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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Optimizing mechanical performance in the bench press: The combined influence of inter-set rest periods and proximity to failure.

This study examined the influence of inter-set rest periods of 1 (R1), 3 (R3) and 5 (R5) minutes on the number of repetitions completed before exceeding the minimum velocity thresholds of 0.45 m⋅s (MVT) and 0.35 m⋅s (MVT) during the bench press exercise.

Relationship between perceptual and mechanical markers of fatigue during bench press and bench pull exercises: impact of inter-set rest period length.

This study aimed to explore whether the relationship between perceptual (rating of perceived exertion; RPE) and mechanical (maximal number of repetitions completed [MNR], fastest set velocity, and mean velocity decline) variables is affected by the length of inter-set rest periods during resistance training sets not leading to failure. Twenty-three physically active individuals (15 men and eight women) randomly completed 12 testing sessions resulting from the combination of two exercises (bench press and bench pull), three inter-set rest protocols (1, 3, and 5 min), and two minimal velocity thresholds (farther from muscular failure [MVT for bench press and MVT for bench pull] and closer to muscular failure [MVT for bench press and MVT for bench pull]). The duration of inter-set rest periods did not have a significant impact on RPE values ( ranged from 0.

Differences in Various Strength Manifestations Between the Flat and Retracted Bench Press Variants: Are They Affected by Subjects' Experience or Strength Levels?

Piepoli, A, Miras-Moreno, S, Janicijevic, D, Martínez-Amat, A, and García-Ramos, A. Differences in various strength manifestations between the flat and retracted bench press variants: are they affected by subjects' experience or strength levels? J Strength Cond Res 37(12): 2339-2345, 2023. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of retracting the scapulae during the free-weight bench press (BP) exercise on various strength manifestations and perceptual variables.

Lifting velocity predicts the maximum number of repetitions to failure with comparable accuracy during the Smith machine and free-weight prone bench pull exercises.

This study compared the accuracy of the fastest mean velocity from set (MV) to predict the maximum number of repetitions to failure (RTF) between 2 variants of prone bench pull (PBP) exercise (Smith machine and free-weight) and 3 methods (generalized, individualized multiple-point, and individualized 2-point). Twenty-three resistance-trained males randomly performed 2 sessions during Smith machine PBP and 2 sessions during free-weight PBP in different weeks. The first weekly session determined the RTF-MV relationships and subjects completed single sets of repetitions to failure against 60-70-80-90%1RM.

A single dose of dihydrocapsiate does not improve neuromuscular performance in resistance-trained young adults: A randomised, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

Capsinoids may exert ergogenic effects on resistance exercises. However, the acute effects of capsinoids on neuromuscular performance in humans are unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the acute effects of dihydrocapsiate on lower- and upper-body neuromuscular performance parameters in resistance-trained individuals.

Effect of a High-Intensity Handball-Specific Fatigue Protocol Focused on the Leg Contralateral to the Throwing Arm on Interlimb Asymmetries.

Janicijevic, D, Pérez-Castilla, A, Miras-Moreno, S, Ortega-Becerra, M, Morenas-Aguilar, MD, Smajla, D, Sarabon, N, and García-Ramos, A. Effect of a high-intensity handball-specific fatigue protocol focused on the leg contralateral to the throwing arm on interlimb asymmetries. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1382-1389, 2023-This study aimed to elucidate which countermovement jump (CMJ) variant (unilateral or bilateral) is more sensitive to detect the decrement in kinetic CMJ-derived variables of the leg more actively involved in a handball-specific fatigue protocol.

Effects of phenylcapsaicin on aerobic capacity and physiological parameters in active young males: a randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

Phenylcapsaicin (PC) is a new capsaicin analog which has exhibited a higher bioavailability. This sudy assessed the effects of a low dose (LD) of 0.625 mg and a high dose (HD) of 2.

Velocity Loss Is Not an Accurate Predictor of the Percentage of Completed Repetitions During the Prone Bench Pull Exercise.

Pérez-Castilla, A, Miras-Moreno, S, Janicijevic, D, and García-Ramos, A. Velocity loss is not an accurate predictor of the percentage of completed repetitions during the prone bench pull exercise. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 1001-1008, 2023-The primary aim of this study was to explore the goodness of fit and accuracy of both general and individual relationships between the magnitude of velocity loss (%VL) and the percentage of performed repetitions with respect to the maximal number of repetitions that can be completed to failure (%Rep) during the Smith machine prone bench pull exercise.

