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Abstract: Dhahbi, W, Padulo, J, Russo, L, Racil, G, Ltifi, M-A, Picerno, P, Iuliano, E, and Migliaccio, GM. Four- to 6-repetition maximum and 1-repetition maximum estimation in free-weight bench press and smith machine squat based on body mass in male athletes. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): 1366-1371, 2024-This study aimed to explore the feasibility and face validity of predicting maximum strength 1 repetition maximum (1-RM) and 4-6 RM in athletes across different sports specialties, based on the relationship between muscle strength and BM. One hundred fifteen male athletes, aged 23.63 ± 6.77 years and participating in diverse sports specialties, were included in this study. Muscle strength was assessed using the 4-6 RM and 1-RM tests in free-weight bench press (BP) and Smith machine squat (SQ) exercises, whereas BM was measured using a portable digital scale. A linear regression equation based on muscle strength and BM was performed. The 4-6 RM and 1-RM scores showed excellent intersession relative reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (2,1) : 0.946-0.989) and absolute reliability (CV: 3.4-4.7%) in both BP and SQ exercises. In addition, the magnitude of the relationship and the coefficients used to estimate the 4-6 RM and 1RM, based on BM, differed among the subjects when they are grouped according to their sports specialties ( R2 ranged from non-significant to 0.998). Overall, the 4-6 RM test showed a stronger correlation with BM ( R : 0.655 for SQ and R : 0.683 for BP) than the 1RM ( R : 0.552 for SQ and R : 0.629 for BP), and the general (i.e., not sport-specific) 4 to 6-RM prediction equations should be preferred over sport-specific ones because they are statistically more robust due to the larger sample size. In conclusion, the 4-6 RM can be predicted from BM with high reliability, a moderate association, and a prediction error that, when considering the 4-6 RM as a starting point for estimating of the 1RM, can be considered entirely acceptable in practical settings., (Copyright © 2024 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Context: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 8-week ballistic-strength-training program using a validated specific throwing device (ie, Arm/Shoulder Specific Strength Device), on isokinetic shoulders' rotation muscle-torques and ratios as well as range of motion in team handball players., Design: A repeated-measures experimental design with a randomized controlled trial was used., Methods: Twenty-six high-level competitive male U-19 team handball players were randomly assigned into training (TG, n = 15) and control (n = 11) groups. The TG undertook a twice a week for 8-week periodized throws program with an individually predetermined optimal load. The program incorporated shackled eccentric and concentric exercises using the Arm/Shoulder Specific Strength Device. Peak torques, functional, and conventional ratios for both arms at different angular velocities (60°·s-1, 180°·s-1, and 300°·s-1) were assessed over time and between groups, using an isokinetic dynamometer., Results: A significant improvement for TG (P < .01; d = 1.13 [moderate]; +20.2%) of the concentric peak torques for dominant arm in external rotation was observed at 300°·s-1. Significant (P < .05-.01) increases were also noted for nondominant arm at the 3 studied angular velocities. In addition, 300°·s-1 eccentric peak torques of the dominant arm and nondominant arm have significantly improved for both external and internal rotations (P < .05; d = .99 [moderate] and d = 1.21 [large]; +15.7% and + 17.9%, respectively) with small changes at the other angular assessed velocities. Posttraining, TG's dominant arm showed significant improvements (P < .05-.01) in functional and conventional ratios at all velocities. Notably, significant differences (P < .05-.01) were observed at 60°·s-1 and across all velocities when comparing the TG with the control group. TG showed significant increase for internal rotation and external rotation shoulder range of motions (P < .05; d = 1.22-1.27 [large]), +5.0% and +7.7%, respectively)., Conclusions: The specific 8-week throwing training program on the Arm/Shoulder Specific Strength Device showed significant performance improvements in almost all assessed isokinetic concentric and eccentric peak torques as well as internal and external range of motion increase for both arms while ensuring rotator cuff torque ratios and shoulder mobility in team handball real sport-specific condition.

