trials on the effects of dance on fall risk in older adults through a systematic review with meta-analysis. Fall risk was assessed through timed up and go, Berg Balance Scale, or one-leg stand tests. Data are presented as mean differences for timed up and go test and standardized mean differences for Berg Balance Scale and one-leg stand tests between treatments with 95% confidence intervals, and calculations were performed using random effects models. Significance was accepted when p < .05. A significant difference was found between dance interventions and the control groups in the general analysis of fall risk assessed by timed up and go (mean differences: -1.446 s; 95% confidence interval [-1.586, -1.306]; p < .001) and Berg Balance Scale and one-leg stand tests (standardized mean differences: 0.737; 95% confidence interval [0.508, 0.966]; p < .001) in favor of the intervention group. Different dance interventions decreased the fall risk in older practitioners.

Oxygen Uptake of Wave Surfers and Complementary Parameters in Front Crawl and Surfing-Paddling Tests.

ABSTRACT: Godoy, DF, Cadore, EL, Feitosa, WG, Correia, RdA, and Castro, FAdS. Oxygen uptake of wave surfers and complementary parameters in front crawl and surfing-paddling tests. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2645-2650, 2021-The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of the oxygen uptake and complementary parameters (heart rate [HR], blood lactate concentration, and rate of perceived exertion [RPE]) obtained from surfers swimming and paddling in a swimming pool. Fourteen recreational male surfers (37.7 ± 4.7 years old) were evaluated in (a) a maximal 300-m front crawl test and (b) paddling in a surfboard test, both at the same intensity and for the same duration. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak) during the tests (direct method), HR, blood lactate concentration (LA), and RPE were assessed. Two-way analysis of variance, a simple Student t test, effect size calculation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and limits of agreement were applied. In general, the tests presented similar results (except for HR), with low agreement, high intraclass correlation, and average to large effect sizes between swimming and paddling. The results suggest that surfers training in a swimming pool should not simply be swimming. Front crawl swimming and surf paddling are 2 distinct actions that should be practiced and tested on their own merits rather than assumed to be interchangeable.

Effects of Resistance Training Performed to Failure or Not to Failure on Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Power Output: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Vieira, AF, Umpierre, D, Teodoro, JL, Lisboa, SC, Baroni, BM, Izquierdo, M, and Cadore, EL. Effects of resistance training performed to failure or not to failure on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and power output: A systematic review with meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 1165-1175, 2021-The aim of this review was to summarize the evidence from longitudinal studies assessing the effects induced by resistance training (RT) performed to failure (RTF) vs. not to failure (RTNF) on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and power output in adults. Three electronic databases were searched using terms related to RTF and RTNF. Studies were eligible if they met the following criteria: randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing the effects of RTF vs. RTNF on muscle hypertrophy, maximal strength, and muscle power in adults, and RT intervention ≥6 weeks. Results were presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) between treatments with 95% confidence intervals, and calculations were performed using random effects models. Significance was accepted when p < 0.05. Thirteen studies were included in this review. No difference was found between RTF and RTNF on maximal strength in overall analysis (SMD: -0.08; p = 0.642), but greater strength increase was observed in RTNF considering nonequalized volumes (SMD: -0.34; p = 0.048). Resistance training performed to failure showed a greater increase in muscle hypertrophy than RTNF (SMD: 0.75; p = 0.005), whereas no difference was observed considering equalized RT volumes. No difference was found between RTF and RTNF on muscle power considering overall analysis (SMD: -0.20; p = 0.239), whereas greater improvement was observed in RTNF considering nonequalized RT volumes (SMD: -0.61; p = 0.025). Resistance training not to failure may induce comparable or even greater improvements in maximal dynamic strength and power output, whereas no difference between RTF vs. RTNF is observed on muscle hypertrophy, considering equalized RT volumes.

Coronavirus Disease-19 Quarantine Is More Detrimental Than Traditional Off-Season on Physical Conditioning of Professional Soccer Players.

