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The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of performing paired-set (PS) vs. traditional-set (TS) training over 3 consecutive sets, on volume load and electromyographic fatigue parameters of the latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii, pectoralis major, and triceps brachii muscles. Fifteen trained men performed 2 testing protocols (TS and PS) using 10 repetition maximum loads. The TS protocol consisted of 3 sets of bench press (BP) followed by 3 sets of wide-grip seated row (SR). The PS consisted of 3 sets of BP and 3 sets of SR performed in an alternating manner. Volume load was calculated as load X repetitions. The electromyographic signal, time (CRMS) and frequency (Cf5) domain, parameters were recorded during SR. Under the PS protocol, sets of SR were performed immediately after the sets of BP. A 2-minute rest interval between the completion of the set of SR and the subsequent set of BP was implemented (e.g., between PSs). Under the TS protocol, 2-minute rest intervals were implemented between all sets. BP and SR volume loads decreased significantly from set 1 to set 2 and from set 2 to set 3 under both conditions. Volume load was greater for all sets of both exercises under PS as compared with TS. Muscle fatigue indices were greater under PS as compared with TS. In general, these results indicate that as compared with TS, PS produced a greater training volume in less time and may induce greater fatigue and thereby provide an enhanced training stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research which was conducted to investigate changes in the athletic profiles of elite U.S. college football players between the three year period from 1999 to 2001 to the three year period from 2008 to 2010. Researchers evaluated 30 players from both offensive and defensive positions. They found that the position-specific athletic profiles of the players changed over a relatively short period of time.

Marshall, PWM, Desai, I, and Robbins, DW. Core stability exercises in individuals with and without chronic nonspecific low back pain. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3404-3411, 2011-The aim of this study was to measure trunk muscle activity during several commonly used exercises in individuals with and without low back pain (LBP). Abdominal bracing was investigated as an exercise modification that may increase the acute training stimulus. After an initial familiarization session, 10 patients with LBP and 10 matched controls performed 5 different exercises (quadruped, side bridge, modified push-up, squat, shoulder flexion) with and without abdominal bracing. Trunk muscle activity and lumbar range of motion (LROM) were measured during all exercises. Muscle activity was measured bilaterally during each exercise from rectus abdominis (RA), external obliques (EO), and lumbar erector spinae (ES) with pairs of surface electrodes. Recorded signals were normalized to a percentage of maximal voluntary contractions performed for each muscle. The ES activity was lower for the LBP group during the quadruped (p < 0.05) and higher for RA and EO during the side bridge (p < 0.001), compared to for the healthy controls. Higher muscle activity was observed across exercises in an inconsistent pattern when abdominal bracing was used during exercise. The LROM was no different between groups for any exercise. The lack of worsening of symptoms in the LBP group and similar LROM observed between groups suggest that all exercises investigated in this study are of use in rehabilitating LBP patients. The widespread use of abdominal bracing in clinical practice, whether it be for patients with LBP or healthy individuals, may not be justified unless symptoms of spinal instability are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robbins, DW. Positional physical characteristics of players drafted into the national football league. J Strength Cond Res 25(10): 2661-2667, 2011-To investigate the positional physical requirements necessary to be drafted into the National Football League (NFL), data from the annual NFL combine over the years 2005-2009 were examined. Only those players invited to the combine and subsequently drafted in the same year (n = 1,136) were included in the study. Data from 8 combine physical performance tests were examined for 15 positions. Combine measures evaluated for the center, cornerback, defensive end, defensive tackle, free safety, fullback, inside linebacker, offensive guard, offensive tackle, outside linebacker, quarterback, running back, strong safety, tight end, and wide receiver positions were the 9.1-, 18.3-, and 36.6-m sprints, the vertical and broad jumps, the 18.3-m shuttle run, the 3-cone drill, and the 102.1-kg bench press for maximum repetitions and, from this, a predicted measure of 1 repetition maximum. A 1-way analysis of variance detected differences in all 9 performance measures (p < 0.01). Post hoc independent t-tests indicated that over most tests many positions exhibited outcomes significantly different from most other positions. Generally, lineman positions performed inferiorly in sprint, jump and change-of-direction ability measures and superiorly in the upper body strength measures. Conversely, defensive back positions were the worst performers in the upper body strength test, and wide receivers and defensive backs were the best performers in all other measures. In general, offensive and defensive positions that commonly compete directly against one another display similar physical characteristics. Any advantages (statistically significant and not) between positions in direct competition were consistently in favor of defensive positions. The results of the present research present position-specific profiles for each of 15 positions. Coaches and practitioners will be able to use the findings of this research to better prepare athletes for entry into the NFL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the ability of National Football League (NFL) combine physical test data to accurately predict the order of drafting for prospective players between 2005 and 2009. Data from eight physical performance tests was compared to the draft order of players to assess any correlations. Tests which appear to be the most important to draft order are jumping ability and sprinting time.

