May the Force Be with Youth: Foundational Strength for Lifelong Development.

Today's youth are weaker than previous generations, and measurable reductions in physical fitness are beginning to emerge. Without targeted initiatives that recognize the foundational importance of resistance training, weaker children and adolescents may be more likely to experience the inevitable consequences of neuromuscular dysfunction and less likely to experience the pleiotropic benefits of exercise and sport. Early exposure to strength-building activities is needed to prepare today's youth for ongoing participation in varied physical activities throughout this developmental phase of life.

Efficacy of Postprandial Exercise in Mitigating Glycemic Responses in Overweight Individuals and Individuals with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Studies investigating the acute effect of postprandial exercise (PPE) on glucose responses exhibit significant heterogeneity in terms of participant demographic, exercise protocol, and exercise timing post-meal. As such, this study aimed to further analyze the existing literature on the impact of PPE on glycemic control in overweight individuals and individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A literature search was conducted through databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar.

Time-of-Day Effects of Exercise on Cardiorespiratory Responses and Endurance Performance-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Kang, J, Ratamess, NA, Faigenbaum, AD, Bush, JA, Finnerty, C, DiFiore, M, Garcia, A, and Beller, N. Time-of-day effects of exercise on cardiorespiratory responses and endurance performance-A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): 2080-2090, 2023-The time-of-day effect of exercise on human function remains largely equivocal.

A Comparison of Warm-Up Effects on Maximal Aerobic Exercise Performance in Children.

The aim of this study was to compare the warm-up effects of treadmill walking (TW) with a dynamic (DY) bodyweight warm-up on maximal aerobic exercise performance in children. Sixteen children (10.9 ± 1.

Effect of Time-Restricted Feeding on Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Fitness Parameters: A Systematic Review.

Time restricted feeding (TRF) as a form of intermittent fasting (IF) has gained popularity because its ability to reduce body mass (BM) without an emphasis on caloric restriction. However, how this dietary protocol may affect health, fitness, and performance in a relatively healthy cohort remains less clear. The purpose of this article was to systematically review the current literature concerning the effect of TRF on anthropometric, metabolic, and fitness parameters in normal-weight adults and overweight and obese individuals.

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use in Sports, Health, and Society.

This consensus statement is an update of the 1987 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) position stand on the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Substantial data have been collected since the previous position stand, and AAS use patterns have changed significantly. The ACSM acknowledges that lawful and ethical therapeutic use of AAS is now an accepted mainstream treatment for several clinical disorders; however, there is increased recognition that AAS are commonly used illicitly to enhance performance and appearance in several segments of the population, including competitive athletes.

Use of Heart Rate Index to Predict Oxygen Uptake - A Validation Study.

An equation that uses heart rate index (HRI) defined as HR/HRrest to predict oxygen uptake (VO) in METs (e.g., METs = 6 × HRI - 5) has been developed retrospectively from aggregate data of 60 published studies.

Body Composition in Elite Strongman Competitors.

Kraemer, WJ, Caldwell, LK, Post, EM, DuPont, WH, Martini, ER, Ratamess, NA, Szivak, TK, Shurley, JP, Beeler, MK, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, Todd, JS, Walrod, BJ, Hyde, PN, Fairman, C, and Best, TM. Body composition in elite strongman competitors. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3326-3330, 2020-The purpose of this descriptive investigation was to characterize a group of elite strongman competitors to document the body composition of this unique population of strength athletes.

Growth Hormone(s), Testosterone, Insulin-Like Growth Factors, and Cortisol: Roles and Integration for Cellular Development and Growth With Exercise.

Hormones are largely responsible for the integrated communication of several physiological systems responsible for modulating cellular growth and development. Although the specific hormonal influence must be considered within the context of the entire endocrine system and its relationship with other physiological systems, three key hormones are considered the "anabolic giants" in cellular growth and repair: testosterone, the growth hormone superfamily, and the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) superfamily. In addition to these anabolic hormones, glucocorticoids, mainly cortisol must also be considered because of their profound opposing influence on human skeletal muscle anabolism in many instances.

Ergogenic Properties of Ketogenic Diets in Normal-Weight Individuals: A Systematic Review.

Ketogenic diets (KDs) have received increasing attention among athletes and physically active individuals. However, the question as to whether and how the diet could benefit this healthy cohort remains unclear. This study was designed to systematically review the existing evidence concerning the effect of KDs on body composition, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, muscle development, and sports performance in normal-weight individuals including athletes.

Absolute and Body Mass Index Normalized Handgrip Strength Percentiles by Gender, Ethnicity, and Hand Dominance in Americans.

Background: Gender and ethnicity are factors which influence strength, and hand dominance could be a critical component of handgrip strength (HGS) testing. Providing such HGS percentiles across the lifespan may help to identify weakness-related health concerns. We sought to generate growth charts and curves for HGS by gender and ethnicity in a nationally-representative sample of Americans aged 6-80 years.

Acute Cardiometabolic Responses to Multi-Modal Integrative Neuromuscular Training in Children.