Grazioli, R, Loturco, I, Baroni, BM, Oliveira, GS, Saciura, V, Vanoni, E, Dias, R, Veeck, F, Pinto, RS, and Cadore, EL. Coronavirus disease-19 quarantine is more detrimental than traditional off-season on physical conditioning of professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3316-3320, 2020-Beyond the severe health crisis, the coronavirus disease 2019 has also affected the high-performance sports scenario. In soccer, practitioners are concerned about the effects of long-term detraining on players' conditioning, and caution is required when activities return. This study assessed body composition, jump and sprint performance, hamstring eccentric strength, and intermittent cardiorespiratory fitness of 23 male professional soccer players who returned to training activities after 63 days of quarantine. The results were compared with their physical condition assessed before a pre-season phase as soon as they returned to training after a regular 24-day off-season period. In comparison with after off-season assessments, the quarantine induced significant increases in body mass, body fat mass, 10- and 20-m sprint times as well as decreases in countermovement jump height (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in hamstring eccentric strength, squat jump height, and cardiorespiratory fitness (p > 0.05). In summary, we showed that 63 days of quarantine impaired several physical performance measures compared with regular off-season in soccer players. Given the present results, special attention should be given to body composition-related and speed power-related capabilities after long-term detraining in professional soccer.

Assessing the impact of physical exercise on cognitive function in older medical patients during acute hospitalization: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute illness requiring hospitalization frequently is a sentinel event leading to long-term disability in older people. Prolonged bed rest increases the risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia in acutely hospitalized older adults. Exercise protocols applied during acute hospitalization can prevent functional decline in older patients, but exercise benefits on specific cognitive domains have not been previously investigated. We aimed to assess the effects of a multicomponent exercise intervention for cognitive function in older adults during acute hospitalization. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We performed a secondary analysis of a single-blind randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted from February 1, 2015, to August 30, 2017 in an Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) unit in a tertiary public hospital in Navarre (Spain). 370 hospitalized patients (aged ≥75 years) were randomly allocated to an exercise intervention (n = 185) or a control (n = 185) group (usual care). The intervention consisted of a multicomponent exercise training program performed during 5-7 consecutive days (2 sessions/day). The usual care group received habitual hospital care, which included physical rehabilitation when needed. The main outcomes were change in executive function from baseline to discharge, assessed with the dual-task (i.e., verbal and arithmetic) Gait Velocity Test (GVT) and the Trail Making Test Part A (TMT-A). Changes in the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test and verbal fluency ability were also measured after the intervention period. The physical exercise program provided significant benefits over usual care. At discharge, the exercise group showed a mean increase of 0.1 m/s (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07, 0.13; p < 0.001) in the verbal GVT and 0.1 m/s (95% CI, 0.08, 0.13; p < 0.001) in the arithmetic GVT over usual care group. There was an apparent improvement in the intervention group also in the TMT-A score (-31.1 seconds; 95% CI, -49.5, -12.7 versus -3.13 seconds; 95% CI, -16.3, 10.2 in the control group; p < 0.001) and the MMSE score (2.10 points; 95% CI, 1.75, 2.46 versus 0.27 points; 95% CI, -0.08, 0.63; p < 0.001). Significant benefits were also observed in the exercise group for the verbal fluency test (mean 2.16 words; 95% CI, 1.56, 2.74; p < 0.001) over the usual care group. The main limitations of the study were patients' difficulty in completing all the tasks at both hospital admission and discharge (e.g., 25% of older patients were unable to complete the arithmetic GVT, and 47% could not complete the TMT-A), and only old patients with relatively good functional capacity at preadmission (i.e., Barthel Index score ≥60 points) were included in the study. CONCLUSIONS: An individualized, multicomponent exercise training program may be an effective therapy for improving cognitive function (i.e., executive function and verbal fluency domains) in very old patients during acute hospitalization. These findings support the need for a shift from the traditional (bedrest-based) hospitalization to one that recognizes the important role of maintaining functional capacity and cognitive function in older adults, key components of intrinsic capacity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02300896.