Selective Effect of Different High-Intensity Running Protocols on Resistance Training Performance.

Pérez-Castilla, A, García-Pinillos, F, Miras-Moreno, S, Ramirez-Campillo, R, García-Ramos, A, and Ruiz-Alias, SA. Selective effect of different high-intensity running protocols on resistance training performance. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): e369-e375, 2023-This study aimed to explore the acute effect of 2 high-intensity running protocols (high-intensity interval training [HIIT] and sprint interval training [SIT]) on resistance training (RT) performance and their combined effect on the lower-body maximal neuromuscular capacities.

Two-point Method Applied in Field Conditions: A Feasible Approach to Assess the Load-Velocity Relationship Variables During the Bench Pull Exercise.

Miras-Moreno, S, García-Ramos, A, Jukic, I, and Pérez-Castilla, A. Two-point method applied in field conditions: a feasible approach to assess the load-velocity relationship variables during the bench pull exercise. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1367-1374, 2023-This study explored the between-session reliability and concurrent validity of the load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables obtained from different methods during the Smith machine bench pull exercise.

Relationship Between the Number of Repetitions in Reserve and Lifting Velocity During the Prone Bench Pull Exercise: An Alternative Approach to Control Proximity-to-Failure.

Pérez-Castilla, A, Miras-Moreno, S, Weakley, J, and García-Ramos, A. Relationship between the number of repetitions in reserve and lifting velocity during the prone bench pull exercise: an alternative approach to control proximity-to-failure. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1551-1558, 2023-This study aimed to explore the goodness-of-fit and accuracy of both general and individual relationships between the number of repetitions in reserve (RIR) and the repetition velocity during the Smith machine prone bench pull exercise.

Validation of a Novel Reaction Time Test Specific for Military Personnel.

A military-specific reaction time (RT) test was developed to explore its reliability and sensitivity to discriminate between military personnel and sport science students. Fifteen male professional Spanish soldiers and 16 male sport science students completed two RT test modalities: military-specific and nonspecific RT tests. For each RT test modality, both the Simple (i.

Intraocular pressure responses to a virtual reality shooting simulation in active-duty members of the Spanish Army: The influence of task complexity.

Ocular physiology is sensitive to cognitively demanding tasks. However, it is unknown whether the intraocular pressure is also affected by the cognitive demands of military operations. The main objective was to determine the impact of a virtual reality shooting simulation with two levels of complexity on intraocular pressure levels in military personnel.

Association of military-specific reaction time performance with physical fitness and visual skills.

Background: The aim of the present study was to explore whether military-specific reaction time (RT) test performance is affected by individuals' physical and visual skills.

Method: In a single testing session, the military-specific Simple and Go, No-Go RT, aerobic power (20-m Multistage Shuttle Run test), maximal upper- and lower-body mechanical capacities (bench press and squat against different loads), and visual skills (multiple object tracking and dynamic visual acuity) of 30 young men (15 active-duty military personnel and 15 sport science students) were evaluated.

Results: The main findings revealed that the Simple RT and Go, No-Go RT presented (1) with aerobic power non-significant small correlations in military personnel = -0.

Lifting Velocity as a Predictor of the Maximum Number of Repetitions That Can Be Performed to Failure During the Prone Bench Pull Exercise.

Objective: To explore (1) the goodness of fit of generalized and individualized relationships between the maximum number of repetitions performed to failure (RTF) and the fastest mean velocity and peak velocity of the sets (RTF-velocity relationships), (2) the between-sessions reliability of mean velocity and peak velocity values associated with different RTFs, and (3) whether the errors in the prediction of the RTF under fatigued and nonfatigued conditions differ between generalized and individualized RTF-velocity relationships.

Methods: Twenty-three sport-science students performed 4 testing sessions with the prone bench pull exercise in a Smith machine: a 1-repetition-maximum [1RM] session, 2 identical sessions consisting of singles sets of RTF against 4 randomized loads (60%-70%-80%-90%1RM), and 1 session consisting of 4 sets of RTF against the 75%1RM.

Results: Individualized RTF-velocity relationships presented a higher goodness of fit (r2 = .

Caffeine ingestion attenuates diurnal variation of lower-body ballistic performance in resistance-trained women.

The present study investigates the effect of an acute intake of caffeine on the diurnal variation of neuromuscular performance in resistance-trained women. A total of 15 resistance-trained women participated in the current triple-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover experimental study. We assessed neuromuscular performance (i.