Intra- and Inter-Day Reliability of Inertial Loads with Cluster Sets When Performed during a Quarter Squat on a Flywheel Device.

The aims of this study were to (i) estimate the intra- and inter-day reliability of mean concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) power at different inertial loads during a flywheel quarter-squat using a cluster set approach and (ii) to determine the acute effect of internal and external attentional focus on mean power when performing the flywheel quarter squat. Twelve collegiate field sport male athletes (age 22.4 ± 3.2 years, weight 81.4 ± 10.3 kg, height 1.81 ± 0.06 m) attended four cluster set testing sessions separated by 7 days. Sessions consisted of 4 sets of 15 repetitions using 4 inertial loads (0.025, 0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 kg·m2). A cluster block consisted of 5 repetitions, including "momentum repetitions" (4 × 5 + 5 + 5). Mean power (MP), CON power, ECC power, and ECC overload were recorded for both internal and external attentional focus groups. The external instructional group attained familiarization after two flywheel sessions (ES = 0.03-0.15) with little volatility between performance measures (CV% = 3.39-9.22). The internal instructional group showed large differences in MP output from session 2 to session 3 for all loads (ES = 0.59-1.25). In conclusion, the flywheel cluster set approach is a reliable training modality for maintaining MP output during all repetitions.

Flywheel Romanian Deadlift: Intra- and Inter-Day Kinetic and Kinematic Reliability of Four Inertial Loads Using Cluster Sets.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the intra- and inter-day reliability of flywheel cluster set training in concentric power (CON), eccentric power (ECC), and ECC overload during the Romanian deadlift exercise (RDL). A secondary aim was to assess the acute effect of internal and external attentional focus instructions on mean power when performing the flywheel RDL. Fourteen collegiate male field sport athletes (age, 23.3 ± 3.7 years; mass, 80.8 ± 9.9 kg; height, 1.79 ± 0.06 m) were randomized into internal (n = 7) or external (n = 7) attentional focus groups and attended four testing sessions, with a between-session separation of 7 days. Sessions consisted of four cluster sets of fifteen repetitions "excluding momentum repetitions" (4 × (5 + 5 + 5)) using a specific inertial load (0.025, 0.050, 0.075, and 0.100 kg·m-2) for a given set in a randomized ascending or descending order. Cluster sets were separated by a 45 s intra-set rest period. Both instructional focus groups attained familiarization, although the time taken to achieve familiarization (outcome stability) differed between groups. The external instructional group attained familiarization post-session 2 (Cohen's d (ES), ES = 0.11-0.65) with little volatility between performance measures (CV% = 4.61-9.59). Additionally, the internal group reported inconsistencies among all inertial loads, reporting large differences in MP in the 0.100 kg·m-2 inertial load from day 2 to day 3 (ES = 1.22) and both 0.050 kg·m2 (p = 0.010) and 0.075 kg·m-2 (p = 0.016) between day 3 and day 4. The flywheel RDL cluster set approach is a reliable training modality for maintaining mean power output during cluster set repetitions.

Effects of an Offshore Sailing Competition on Anthropometry, Muscular Performance, Subjective Wellness, and Salivary Cortisol in Professional Sailors.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence regarding the impact of offshore sailing on fatigue and readiness variables is conspicuous by its absence. This study investigated the acute effects of an offshore sailing regatta on anthropometry, muscular performance, subjective recovery, and salivary biomarker cortisol. METHODS: Ten professional offshore sailors from a mixed-sex crew partook in the study (N = 10; mean [SD] age = 32.2 [3.96] y; stature = 179.1 [7.30] cm; body mass = 84.2 [12.1] kg). The race involved 3 offshore legs over a 3-week period. Baseline measures of anthropometry, lower- and upper-body muscular function, perceptions of subjective wellness, and salivary cortisol were assessed 3 hours prior to competition (ie, before the first leg). These measures were repeated within 30 minutes after the cessation of each leg. During each leg, boat movements were recorded via global positioning system units. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in lower (effect size [ES] = 0.49) and upper muscular (ES = 0.21) functions, as well as in subjective wellness (ES = 1.65). Salivary cortisol levels increased (ES = 0.84). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that, during an intensified period of sailing competition, fatigue will progressively increase. This may impede sailing performance by reducing physical and cognitive efficiency. Furthermore, countermovement jump, handgrip strength, perception of subjective wellness, and cortisol concentration appear to be sensitive measures for monitoring fatigue and readiness in professional sailors.

