Malate or Not? Acute Effects of L-Citrulline Versus Citrulline Malate on Neuromuscular Performance in Young, Trained Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial.

L-citrulline (CIT) supplementation seems to improve resistance training performance; yet, whether malate has additive ergogenic effects when combined with CIT is unknown. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial aimed to compare the acute effects of CIT versus citrulline malate (CMA) supplementation on neuromuscular performance and exertion and emotional perceptions in young, trained men and women. 43 (21 women; 24.

Cluster Versus Rest-Redistribution Training: Similar Improvements in Neuromuscular Capacities in Female Team-Sport Athletes.

Purpose: This study's purpose was to investigate the midterm effects of alternative set configurations (cluster [CL] and rest redistribution [RR]) on lower- and upper-body neuromuscular capacities in female athletes.

Method: Twenty team-sport female athletes were randomly assigned to a CL (n = 10) or RR (n = 10) training group. The study protocol comprised 2 pretests, 12 training sessions, and a posttest.

Highly branched cyclic dextrin supplementation and resistance training: A randomized double-blinded crossover trial examining mechanical, metabolic, and perceptual responses.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential ergogenic effects of intra-session supplementation of highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD) on mechanical (number of repetitions completed and repetition velocity), metabolic (lactate concentration), and perceptual (gastrointestinal complaints and ratings of perceived exertion [RPE]) responses to resistance training.

Methods: This study used a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study design. Thirty physically active individuals (15 men and 15 women) completed two experimental sessions that only differed in the supplement condition (placebo or HBCD).

Intra and Inter-Session Reliability of Movement Velocity During Pull-Ups Performed at Small Climbing Holds.

Objectives: The synergy between arm and shoulder muscles, along with isometric finger flexor strength, are crucial for climbing proficiency. However, tests often assess these factors separately rather than in a unified action. This study aimed to determine the intra- and inter-session reliability of the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) during pull-ups on a large hold and on small climbing edges.

Enhancing reactive agility in soccer: The impact of stroboscopic eyewear during warm-up across fatigued and non-fatigued conditions.

Although prolonged training with stroboscopic eyewear has demonstrated potential for enhancing visuomotor skills, the acute effects of stroboscopic stimulation are not well understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the short-term effects of stroboscopic exposure during the ball-specific phase of soccer warm-up on agility performance in preplanned and unpredictable (RA) tasks. Also, these effects were examined both in tasks involving ball dribbling and without the ball, as well as under fatigued and non-fatigued conditions.

The Effect of Lifting Straps on the Prediction of the Maximal Neuromuscular Capabilities and 1 Repetition Maximum During the Prone Bench Pull Exercise.

Miras-Moreno, S and García-Ramos, A. The effect of lifting straps on the prediction of the maximal neuromuscular capabilities and 1 repetition maximum during the prone bench pull exercise. J Strength Cond Res 38(11): e638-e644, 2024-This study examined the effects of using lifting straps in the prone bench pull exercise on (a) the magnitude of the load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables (load-axis intercept, velocity-axis intercept, and area under the L-V relationship line) and (b) the accuracy of the L-V relationship in predicting the 1 repetition maximum (1RM).

Comparative effects of caffeine, beta-alanine, and their combination on mechanical, physiological, and perceptual responses to upper-body superset resistance training.

Caffeine and beta-alanine are widely used in multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements believed to enhance resistance training, but their specific role in driving this effect remains unclear. The current study employed a randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled and crossover experimental design to explore the acute effects of caffeine (200 mg), beta-alanine (3 g), or their combination (200 mg caffeine and 3 g beta-alanine; C+B-A) administered 30 min prior to resistance training (RT) on mechanical, physiological, and perceptual variables. Twenty-one young resistance-trained males (age = 23.

Effect of the Stretch-Shortening Cycle on the Relationship Between Maximum Number of Repetitions and Lifting Velocity During the Prone Bench Pull.

Background: The fastest mean (MV) and peak (PV) velocity in a set are used to predict the maximum number of repetitions (RTF), but stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) effects on these relationships are unknown.

Hypothesis: Velocity values associated with each RTF would show higher values for eccentric-concentric and multiple-point methods compared with concentric-only and 2-point methods.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Reliability of single-leg maximal dynamic strength performance and inter-limb asymmetries in pre-pubertal soccer players. The influence of maturity in asymmetries.

The aims of this repeated measures study were (I) to determine the reliability of single-leg squat 1RM and inter-limb asymmetries in pre-pubertal athletes, and (II) to assess associations between bilateral and/or unilateral squat 1RM performance, inter-limb asymmetries, and participants' chronological and biological age. Thirty-one soccer players (age [mean ± standard deviation] = 8.48 ± 0.

Average optimal minimum velocity threshold: A practical variable to increase the accuracy of one-repetition maximum estimation during the free-weight back squat.

