A review on the mechanisms of blood-flow restriction resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy.

It has traditionally been believed that resistance training can only induce muscle growth when the exercise intensity is greater than 65% of the 1-repetition maximum (RM). However, more recently, the use of low-intensity resistance exercise with blood-flow restriction (BFR) has challenged this theory and consistently shown that hypertrophic adaptations can be induced with much lower exercise intensities (<50% 1-RM). Despite the potent hypertrophic effects of BFR resistance training being demonstrated by numerous studies, the underlying mechanisms responsible for such effects are not well defined.

Region-specific tendon properties and patellar tendinopathy: a wider understanding.

Patellar tendinopathy is a common painful musculoskeletal disorder with a very high prevalence in the athletic population that can severely limit or even end an athletic career. To date, the underlying pathophysiology leading to the condition remains poorly understood, although reports suggesting that patellar tendinopathy most frequently concerns the proximal posterior region of the tendon has prompted some researchers to examine region-specific tendon properties for a better understanding of the etiology and potential risk factors associated with the condition. However, to date, research concerning the in vivo region-specific tendon properties in relation to patellar tendinopathy is very scarce, perhaps due to the lack of validated techniques that can determine such properties in vivo.

Lack of association between postactivation potentiation and subsequent jump performance.

Postactivation potentiation (PAP) is a strategy that has been used to acutely enhance the performance of explosive activities. Although, isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) have previously been shown to enhance subsequent explosive performance, no information currently exists regarding (1) the optimal variables (intensity/volume) of a MVC that best elicits a PAP response, and (2) the utilisation of evoked isometric twitch contractions in combination with performance measures to directly ascertain the presence of PAP following a MVC, and its relationship to performance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to (1) investigate the influence of isometric contraction duration on the PAP response, and (2) to determine the relationship between PAP, indicated as potentiation of muscle twitch force and subsequent jump performance following different-duration MVCs.

Lower limb mechanical properties: determining factors and implications for performance.

Limb stiffness or musculotendinous stiffness (MTS) has previously been examined in relation to performance and characterized using a number of different methods. However, the fact that MTS shows only low to moderate correlations to performances may indicate a lack of understanding of this parameter. In addition to this, variation is seen between studies examining the same factors.

The magnitude and character of resistance-training-induced increase in tendon stiffness at old age is gender specific.

Human tendon mechanical properties are modified with loading. Moreover, there are indications that the training response in the tendon is gender specific. The aim of the current study was to examine whether in vivo patella tendon stiffness (K) differentially alters with training in older males compared with females.