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The primary purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) to different resistance training volume loads. The secondary purpose was to examine the relationship between change in cf-DNA and relative strength. Researchers hypothesized that (a) cf-DNA concentrations would increase with increasing volume load and (b) increases in relative strength would result in predicted decreases to %Δ of cf-DNA. Thirty subjects were recruited for this study, 15 men and 15 women. Blood was collected through venous draws into 4-ml vacutainers at 3 time points: immediately before (T1), after 3 sets (T2), and after 6 sets (T3) of the back squat exercise. A critical alpha of 0.05 was set for inferential statistics. A repeated-measures ANOVA showed that cf-DNA increased significantly from T1 (407.72 ± 320.83) to T2 (1,244.6 ± 875.83) (p < 0.01) and T1 (407.72 ± 320.83) to T3 (1,331.15 ± 1,141.66) (p < 0.01), whereas no difference was found from T2 to T3 (p = 1.00). The linear regression model used to examine the predictive capabilities relative strength had on cf-DNA %Δ from T1 to T3 was found to be significant (p = 0.04; R² = 0.15). The results of this study demonstrate the short response of cf-DNA in relation to variations in resistance training volume load. Results also demonstrated the positive relationship between relative strength and cf-DNA %Δ. The current study builds on the body of research that cf-DNA provides insight regarding the level of immune response after exercise training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travis, SK, Mujika, I, Zwetsloot, KA, Gentles, JA, Stone, MH, and Bazyler, CD. The effects of 3 vs. 5 days of training cessation on maximal strength. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 633-640, 2022-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 vs. 5 days of training cessation on body composition, perceived recovery and stress state, and maximal strength. Nineteen strength-trained athletes (23.8 +/- 4.1 year; 90.8 +/- 20.7 kg; 174.2 +/- 7.3 cm) completed a powerlifting specific 4-week training block followed by either 3 or 5 days of training cessation. During the 4-week training block, athletes were trained 3 days per week, performing 3-4 movements that included at least 2-3 competition lifts per session while performing 4-5 sets of 3-5 repetitions with intensity ranging from 75 to 100% 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Body composition, psychometric measures, upper-body maximal strength, and lower-body maximal strength were assessed before (T1) and after 4 weeks of training (T2) and at 3 or 5 days of training cessation (T3). The alpha level was set at p < 0.05. After the 4-week training block (T1 to T2), trivial significant increases in body mass (p = 0.016, Hedge's g = 0.04) and bench press 1RM (p = 0.01, g = 0.16) were observed, as well as small significant increases in back squat 1RM (p < 0.001, g = 0.23), deadlift 1RM (p = 0.003, g = 0.20), powerlifting total (p < 0.001, g = 0.21), and Wilks Score (p < 0.001, g = 0.27). There were no significant differences between groups for isometric back squat performance, psychometric measures, and body composition after training cessation (T2-T3). However, small significant decreases in isometric bench press performance were observed after 5 days (p < 0.001, g = 0.16), but not 3 days of training cessation. The results of this study suggest maximal lower-body strength can be preserved during 3 and 5 days of training cessation, but maximal upper-body strength is only preserved for 3 days after 4 weeks of strength training in athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travis, SK, Pritchard, HJ, Mujika, I, Gentles, JA, Stone, MH, and Bazyler, CD. Characterizing the tapering practices of United States and Canadian raw powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S26–S35, 2021—The purpose of this study was to characterize the tapering practices used by North American powerlifters. A total of 364 powerlifters completed a 41-item survey encompassing demographics, general training, general tapering, and specific tapering practices. Nonparametric statistics were used to assess sex (male and female), competition level (regional/provincial, national, and international), and competition lift (squat, bench press, and deadlift). The highest training volume most frequently took place 5–8 weeks before competition, whereas the highest training intensity was completed 2 weeks before competition. A step taper was primarily used over 7–10 days while decreasing the training volume by 41–50% with varied intensity. The final heavy (>85% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) back squat and deadlift sessions were completed 7–10 days before competition, whereas the final heavy bench press session was completed <7 days before competition. Final heavy lifts were completed at 90.0–92.5% 1RM but reduced to 75–80% 1RM for back squat and bench press and 70–75% for deadlift during the final training session of each lift. Set and repetition schemes during the taper varied between lifts with most frequent reports of 3 × 2, 3 × 3, and 3 × 1 for back squat, bench press, and deadlift, respectively. Training cessation durations before competition varied between deadlift (5.8 ± 2.5 days), back squat (4.1 ± 1.9 days), and bench press (3.9 ± 1.8 days). Complete training cessation was implemented 2.8 ± 1.1 days before competition and varied between sex and competition level. These findings provide novel insights into the tapering practices of North American powerlifters and can be used to inform powerlifting coaches and athlete's tapering decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strength athletes often implement a tapering protocol to peak prior to major competitions. For less important competitions, strength athletes may use short-term training cessation (i.e., ≤7 days) with the aim of preserving performance. However, the optimal duration of short-term training cessation is still unclear and may have a divergent effect on upper versus lower body maximal strength. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 days (3D) versus 5 days (5D) of training cessation on isometric maximal strength in strength athletes. METHODS: Nineteen strength athletes (23.8±4.1y; 90.8±20.7kg; 174.2±7.3cm) completed a powerlifting specific 4-week training block followed by matched-pairs random assignment to 3D or 5D of training cessation. Isometric squat and bench press peak force (IPF) and allometrically scaled peak force (IPFa) were assessed on force platforms before (T1) and after training (T2), and at 3D or 5D of training cessation (T3). A 2x3 mixed ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons and Hedge's g effect sizes were used to assess changes in isometric maximal strength. Alpha criterion was set to p<0.05. RESULTS: A 2x3 mixed ANOVA revealed significant interactions for bench press IPF (p=0.03) and IPFa (p=0.04). Post-hoc comparisons revealed significant increases in bench press IPF (p=0.01,g=0.45) and IPFa (p=0.017,g=0.90) in 3D only following training (T1-T2), whereas bench press IPF (p<0.001,g=0.08) and IPFa (p<0.001,g=0.16) decreased in 5D only following training cessation (T2-T3). No differences were observed in isometric squat metrics for any time point. CONCLUSIONS: Upper body isometric maximal strength is better preserved with 3D of training cessation whereas lower body isometric maximal strength is preserved similarly with 3D or 5D of training cessation in strength athletes. The expression of maximal strength relative to upper body performance capabilities appears to dissipate more rapidly than the lower body after removing the training stimuli. Therefore, sport scientists and strength and conditioning practitioners who use training cessation to promote acute recovery may consider implementing divergent periods of training cessation for the upper and lower body to best preserve performance for maximal strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]