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Volume 19 (2024): Issue 11 (Nov 2024)
Effects of Training Volume in the Bench-Press Exercise Performed With Interrepetition Rest Periods on Strength Gains and Neuromuscular Adaptations
José A. Páez-Maldonado, Claro Cano, Pedro J. Cornejo-Daza, Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas, Luis Rodiles-Guerrero, Mathias Wernbom, Manuel Ortega-Becerra, and Fernando Pareja-Blanco
Purpose: To investigate the effects of 3 training volumes in the bench-press exercise performed with interrepetition rest periods, matched for fatigue, on strength gains and neuromuscular adaptations. Methods: Forty-three resistance-trained men were randomized into 3 groups: low (LOW), moderate (MOD), and high (HIG) volume. The intensities increased from 70% to 85% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) over the 8-week training period. Each session consisted of only 1 set with short interrepetition rest periods. LOW performed only 3 repetitions per session (8-wk total: 48 repetitions); MOD completed 15, 12, 10, and 8 repetitions per session with 70%, 75%, 80%, and 85% 1RM, respectively (8-wk total: 180); and HIG performed 24, 21, 18, and 15 repetitions per session with 70%, 75%, 80%, and 85% 1RM, respectively (8-wk total: 312). Progressive loading and fatigue tests were conducted in the bench-press exercise before and after the training period. Electromyography (EMG) signals from the triceps brachii were registered during these tests. Results: HIG and MOD showed higher velocity loss than LOW (16% vs 12%). No significant group × time interaction was observed for any variable. All groups improved significantly in all strength-related variables, except for maximal unloaded velocity, where only MOD obtained significant gains. Only LOW and MOD induced significant improvements in EMG. MOD obtained the greatest effect sizes in almost all strength variables. Conclusions: No significant differences were found in the performance gains obtained by each group despite the wide differences in the total volume accumulated by each group.
Factors Informing Training Load During the Transition From Club to National Football Teams
Joshua J Gould, Ewan Clements, Fabian Ehrmann, and Rob Duffield
Purpose: This study examined the relationship of precamp match exposure, travel demands, perceptual wellness, and musculoskeletal screening with ensuing training load (TL) during national-team (NT) duties for international footballers (soccer). Methods: Match minutes and days since last match prior to NT arrival were collected for match exposure. Travel duration and time-zone difference were included as travel demands. Perceptual fatigue, soreness, sleep quality, and stress scores were collected via self-report questionnaire on arrival to NT. Musculoskeletal testing on day 1 of NT included knee to wall and hip internal and external rotation. Relative TL across the first 3 days of NT camp was measured via total distance, high-speed running distance, very high-speed running distance, and accelerations and decelerations per minute. Linear mixed models determined the influence of independent variables on respective TL metrics, with the player included as a random effect. Results: Total distance, high-speed running, very high-speed running, and decelerations per minute were all highest on day 3 (P < .001). Small relationships existed (R 2 < .15) between decreased total distance per minute and increased soreness (P = .037), while decreased high-speed running per minute was associated with increased fatigue (P = .017). Small associations existed between decreased accelerations per minute, increased hip internal rotation (P < .001), fatigue (P = .033), and knee to wall (P = .016), while decreased decelerations per minute were associated with increased soreness (P = .001), knee to wall (P = .024), and days between recent match and arrival (P = .003). Conclusions: Very small relationships existed between fatigue, soreness, musculoskeletal screening, and prior match exposure with TL. The larger influence of camp day suggests that deliberate periodization of training is a major factor for prescription on arrival into NT duties.
Greater Relative First and Second Lactate Thresholds in Females Compared With Males: Consideration for Exercise Prescription
José Antonio Benítez-Muñoz, Miguel Ángel Rojo-Tirado, Pedro José Benito Peinado, Juan M. Murias, Domingo González-Lamuño, and Rocío Cupeiro
Purpose: To investigate differences between females and males at lactate thresholds 1 (LT1) and 2 (LT2). Methods: Twenty-four female and twenty male participants performed an incremental cycle-ergometer test until exhaustion, where LT1 and LT2 were determined in each volunteer. Results: Power output at LT1 and LT2 was lower in females than in males (P < .001). In addition, power output relative to peak power was higher in females at LT1 and LT2 (P < .001). However, heart rate was higher in females than males at LT1 and LT2 (P = .008). Furthermore, the heart rate relative to maximal heart rate was higher in females compared with males at LT1 and LT2 (P = .002). Conclusion: Females and males may be in a different metabolic situation at the same percentage of maximum. This study helps to reduce sex bias in science, and future guidelines should consider establishing exercise prescription recommendations according to sex. Clinical Trial: NCT06104150.
