Seated row and biceps curl exercises present similar acute responses on muscle thickness, arm circumference, and peak force for elbow flexors after a resistance training session in recreationally-trained subjects.

BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of this study was to measure the acute effects on muscle thickness, arm circumference, and peak force between unilateral seated row and unilateral biceps curl exercises for elbow flexors after a RT session in recreationally-trained subjects. METHODS: Fourteen resistance-trained men (25.3±2.5years, 76.5±6.4kg, 174.6±7cm) performed 6 sets of 10RM and 2-min rest for one of two exercises (unilateral seated row exercise, USR or unilateral biceps curl, UBC). Muscle thickness (MT), arm circumference (AC), and peak force (PF) were measured before 10-min (control), pre-RT session and post-RT (immediately after, 15-min and 30-min). All acute RT variables were measured during both exercises: maximal number of repetitions (MNR), total number of repetitions (TNR), time under tension (TUT), rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Two-way ANOVAs were used to test differences between exercises and moments with an alpha of 5%. RESULTS: For PF, there was a significant difference between pre- and post-0 for UBC and USR (P<0.001). For AC, there were significant differences between pretest × post-0-min for both exercises (P<0.001). For MT, there were significant differences between pretest × post 0-min (P<0.001), pretest × post 15-min (P<0.001) for both exercises and pretest × post 30-min only for UBC (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Both exercises induced similar increases in AC and MT for elbow flexors and reduction in peak force.

Relationship Between Body Mass, Peak Power, and Power-to-Body Mass Ratio on Sprint Velocity and Momentum in High-School Football Players.

Jalilvand, F, Banoocy, NK, Rumpf, MC, and Lockie, RG. Relationship between body mass, peak power, and power-to-body mass ratio on sprint velocity and momentum in high-school football players. J Strength Cond Res 33(7): 1871-1877, 2019-The ability to rapidly shift one's body mass horizontally or vertically is common within American football irrespective of field position, and the capacity to generate power is a favorable physical quality. This requires analysis in high-school football players, especially considering the body mass disparities that exist in this population. Sixteen high-school players (7 backs and 9 linemen) completed the vertical jump (VJ) to determine jump height, peak anaerobic power measured in watts (PAPw), and power-to-body mass ratio (P:BM), and a 36.58-m sprint (0-4.57, 0-9.14, and 0-36.58-m intervals) to determine sprint velocity and momentum. Independent-samples t-tests (p < 0.05) determined differences in these variables between the backs and linemen. Pearson's correlations (r; p < 0.05) computed relationships between body mass, VJ height, PAPw, P:BM, with 36.58-m sprint velocity and momentum on the pooled data. Linemen were heavier, and slower in the 36.58-m sprint, but had greater PAPw and sprint momentum compared with backs. Body mass exhibited negative relationships to velocity across all sprint intervals (r = -0.55 to 0.70), and positive relationships with momentum across all intervals (r = 0.95-0.96). The VJ correlated with sprint velocity across all intervals (r = 0.51-0.83), but not momentum. PAPw was positively correlated with body mass and momentum across all intervals (r = 0.77-0.85), but not velocity. There were significant correlations between P:BM with velocity (r = 0.51-0.85) and momentum (r = -0.53-0.62) across all intervals. Heavier high-school players could focus on improving P:BM to positively influence jumping ability and sprint velocity.

The Physical and Athletic Performance Characteristics of Division I Collegiate Female Soccer Players by Position.