Short-Term Effects of "Composite" Training on Strength, Jump, and Sprint Performance in Hurling Players.

ABSTRACT: Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, S-M, Farrell, E, and Kinsella, S. Short-term effects of "composite training" on strength, jump, and sprint performance in hurling players. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2253-2261, 2022-The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of "composite" training to sprint training on strength, jump, and sprint acceleration performance in hurling players. A randomized counterbalanced group design with baseline test, pretest and post-test measures was used. Twenty-five hurling players volunteered to participate and 21 completed the study. Subjects were divided into a "composite" (COMP group, n = 10) or a sprint training (SPRINT group, n = 11) group. Both groups trained twice per week for 7 weeks with the SPRINT group performing 6 repetitions of 20 m sprints and the COMP group completing 6 repetitions (1 repetition = 3 bounce drop jumps [BDJs] with a 20 m sprint after 15 seconds recovery). Significant differences existed pretraining to post-training for the COMP group for BDJ contact time (-7.25%; p = 0.05) and countermovement jump (CMJ) variables (height: 7.43%, p = 0.006; force: 5.24%, p = 0.05; power: 15.11%, p = 0.001). No significant differences were found between groups at baseline and for group by time interactions. Significant improvements were observed pretraining to post-training in both groups for the following: absolute 3 repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength (12.73-17.62%, p = 0.01), 5 m (5.74-9.49%, p = 0.006-0.04), 10 m (4.27-5.59%, p = 0.007-0.02), and 20 m (3.35-3.98%, p = 0.003-0.01). In conclusion, "composite" training is effective in enhancing fast stretch-shortening cycle efficiency inducing CMJ force and power augmentation. However, "composite" and sprint training are effective training approaches for enhancing maximal strength and sprint performance in a time efficient manner in hurling players.

Training Load Monitoring Considerations for Female Gaelic Team Sports: From Theory to Practice.

Athlete monitoring enables sports science practitioners to collect information to determine how athletes respond to training loads (TL) and the demands of competition. To date, recommendations for females are often adapted from their male counterparts. There is currently limited information available on TL monitoring in female Gaelic team sports in Ireland. The collection and analysis of female athlete monitoring data can provide valuable information to support the development of female team sports. Athletic monitoring can also support practitioners to help minimize risk of excessive TL and optimize potential athletic performance. The aims of this narrative review are to provide: (i) an overview of TL athlete monitoring in female team sports, (ii) a discussion of the potential metrics and tools used to monitor external TL and internal TL, (iii) the advantages and disadvantages of TL modalities for use in Gaelic team sports, and (iv) practical considerations on how to monitor TL to aid in the determination of meaningful change with female Gaelic team sports athletes.

Acute Effects of "Composite" Training on Neuromuscular and Fast Stretch-Shortening Cycle Drop Jump Performance in Hurling Players.