Low sleep time is associated with higher levels of blood pressure and fat mass in Amerindian schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES: While altered sleep patterns (ie, low sleep time) have been studied and reported in adults as a new cardiometabolic risk factor, less information is available on how sleep patterns impact children of different ethnicities. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of blood pressure and other cardiometabolic risk factors in relation to different levels of sleep time in schoolchildren of Amerindian Mapuche or European-ancestry of Southern Chile. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 540 Chilean schoolchildren (6-13 years) were divided into two ethnic groups (n = 119 Mapuche Amerindians and n = 421 European-ancestry). Groups were analyzed according to sleep time per day as registered by parents' report and distributed into quartile categories of sleep time: Mapuche (quartile 1 [Q1] ≥10.0 h, n = 34; Q2 9.5-10.0 h, n = 29; Q3 8.5-9.0 h, n = 31; and Q4 ≤ 8.5 h, n = 25), and European (Q1, n = 99; Q2, n = 77; Q3, n = 144; Q4, n = 101). The main cardiovascular parameters (systolic [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure) were complemented with anthropometric/body composition (body mass, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, fat mass, muscle mass, lean mass), cardiorespiratory (heart rate rest, oxygen saturation), and muscle strength (handgrip of dominant and non-dominant arm) outcomes. RESULTS: From Q1 and across Q2, Q3, and Q4, there was an increase in delta mean SBP in both Mapuche (Δ +17.6 mm Hg) and European (Δ +7.3 mm Hg) schoolchildren with 30-90 min of decreased sleep time (using ≥10 h as reference in Q1). The tendency for worsening of other cardiometabolic risk factors was maintained for delta mean BMI (Δ +2.6 kg/m2 ), waist circumference (Δ +12 cm), and fat mass (Δ +8.3%) in Mapuches, whereas European peers showed only worsened waist circumference (Δ +6 cm) across Q2, Q3, and Q4 in comparison with reference Q1. There was also a higher prevalence of hypertension in Mapuche (31.1%) compared to in European schoolchildren (17.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Mapuche and European schoolchildren show higher levels of SBP with a decrease in sleep time of 30 min; however, there is a higher prevalence of hypertension and obesity in ethnic Mapuches than in European schoolchildren. These findings indicate that more studies should be applied at early school ages for preventing low sleep time and their related cardiometabolic risk factors for hypertension development in different ethnic groups.

Improvements cardiometabolic risk factors in Latin American Amerindians (the Mapuche) with concurrent training.

Our aim was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of CT (ie, high-intensity interval and resistance training) in Mapuche adults from Chile and in their peers of European descent. In total, 96 hyperglycemic adult women (mean age 46 years [95% confidence interval; 38, 53]) were divided in four groups: Mapuche CT (Map-CT, n = 14) or control group (Map-CG, n = 44), and European CT (Eur-CT, n = 14) or control group (Eur-CG, n = 23). The following endpoints were analyzed at baseline and after 12 weeks: anthropometric (body mass, body mass index, waist circumference), body composition (fat mass, muscle mass, lean mass), cardiovascular (systolic [SBP]/diastolic [DBP] blood pressure), metabolic (blood fasting glucose and total cholesterol), and muscle strength (handgrip of dominant/non-dominant arm). There were significant positive changes in body mass, body fat, and muscle mass (P < 0.0001) in both Map-CT and Eur-CT groups, whereas waist circumference was decreased significantly only in the Eur-CT group (P < 0.0001). Both Map-CT and Eur-CT groups showed decreased levels of fasting glucose (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol after the intervention (P < 0.0001). Also, both Map-CT (P < 0.05) and Eur-CT (P = 0.01) groups showed a lowered SBP. Finally, significant increases were observed after training in handgrip strength (dominant arm) in Map-CT and Eur-CT groups (both P < 0.0001). CT led to similar improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors for metabolic syndrome development in Mapuche and European participants, with additional improvements in other anthropometric, body composition, cardiovascular, metabolic, and muscle strength parameters related to the prevention of metabolic syndrome. These results suggest future more complex studies.

Concurrent training performed with and without repetitions to failure in older men: A randomized clinical trial.

This study compared the effects of 20 weeks of concurrent training with and without repetitions to failure on neuromuscular and functional adaptations in older men. METHODS: Thirty-six older men (67.1 ± 5.1 years) were randomized into three groups: one performing repetitions to failure (RFG, n = 13), another performing repetitions not to failure and 50% of the repetitions of the RFG (NFG, n = 12), and a third performing repetitions not to failure with equal training volume of the RFG (ENFG, n = 11). Training was performed twice a week for 20 weeks at intensities ranging from 65% to 80% of maximal strength. In each session, the individuals started with strengthening exercises and then performed aerobic exercise on a treadmill. Before and after the intervention, individuals were assessed for their one repetition maximum (1RM) for leg press (LP) and knee extension (KE) exercises, knee extensors' isometric peak torque (PTiso ), and rate of torque development (RTD) at 50 ms, 100 ms, and 250 ms, muscle thickness of the quadriceps, as well as functional performance on sit-to-stand, and timed up and go tests. RESULTS: After training, there were significant (P < 0.001) increases in the LP and KE 1RM, PTiso , and RTD outcomes in all groups. Also, there were significant increases in muscle thickness of the quadriceps and in the sit-to-stand test (P < 0.05) in all groups. No significant differences were observed between groups in any outcome. CONCLUSION: Concurrent training using repetitions to concentric failure did not promote additional benefits for neuromuscular function, muscle thickness, or functional capacity of older individuals.

