Sex Differences in Test-Retest Reliability of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy During Postocclusive Reactive Hyperemia of the Vastus Lateralis.

ABSTRACT: Shoemaker, ME, Smith, CM, Gillen, ZM, and Cramer, JT. Sex differences in test-retest reliability of near-infrared spectroscopy during postocclusive reactive hyperemia of the vastus lateralis. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): e40-e48, 2024-The purpose of this study was to determine test-retest reliability for vascular reactivity measures and ranges for normalization of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) variables from the vastus lateralis using postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) procedure in male subjects, female subjects, and combined. Concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) + myoglobin (Mb) (O 2 Hb) and deoxygenated Hb + Mb (HHb) to derive total Hb + Mb (THb), difference in Hb + Mb signal (Hbdiff), and muscle tissue oxygen saturation (StO 2 ) from the vastus lateralis were measured during the PORH in 12 male subjects (age: 23.17 ± 1.77 years; stature: 180.88 ± 4.59 cm; and mass: 81.47 ± 9.68 kg) and 10 female subjects (age: 23.80 ± 2.07 years; stature: 165.95 ± 4.92 cm; and mass: 70.93 ± 10.55 kg) on 2 separate days. Adipose tissue thickness at the NIRS site was measured with ultrasonography. There were no significant differences between the mean values from visit 1 to visit 2 ( p > 0.076-0.985). In the composite sample, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 0.35 to 0.91 and 4.74 to 39.18%, respectively. In male subjects, ICC and CV values ranged from 0.57 to 0.89 and 2.44 to 28.55%, respectively. In female subjects, ICC and CV values ranged from -0.05 to 0.75 and 7.83 to 61.19%, respectively. Although NIRS variables were overall reliable during PORH, when separated by sex, reliability in male subjects generally increased, whereas female subjects were not reliable, suggesting adipose tissue thickness may be a contributing factor. Understanding sex differences in reliability is important when using this technique for normalization or examining vascular reactivity during athletic performance. With greater utilization of NIRS monitoring in athletes to examine training adaptations, it is important for practitioners to understand the capabilities and potential limitations of the tool.

Influences of the Stretch-Shortening Cycle and Arm Swing on Vertical Jump Performance in Children and Adolescents.

ABSTRACT: Gillen, ZM, Shoemaker, ME, McKay, BD, Bohannon, NA, Gibson, SM, and Cramer, JT. Influences of the stretch-shortening cycle and arm swing on vertical jump performance in children and adolescents. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1245-1256, 2022-This study compared the influences of the stretch-shortening cycle and arm swing on vertical jump performance during static jumps (SJs), counter-movement jumps (CMJs), and CMJs with arm swing (CMJAs) in young male and female athletes. Twenty-one boys (age = 12.1 ± 1.1 years) and 21 girls (age = 12.1 ± 1.1 years) performed SJs, CMJs, and CMJAs on force plates that sampled at 1 kHz. Measurements included peak force, rate of force development, peak power (PP), eccentric impulse (ECC), concentric impulse (CON), estimated jump height (JH), and changes in PP and JH across vertical jumps. Measurements of growth included age, maturity offset, height, body mass, fat-free mass, and thigh muscle cross-sectional area. Analyses of variance were used to analyze growth measurements across sex, as well as vertical jump outcome measures. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were used to determine the relationships between changes in PP and JH across vertical jumps and growth measurements. There were differences in PP and JH such that SJ < CMJ < CMJA (p < 0.001), and ECC such that SJ < CMJA < CMJ (p ≤ 0.048). Changes in PP were greater from the SJ to CMJ than CMJ to CMJA (p ≤ 0.001). The change in PP from the SJ to CMJ exhibited moderate-to-high relationships with growth measurements for boys and girls (r = 0.543-0.803). Because young children may not have the skeletal musculature or strength necessary to absorb and reapply large eccentric preloading forces, future studies should consider using the CMJA, rather than the CMJ, to maximize vertical jump performance and minimize ECC. Coaches and practitioners can expect approximately 27-33% greater PP and 15-17% greater estimated JH when an arm swing is included during the CMJ.

