Body Composition and Maximal Strength of Powerlifters: A Descriptive Quantitative and Longitudinal Study.

The purpose of this study was to present the relationships between maximal strength and body composition and to conduct yearly follow-ups presenting the chronic effects of maximal strength training on body composition. Thirty-four (age = 28.8 ± 8.7 yrs) classic powerlifters (M = 21; F = 13) completed at least one Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) 43.97 ± 23.93 days after a sanctioned international powerlifting federation affiliate competition (Squat + Bench Press + Deadlift = Total (kg)). In addition, thirteen subjects (n = 13) completed at least one yearly follow up. Paired sample T-Tests and simple linear regressions were performed to determine significant effects on body composition and maximal strength measures. Prediction formulas were obtained as follows: Bone Mineral Content (BMC) (g) = 3.39 * Total (kg) + 1494.78 (r = 0.84; p < 0.000; SEE = 348.05); Bone Mineral Density (BMD) (g/cm3) = 0.000390 * Total (kg) + 1.115 (r = 0.71; p < 0.000; SEE = 0.062); Total (kg) = 10.84 * Lean Body Weight (LBW) (kg) - 154.89 (r = 0.90; p < 0.000; SEE = 70.27); Total (kg) = 22.74 * Relative LBW (kg/m) - 306.66 (r = 0.92; p < 0.000; SEE = 64.07). Significant differences were observed in BMD (+1.57 ± 1.55%; p = 0.018; ES = 0.22), between measures one and two (333.7 ± 36.3 days apart) as well as LBW (-2.95 ± 3.82%; p = 0.049; ES = 0.16), and Body Fat Percentage (+2.59%; p = 0.029; ES = 0.20) between measures two and three (336 ± 13.3 days apart). Thus, maximal strength can be used to predict BMC and BMD, while LBW can be used to predict maximal strength. As well, consistent powerlifting practice can increase BMD in adults.

Ice Hockey Goaltender Physiology Profile and Physical Testing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This review aims to 1) be the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature examining the physiology and assessment of goaltenders, and 2) present a physiological profile of ice-hockey goaltenders. It will 1) highlight physiological differences between goaltenders and players at other positions, 2) determine strengths and weaknesses of ice hockey goaltenders, and 3) offer possible guidelines for strength and conditioning coaches. Six electronic databases were systematically searched in October 2019 using the PRISMA model. A total of twelve scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals were included. Professional male (PM) goaltenders had the following profile for age (A) 26.8 ± 2.5 years, body weight (BW) 85.64 ± 3.79 kg, height (H) 184.38 ± 2.79 cm, body fat % (BF%) 11.9 ± 2.22, VO2max 49.9 ± 4.45 ml/kg/min, anaerobic power (AP) 12.78 ± 1.63 W/kg, and combined hand grip strength (GS) 120.7 ± 15 kg. Amateur male (AM) goaltenders presented the following: A: 18.2 ± 0.75, BW: 83.85 ± 4.51, H: 184.96 ± 2.06, BF%: 10.51 ± 1.61, VO2max: 55.73 ± 4.57, AP: 10.9 ± 1.2 and GS: 109.08 ± 14.06. Amateur female (AF) goaltenders presented the following: A: 21.04 ± 1.84, BW: 63.4 ± 5.14, H: 164.86 ± 5.73, BF%: 22.12 ± 2.27 and VO2max: 42.84 ± 3.59. Overall, PM goaltenders are heavier, have a higher BF%, and exhibit greater GS and abdominal muscular endurance than AM, while AM goaltenders are heavier, taller, leaner, and can generate greater lower-body muscular power than AF goaltenders. In the current literature, there were a small number of studies on women players and a lack of distinction between player position in reported results. Specific physiological assessments during NHL Combines should be developed for goaltenders in accordance with their specific positional demands.

Maximal Oxygen Consumption Requirements in Professional North American Ice Hockey.