Neuromuscular Fatigue During Brazilian Jiujitsu Matches: Analysis of Upper and Lower Limbs
Athos da Silva Fagundes, Alisson Henrique Marinho, Iron Lopes Freitas, Brandel José Pacheco Lopes Filho, Cintia Rodacki, Romulo Bertuzzi, Adriano Eduardo Lima-Silva, and Gislaine Cristina-Souza
Purpose: To determine the effects of repeated Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ) matches on neuromuscular fatigue in forearm-flexor and knee-extensor muscles. Methods: Twelve BJJ athletes (8 men and 4 women) performed a simulated BJJ tournament composed of four 8-minute matches interspersed by 16-minute intervals. Neuromuscular fatigue was assessed via prematch to postmatch(es) reductions in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), voluntary activation, and potentiated twitch force (Ptwpot) in the forearm-flexor and knee-extensor muscles. Results: The MVIC of the knee extensors and forearm flexors reduced from prematch 1 to postmatch 2 and remained suppressed until postmatch 4 (P < .034). The voluntary activation of the knee extensors declined only after match 4, whereas the voluntary activation of the forearm flexors did not change throughout the matches (P = .102). Ptwpot of knee extensors decreased from prematch 1 to postmatch 1 (P < .001) and remained reduced until postmatch 4 (P < .001). Ptwpot of the forearm flexors reduced after every match (P < .010), with complete recovery occurring only before the second match (P = .99). The magnitude of the prematch-to-postmatch reduction in Ptwpot was lower in knee extensors than in forearm flexors (P = .044). Conclusions: Repeated BJJ matches induced neuromuscular fatigue, mainly due to impairments in muscle contractile function (ie, peripheral fatigue). The time between BJJ matches seems to be insufficient to allow complete recovery of neuromuscular function, which may influence performance during subsequent matches.
Influence of Menstrual-Cycle Phase on Sleep and Recovery Following High- and Low-Intensity Training in Eumenorrheic Endurance-Trained Women: The Female Endurance Athlete Project
Madison Y. Taylor, Maria Hrozanova, Liv Nordengen, Øyvind Sandbakk, John O. Osborne, and Dionne A. Noordhof
Purpose: To investigate the influence of menstrual-cycle (MC) phase on objective sleep and perceived recovery following high- (HIT) and low-intensity training (LIT) in endurance-trained women. Methods: Fifteen naturally menstruating, endurance-trained women completed standardized HIT and LIT sessions during the early follicular phase (EFP), ovulatory phase (OP), and midluteal phase (MLP) of 2 MCs. Overnight sleep was monitored using a Somnofy sleep monitor after each training session, and perceived recovery was assessed after 24 hours using self-report scales. MC phases were determined using the 3-step method, and noneumenorrheic MCs were retrospectively excluded from analysis. Results: MC phase had a main effect on wake after sleep onset (P ≤ .001), with higher values in MLP (33 [22] min) than EFP (22 [19] min, P = .043) and OP (14 [9] min, P = .001), sleep efficiency (P = .033), with lower values in MLP (87% [6%]) than OP (90% [8%], P = .047), and light sleep (P = .023) with higher values in MLP (59% [6%]) than EFP (54% [7%], P = .037). Session type had a main effect on perceived recovery (P < .018) and perceived muscle soreness (P = .007), indicating lower perceived recovery and higher perceived muscle soreness following HIT compared to LIT (P < .001, P = .018, respectively). No interactions were found between MC phase and session type for any of the measured variables. Conclusions: Objective sleep quality, but not perceived recovery, was influenced by MC phase, as indicated by small impairments to multiple indices of objective sleep during MLP. There were no interactions between MC phase and session type, indicating that the effect of MC on sleep and recovery is consistent regardless of session type.
Impact of Generalized Versus Individualized Load–Velocity Equations on Velocity-Loss Magnitude in Bench-Press Exercise: Mixed-Model and Equivalence Analysis
Miguel Sánchez-Moreno, Beatriz Bachero-Mena, Juan Sánchez-Valdepeñas, Fabio Yuzo Nakamura, and Fernando Pareja-Blanco
Purpose: This study analyzed the influence of 2 velocity-based training-load prescription strategies (general vs individual load–velocity equations) on the relationship between the magnitude of velocity loss (VL) and the percentage of repetitions completed in the bench-press exercise. Methods: Thirty-five subjects completed 6 sessions consisting of performing the maximum number of repetitions to failure against their 40%, 60%, and 80% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) in the Smith machine bench-press exercise using generalized and individualized equations to adjust the training load. Results: A close relationship and acceptable error were observed between percentage of repetitions completed and the percentage of VL reached for the 3 loading magnitudes and the 2 load-prescription strategies studied (R 2 from .83 to .94; standard error of the estimate from 7% to 10%). A simple main effect was observed for load and VL thresholds but not for load-prescription strategies. No significant interaction effects were revealed. The 40% and 60% 1RM showed equivalence on data sets and the most regular variation, whereas the 80% 1-repetition maximum load showed no equivalence and more irregular variation. Conclusion: These results suggest that VL is a useful variable to predict percentage of repetitions completed in the bench-press exercise, regardless of the strategy selected to adjust the relative load. However, caution should be taken when using heavy loads.