Comparisons of muscle strength, size, and voluntary activation in pre- and post-pubescent males and females.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare measurements of muscle strength, size, and activation of the forearm flexors in pre- and post-pubescent males and females. METHODS: Forty pre-pubescent (mean ± 95% confidence interval, age = 9.79 ± 0.35 years, n = 10 males, n = 10 females) and post-pubescent (age = 17.23 ± 0.58 years, n = 10 males, n = 10 females) youth participated. Subjects completed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the forearm flexors, and submaximal isometric step muscle actions at 30, 50, and 70% of the peak MVIC. Percent voluntary activation (VA) was quantified during all isometric muscle actions. Forearm flexor (biceps brachii and brachialis) muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was quantified from ultrasound images. RESULTS: MVIC strength was expressed in absolute terms and normalized to CSA. Post-pubertal males were 130% stronger, had 101% greater CSA, and 17% greater maximal VA than pre-pubertal males, while post-pubertal females were 72% stronger, had 54% greater CSA, and 23% greater maximal VA than pre-pubertal females. When MVIC strength was normalized to CSA, the post-pubertal males were still 15% stronger than the pre-pubertal males, while the post-pubertal females were only 12% stronger than the pre-pubertal females. The responses for VA across intensity reflected differences in muscle activation strategies between pre- and post-pubertal males and females. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that muscle size may account for a greater proportion of the growth and development-related differences in strength among males, while females may be more affected by changes in muscle activation. Regardless of sex, changes in muscle size and neuromuscular function influence strength increases during growth and development.

Patterns of responses and time-course of changes in muscle size and strength during low-load blood flow restriction resistance training in women.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the individual and composite patterns of responses and time-course of changes in muscle size, strength, and edema throughout a 4 week low-load blood flow restriction (LLBFR) resistance training intervention. METHODS: Twenty recreationally active women (mean ± SD; 23 ± 3 years) participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to 4 weeks (3/week) of LLBFR (n = 10) or control (n = 10) group. Resistance training consisted of 75 reciprocal isokinetic forearm flexion-extension muscle actions performed at 30% of peak torque. Strength and ultrasound-based assessments were determined at each training session. RESULTS: There were quadratic increases for composite muscle thickness (R2 = 0.998), concentric peak torque (R2 = 0.962), and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque (R2 = 0.980) data for the LLBFR group. For muscle thickness, seven of ten subjects exceeded the minimal difference (MD) of 0.16 cm during the very early phase (laboratory visits 1-7) of the intervention compared to three of ten subjects that exceeded MD for either concentric peak torque (3.7 Nm) or MVIC (2.2 Nm) during this same time period. There was a linear increase for composite echo intensity (r2 = 0.563) as a result of LLBFR resistance training, but eight of ten subjects never exceeded the MD of 14.2 Au. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that the increases in muscle thickness for the LLBFR group were not associated with edema and changes in echo intensity should be examined on a subject-by-subject basis. Furthermore, LLBFR forearm flexion-extension resistance training elicited real increases in muscle size during the very early phase of training that occurred prior to real increases in muscle strength.

Changes in Strength, Mobility, and Body Composition Following Self-Selected Exercise in Older Adults.

The purpose of this trial was to examine the effects of self-selected exercise intensities plus either whey protein or placebo supplementation on vital signs, body composition, bone mineral density, muscle strength, and mobility in older adults. A total of 101 participants aged 55 years and older (males [n = 34] and females [n = 67]) were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of self-selected, free-weight resistance exercise plus 30 min of self-paced walking three times per week. The participants were randomized into two groups: whey protein (n = 46) or placebo (n = 55). Three-way mixed factorial analyses of variance were used to test for mean differences for each variable. The 12 weeks of self-selected, self-paced exercise intensities improved resting heart rate, fat-free mass, percent body fat, handgrip strength, bench press strength, leg press strength, and all mobility measurements (p < .05) in males and females despite supplementation status. This suggests that additional protein in well-fed healthy older adults does not enhance the benefit of exercise.