Zalleg, D, Ben Dhahbi, A, Dhahbi, W, Sellami, M, Padulo, J, Souaifi, M, Bešlija, T, and Chamari, K. Explosive push-ups: From popular simple exercises to valid tests for upper-body power. J Strength Cond Res 34(10): 2877-2885, 2020-The purpose of this study was to assess the logical and ecological validity of 5 explosive push-up variations as a means of upper-body power assessment, using the factorial characterization of ground reaction force-based (GRF-based) parameter outputs. Thirty-seven highly active commando soldiers (age: 23.3 ± 1.5 years; body mass: 78.7 ± 9.7 kg; body height: 179.7 ± 4.3 cm) performed 3 trials of 5 variations of the explosive push-up in a randomized-counterbalanced order: (a) standard countermovement push-up, (b) standard squat push-up, (c) kneeling countermovement push-up, (d) kneeling squat push-up, and (e) drop-fall push-up. Vertical GRF was measured during these exercises using a portable force plate. The initial force-supported, peak-GRF and rate of force development during takeoff, flight time, impact force, and rate of force development impact on landing were measured. A significant relationship between initial force-supported and peak-GRF takeoff was observed for the countermovement push-up (CMP) exercises (standard countermovement push-up, kneeling countermovement push-up, and drop-fall push-up) and squat push-up (SP) exercises (standard squat push-up and kneeling squat push-up) (r = 0.58 and r = 0.80, respectively; p < 0.01). Furthermore, initial force supported was also negatively correlated to a significant degree with flight time for both CMP and SP (r = -0.74 and r = -0.80; p < 0.01, respectively). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the abovementioned 6 GRF-based variables resulted in the extraction of 3 significant components, which explained 88.9% of the total variance for CMP, and 2 significant components, which explained 71.0% of the total variance for SP exercises. In summary, the PCA model demonstrated a great predictive power in accounting for GRF-based parameters of explosive push-up exercises, allowing for stronger logical and ecological validity as tests of upper-body power. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the intensity level of the push-up exercise by altering the starting position (i.e., standard vs. kneeling).

Purpose: To examine the concurrent validity and absolute and relative reliabilities of a commando-specific power test., Participants: 21 antiterrorism commandos., Methods: All participants were assessed on a 5-m rope-climbing test (RCT) and the following tests: pull-ups, push-ups, estimated-1-repetition-maximum (est-1RM), medicine-ball put, and handgrip-strength test. The stopwatch method related to the execution time (ET) was validated by comparison with video motion analysis. The best individual attempt of 3 trials was kept for analysis, and the performance was expressed in absolute power output (APO) and body-mass relative power output (RPO)., Results: Stopwatch assessment had an excellent criterion validity (r=.99, P<.001), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1) of .98, standard errors of measurement (SEM%) of 1.19%, bias±the 95% limits of agreement of 0.03±0.26 s, and minimal detectable change (MDC95) of 0.51 s. The ET, APO, and RPO were significantly correlated (P<.05) with all cited tests (absolute-value r range .55-.98), while est-1RM was not significantly correlated with the other tests. Test-retest reliability coefficients were excellent for ET, APO, and RPO (ICC3,1>.90). The SEM% values for the ET, APO, and RPO were all under 5% (range 3.73-4.52%), all being smaller than the corresponding smallest worthwhile change. The coefficients of variation for the ET, APO, and RPO were all under 10%. %MDC95 ranged from 10.37% to 12.53%., Conclusions: Considering the strong concurrent validity and excellent test-retest reliability, the RCT is simple to administer, has ecological validity, and is a valid specific field test of upper-body power for commandos and, in addition, can be accurately assessed with a stopwatch.