ABSTRACT: Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, SM, and Kinsella, S. Acute effects of "composite" training on neuromuscular and fast stretch-shortening cycle drop jump performance in hurling players. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3474-3481, 2021-"Composite" training is a term developed by the authors and defined as the combination of a plyometric exercise with an explosive activity such as a sprint run, performed as a "combined repetition"/session. The purposes of this study were to investigate the acute effect of a "composite" training session on neuromuscular and fast stretch-shortening cycle bounce drop jumps (BDJs) in hurling players' immediately, after session, and after 7 days of recovery. Eight hurling players first completed a drop jump test to identify individual BDJ drop height, followed 72 hours later with a single "composite" training session. Three repetition maximum (3RM) back squat strength, BDJ, countermovement jump (CMJ), and sprint performance testing were performed 10 minutes before and immediately after session and 7 days after session. An analysis of variance reported a significant decrease in CMJ measures (height, velocity, and eccentric rate of force development) and sprint performance from presession to postsession (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, a significant increase was evident for CMJ performance (height and power), sprint performance (5 and 20 m), 3RM back squat strength, and BDJ performance (reactive strength index and height) from postsession to post-7-day recovery (p ≤ 0.05). Pairwise comparisons indicated that absolute and relative 3RM strength significantly increased from presession to post-7 days (absolute 3RM: p = 0.0001; relative 3RM: p = 0.01). The findings indicate that "composite" training results in an immediate decline in CMJ measures after session possibly due to acute muscle fatigue, and supercompensation augments maximum lower-limb strength after 7 days of recovery.

Potentiating Response to Drop-Jump Protocols on Sprint Acceleration: Drop-Jump Volume and Intrarepetition Recovery Duration.

Byrne, PJ, Moody, JA, Cooper, SM, Callanan, D, and Kinsella, S. Potentiating response to drop-jump protocols on sprint acceleration: drop-jump volume and intrarepetition recovery duration. J Strength Cond Res 34(3): 717-727, 2020-The purpose of this study was to investigate the postactivation potentiation response first to bounce drop jump (BDJ) volume; second, BDJ intrarepetition recovery duration and recovery duration between BDJs and 20-meter (including 5- and 10-m split times) sprint performance. The study was undertaken in 2 parts, the first part compared different volumes of BDJs and the second part compared different BDJ intrarepetition recovery periods. The effect of recovery periods between the BDJs and the subsequent 20-m sprints was examined in both parts 1 and 2 (15 seconds, 4, 8, and 12 minutes). Fourteen (mean ± SD: age = 20.83 ± 1.26 years; height = 1.77 ± 0.04 m; and mass = 74.89 ± 6.07 kg) (part 1) and 15 (mean ± SD: age = 20.64 ± 1.00 years; height = 1.78 ± 0.06 m; and mass = 75.67 ± 6.28 kg) (part 2) male collegiate and club hurling players volunteered to participate. A randomized cross-over design was used to compare BDJ volumes (1, 2, and 3 sets of 3 repetitions) and BDJ intrarepetition recovery time (15 vs. 60 seconds) after a warm-up followed by 2 baseline 20-m sprints. The results in part 1 reported a significant improvement in 5- and 10-m sprint time for 1 set of 3 BDJs between baseline and 4 minutes (5 m: -2.34%, p = 0.04, effect size [ES] = -0.043; 10 m: -1.42%, p = 0.03, ES = -0.35), and baseline and 12 minutes (5 m: -3.33%, p = 0.03, ES = -0.57; 10 m: -2.13%, p = 0.01, ES = -0.52). Part 2 reported a significant improvement in 5-m sprint time between baseline and 15 seconds (5 m: -3.38%, p = 0.01, ES = -0.83; 10 m: -2.07%, p = 0.02, ES = -0.58) after the BDJs. The findings support the use of 1 set of 3 BDJs using a 15-second intrarepetition recovery period to maximize 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint performance after 15 seconds of recovery after the final BDJ in hurling players. The acute response to this BDJ protocol proves to be time efficient and effective in acutely improving sprint acceleration.

Determinants of olympic fencing performance and implications for strength and conditioning training.

Fencing is one of only a few sports that have featured at every modern Olympic games. Despite this, there is still much the sport science team does not know regarding competition demands and athlete physical characteristics. This review aims to undertake an analysis of the current literature to identify what is known, and questions that must be answered to optimize athlete support in this context. In summary, fencing is an explosive sport requiring energy production predominately from anaerobic sources. Lunging and change-of-direction speed seem vital to performance, and strength and power qualities underpin this. In the elimination rounds, fencers are likely to accumulate high levels of blood lactate, and so high-intensity interval training is recommended to reduce the intolerance to and the accumulation of hydrogen ions. Injury data report the hamstrings as a muscle group that should be strengthened and address imbalances caused by continuous fencing in an asymmetrical stance.