Effects of photobiomodulation therapy associated with resistance training in elderly men: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) combined with resistance training on knee extensors muscle mass, strength and functional capacity in elderly men. METHODS: In this randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial, healthy elderly men (age 60-80 years) completed 12 weeks of resistance training (2×/week) with application of placebo (n = 13) or active PBMT (n = 11) on quadriceps muscles (850 nm, 240 J per limb) before each training session. Leg press and knee extension one-repetition maximum (1RM) tests, isometric and concentric peak torques, rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thickness, timed up-and-go (TUG) and chair rise-to-standing (CRS) tests were performed before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in all outcomes for both groups (p < 0.05), except for RF muscle thickness for the placebo group (p = 0.09). Large effect sizes (ES > 0.8) were observed for leg press and leg extension 1RM and CRS tests for both groups, as well as for TUG test for PBMT group. Isokinetic peak torque for both groups and TUG for placebo group had moderate increases (ES > 0.5). Muscle thicknesses and isometric peak torque had small increases (ES > 0.2) in both groups. Both null hypothesis analysis and magnitude-based inference support similar effects of PBMT and placebo treatments. CONCLUSION: Different than previously evidenced in young subjects, PBMT with the parameters used in this study did not provide any additional benefits in comparison to placebo application on muscle mass, strength and functional capacity of healthy elderly men engaged in a resistance training program.

Resistance Training for Older Adults: Position Statement From the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Fragala, MS, Cadore, EL, Dorgo, S, Izquierdo, M, Kraemer, WJ, Peterson, MD, and Ryan, ED. Resistance training for older adults: position statement from the national strength and conditioning association. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2019-2052, 2019-Aging, even in the absence of chronic disease, is associated with a variety of biological changes that can contribute to decreases in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function. Such losses decrease physiologic resilience and increase vulnerability to catastrophic events. As such, strategies for both prevention and treatment are necessary for the health and well-being of older adults. The purpose of this Position Statement is to provide an overview of the current and relevant literature and provide evidence-based recommendations for resistance training for older adults. As presented in this Position Statement, current research has demonstrated that countering muscle disuse through resistance training is a powerful intervention to combat the loss of muscle strength and muscle mass, physiological vulnerability, and their debilitating consequences on physical functioning, mobility, independence, chronic disease management, psychological well-being, quality of life, and healthy life expectancy. This Position Statement provides evidence to support recommendations for successful resistance training in older adults related to 4 parts: (a) program design variables, (b) physiological adaptations, (c) functional benefits, and (d) considerations for frailty, sarcopenia, and other chronic conditions. The goal of this Position Statement is to a) help foster a more unified and holistic approach to resistance training for older adults, b) promote the health and functional benefits of resistance training for older adults, and c) prevent or minimize fears and other barriers to implementation of resistance training programs for older adults.

Echo Intensity Reliability for the Analysis of Different Muscle Areas in Athletes.

Lanferdini, FJ, Manganelli, BF, Lopez, P, Klein, KD, Cadore, EL, and Vaz, MA. Echo intensity reliability for the analysis of different muscle areas in athletes. J Strength Cond Res 33(12): 3353-3360, 2019-Skeletal muscles' echo intensity (EI) is used as a parameter to evaluate muscle damage and muscle quality after exercise or training. However, recent muscle EI studies have used regions of interest (ROIs) of different sizes for assessing muscle damage and muscle quality, which may lead to different results if the different ROIs from the same muscle are not reliable. Although a maximum rectangular ROI (RET-ROI), included in the muscles' anatomical cross-sectional area, can be used to represent the maximum muscle ROI (MAX-ROI), no studies were found that investigated the reliability of the evaluations of different ROIs for the EI of superficial vs. deep muscles of the thigh. In addition, no studies have evaluated different ROIs in cyclists, at different days and analyzed by different raters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the EI reliability of rectus femoris (RF) and vastus intermedius (VI) muscles of cyclists. Twenty cyclists visited the laboratory 4 times for the evaluation of RF and VI muscles transversal ultrasound images. Echo intensity was determined from grayscale mean values by 2 examiners who performed the analysis with 3 different ROIs: MAX-ROI, RET-ROI, and 1-cm ROI (1CM-ROI). The between-ROI EI data reliability showed a strong correlation in both RF (r ≥ 0.79) and VI (r ≥ 0.87) muscles. Bland-Altman tests demonstrated high agreement among RF ROI muscle areas (p > 0.05), with no agreement between the VI areas (p < 0.05). Only the RF muscle MAX-ROI, RET-ROI, and 1CM-ROI areas are similar for EI analysis, with no similarities for the same VI muscle areas.