Lockie, RG, Moreno, MR, Lazar, A, Orjalo, AJ, Giuliano, DV, Risso, FG, Davis, DL, Crelling, JB, Lockwood, JR, and Jalilvand, F. The physical and athletic performance characteristics of Division I collegiate female soccer players by position. J Strength Cond Res 32(2): 334-343, 2018-Playing positions in soccer can exhibit different movement demands during a match, contributing to variations in physical and performance characteristics. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) soccer features different substitution rules when compared to FIFA-sanctioned matches, which could influence each players' characteristics. Therefore, this study determined the athletic performance characteristics of Division I female soccer players. Twenty-six players (3 goalkeepers; 8 defenders; 10 midfielders; 5 forwards) from the same squad completed assessments of: lower-body power (vertical and standing broad jump); linear (0-5, 0-10, 0-30 meter [m] sprint intervals) and change-of-direction (pro-agility shuttle; arrowhead change-of-direction speed test) speed; and soccer-specific fitness (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test [YYIRT] levels 1 and 2). Players were split into position groups, and a Kruskal-Wallis H test with post hoc pairwise analyses (p ≤ 0.05) calculated significant between-group differences. There were no differences in age, height, or body mass between the positions. Midfielders had a faster 0-5 m time compared with the defenders (p = 0.017) and the goalkeepers (p = 0.030). The defenders (p = 0.011) and midfielders (p = 0.013) covered a greater YYIRT2 distance compared with the goalkeepers. There were no other significant between-position differences. Overall, Division I collegiate female players from the same squad demonstrated similar characteristics as measured by soccer-specific performance tests, which could allow for flexibility in position assignments. However, a relatively homogenous squad could also indicate commonality in training prescription, particularly regarding acceleration and high-intensity running. Strength and conditioning coaches may have to consider the specific movement demands of individual positions when training these capacities.

Physiological Characteristics of Projected Starters and Non-Starters in the Field Positions from a Division I Women's Soccer Team.

NCAA soccer features different substitution rules compared to FIFA-sanctioned matches, with a greater availability of players who can enter the game. This could influence the physiological characteristics of the field position starters (ST) and non-starters (NST) within a collegiate women's team, which has not been previously analyzed. Thus, 22 field players from the same Division I women's soccer squad completed: vertical and standing broad jumps; 30-meter (m) sprint (0-5, 0-10, 0-30 m intervals); pro-agility and 60-yard shuttle; and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1. Players were defined into ST (n=10) and NST (n=12) by the coaching staff. A one-way ANOVA derived any significant (p≤0.05) between-group differences, and effect sizes were used for a magnitude-based inference analysis. Z-scores were also calculated to document worthwhile differences above or below the squad mean for the groups. The results showed no significant between-group differences for any of the performance tests. ST did have a worthwhile difference above the squad mean in the 0-10 and 0-30 m sprint intervals, while NST had a worthwhile difference below the squad mean in the 0-30 m interval. Physiological characteristics between ST and NST from the analyzed Division I squad were similar, although ST were generally faster. The similarities between ST and NST may be a function of the team's training, in that all players may complete the same workouts. Nonetheless, if all players exhibit similar physiological capacities, with appropriate substitutions by the coach a collegiate team should be able to maintain a high work-rate throughout a match.

Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 and Its Relationship With Other Typical Soccer Field Tests in Female Collegiate Soccer Players.

The ability to complete high-intensity running is essential for soccer. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (YYIRT2) can measure this capacity, but there is limited information regarding this assessment in collegiate female soccer players. This study investigated the YYIRT2 as a measure of high-intensity running in this population, and its relationship to other soccer field tests. Twenty-one players from a Division I team were recruited. In addition to the YYIRT2, subjects completed linear (0-5, 0-10, and 0-30 m sprint intervals) and change-of-direction (pro-agility and 60-yard shuttle) speed tests, as well as the YYIRT Level 1 (YYIRT1), to assess relationships with YYIRT2 by correlations (p ≤ 0.05). The correlation of YYIRT1 with the speed tests was also assessed. The YYIRT1 and YYIRT2 were standardized using z-scores for comparison with elite benchmarks to investigate relative performance on each test. The YYIRT2 and YYIRT1 distances did not significantly correlate with those of the speed tests (r = -0.251 to 0.274). There was a large relationship between YYIRT2 and YYIRT1 distances (r = 0.582), although the explained variance was low (33.87%). Mean YYIRT2 z-scores (-4.29 ± 1.66) indicated a performance further from elite benchmarks than those of the YYIRT1 (-1.92 ± 1.61), and 90.5% (19 of 21) subjects performed relatively better in the YYIRT1 than YYIRT2. The YYIRT2 provided a more specific measure of high-intensity running to that of the YYIRT1 in collegiate female soccer players. Coaches may consider using the YYIRT2 to gauge and track progress of high-intensity running capabilities and create training programs to improve this ability in female players.

Effect of Different Sprint Training Methods on Sprint Performance Over Various Distances: A Brief Review.