Evaluation of High-Intensity Interval Training and Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Efficiency of Electrical Activity and Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold.

ABSTRACT: Herda, AA, Smith-Ryan, AE, Kendall, KL, Cramer, JT, and Stout, JR. Evaluation of high-intensity interval training and beta-alanine supplementation on efficiency of electrical activity and electromyographic fatigue threshold. J Strength Cond Res 35(6): 1535-1541, 2021-The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with or without ß-alanine (BA) supplementation on the electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) and efficiency of electrical activity (EEA) in young women. Forty-four women (mean ± SD; age [yrs]: 21.7 ± 3.7; height [cm]: 166.3 ± 6.4; body mass [kg]: 66.1 ± 10.3) were randomly assigned to one of 3 treatment groups. The supplement groups performed HIIT on the cycle ergometer 3 times·wk-1 for 6 weeks. Electromyographic fatigue threshold and EEA were assessed at baseline (PRE), after 3 weeks of training (MID), and after 6 weeks of HIIT (POST). Two 2-way mixed factorial analyses of variance (time [PRE vs. MID vs. POST] × treatment (BA vs. PL vs. CON)] were used to analyze EMGFT and EEA with a predetermined level of significance α of 0.05. For EMGFT, there was no interaction (p = 0.26) and no main effect for time (p = 0.28) nor treatment (p = 0.86); thus, there were no changes in EMGFT regardless of training or supplementation status. For EEA, there was no interaction (p = 0.70) nor treatment (p = 0.79); however, there was a main effect for time (p < 0.01). Our findings indicated that neither training nor supplementation was effective in improving EMGFT in women. Efficiency of electrical activity was altered, potentially because of a learning effect. Coaches and practitioners may not use these tests to monitor training status; however, they may find EEA as a useful tool to track cycling efficiency.

Mechanomyographic Amplitude Is Sensitive to Load-Dependent Neuromuscular Adaptations in Response to Resistance Training.

ABSTRACT: Jenkins, NDM, Miramonti, AA, Hill, EC, Smith, CM, Cochrane-Snyman, KC, Housh, TJ, and Cramer, JT. Mechanomyographic amplitude is sensitive to load-dependent neuromuscular adaptations in response to resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3265-3269, 2021-We examined the sensitivity of the mechanomyographic amplitude (MMGRMS) and frequency (MMGMPF) vs. torque relationships to load-dependent neuromuscular adaptations in response to 6 weeks of higher- vs. lower-load resistance training. Twenty-five men (age = 22.8 ± 4.6 years) were randomly assigned to either a high- (n = 13) or low-load (n = 12) training group and completed 6 weeks of leg extension resistance training at 80 or 30% 1RM. Before and after 3 and 6 weeks of training, mechanomyography signals were recorded during isometric contractions at target torques equal to 10-100% of the subjects' baseline maximal strength to quantify MMGRMS and MMGMPF vs. torque relationships. MMGRMS decreased from Baseline to weeks 3 and 6 in the high-load, but not low-load group, and was dependent on the muscle and intensity of contraction examined. Consequently, MMGRMS was generally lower in the high- than low-load group at weeks 3 and 6, and these differences were most apparent in the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris muscles at higher contraction intensities. MMGMPF was greater in the high- than low-load training group independent of time or muscle. The MMGRMS vs. torque relationship was sensitive to load-dependent, muscle-specific neuromuscular adaptations and suggest reductions in neuromuscular activation to produce the same absolute submaximal torques after training with high, but not low loads.

