Delineating the potential of the vertical and horizontal force-velocity profile for optimizing sport performance: A systematic review.

The aims of this systematic review were to synthetize the current evidence about (i) the force-velocity (FV) profile parameters (maximal values of force [F0], velocity (V0), and power [Pmax]) obtained from the Samozino's method in different sports; (ii) the association of the FV profile parameters with sport performance outcomes; and (iii) the effects of specific training programmes on the FV profile parameters. PubMed, SportDiscus, Web of Science, and Medline databases were searched for articles published between October 2008 (conception of the Samozino's method) and October 2020. Twenty-one studies (10 descriptive, 6 correlational, and 5 longitudinal) met the inclusion criteria. The main findings revealed greater F0, Pmax, and V0 values and better jump/sprint performance for high-level athletes compared to their low-level counterparts. The vertical Pmax showed the highest correlation with jump height. The horizontal F0, Pmax, and V0 were nearly perfectly correlated with 5/10-m, 10/20-m and 30/40-m sprint times, respectively. Training programmes using heavy- or light-loads specifically enhanced F0 and V0, respectively. These results suggest that the FV profile parameters discriminate between athletes of different sport disciplines and levels of practice, present significant correlations with a number of sport performance outcomes, and can be modified after short-term training programmes.

Effects of Resistance Training on Arterial Stiffness in Healthy People: A Systematic Review.

The influence of aerobic training on cardiovascular disorders has already been demonstrated. However, the effect of resistance training is less well known. Arterial stiffness is an increasingly important measure in cardiovascular health. Therefore, this review attempted to study the results of resistance training-based interventions on arterial stiffness in healthy people, for both acute and chronic interventions. A literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials on the acute and chronic effects of strength training. Studies published in PubMed and SportDiscus databases between 1999 and April 2019 were analyzed. In chronic strength training effects, the majority of groups showed large (d = -1.49 to -1.20) and moderate (d = -1.07) decreases, and small and trivial changes in arterial stiffness. In acute effects interventions, a very large decrease (d = -3.92) was observed, while large (d = 1.24-1.48) and very large (d = 3.88) increases were also found. A resistance training-based intervention of more than four weeks' duration with a frequency of two days per week seems not to compromise cardiovascular health, due to decreases in arterial stiffness. However, there is a general trend towards both increasing and maintaining arterial stiffness after isolated strength training sessions.