Effects of Different Resistance Training Systems on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy in Resistance-Trained Older Women.

Ribeiro, AS, Aguiar, AF, Schoenfeld, BJ, Nunes, JP, Cavalcanti, EF, Cadore, EL, and Cyrino, ES. Effects of different resistance training systems on muscular strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained older women. J Strength Cond Res 32(2): 545-553, 2018-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training (RT) performed in a pyramid (PR) vs. constant (CT) load system on muscular strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained older women. Thirty-three older women (69.7 ± 5.9 years, 69.1 ± 15.0 kg, 156.6 ± 6.2 cm, and 28.1 ± 5.4 kg·m) were randomized into 2 groups: one that performed RT with a CT load (n = 16) and another group that performed RT in an ascending PR fashion (n = 17). Outcomes included 1 repetition maximum (RM) tests and assessment of skeletal muscle mass estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The study lasted 32 weeks, with 24 weeks dedicated to preconditioning and 8 weeks for the actual experiment. The RT program was conducted 3 d·wk; the CT consisted of 3 sets of 8-12RM with same load across sets, whereas the PR consisted of 3 sets of 12/10/8RM with incremental loads for each set. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) change from pretraining to posttraining was observed for chest press total strength (CT: pre = 122.8 ± 21.0 kg, post = 128.9 ± 21.4 kg, effect size [ES] = 0.28; PR: pre = 120.5 ± 22.8 kg, post = 125.8 ± 22.9 kg, ES = 0.24) and muscle mass (CT: pre = 21.4 ± 3.6 kg, post = 21.7 ± 3.5 kg, ES = 0.09; PR: pre = 20.9 ± 3.4 kg, post = 21.1 ± 3.4 kg, ES = 0.06) without differences between groups. Results suggest that both systems are effective to improve strength and muscle growth, but PR is not superior to CT for inducing improvements in previously trained older women.

High-Speed Resistance Training in Older Women: The Role of Supervision.

Older women participated in a 12-week high-speed resistance training program under two supervisor-to-subject ratio methods (i.e., high versus low supervision) to assess its effects on muscle strength, power, functional performance, and quality of life assessed before (T1) and after (T2) intervention. Women were divided into either the control group (CG, n = 15), high supervision group (HSG, n = 30), or low supervision group (LSG, n = 28). The training program included exercises requiring high-speed concentric muscle actions. No differences were observed among groups at T1. Between T1 and T2, the HSG showed a higher (p < .05) improvement in muscle strength (ES = 0.36-1.26), power (ES = 0.5-0.88), functional performance (ES = 0.52-0.78), and quality of life (ES = 0.44-0.82) compared with LSG and CG. High-speed resistance training under closer supervision is more effective for improving muscle strength, power, functional performance, and quality of life in older women.

Vertical Jump and Leg Power Normative Data for Colombian Schoolchildren Aged 9-17.9 Years: The FUPRECOL Study.