High Prevalence of Poor Iron Status Among 8- to 16-Year-Old Youth Athletes: Interactions Among Biomarkers of Iron, Dietary Intakes, and Biological Maturity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of poor iron status in young athletes throughout the stages of iron deficiency and assess sex differences with iron deficiency in relation to growth and development and dietary intake.Methods: A cross-sectional analysis evaluated young male and female athletes (n = 91) between the ages 8 and 16 years. Anthropometric assessments, body composition, dietary intakes, and blood samples measuring ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and hemoglobin (Hb) were examined. Prevalence was calculated as percentages, and independent samples t tests examined sex differences. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient analyses quantified relationships among variables for the composite sample and each sex separately.Results: Iron depletion (low ferritin) was present in 65% and 86%, low iron levels (sTfR) in 51% and 68%, and anemia (low Hb) in 46% and 53% of the males and females, respectively. As iron deficiency progressed from low ferritin to high sTfR to anemia, prevalence decreased in both sexes, but always remained higher in females. Males were greater than females for weight, arm muscle size, and ferritin concentrations, while females were greater than males for biological maturity (p ≤ 0.05). Dietary iron intake was moderately to highly correlated (r = 0.543-0.723, p ≤ 0.05) with growth and development in females, but not males.Conclusions: Prevalence of poor iron status was higher than expected, particularly in adolescent females. Since rapid growth combined with sports participation may create high demands for iron bioavailability, emphasis may need to be placed on dietary iron intake for young athletes, particularly females.

Low-load blood flow restriction elicits greater concentric strength than non-blood flow restriction resistance training but similar isometric strength and muscle size.

PURPOSE: Low-load venous blood flow restriction resistance training (RT + BFR) has been demonstrated to increase muscle strength to a greater degree than low-load non-BFR resistance training (RT) during isotonic training, but no previous investigations have examined RT + BFR versus RT during isokinetic training. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of isokinetic low-load RT + BFR versus low-load RT on indices of muscle strength, muscle size, and neural adaptations. METHODS: Thirty women (mean ± SD; 22 ± 2 years) participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to 4 weeks of either RT + BFR (n = 10), RT (n = 10), or control (n = 10) group. Resistance training consisted of 75 reciprocal forearm flexion-extension isokinetic muscle actions of the forearm flexors performed at a velocity of 120°s-1. RESULTS: Concentric peak torque increased to a greater extent for RT + BFR after 4 weeks (36.9%) compared to RT (25.8%), but there were similar increases in isometric torque (23.3-42.1%). For both RT + BFR and RT, there were similar increases in muscle cross-sectional area and muscle thickness of the biceps brachii after 2 weeks (11.3-14.3% and 12.4-12.9%, respectively) and 4 weeks (18.7-21.9% and 19.0-20.0%, respectively). There were similar increases in mechanomyographic amplitude, mechanomyographic mean power frequency, and electromyographic mean power frequency, but no changes in electromyographic amplitude for all conditions (including control). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that low-load RT + BFR elicited greater increases in concentric strength than low-load RT, but elicited comparable increases in isometric strength and muscle size. There were also no differences in any of the EMG and MMG responses among conditions.

Test-Retest Reliability of Static and Countermovement Power Push-Up Tests in Young Male Athletes.

Bohannon, NA, Gillen, ZM, Shoemaker, ME, McKay, BD, Gibson, SM, Cramer, JT. Test-Retest Reliability of Static and Counter-Movement Power Push-Up Tests in Young Male Athletes. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2456-2464, 2020-The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability of the static (SP) and countermovement (CMP) power push-up test in young male athletes. The secondary purpose was to compare the reliability of vertical ground reaction forces versus torque measurements during the power push-up tests. Twenty boys (age = 11.60 ± 1.15 years) performed SPs and CMPs on force plates with the knees as the fulcrum on 2 laboratory visits separated by 2-7 days. Performance measurements included peak force (PF), peak rate of force development (pRFD), peak torque (PT), peak rate of torque development (pRTD), peak power (PP), average power (AP), eccentric impulse (ECC), and concentric impulse (CON) for both power push-up techniques. Age, maturity offset, height, body mass, fat-free mass, and estimated arm cross sectional area were obtained as measurements of growth. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), SEM, coefficients of variation, and minimum detectable changes (MDC) were reported. Only PF (ICC = 0.87-0.88, SEM = 59-84 N) and PT (ICC = 0.89-0.90, SEM = 60-88 N·m) showed acceptable reliability. Neither pRFD, pRTD, PP, AP, ECC, or CON were reliable outcomes. There were no meaningful differences between force-time and torque-time curve measurements. The SP showed slightly lower CVs (33-34%) than the CMP (CVs = 39-40%). Coaches and practitioners would need to see 58-71% increases in upper-body strength measurements evaluated via power push-up on force plates to be 95% confident that the improvements exceeded the measurement variability.