Warm-Up in Triathlon: Do Triathletes Follow the Scientific Guidelines?
Claudio Quagliarotti, Simone Villanova, Alessio Marciano, Óscar López-Belmonte, Cristiano Caporali, Alessandro Bottoni, Romuald Lepers, and Maria Francesca Piacentini
Purpose: Warming up before competition is universally recognized as an effective way to enhance performance. However, only a few articles have directly investigated different warm-up strategies adopted by triathletes and suggested by coaches. The Olympic-distance triathlon is an endurance competition characterized, at least for the elite, by a fast start with a strong correlation to the final position in the race. Thus, executing a proper warm-up protocol would be beneficial in optimizing performance. The present study aimed to provide an overview of the warm-up protocol adopted/suggested by national-caliber triathletes/coaches before an Olympic-distance triathlon race. Methods: Online surveys were created and shared between national- and international-caliber Italian, French, and Spanish triathletes and coaches. Information about the rationale, structure, and specific exercises adopted/suggested during personal warm-up protocols was collected. Thereafter, triathletes were grouped according to the discipline sequence reported. Results: Seventy-nine triathletes and nineteen coaches completed the survey. The cycle–run–swim was the most reported discipline sequence adopted, with a total time of 90.0 (25.0) minutes, against the 62.5 (25.0) minutes suggested by coaches. Conditioning exercises were performed by only 31.6% of triathletes 20 to 10 minutes before the race start. Conclusions: Triathletes who took part in this survey adopted very long protocols with the specific intention of including all disciplines. These results highlight the need to raise awareness in triathletes and coaches on the correct warm-up procedures and to stimulate researchers to design studies that directly investigate the effects of different warm-up protocols before competitions.
Effects of Training With Different Hang-Power-Clean Intensities on the Maximum Dynamic Strength, Vertical Jump, and Sprint Performance of Female Handball Players
Claudio Silva, Ricardo Berton, João Boccato, and Valmor Tricoli
Purpose: To compare the effects of 7 weeks of training with different hang-power-clean (HPC) intensities on the maximum dynamic strength, vertical jump, and sprint performance of female handball players. Methods: Professional handball athletes with at least 1 year of HPC experience volunteered to participate. The athletes were balanced by position and randomly assigned to a group with HPC at 90% (HPC90%) or 50% (HPC50%) of HPC 1-repetition maximum (1RM). The training volume was equalized between groups. Pretraining and posttraining assessments included 1RM HPC, jump height in the squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ), and sprint speeds at 5, 20, and 30 m. Results: From pretraining to posttraining, both groups significantly increased (P ≤ .05) 1RM HPC, although a small effect size was observed in favor of HPC90%. HPC90% and HPC50% did not induce significant changes (P > .05) in the SJ and CMJ height, although for the SJ, a small effect size was observed in favor of HPC90%. Both groups induced a significant improvement (P ≤ .05) in 5-, 20-, and 30-m sprint speeds, although for all speeds, small to moderate effect sizes were observed in favor of HPC90%. Conclusions: Both training groups induced significant improvements in 1RM HPC and sprint speeds, whereas no significant changes were observed in vertical jumps. In addition, based mainly on the effect sizes, the HPC90% group was more effective for increasing 1RM HPC, SJ, and sprint speeds than the HPC50% group.
Training and Game Loads Across Noncongested and Congested Weekly Microcycles During the Regular Season in a Semiprofessional Women’s Basketball Team
Cody J. Power, Jordan L. Fox, Masaru Teramoto, Vincent J. Dalbo, and Aaron T. Scanlan
Purpose: To quantify and compare loads encountered in individual training sessions and games during noncongested and congested weeks in semiprofessional women basketball players. Methods: Using an observational, longitudinal design, 12 players from the same team had their external (PlayerLoad, relative PlayerLoad, and total and high-intensity inertial movement analysis variables) and internal load (session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE], sRPE-load, percentage of heart rate peak, and modified summated-heart-rate-zones load) monitored across a regular season. Training and game data were categorized into noncongested (0–1 game) and congested weeks (2–3 games). Linear mixed models and Cohen d effect sizes were used for analyses. Results: Comparisons between training sessions revealed higher (P < .05, d = 1.35–5.33) PlayerLoad, total inertial movement analysis, sRPE, and sRPE-load during training session 1 than training session 2 in congested weeks. Comparisons between training sessions and games revealed higher (P ≤ .001, d = 1.10–1.66) sRPE and sRPE-load during games than training sessions 1 and 2 in noncongested weeks, alongside higher (P ≤ .001, d = 1.87–3.55) sRPE during game 1 than training sessions 1 and 2 in congested weeks. Comparisons between games revealed higher (P < .05, d = 0.57–2.82) loads in game 3 during congested weeks compared with all other games. Conclusions: Training appeared to be tapered in congested weeks, likely to account for upcoming increases in game loading, but remained relatively consistent across sessions during noncongested weeks. Individual game loads remained relatively consistent but were noticeably increased when a third game was played in the week.