Linear sprinting speed is an essential physical quality for many athletes. There are a number of different training modalities that can be used to improve sprint performance. Strength and conditioning coaches must select the most appropriate modalities for their athletes, taking into consideration the sprint distances that typically occur during competition. The study purpose was to perform a brief review as to the effect of specific (free sprinting; resisted sprinting by sleds, bands, or incline running; assisted sprinting with a towing device or a downhill slope), nonspecific (resistance and plyometric training), and combined (a combination of specific and nonspecific) training methods on different sprint distances (0-10, 0-20, 0-30, and 31+ m). A total of 48 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, resulting in 1,485 subjects from a range of athletic backgrounds. The training effects associated with specific sprint training were classified as moderate (effect size [ES] = -1.00; %change = -3.23). Generally, the effect of specific sprint training tended to decrease with distance, although the largest training effects were observed for the 31+ m distance. The greatest training effects (ES = -0.43; %change = -1.65) of nonspecific training were observed for the 31+ m distance. The combined training revealed greatest effects (ES = -0.59; %change = -2.81) for the 0-10 m distance. After this review, specific sprint training methods seem the most beneficial over the investigated distances. However, the implementation of nonspecific training methods (e.g., strength and power training) could also benefit speed and athletic performance.

Certain Actions from the Functional Movement Screen Do Not Provide an Indication of Dynamic Stability.

Dynamic stability is an essential physical component for team sport athletes. Certain Functional Movement Screen (FMS) exercises (deep squat; left- and right-leg hurdle step; left- and right-leg in-line lunge [ILL]; left- and right-leg active straight-leg raise; and trunk stability push-up [TSPU]) have been suggested as providing an indication of dynamic stability. No research has investigated relationships between these screens and an established test of dynamic stability such as the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), which measures lower-limb reach distance in posteromedial, medial, and anteromedial directions, in team sport athletes. Forty-one male and female team sport athletes completed the screens and the mSEBT. Participants were split into high-, intermediate-, and low-performing groups according to the mean of the excursions when both the left and right legs were used for the mSEBT stance. Any between-group differences in the screens and mSEBT were determined via a one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc adjustment (p < 0.05). Data was pooled for a correlation analysis (p < 0.05). There were no between-group differences in any of the screens, and only two positive correlations between the screens and the mSEBT (TSPU and right stance leg posteromedial excursion, r = 0.37; left-leg ILL and left stance leg posteromedial excursion, r = 0.46). The mSEBT clearly indicated participants with different dynamic stability capabilities. In contrast to the mSEBT, the selected FMS exercises investigated in this study have a limited capacity to identify dynamic stability in team sport athletes.

Interaction Between Leg Muscle Performance and Sprint Acceleration Kinematics.

This study investigated relationships between 10 m sprint acceleration, step kinematics (step length and frequency, contact and flight time), and leg muscle performance (power, stiffness, strength). Twenty-eight field sport athletes completed 10 m sprints that were timed and filmed. Velocity and step kinematics were measured for the 0-5, 5-10, and 0-10 m intervals to assess acceleration. Leg power was measured via countermovement jumps (CMJ), a five-bound test (5BT), and the reactive strength index (RSI) defined by 40 cm drop jumps. Leg stiffness was measured by bilateral and unilateral hopping. A three-repetition maximum squat determined strength. Pearson's correlations and stepwise regression (p ≤ 0.05) determined velocity, step kinematics, and leg muscle performance relationships. CMJ height correlated with and predicted velocity in all intervals (r = 0.40-0.54). The 5BT (5-10 and 0-10 m intervals) and RSI (5-10 m interval) also related to velocity (r = 0.37-0.47). Leg stiffness did not correlate with acceleration kinematics. Greater leg strength related to and predicted lower 0-5 m flight times (r = -0.46 to -0.51), and a longer 0-10 m step length (r = 0.38). Although results supported research emphasizing the value of leg power and strength for acceleration, the correlations and predictive relationships (r(2) = 0.14-0.29) tended to be low, which highlights the complex interaction between sprint technique and leg muscle performance. Nonetheless, given the established relationships between speed, leg power and strength, strength and conditioning coaches should ensure these qualities are expressed during acceleration in field sport athletes.