Peak Torque Explains More Unique Variability in Growth Measurements than Rate of Torque Development in Young Boys and Girls.

Gillen, ZM, Shoemaker, ME, McKay, BD, Bohannon, NA, Gibson, SM, and Cramer, JT. Peak torque explains more unique variability in growth measurements than rate of torque development in young boys and girls. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2507-2514, 2020-This study reported test-retest reliability and evaluated collinearity for isometric leg extension and flexion peak torque (PT) and rate of torque development (RTD) in young boys and girls. Measurements of growth included height, body mass, fat-free mass, maturity offset, and leg extensor and flexor muscle cross-sectional area. Maximal isometric contractions quantified PT and RTD. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), SEM, coefficients of variation, and minimum detectable changes quantified test-retest reliability. Zero-order correlations and first-order partial correlations evaluated collinearity. Peak torque from leg extension and flexion exhibited ICCs ≥ 0.90, RTD from leg extension and flexion exhibited ICCs ≥ 0.38. Partialing out leg flexion PT reduced the relationships between leg extension PT and growth (rPText, growth.PTflex = 0.392-0.605). Partialing out leg extension PT eliminated the relationships between leg flexion PT and growth (rPTflex, growth.PText = 0.098-0.263). Partialing out leg extension RTD reduced the relationships between PT and growth (rPText, growth.RTDext = 0.516-0.775). Partialing out leg extension PT eliminated the relationships between RTD and growth (|rRTDext, growth.PText| = 0.001-0.148). Leg extension PT was more reliable and explained the most unique variability in growth among young boys and girls. In contrast, RTD was less reliable and was fully accounted for by PT, indicating that RTD may be an unnecessary measurement in studies of young boys and girls.

Normative Reference Values for High School-Aged American Football Players: Proagility Drill and 40-Yard Dash Split Times.

McKay, BD, Miramonti, AA, Gillen, ZM, Leutzinger, TJ, Mendez, AI, Jenkins, NDM, and Cramer, JT. Normative reference values for high school-aged American football players: Proagility drill and 40-yard dash split times. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 1184-1187, 2020-The purpose of this short report was to provide test- and position-specific normative reference values for the 10- and 20-yd split times (10YD and 20YD) during the 40-yd dash (40YD) as well as 10-yd split times during the proagility drill (PA) based on a large, nationally representative sample of high school-aged American football players in their freshman, sophomore, and junior classes. Cross-sectional performance data were obtained from 12 different high school American football recruiting combines between March 7, 2015, and January 9, 2016, across the United States. The sample included (n = 7,478) high school-aged American football athletes in their freshman (n = 1,185), sophomore (n = 2,514), and junior (n = 3,779) classes. Each player self-classified their American football positions as defensive back, defensive end, defensive linemen, linebacker, offensive linemen (OL), quarterback (QB), running back, tight end, or wide receiver. The results of the freshman, sophomore, and junior class were aggregated to generate test- and position-specific normative values. Mean differences were found among classes for all positions and all measurements (p ≤ 0.05) except for OL and QB PA split time (p > 0.05). Greater percent differences for all 3 variables were observed between freshman and sophomore years than between sophomore and junior years. These normative reference values will be useful for athletes, parents, coaches, and high school strength and conditioning professionals to set realistic goals for young American football athletes.

Normative Reference Values for High School-Aged American Football Players.

