Effect of creatine and beta-alanine supplementation on performance and endocrine responses in strength/power athletes.

The effects of creatine and creatine plus beta-alanine on strength, power, body composition, and endocrine changes were examined during a 10-wk resistance training program in collegiate football players. Thirty-three male subjects were randomly assigned to either a placebo (P), creatine (C), or creatine plus beta-alanine (CA) group. During each testing session subjects were assessed for strength (maximum bench press and squat), power (Wingate anaerobic power test, 20-jump test), and body composition.

Anticipatory responses of catecholamines on muscle force production.

Few data exist on the temporal relationship between catecholamines and muscle force production in vivo. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of preexercise arousal on sympathoadrenal neurohormones on muscular force expression during resistance exercise. Ten resistance-trained men completed two experimental conditions separated by 7 days: 1) acute heavy resistance exercise protocol (AHREP; 6 x 10 repetitions parallel squats, 80% 1 repetition maximum) and 2) control (Cont; rest).

Pituitary-adrenal responses to arm versus leg exercise in untrained man.

The purpose of this study was to examine pituitary-adrenal (PA) hormone responses [beta-endorphin (beta-END), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol] to arm exercise (AE) and leg exercise (LE) at 60 and 80% of the muscle-group specific VO2 peak. Eight healthy untrained men (AE VO2 peak=32.4+/-3.

Recreational sports participation is associated with enhanced physical fitness in children.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between seasonal participation in recreational sports and its influence on physical fitness measures in children. A total of 44 children (20 boys and 24 girls) all in the fifth grade (11.2 +/- 0.

Medical issues associated with anabolic steroid use: are they exaggerated?

For the past 50 years anabolic steroids have been at the forefront of the controversy surrounding performance enhancing drugs. For almost half of this time no attempt was made by sports governing bodies to control its use, and only recently have all of the major sports governing bodies in North America agreed to ban from competition and punish athletes who test positive for anabolic steroids. These punitive measures were developed with the primary concern for promotion of fair play and eliminating potential health risks associated with androgenic-anabolic steroids.

Comparison of loaded and unloaded jump squat training on strength/power performance in college football players.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of 5 weeks of eccentrically loaded and unloaded jump squat training in experienced resistance-trained athletes during the strength/ power phase of a 15-week periodized off-season resistance training program. Forty-seven male college football players were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. One group performed the jump squat exercise using both concentric and eccentric phases of contraction (CE; n = 15).

The effect of a competitive collegiate football season on power performance and muscle oxygen recovery kinetics.

Ten intercollegiate football players were tested within 3 days prior to (T1) and the day following the end (T2) of football preseason training camp and during weeks 7 (T3) and 11 (T4) of the competitive season. During each testing session, subjects performed a 30-second Wingate anaerobic power test. Near-infrared continuous wave spectroscopy was used to measure muscle deoxygenation during exercise.

Biochemical and hormonal responses during an intercollegiate football season.

Purpose: Changes in biochemical indices of muscle damage and hormonal markers of stress were examined during a competitive intercollegiate football season.

Methods: Twenty-one members of an NCAA Division III football team volunteered to serve as subjects. Eleven of these subjects were starters (ST) and 10 were non-starters (NS).

Evaluation of physiological responses during recovery following three resistance exercise programs.

The present study was conducted to examine (a) whether there is an association between maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2)max) and reduction in postexercise heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentrations ([La]) following resistance exercise and (b) how intensity and Volume of resistance exercise affect postexercise Vo(2). Eleven regularly weight-trained males (20.8 +/- 1.

Effect of low-dose, short-duration creatine supplementation on anaerobic exercise performance.

To examine the efficacy of a low-dose, short-duration creatine monohydrate supplement, 40 physically active men were randomly assigned to either a placebo or creatine supplementation group (6 g of creatine monohydrate per day). Testing occurred before and at the end of 6 days of supplementation. During each testing session, subjects performed three 15-second Wingate anaerobic power tests.

Metabolic and perceptual responses during Spinning cycle exercise.

Purpose: The present investigation was undertaken to compare metabolic and perceptual responses between exercise performed at constant intensity (CON) and with a Spinning protocol of variable intensity (VAR).

Method: Fifteen subjects, including seven males and eight females (23 +/- 5 yr, 72 +/- 17 kg, and 171 +/- 10 cm), underwent two experimental trials. During each trial, subjects performed a 30-min cycle exercise protocol that was followed by a 30-min recovery period.

Timing of preparatory landing responses as a function of availability of optic flow information.

This study investigated temporal patterns of EMG activity during self-initiated falls with different optic flow information ('gaze directions'). Onsets of EMG during the flight phase were monitored from five experienced volunteers that completed 72 landings in three gaze directions (downward, mid-range and horizontal) and six heights of fall (10-130 cm). EMG recordings were obtained from the right gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris and rectus femoris muscles, and used to determine the latency of onset (L(o)) and the perceived time to contact (T(c)).