Push-ups represent one of the simplest and most popular strengthening exercise. The aim of this study was to systematically review and critically appraise the literature on the kinetics-related characteristics of different types of push-ups, with the objective of optimising training prescription and exercise-related load. A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct up to April 2018. Studies that reported kinetic data (e.g. initial and peak-force supported by the upper-limbs, impact-force, peak-flexion-moment of the elbow-joint, rate of propulsive- and impact-, and vertebral-joint compressive-forces) related to push-ups and included trained, recreational and untrained participants, were considered. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme scale. From 5290 articles retrieved in the initial search, only 26 studies were included in this review. Kinetic data for 46 push-up variants were assessed. A limitation of the current review is that the relationship between our findings and actual clinical or practical consequences is not statistically proven but can only be inferred from our critical descriptive approach. Overall, this review provides detailed data on specific characteristics and intensities of push-up variations, in order to optimise exercise prescription for training and rehabilitation purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main aim of this study was examining validity and reliability of using a new specific Parkour repeated sprint ability test (SPRSA) for assessing repeated sprint ability while facing obstacles and establishing between-day reliability and sensitivity of SPRSA related to its physiological and performance responses. Thirteen high-level traceurs (three females) performed in random order and twice eight tests for assessing a total of 23 variables: SPRSA (a typical maximal-speed shuttle run interspersed with four Parkour competition-common fundamentals) and seven established fitness tests, core stability, hand-grip, vertical-jump, long-jump, pull-up, 300-m shuttle run (as a field test for anaerobic capacity), and Leger test. Except for muscular elasticity index of vertical jump test (intra-class Correlation Coefficient model 3,1 [ICC3,1] = 0.54 [ fair ]), fitness tests' ICC3,1s resulted excellent (ICC3,1: 0.93–1.00). SPRSA total time and time of its fastest sprint (SPRSA peak time) were significantly correlated with the majority of core stability (r : −0.79 to 0.59; P < 0.01–0.05), jumping (r : −0.78 to 0.67; P < 0.01–0.05), pull-up tests (r : −0.86; P < 0.01), 300-m shuttle run test total time (r : 0.77–0.82; P < 0.01), and Leger test-estimated VO2 max (r : −0.78; P < 0.01). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the 23 variables led to extraction of four significant components (each due to different variables' combinations), which explained 90.2% of 23 variables' total variance. SPRSA (i.e., total and peak time) showed high reliability (ICC3,1: 0.991–0.998 and standard-error-of-measurement %: 0.07–0.32). Finally, SPRSA showed high sensitivity (smallest-worthwhile-change %: 0.29–0.68). Considering its excellent logical and strong ecological validity, SPRSA may serve as a valid specific field test for Parkour sport. In addition, thanks to its high reliability and sensitivity, this test is suitable for monitoring, evaluating, and programming training processes for Parkour practitioners in repeated sprint ability involving crossing obstacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present investigation was to follow-up the effect of specific commandos’ training-cycles (SCTCs) on upper-body strength resistance and running endurance performance, as well as determine whether variation in seasonal parameters has any effect on physical performance. Fourteen SCTCs were held over eight years, involving 466 participants. Participants were assigned to four subgroups according to their distribution over the seasons: summer (n = 124), autumn (n = 145), winter (n = 52) and spring (n = 145). Before and after each SCTC, four tests (maximal pull-up, push-up and sit-up repetitions in 70-seconds for muscle strength resistance) and a 5-km cross-country run (endurance) were performed. Seasonal data were continuously recorded during all SCTCs. Body mass decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all groups following SCTCs. These training-cycles induced a significant increase (p<0.05) in the 70-seconds push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups and a decrease (p<0.01) in the 5-km cross-country running time among all trainees. The main effect of the season was present in all tests (p<0.01). With regard to the percentage of changes, the results from the 70-seconds push-up, pull-up and sit-up tests were significantly higher in winter and spring (p<0.01) compared with the two other seasons, while 5-km cross-country performance improvements were significantly higher (p<0.01) in spring and summer, compared to the two other seasons. In summary,14-week of SCTCs improved upper-body strength resistance and running endurance performance in the commandos. Improvements in strength resistance performance were greater during cool weather (winter and spring), while improvements in running endurance performance were higher during hotter (spring and summer) seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents critique from the author on the research article from Wang et al. where he had calculated the peak power and mean power of ballistic push-ups as being highest and average power outputusing similar methods as for the lower-body jump squats assessment. The author mentions that transposed technique used with lower-limb to upper-limbs is inappropriate.