McKay, BD, Miramonti, AA, Gillen, ZM, Leutzinger, TJ, Mendez, AI, Jenkins, NDM, and Cramer, JT. Normative reference values for high school-aged American football players. J Strength Cond Res 34(10): 2849-2856, 2020-The purpose of the present report was to provide test- and position-specific normative reference values for combine test results based on a large, nationally representative sample of high school-aged American football players in their freshman, sophomore, and junior classes. Cross-sectional anthropometric and performance data were obtained from 12 different high school American football recruiting combines between March 7, 2015, and January 9, 2016, across the United States. Subjects included a sample (n = 7,478) of high school-aged American football athletes in their junior (n = 3,779), sophomore (n = 2,514), and freshman (n = 1,185) classes. The database included combine date, school state, position, class, height, body mass (BM), 40-yard dash, pro-agility, 3-cone, vertical jump, broad jump, and power push-up. Each player self-classified their American football positions as defensive back, defensive end, defensive linemen, linebacker, offensive linemen, quarterback, running back, tight end (TE), or wide receiver. Test- and position-specific normative values were generated by aggregating data from freshman, sophomore, and junior classes. Mean differences were found among classes for all positions and all measurements (p ≤ 0.05), except for TE BM (p > 0.05). Greater differences for all variables were observed from freshman to sophomore classes than from sophomore to junior classes. These normative reference values may provide realistic comparisons and evaluations in performance for young American football players, parents, and coaches with collegiate football aspirations. High school strength and conditioning professionals should use these norms to set attainable goals and reward accomplishments for young football players.

Muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular function before and during adolescence.

PURPOSE: To compare measurements of muscle strength, size, and neuromuscular function among pre-adolescent and adolescent boys and girls with distinctly different strength capabilities. METHODS: Fifteen boys (mean age ± confidence interval: 13.0 ± 1.0 years) and 13 girls (12.9 ± 1.1 years) were categorized as low strength (LS, n = 14) or high strength (HS, n = 14) based on isometric maximal voluntary contraction strength of the leg extensors. Height (HT), seated height, and weight (WT) determined maturity offset, while percent body fat and fat-free mass (FFM) were estimated from skinfold measurements. Quadriceps femoris muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was assessed from ultrasound images. Isometric ramp contractions of the leg extensors were performed while surface electromyographic amplitude (EMGRMS) and mechanomyographic amplitude (MMGRMS) were recorded for the vastus lateralis (VL). Neuromuscular efficiency from the EMG and MMG signals (NMEEMG and NMEMMG, respectively) and log-transformed EMG and MMG vs. torque relationships were also used to examine neuromuscular responses. RESULTS: HS was 99-117% stronger, 2.3-2.8  years older, 14.0-15.7 cm taller, 20.9-22.3 kg heavier, 2.3-2.4 years more biologically mature, and exhibited 39-43% greater CSA than LS (p ≤ 0.001). HS exhibited 74-81% higher NMEEMG than LS (p ≤ 0.022), while HS girls exhibited the highest NMEMMG (p ≤ 0.045). Even after scaling for HT, WT, CSA, and FFM, strength was still 36-90% greater for HS than LS (p ≤ 0.031). The MMGRMS patterns in the LS group displayed more type I motor unit characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Neuromuscular adaptations likely influence strength increases from pre-adolescence to adolescence, particularly when examining large, force-producing muscles and large strength differences explained by biological maturity, rather than simply age.

Complex Terahertz and Direct Current Inverse Spin Hall Effect in YIG/Cu1-xIrx Bilayers Across a Wide Concentration Range.

We measure the inverse spin Hall effect of Cu1-xIrx thin films on yttrium iron garnet over a wide range of Ir concentrations (0.05 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.7). Spin currents are triggered through the spin Seebeck effect, either by a continuous (dc) temperature gradient or by ultrafast optical heating of the metal layer. The spin Hall current is detected by electrical contacts or measurement of the emitted terahertz radiation. With both approaches, we reveal the same Ir concentration dependence that follows a novel complex, nonmonotonous behavior as compared to previous studies. For small Ir concentrations a signal minimum is observed, whereas a pronounced maximum appears near the equiatomic composition. We identify this behavior as originating from the interplay of different spin Hall mechanisms as well as a concentration-dependent variation of the integrated spin current density in Cu1-xIrx. The coinciding results obtained for dc and ultrafast stimuli provide further support that the spin Seebeck effect extends to terahertz frequencies, thus enabling a transfer of established spintronic measurement schemes into the terahertz regime. Our findings also show that the studied material allows for efficient spin-to-charge conversion even on ultrafast time scales.