ABSTRACT: Ferland, P-M, Marcotte-L'Heureux, V, Roy, P, Carey, V, Charron, J, Lagrange, S, Leone, M, and Comtois, AS. Maximal oxygen consumption requirements in professional North American ice hockey. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 1586-1592, 2021-This study was designed to measure preseason on-ice relative V̇o2max of professional ice-hockey players (n = 101 National Hockey League [NHL], 42 American Hockey League [AHL], 4 East Coast Hockey League [ECHL], and 15 Canadian Hockey League [CHL]) throughout 17 years and compare it between generations, league level, and position, and to verify if it was related to season and NHL career statistics. Relative V̇o2max was measured on ice with a portable metabolic analyzer (K4b2, Cosmed, Rome) with full hockey equipment, except for the helmet with either the Skating Multistage Aerobic Test or the 30-15 intermittent ice test tests. Relative V̇o2max results from both tests were compared between players of the same generation with an independent-samples T-test and were not significantly different. A one-way analysis of variance and post hoc pairwise tests were performed to detect significant differences between groups. Pearson correlations (two-tailed) were also performed between selected variables. All statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results show that there are no significant differences for relative V̇o2max between generations (2001-2003 vs. 2006 vs. 2015-2017), league level (NHL vs. AHL vs. ECHL vs. CHL), and position (winger, center, and defense), other than the ECHL being lower. There are also no significant relationships between V̇o2max values and hockey season and NHL career statistics. Thus, the results show that there is a minimal relative V̇o2max requirement to play North American ice hockey at the elite level (55.9 ± 5.2 ml·kg-1·min-1; n = 162). Future research should be directed toward comparing V̇o2max of elite and amateur ice-hockey players to confirm the minimal relative V̇o2max requirement to play North American ice hockey at the elite level.

Acute effects of cannabis consumption on exercise performance: a systematic and umbrella review.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this systematic and umbrella review was to regroup all systematic reviews, non-systematic reviews and all original articles into one convenient publication that would facilitate the theoretical and applied scientific investigations directed on cannabis consumption and exercise performance, to update current findings on the matters, and assess evidence quality. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method. A computer-based systematic search was conducted in September 2019 through the Pubmed, Scopus and SPORTDiscus databases. The reliability of the systematic search was assured by having the article selection process entirely repeated by a second author. Strength of evidence of the selected articles was assesses using a modified version of the Downs and Black Checklist. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The systematic search yielded a total of 8 peer-reviewed publications as well as 10 literature reviews. Results show that cannabis consumption prior to exercise induces decrements in performance (reduced ability to maintain effort, physical/maximal work capacity), undesired physiological responses (increased heart and breathing rate as well as myocardial oxygen demand) and neurological effects on balance (increased sway). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the articles included in this review, the authors conclude that cannabis consumption has an ergolytic effect on exercise performance and therefore does not act as a sport performance enhancing agent as raised by popular beliefs. Thus, cannabis consumption prior to exercise should be avoided in order to maximize performance in sports. Further research should mimic modern THC dosage (150 mg).

Physiological Responses to Repeated Running Sprint Ability Tests: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this study was to review acute physiological responses induced by repeated running sprint ability (RRSA) tests that could serve as references for practitioners utilising repeated sprints as a performance measure with athletes. This research was conducted following the PRISMA methodology. The systematic search was conducted in November 2019 and yielded 26 different scientific articles. Only peer-reviewed full-text article were included as abstracts are too short to allow proper explanation of the RRSAT methodology that was employed. According to the present literature, practitioners should use the following assessments: the 6×40m RRSA protocol with one Change of Direction (COD) (20+20 m with a 180° COD) and 25s of passive recovery between sprints with soccer players; the Intensive Repeated Sprint Ability (IRSA) test with men basketball players; the Futsal Intermittent Endurance Test (FIET) with futsal players; the Repeated Shuttle Sprint Test (RSST) with men handball players; and the Multiple Repeated Sprint Ability test for Badminton players (MRSAB). The present review should serve as a reference standard for RRSA tests. Further research should be directed towards creating and validating more specific RRSA tests protocols to each sports physiological and physical demands.