The prediction of one-repetition maximum (1RM) using the submaximal load-velocity relationship (LVR) is highly relevant for the field of strength and conditioning. The optimal minimum velocity threshold (MVT) was recently proposed to increase the accuracy of 1RM predictions. However, using the average optimal MVT would allow for more practical estimations.

Effects of Phenylcapsaicin on Intraocular and Ocular Perfusion Pressure During a 30-Min Cycling Task: A Placebo-Controlled, Triple-Blind, Balanced Crossover Study.

The main objective of this placebo-controlled, triple-blind, balanced crossover study was to assess the acute effects of phenylcapsaicin (PC) intake (2.5 mg) on intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), and heart rate (HR) during a 30-min cycling task performed at 15% of the individual maximal power. Twenty-two healthy young adults performed the cycling task 45 min after ingesting PC or placebo.

Variability in the Relationship Between Velocity Loss and Percentage of Completed Repetitions During Horizontal Leg Press and Bench Press in Postmenopausal Women.

Iglesias-Soler, E, Rial-Vázquez, J, Nine, I, Fariñas, J, Revuelta-Lera, B, and García-Ramos, A. Variability in the relationship between velocity loss and percentage of completed repetitions during horizontal leg press and bench press in postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): 1576-1583, 2024-This study aimed to analyze the intersubject variability in the relationship between percentage of velocity loss (%VL) and percentage of repetitions performed out of maximum possible (%MNR) in postmenopausal women.

Investigation of the effects of an 8-week cross-country skiing exercise program on various reaction time parameters, selective attention and academic achievement in adolescents.

Exercise slows or helps reverse the shrinkage of key cognitive brain regions such as the hippocampus, which is important for information processing, learning, reasoning and planning. For this reason, it is thought that regular exercise of individuals, especially during adolescence, which is considered one of the most important processes of development, can increase their performance in areas where cognitive activities are at the forefront. Cross-country skiing, one of the leading branches of winter sports, has a much more complex structure, unlike the branches that are widely preferred today (football, basketball, volleyball, etc.

Hexagonal Barbell Deadlift One-repetition Maximum Estimation Using Velocity Recordings.

This study aimed to determine whether the optimal minimal velocity threshold (MVT) provides more precise estimates of one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the hexagonal barbell deadlift (HBD) than the general and individual MVTs. The 1RMs of 27 resistance-trained males were predicted using three types of MVT: (i) averaged across subjects' velocity of the 1RM trial (0.25 m·s), (ii) velocity attained during the 1RM trial, and (iii) MVT that eliminated the differences between the actual and predicted 1RM.

Do Muscle Mass and Body Fat Differ Between Elite and Amateur Natural Physique Athletes on Competition Day? A Preliminary, Cross-Sectional, Anthropometric Study.

González-Cano, H, Martín-Olmedo, JJ, Baz-Valle, E, Contreras, C, Schoenfeld, BJ, García-Ramos, A, Jiménez-Martínez, P, and Alix-Fages, C. Do muscle mass and body fat differ between elite and amateur natural physique athletes on competition day? A preliminary, cross-sectional, anthropometric study. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 951-956, 2024-Natural physique athletes strive to achieve low body fat levels while promoting muscle mass hypertrophy for competition day.

Which Strength Manifestation Is More Related to Regional Swimmers' Performance and In-Water Forces? Maximal Neuromuscular Capacities Versus Maximal Mechanical Maintenance Capacity.

Purpose: To explore the association of the load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables and ability to maintain maximal mechanical performance during the prone bench-pull exercise with sprint swimming performance and in-water forces.

Methods: Eleven competitive adult male swimmers (50-m front crawl World Aquatics points: 488 [66], performance level 4) performed 1 experimental session. The L-V relationship variables (L0 [ie,  maximal theoretical load at 0 velocity]; v0 [ie, maximal theoretical velocity at 0 load], and Aline [ie, area under the L-V relationship]) and maximal mechanical maintenance capacity were assessed at the beginning of the session.

Concurrent validation of the resistance intensity scale for exercise for monitoring velocity-based training with elastic bands.

The aim was to evaluate the concurrent validity and reliability of the Resistance Intensity Scale for Exercise [RISE], which uses verbal descriptors, to quantify the intensity in velocity-based training with elastic bands. Eighteen trained volunteers performed parallel squats at maximum speed at 40%, 55%, 70%, and 85%1RM in four sessions, two for familiarization and two for reliability. Each set was stopped at a 10% intra-set velocity loss.

Impact of Lifting Straps on the Relationship Between Maximum Repetitions to Failure and Lifting Velocity During the Prone Bench Pull Exercise.

Background: Fastest mean (MV) and peak (PV) velocity of the set have been proposed to predict the maximum number of repetitions to failure (RTF) during the Smith machine prone bench pull (PBP) exercise.

Hypothesis: Goodness-of-fit would be higher for individualized compared with generalized RTF-velocity relationships and comparable for both execution equipment conditions (with or without straps), and the MV and PV associated with each RTF would be comparable between execution equipment and prediction methods (multiple- vs 2-point method).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.