Integrative neuromuscular training (INT) has emerged as an effective strategy for improving health- and skill-related components of physical fitness, yet few studies have explored the cardiometabolic demands of this type of training in children. The aim of this study was to examine the acute cardiometabolic responses to a multi-modal INT protocol and to compare these responses to a bout of moderate-intensity treadmill (TM) walking in children. Participants ( = 14, age 10.

Effects of Exercise With and Without Energy Replacement on Substrate Utilization in the Fasting State.

The present study aimed to examine the interactive effect of exercise and energy balance on energy expenditure and substrate utilization. Seven men and 7 women underwent three 2-day experimental protocols in a random order. Each protocol consisted of no exercise (NE), exercise only (EO), or exercise with a matched energy replacement (ER) on day 1 followed by metabolic testing that occurred after a 12-hour overnight fasting on day 2.

Range of Motion Adaptations in Powerlifters.

Gadomski, SJ, Ratamess, NA, and Cutrufello, PT. Range of motion adaptations in powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3020-3028, 2018-The aim of this study was to investigate range of motion (ROM) and training patterns in powerlifters.

Resistance training does not induce uniform adaptations to quadriceps.

Resistance training may differentially affect morphological adaptations along the length of uni-articular and bi-articular muscles. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in muscle morphology along the length of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) in response to resistance training. Following a 2-wk preparatory phase, 15 resistance-trained men (24.

Acute Cardiometabolic Responses to Medicine Ball Interval Training in Children.

Medicine ball interval training (MBIT) has been found to be an effective exercise modality in fitness programs, yet the acute physiological responses to this type of this exercise in youth are unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute cardiometabolic responses to MBIT in children. Fourteen children (mean age 10.

Influence of Baseline Muscle Strength and Size Measures on Training Adaptations in Resistance-trained Men.

The influence of baseline strength or muscle size on adaptations to training is not well-understood. Comparisons between novice and advanced lifters, and between stronger and weaker experienced-lifters, have produced conflicting results. This study examined the effect of baseline muscle strength and size on subsequent adaptations in resistance-trained individuals following a traditional high-volume, short-rest resistance training protocol.

Acute Cardiometabolic Responses to a Novel Training Rope Protocol in Children.

Faigenbaum, AD, Kang, J, Ratamess, NA, Farrell, A, Golda, S, Stranieri, A, Coe, J, and Bush, JA. Acute cardiometabolic responses to a novel training rope protocol in children. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1197-1206, 2018-The purpose of this study was to quantify the acute cardiometabolic responses to a novel training rope (TR) protocol in children.

Acute hematological and mood perception effects of bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) consumed alone and in combination with caffeine: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

The purpose of this study was to examine acute hematological and mood perception responses to supplementation with p-synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine during quiet sitting. Sixteen subjects visited the laboratory on 6 occasions and were given (in randomized double-blind manner) 103-mg p-synephrine (S), 233-mg caffeine + 104-mg p-synephrine, 240-mg caffeine, 337-mg caffeine + 46-mg p-synephrine, 325-mg caffeine, or a placebo (PL). The subjects sat quietly for 3 hr while completing mood state questionnaires every 30 min.

Acute Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Effects of a Sandbag Resistance Exercise Protocol.

Ratamess, NA, Kang, J, Kuper, JD, O'Grady, EA, Ellis, NL, Vought, IT, Culleton, E, Bush, JA, and Faigenbaum, AD. Acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic effects of a sandbag resistance exercise protocol. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1491-1502, 2018-The purpose of this study was to examine the acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic effects of a sandbag (SB) resistance exercise protocol and compare the responses to time-matched treadmill running protocols.

Acute cardiovascular effects of bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) consumed alone and in combination with caffeine in human subjects: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

The purpose was to examine cardiovascular responses to supplementation with p-synephrine alone and in combination with caffeine during quiet sitting. Sixteen subjects were given (in double-blind manner) either 103 mg of p-synephrine (S), 233 mg of caffeine +104 mg of p-synephrine (LC + S), 240 mg of caffeine (LC), 337 mg of caffeine +46 mg of p-synephrine (HC + S), 325 mg of caffeine (HC), or a placebo. The subjects sat quietly for 3 hr while heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured.

Understanding the Science of Resistance Training: An Evolutionary Perspective.

The history of resistance training research began with anecdotal ideas and a slow growth of research from the late 1890s through the 1970s. The mid-1970s were a nexus point when resistance training studies evolved from just strength assessments to importance in physiological systems, physical health, and physical performance capabilities for individuals interested in physical fitness through to those seeking elite athletic performances. The pursuit of understanding program design and what mediated successful programs continues today as new findings, replication of old concepts, and new visions with the latest technologies fuel both our understanding and interest in this modality.

Exercise-Induced Hormone Elevations Are Related to Muscle Growth.

Mangine, GT, Hoffman, JR, Gonzalez, AM, Townsend, JR, Wells, AJ, Jajtner, AR, Beyer, KS, Boone, CH, Wang, R, Miramonti, AA, LaMonica, MB, Fukuda, DH, Witta, EL, Ratamess, NA, and Stout, JR. Exercise-induced hormone elevations are related to muscle growth. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 45-53, 2017-Partial least squares regression structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine relationships between the endocrine response to resistance exercise and muscle hypertrophy in resistance-trained men.