Ramírez-Vélez, R, Correa-Bautista, JE, Lobelo, F, Cadore, EL, Alonso-Martinez, AM, and Izquierdo, M. Vertical jump and leg power normative data for Colombian schoolchildren aged 9-17.9 years: the FUPRECOL study. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 990-998, 2017-The aims of the present study were to generate normative vertical jump height and predicted peak power (Ppeak) data for 9- to 17.9-year-olds and to investigate between-sex and age group differences in these measures. This was a cross-sectional study of 7,614 healthy schoolchildren (boys n = 3,258 and girls n = 4,356, mean [SD] age 12.8 [2.3] years). Each participant performed 2 countermovement jumps; jump height was calculated using a Takei 5414 Jump-DF Digital Vertical (Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.). The highest jump was used for analysis and in the calculation of predicted Ppeak. Centile smoothed curves, percentiles, and tables for the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th percentiles were calculated using Cole's LMS (L [curve Box-Cox], M [curve median], and S [curve coefficient of variation]) method. The 2-way analysis of variance tests showed that maximum jump height (in centimeters) and predicted Ppeak (in watts) were higher in boys than in girls (p < 0.01). Post hoc analyses within sexes showed yearly increases in jump height and Ppeak in all ages. In boys, the maximum jump height and predicted Ppeak 50th percentile ranged from 24.0 to 38.0 cm and from 845.5 to 3061.6 W, respectively. In girls, the 50th percentile for jump height ranged from 22.3 to 27.0 cm, and the predicted Ppeak was 710.1-2036.4 W. For girls, jump height increased yearly from 9 to 17.9 years old. Our results provide, for the first time, sex- and age-specific vertical jump height and predicted Ppeak reference standards for Colombian schoolchildren aged 9-17.9 years.

Chest Press Exercises With Different Stability Requirements Result in Similar Muscle Damage Recovery in Resistance-Trained Men.

Ferreira, DV, Ferreira-Júnior, JB, Soares, SRS, Cadore, EL, Izquierdo, M, Brown, LE, and Bottaro, M. Chest press exercises with different stability requirements result in similar muscle damage recovery in resistance trained men. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 71-79, 2017-This study investigated the time course of 96 hours of muscle recovery after 3 different chest press exercises with different stability requirements in resistance-trained men. Twenty-seven men (23.5 ± 3.8 years) were randomly assigned to one of the 3 groups: (a) Smith machine bench press; (b) barbell bench press; or (c) dumbbell bench press. Participants performed 8 sets of 10 repetition maximum with 2 minutes rest between sets. Muscle thickness, peak torque (PT), and soreness were measured pre, post, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after exercise. There were no differences in the time course of PT or muscle thickness values of the pectoralis major (p = 0.98 and p = 0.91, respectively) or elbow extensors (p = 0.07 and p = 0.86, respectively) between groups. Muscle soreness of the pectoralis major was also not different between groups (p > 0.05). However, the Smith machine and barbell groups recovered from triceps brachii muscle soreness by 72 hours after exercise (p > 0.05), whereas the dumbbell group did not present any triceps brachii muscle soreness after exercise (p > 0.05). In conclusion, resistance-trained men experience similar muscle damage recovery after Smith machine, barbell, and dumbbell chest press exercise. However, muscle soreness of the elbow extensors takes a longer time to recover after using a barbell chest press exercise.

Effects of Synergist vs. NonSynergist Split Resistance Training Routines on Acute Neuromuscular Performance in Resistance-Trained Men.

Castanheira, RPM, Ferreira-Junior, JB, Celes, RS, Rocha-Junior, VA, Cadore, EL, Izquierdo, M, and Bottaro, M. Effects of synergist vs. nonsynergist split resistance training routines on acute neuromuscular performance in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3482-3488, 2017-The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of synergist (SN) vs. nonsynergist (NS) split resistance training routines on the acute neuromuscular performance of the elbow flexors in resistance-trained men. Fifteen resistance-trained men (age: 23.2 ± 4.0 years, height: 173.0 ± 0.08 cm, and body mass: 78.38 ± 9.31 kg) randomly performed 3 training routines separated by an interval of 7 days: (a) pull-pull exercises (SN), which included 6 sets of 10 repetition maximum (RM) of a seated row exercise followed by 4 sets of 10RM of the preacher biceps curl exercise; (b) push-pull exercises (NS), which included 6 sets of 10RM of the bench press exercise followed by 4 sets of 10RM of the preacher biceps curl exercise; and (c) Control, which included 4 sets of 10RM of the preacher biceps curl exercise. Elbow flexors peak torque, total work, and the amplitude of electromyography signal (EMG root mean square) were measured during the elbow flexor isokinetic exercise. Peak torque was 10.2 and 3.9% higher during Control condition when compared with the SN and NS conditions, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Peak torque was also 6.0% greater in the NS condition than the SN condition (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, total work was 5.1% greater in the NS condition than the SN condition. Additionally, EMG findings did not differ among conditions (p > 0.05). In conclusion, a push and pull NS split routine is recommended to maximize elbow flexor training performance (i.e., lower acute loading effect) in trained subjects.