Effects of Eccentric Preloading on Concentric Vertical Jump Performance in Youth Athletes.

This study measured peak force (PF), peak rate of force development (PRFD), peak power (PP), concentric impulse, and eccentric impulse during static jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jump (DJ) in youth athletes to examine changes in vertical jump power with progressively greater eccentric preloading in relation to age, maturity, and muscle mass. Twenty-one males ranging from 6 to 16 years old performed the following vertical jumps in a random order: SJ, CMJ, and DJ from drop heights of 20, 30, and 40 cm (DJ20, DJ30, and DJ40, respectively). Measurements included PF, PRFD, PP, eccentric impulse, and concentric impulse for each vertical jump condition. Maturity offset was calculated, while ultrasound images quantified thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). PF and PRFD increased from CMJ to DJ20. PP increased from SJ to CMJ. Concentric impulse remained unchanged, but eccentric impulse increased systematically from across jumps. The change in PP from SJ to CMJ was correlated with age, height, weight, maturity offset, and CSA. The CMJ resulted in the greatest concentric PP with the least amount of eccentric preloading. The inability of young athletes to translate the energy absorbed during the eccentric phase of the stretch-shortening cycle of DJs may be influenced by growth and development.

Magnon Mode Selective Spin Transport in Compensated Ferrimagnets.

We investigate the generation of magnonic thermal spin currents and their mode selective spin transport across interfaces in insulating, compensated ferrimagnet/normal metal bilayer systems. The spin Seebeck effect signal exhibits a nonmonotonic temperature dependence with two sign changes of the detected voltage signals. Using different ferrimagnetic garnets, we demonstrate the universality of the observed complex temperature dependence of the spin Seebeck effect. To understand its origin, we systematically vary the interface between the ferrimagnetic garnet and the metallic layer, and by using different metal layers we establish that interface effects play a dominating role. They do not only modify the magnitude of the spin Seebeck effect signal but in particular also alter its temperature dependence. By varying the temperature, we can select the dominating magnon mode and we analyze our results to reveal the mode selective interface transmission probabilities for different magnon modes and interfaces. The comparison of selected systems reveals semiquantitative details of the interfacial coupling depending on the materials involved, supported by the obtained field dependence of the signal.

Anthropometric and Athletic Performance Combine Test Results Among Positions Within Grade Levels of High School-Aged American Football Players.

Leutzinger, TJ, Gillen, ZM, Miramonti, AM, McKay, BD, Mendez, AI, and Cramer, JT. Anthropometric and athletic performance combine test results among positions within grade levels of high school-aged American football players. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1288-1296, 2018-The purpose of this study was to investigate differences among player positions at 3 grade levels in elite, collegiate-prospective American football players. Participants' data (n = 7,160) were analyzed for this study (mean height [Ht] ± SD = 178 ± 7 cm, mass [Bm] = 86 ± 19 kg). Data were obtained from 12 different high school American football recruiting combines hosted by Zybek Sports (Boulder, Colorado). Eight 2-way (9 × 3) mixed factorial analysis of variances {position (defensive back [DB], defensive end, defensive lineman, linebacker, offensive lineman [OL], quarterback, running back, tight end, and wide receiver [WR]) × grade (freshmen, sophomores, and juniors)} were used to test for differences among the mean test scores for each combine measure (Ht, Bm, 40-yard [40 yd] dash, proagility [PA] drill, L-cone [LC] drill, vertical jump [VJ], and broad jump [BJ]). There were position-related differences (p ≤ 0.05) for Ht, 40 yd dash, and BJ, within each grade level and for Bm, PA, LC, and VJ independent of grade level. Generally, the results showed that OL were the tallest, weighed the most, and exhibited the lowest performance scores among positions. Running backs were the shortest, whereas DBs and WRs weighed the least and exhibited the highest performance scores among positions. These results demonstrate the value of classifying high school-aged American football players according to their specific position rather than categorical groupings such as "line" vs. "skill" vs. "big skill" when evaluating anthropometric and athletic performance combine test results.