Effects of beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate on power performance and indices of muscle damage and stress during high-intensity training.

Twenty-six members of a collegiate football team were randomly assigned to either a supplement (S) (3 g of beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate [HMB] per day) or placebo (P) group. Testing occurred before (PRE) and at the end of 10 days of preseason football training camp (POST). During each testing session, subjects performed an anaerobic power test, and blood samples were obtained for testosterone, cortisol, creatine kinase, and myoglobin analysis.

Protein - Which is Best?

Protein intake that exceeds the recommended daily allowance is widely accepted for both endurance and power athletes. However, considering the variety of proteins that are available much less is known concerning the benefits of consuming one protein versus another. The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze key factors in order to make responsible recommendations to both the general and athletic populations.

The effect of an intercollegiate soccer game on maximal power performance.

The effect of a competitive soccer match on maximal power performance was assessed on 19 members of an NCAA Division III female soccer team. Performance testing occurred within 24 hours prior to the game (Pre), immediately postgame (IP), and 24 hours postgame (24P). Each subject performed a squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ).

Comparison of Olympic vs. traditional power lifting training programs in football players.

Twenty members of an National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III collegiate football team were assigned to either an Olympic lifting (OL) group or power lifting (PL) group. Each group was matched by position and trained 4-days.wk(-1) for 15 weeks.

Effect of muscle oxygenation during resistance exercise on anabolic hormone response.

Purpose: The mechanisms that underlie the affect of acute program variables on muscle growth and strength development for strength/power athletes have been of great interest. This investigation examined the affects of two different resistance exercise protocols on muscle oxygenation, and the anabolic hormonal response to such exercise.

Methods: Eleven experienced resistance-trained male athletes performed four sets of the squat exercise using either a low-intensity, high-volume (LI; 15 repetitions at 60% one-repetition maximum [1-RM]) or high-intensity, low-volume (HI; 4 repetitions at 90% 1-RM) load.

Comparison between linear and nonlinear in-season training programs in freshman football players.

The purpose of this study was to compare linear (LT) with nonlinear (NL) in-season training programs in freshman football players during the course of 2 separate seasons. During the first year (n = 14, mean +/- SD = 177.3 +/- 4.

Effect of order of exercise intensity upon cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and perceptual responses during exercise of mixed intensity.

Exercise of mixed intensities can be of benefit in many different ways. However, whether physiological interaction exists between exercises of different intensity is questionable. As such, the primary aim of this study was to examine the effect of order of exercise intensity upon cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and perceptual responses during exercise of mixed intensity.

Regulating intensity using perceived exertion during extended exercise periods.

The present study was undertaken to examine the validity of using the OMNI scale of perceived exertion to regulate intensity during extended exercise periods. Forty-eight subjects (24 male, 24 female) were recruited and each subject completed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) and two 20-min submaximal exercises. During the GXT, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) as well as oxygen uptake (VO(2)) and heart rate (HR) equivalent to 50 and 70% of maximum VO(2) (VO(2max)) were estimated.

Strength changes during an in-season resistance-training program for football.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of both intensity and volume of training during a 2 d.wk(-1) in-season resistance-training program (RTP) for American football players. Fifty-three National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III football players were tested in the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and 1RM squat on the first day of summer training camp (PRE) and during the final week of the regular season (POST).

Cognitive and motor function after administration of hydrocodone bitartrate plus ibuprofen, ibuprofen alone, or placebo in healthy subjects with exercise-induced muscle damage: a randomized, repeated-dose, placebo-controlled study.

Rationale: Medications combining hydrocodone bitartrate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents appear more beneficial than anti-inflammatory medications alone in treating pain and inflammation from acute soft tissue trauma, but opiate side effects may include sedation and impaired cognitive and motor performance.

Objective: Performance on complex cognitive and motor tasks was evaluated in healthy subjects with exercise-induced muscle damage who were treated with a hydrocodone-ibuprofen combination, ibuprofen alone, or placebo.

Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose clinical trial compared the effects of hydrocodone bitartrate (7.

Performance, biochemical, and endocrine changes during a competitive football game.

Purpose: This study represents the first time that anaerobic power performance was examined during an actual intercollegiate American football game. In addition, biochemical and endocrine responses also were examined to assess the physiological stress imposed by this competitive contest.

Methods: Twenty-one members of a NCAA Division III football team were divided into two groups.

Physiological and biomechanical analysis of treadmill walking up various gradients in men and women.

This investigation was undertaken to examine the physiological and biomechanical responses during treadmill walking up various gradients in men and women. Groups of 11 men and 11 women took part in four experiments consisting of 8 min treadmill walks at 1.3 m.

Evaluation of a new anaerobic power testing system.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a new anaerobic athletic performance system. This system is proposed to assess vertical jump height, anaerobic power through repetitive jumping, and reaction to both an auditory and visual stimulus. One hundred twenty-three subjects (92 men and 31 women; mean +/- SD: age, 20.