Posicionamiento sobre el entrenamiento de fuerza en jóvenes. Consenso Internacional de 2014 / Position statement on youth resistance training: the 2014 International Consensus

El manuscrito actual es la traducción del Posicionamiento sobre el Entrenamiento de Fuerza para Jóvenes: el Consenso Internacional de 2014. El consenso original es a su vez una adaptación del posicionamiento de la United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association. Ha sido revisado y respaldado por organizaciones profesionales relevantes en los campos de la medicina del deporte, la ciencia de la actividad física y la pediatría. Los autores de este articulo fueron seleccionados entre los campos de la ciencia del ejercicio pediátrico, la medicina pediátrica, la educación física, la preparación física y la medicina del deporte. El manuscrito fue publicado originalmente en el British Journal of Sports Medicine y representa el documento final ratificado oficialmente a nivel ejecutivo por cada organización que lo respalda. Para enlazar con la versión original del manuscrito en ingles diríjanse a: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2013/09/20/bjsports-2013-092952.full

The current manuscript is a translation of the Position statement on youth resistance training: the 2014 International Consensus. The original manuscript was adapted from the oficial position statement of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association on youth resistance training. It was subsequently reviewed and endorsed by leading professional organisations within the fields of sports medicine, exercise science and paediatrics. The authorship team for this article was selected from the fields of paediatric exercise science, paediatric medicine, physical education, strength and conditioning and sports medicine

Position statement on youth resistance training: the 2014 International Consensus.

The current manuscript has been adapted from the official position statement of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association on youth resistance training. It has subsequently been reviewed and endorsed by leading professional organisations within the fields of sports medicine, exercise science and paediatrics. The authorship team for this article was selected from the fields of paediatric exercise science, paediatric medicine, physical education, strength and conditioning and sports medicine.

Effect of different types of conditioning contraction on upper body postactivation potentiation.

Muscle contractions preceding an activity can result in increased force generation (postactivation potentiation [PAP]). Although the type of muscular contractions could affect subsequent strength and power performance, little information exists on their effects. The purpose of this study was to examine PAP effects produced by isometric (ISO), concentric (CON), eccentric (ECC), or concentric-eccentric (DYN) conditioning contractions on upper body force and power performance. Ten male, competitive rugby players (mean ± SD: age 20.4 ± 0.8 years, height 177.0 ± 8.1 cm, body mass 90.2 ± 13.8 kg) performed a ballistic bench press throw (BBPT) followed by a 10-minute rest and one of the conditioning contractions. After a 12-minute rest, the subjects performed another BBPT (post-BBPT). The conditioning contractions, applied on separate days and in counterbalanced randomized order, were a 7-second isometric barbell bench press for ISO and 1 set of 3 bench press repetitions at 3 repetition maximum for CON, ECC, and DYN (each repetition lasting 2 seconds for CON and ECC, overall execution time <7 seconds for DYN). Peak power (Ppeak), peak force (Fpeak), maximum distance (Dmax) and rate of force development (RFD) were measured using a linear position transducer. Electromyography (EMG) of the pectoralis major and triceps brachii was also recorded. The ISO produced significantly higher Ppeak (587 ± 116 and 605 ± 126 W for pre- and post-BBPT, respectively; p < 0.05). No significant differences in Ppeak were revealed for CON, ECC, and DYN (p > 0.05), and no significant differences existed in Fpeak, Dmax, and RFD for ISO, CON, ECC, and DYN (p > 0.05). Finally, EMG was not significantly different between pre- and post-BBPT for any of the conditioning contractions (p > 0.05). Isometric contractions appear to be the only conditioning contractions increasing upper body power output after long resting periods.