Reliability and Sensitivity of the Power Push-up Test for Upper-Body Strength and Power in 6-15-Year-Old Male Athletes.

Gillen, ZM, Miramonti, AA, McKay, BD, Jenkins, NDM, Leutzinger, TJ, and Cramer, JT. Reliability and sensitivity of the power push-up test for upper-body strength and power in 6-15-year-old male athletes. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 83-96, 2018-The power push-up (PPU) test is an explosive upper-body test performed on a force plate and is currently being used in high school football combines throughout the United States. The purpose of this study was to quantify the reliability of the PPU test based on age and starting position (knees vs. toes) in young athletes. Sixty-eight boys (mean ± SD; age = 10.8 ± 2.0 years) were tested twice over 5 days. Boys were separated by age as 6-9 years (n = 16), 10-11 years (n = 26), and 12-15 years (n = 26). The PPU test was performed on a force plate while rotating from the knees vs. the toes. Measurements were peak force (PF, N), peak rate of force development (pRFD, N·s), average power (AP, W), and peak power (PP, W). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,1), SEMs, coefficients of variation (CVs), and minimum detectable changes (MDCs) were calculated to quantify reliability and sensitivity. Peak force from the knees in 10-15-year-olds, PF from the toes in 12-15-year-olds, and pRFD from the knees and toes in 12-15-year-olds were comparably reliable (ICC ≥ 0.84). Neither power measurements (AP or PP) for any age group, nor any measurements (PF, pRFD, AP, or PP) for the 6-9-year-olds were comparably reliable (ICC ≤ 0.74). When considering the reliable variables, PF was greater in the 12-15-year-olds than in 10-11-year-olds (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, in 12-15-year-olds, PF and pRFD were greater from the knees than from the toes (p ≤ 0.05). For reasons largely attributable to growth and development, the PPU test may be a reliable (ICC ≥ 0.80) and sensitive (CV ≤ 19%) measure of upper-body strength (PF), whereas pRFD was also reliable (ICC ≥ 0.80), but less sensitive (CV = 30-38%) in 10-15-year-old male athletes.

Test-Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Athletic Performance Combine Tests in 6-15-Year-Old Male Athletes.

Gillen, ZM, Miramonti, AA, McKay, BD, Leutzinger, TJ, and Cramer, JT. Test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of athletic performance combine tests in 6-15-year-old male athletes. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2783-2794, 2018-Athletic performance combine tests are used by high school, collegiate, and professional American football programs to evaluate performance; however, limited evidence is available on performance combine test results in youth athletes. The purposes of this study were to report test-retest reliability statistics and evaluate concurrent validity among combine performance tests in 6-15-year-old male athletes. Sixty-nine young male athletes (mean ± SD; age = 10.9 ± 2.1 years, height = 154.4 ± 13.6 cm, body mass = 46.8 ± 16.0 kg) were divided into 3 age groups: 6-9 years (n = 16), 10-11 years (n = 26), and 12-15 years (n = 27). Participants completed 2 attempts of the vertical jump (VJ), broad jump (BJ), pro-agility (PA), L-cone (LC) drill, and 10-, 20-, 40-yd dashes. The results indicated that the older age groups performed better on most performance assessments compared with the 6-9-year group (p ≤ 0.05). The combine tests demonstrated consistently adequate reliability for all age groups, except for the 10-yd dash, which was deemed unreliable. Evidence of concurrent validity, and possible measurement redundancy were observed in the VJ vs. BJ, PA vs. LC, and 20 vs. 40 yd, but zero- and first-order partial correlations suggested that only the PA and LC were redundant, and the PA may be superior for this age group over the LC. Although the VJ and BJ provide independent performance information regarding lower-body power, questions regarding the redundancy of the 20 vs. 40 yd remain unanswered from a measurement perspective.