Publications by authors named "Kai Homer"

Both resistance training (RT) and long-duration, high-intensity stretching induce muscular adaptations; however, it is unknown whether the modalities are complementary or redundant, particularly in well-trained individuals. A case-study was conducted on a competitive bodybuilder implementing long-duration, high-intensity stretching of the plantar flexors (60 min 6x/week for 12 weeks) in conjunction with their habitual RT. Ultrasound muscle architecture (muscle thickness [MT], fascicle length [FL], and pennation angle [PA]) measurements were collected at multiple sites at four weekly baseline sessions, six (mid) and 12 (post1) weeks following the commencement of the intervention, and a week after the intervention (post2) while isometric strength and range of motion (RoM) were obtained once at baseline, mid, post1, and post2.

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Ultrasound imaging is extensively used by both practitioners and researchers in assessing muscle thickness (MT); however, its use in the field is constrained by the transportability of stationary devices. New portable ultrasound probes pose as a cost-effective and transportable alternative for field-based assessments. This study evaluated the concurrent validity of a portable probe (Lumify) against a laboratory-based device (Vivid S5) in measuring MT.

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Homer, KA, Cross, MR, and Helms, ER. A survey of resistance training practices among physique competitors during peak week. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Physique athletes are ranked by their on-stage presentation of muscle size, proportionality, and leanness.

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To acutely enhance muscle size and definition, carbohydrate (CHO)-loading protocols are commonly implemented by bodybuilders in the week before competition. This study sought to evaluate the effects of a bodybuilding CHO-loading protocol on anthropometry. Four dieting males engaging in resistance training (RT) with very low body fat participated in this randomized crossover trial.

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Background: Physique athletes are subjectively judged on their on-stage esthetic per their competition division criteria. To succeed, competitors look to acutely enhance their appearance by manipulating nutritional variables in the days leading up to competition, commonly referred to as peak week (PW). Despite their documented wide adoption, PW strategies lack experimental evidence.

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Background: Physique athletes are ranked by a panel of judges against the judging criteria of the corresponding division. To enhance on-stage presentation and performance, competitors in certain categories (i.e.

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A 34-year-old previously healthy man of Korean descent (height, 174 cm; weight, 47.4 kg) demonstrated dyspnea with cough and chest tightness. The patient had no relevant occupational exposures and no history of illicit drug or tobacco use.

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Background: In this study we aimed to investigate left atrial (LA) function, measured from routine cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, to determine its value for the prediction of sudden cardiac death (SCD) or appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock in patients who received primary prevention ICD implantation.

Methods: We studied 203 patients with ischemic or idiopathic nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging before primary prevention ICD implantation. LA volumes were measured at end-diastole and end-systole from 4- and 2-chamber cine images, and LA emptying function (LAEF) calculated.

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Foraging strategies should be tuned to the expected distribution of resources in the environment. Tuning can occur over generations and lead to genetic differences in innate foraging behavior or over shorter timescales within an individual's lifespan. Both genetically encoded and experience-based strategies are implemented by neural circuits that respond to environmental cues and track internal states.

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