The article presents a study which looked at the effects of repetition maximum weight loads and training patterns on upper body acute neuromuscular responses. Methods used to assess the fatigue of subjects are reviewed. Results suggest that central fatigue can exist independent of weight loads and training patterns, while peripheral fatigue depends on weight loads but not patterns.

The article discusses research which was conducted to identify the benefits and underlying mechanisms of agonist-antagonist paired set resistance training (APS) and to determine how the training could be exploited. Researchers determined that the practical applicability of APS training in terms of acute performance enhancement is limited but that it may be a time effective method for developing strength and power.

The article reports on research which was conducted to compare the effects of volume load of performing paired set resistance training with traditional set resistance training in weight lifters who performed 3 consecutive sets of exercises. Researchers evaluated 16 athletes. They found that paired set training may be more effective than traditional set training in terms of volume load and may also be more efficient.

The article presents the results of a study on the effects of agonist-antagonist training on athletes performing bench press throws. The study focused on the comparison of traditional set to complex set training. Measurements of bench press throw performance considered include throw height, peak velocity, peak power, and electromyographic activity.

The article presents the results of a study which investigated the relative advantages of two weight training protocols. One involved traditional sets of exercise repetitions, and the other used paired sets to alternate between two exercises. An overview of related previous research is provided, along with details of the experimental protocol, which included electromyographic measurements. The paired set technique was found to be just as effective, and took less time.

The acute effects of maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) in the squat position on subsequent measures of power output over 3 consecutive sets were investigated. Sixteen trained men experienced with back squats participated in the study. A 7-second MVIC was performed 4 minutes before the execution of 5 maximal countermovement jumps (CMJs) and was repeated for 3 consecutive sets (protocol 1). The results were compared to power output performance in a similar protocol (protocol 2) that excluded the 7-second MVICs. No significant differences occurred in any of the power output measurements between protocol 1 and protocol 2, nor did significance occur linearly across the 4 sets of CMJ, with the exception of a decrease in peak power in protocol 2 (p ≤ 0.05). Using both mean and maximal values only one significant correlation between either relative strength and performance enhancement or absolute strength and performance enhancement was present at p ≤ 0.01. At p ≤ 0.05, significant correlations were found between absolute strength and mean peak power (PP), mean peak acceleration (PA), mean peak force (PF), max PP, max PA, max PF, and max peak velocity. These data indicate that the execution of an MVIC performed before a power exercise was inadequate to acutely enhance power output over any of 3 consecutive trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that postactivation potentiation (PAP) may be manipulated to enhance both acute performance and chronic adaptation. PAP refers to the phenomenon by which acute muscle force output is enhanced as a result of contractile history. Evidence exists regarding the existence of PAP. However, the determination of methods to best manipulate and exploit PAP remains elusive. Studies to date would seem to indicate that the practical applicability of PAP in terms of enhancing athletic performance is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]