Publications by authors named "J McDougle"
Introduction: Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) as a fatiguing modality have been widely studied, but little attention has been given to the influence of the rate of torque development. Given the established differences in motor command and neuromuscular activation between ramp and rapid MIVCs, it is likely performance fatigue differs as well as the underlying physiological mechanisms.
Purpose: To compare responses for rapid and maximal torque following ramp and rapid MVICs, and the corresponding neuromuscular and corticospinal alterations.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates how intramuscular stiffness in the hamstrings affects muscle strain during passive hip flexion, aiming to understand why strains occur.
- Researchers measured the stiffness of three hamstring muscles in healthy participants and found that the proximal area (closer to the hip) was the least stiff and contributed the most to muscle strain.
- The findings suggest that variations in stiffness within the hamstrings may increase the risk of strain injuries, especially in the proximal region during activities that involve hip flexion.
Article Synopsis
- A scoping review was conducted to analyze the existing literature on the acute physiological responses to high-intensity functional training (HIFT) due to limited previous research in the area.
- The review identified 2,241 articles, narrowing it down to 60 relevant studies that assessed 35 distinct HIFT workouts.
- While markers of intensity like blood lactate and heart rate were consistently measured, other important physiological factors showed inconsistent reporting, complicating the ability to draw comprehensive conclusions; improved standardization in research methods could enhance future studies.
Article Synopsis
- This study analyzed how body composition impacts performance in high-intensity functional training, specifically the "Fran" workout, involving barbell thrusters and pull-ups among 57 men and 38 women with at least 6 months of HIFT experience.
- Results showed that men outperformed women in body composition metrics, with those in the top percentile exhibiting more lean muscle mass and less fat mass compared to other groups.
- The findings revealed a negative correlation between performance time in "Fran" and non-bone lean mass across all groups, while fat mass showed a positive correlation in the mid-skill level group, indicating varying effects of body composition depending on performance level and training status.
CrossFit® open performance is affected by the nature of past competition experiences.
BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil
March 2022
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore how past competition performances affect athletes' results in the 2020 CrossFit® Open (CFO).
- A sample of 220 top athletes was analyzed, looking at their previous competition ranks and participation statistics to find correlations with their 2020 CFO performance.
- Results showed strong relationships between past CFO ranks and the 2020 performance, with notable ties to regional and Games™ competition appearances, highlighting that previous experience plays a significant role in current performance outcomes.