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The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two resistance training (RT) programs (free weight [FW] and elastic band [EB]) on velocity variables (handball throwing velocity [HTV] and maximal theoretical velocity [V0]) using load-velocity (L-V) relationship modelling. Both programs lasted 6 weeks and consisted of performing bench press and overarm dumbbell pull-over using free weights (FW group) or elastic bands (EB group). Nineteen male sports science students were randomly assigned to EB (n=10) or FW group (n=9). Both RT programs increased HTV and V0, although the increment was greater in the FW (>2 m·s-1) compared to the EB group (·s-1). RT programs had selective effects on the strength variables being FW more effective in increasing 1-repetition maximum, while EB in increasing maximal isometric force. Very large correlations were observed between two-point (L-V relationship modelled through two pairs of L and V data) and multiple-point methods (L-V relationship modelled through six pairs of L and V data) (V0: r=0.96; HTV: r=0.93). All coefficients of variation showed high validity both for V0 and HTV (≤6.2%). Altogether, FW training should be used for increasing the velocity of the throwing performance, while the two-point method for following training-induced changes.

This study aimed to determine the influence of physical fitness level and sex on intraocular pressure (IOP) during the low-intensity aerobic exercise. Forty-four participants (twenty-two men) cycled 30 minutes at low intensity (10% of the maximal power). Maximal power was determined by asking participants to perform maximal sprints of 6 seconds against 3-4 different resistances separated by 3 minutes of rest. The IOP was measured on 9 occasions (1) prior to the warm-up, (2) after the warm-up, (3-7) every 6 minutes during the low-intensity cycling task, and (8-9) 5 and 10 minutes after the cycling task. Low-intensity aerobic exercise had a lowering effect on IOP, being the beneficial effect more accentuated and prolonged in the High-fit group (IOP reduction compared to baseline lasted 30 minutes) than in the Low-fit group (IOP was only reduced at 6 minutes of exercise compared to baseline). Participants´ sex had no effect on the IOP behaviour at any time point (p = 0.453). These findings indicate that individuals who need to reduce IOP levels (i.e., glaucoma patients or those at risk) should increase or maintain a high fitness level to benefit more from the IOP lowering effect during low-intensity aerobic exercises.

The present study aimed to explore the possibility of comprehensively assessing whole-body muscle strength by testing as few muscle groups as possible, using a single testing method (isometric or isokinetic dynamometry) and a single variable (maximal force or rate of force development). Knee, hip, shoulder and elbow extensors and flexors were evaluated in males with high (n = 26) and low strength levels (n = 32). The principal component analysis revealed three factors that explained 62.5% of the total variance, while the main factors were loaded by the different testing methods and strength variables for the muscles acting on the knee (first component), hip (second component) and arm joints (third component). These results were confirmed by a three-way ANOVA which revealed a significant factor of group (P 0.001) and the interaction test type × group (P = 0.002), but not of test type (P = 0.644), muscle group (P = 0.999), or their interactions (P 0.205). The correlations of strength outcomes across the muscles ranged from trivial to very large (

Reliability and sensitivity of reaction time (RT) during quasi-realistic soccer situations was explored in 10 professional soccer players (skilled; age = 20.9 ± 3.6 years) and 10 males without soccer experience (nonskilled; age = 23.4 ± 0.5 years). The participants were instructed to react as fast as possible to a stimulus presented via the video-based method while standing on force platforms. RT was computed as the difference between the instant when the rate of force development of any leg reaches 5% of its maximal value and the instant of stimulus presentation. The results revealed acceptable to high reliability of RT (intraclass correlation coefficient median = .90; coefficient of variation ≤ 5.83%), and shorter RT for skilled compared with nonskilled participants in three out of eight comparisons (effect size range = 1.00–1.41). The video-based methods can be confidently used to assess the RT in soccer players.

This study aimed to determine the instruction that maximizes fencing attack performance and to explore the sensitivity of a novel efficiency index (EI) that considers reaction time, attack velocity, and absolute error to discriminate between beginners and experienced fencers. Instructions that directed attentional focus internally (react as fast as possible and perform the attack movement as fast as possible) or externally (be as accurate as possible) were provided prior to stimulus presentation. The EI did not differ between the instructions in any group (p > .05), the instructions “react as fast as possible” and “be as accurate as possible” promoted in beginners the highest and the lowest EI, and the EI was higher for fencers. Our findings suggest that the EI could be recommended as a general index of fencing attack efficiency.

We would like to thank all the subjects who selflessly participated in the study. This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-110074GB-I00/SRA (State Research Agency)/10.13039/501100011033) and by the grants 451-03-68/2020-14/200015, 451-03-68/2020-14/200021 from the Ministry of education, science, and technological development of Republic of Serbia. The experiments comply with the current laws of the country in which they were performed. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare. The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available, but are available from the corresponding author who was an organizer of the study., This study aimed to compare the between-session reliability of performance and asymmetry variables between unilateral and bilateral standing broad jumps (SBJ). Twenty-four amateur basketball players (12 males and females) completed two identical sessions which consisted of four unilateral SBJs (two with each leg) and two bilateral SBJs. Mean and peak values of force, velocity and power, and impulse were obtained separately for each leg using a dual force platform. Inter-limb asymmetries were computed using the standard percentage difference for the unilateral SBJ, and the bilateral asymmetry index-1 for the bilateral SBJ. All performance variables generally presented an acceptable absolute reliability for both SBJs (CV range = 3.65-9.81%) with some exceptions for mean force, mean power, and peak power obtained with both legs (CV range = 10.00-15.46%). Three out of 14 variables were obtained with higher reliability during the unilateral SBJ (CVratio >= 1.18), and 5 out of 14 during the bilateral SBJ (CVratio >= 1.27). Asymmetry variables always showed unacceptable reliability (ICCrange = -0.40 to 0.58), and slight to fair levels of agreement in their direction (Kappa range = -0.12 to 0.40) except for unilateral SBJ peak velocity [Kappa = 0.52] and bilateral SBJ peak power [Kappa = 0.51]) that showed moderate agreement for both SBJs. These results highlight that single-leg performance variables can be generally obtained with acceptable reliability regardless of the SBJ variant, but the reliability of the inter-limb asymmetries in the conditions examined in the present study is unacceptable to track individual changes in performance., Spanish Government PID2019-110074GB-I00/SRA, Ministry of education, science, and technological development of Republic of Serbia 451-03-68/2020-14/200015 451-03-68/2020-14/200021

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.e., one stimulus, one response) and the Go, No-Go RT (i.e., true, and false stimuli, one response) were tested. The military-specific RT test consisted of a video presented through virtual reality glasses of a forest environment in which soldiers would appear from behind different bushes (stimuli) and the response consisted of pressing the button of a gun-shaped mouse (when they saw a soldier pointing a rifle at them). Both Simple and Go, No-Go RT reached acceptable reliability in both populations (coefficient of variation ≤ 9.64%). Military personnel presented a lower RT than sport science students during the military-specific RT test (p ≤ .001), while no differences were obtained during the nonspecific RT test. RT values were not significantly correlated between the military-specific and nonspecific RT tests (r ≤ .02). These findings collectively suggest that the novel military-specific RT test is an ecologically valid alternative to evaluate the information processing abilities of military personnel.

This study aimed to determine whether the provision of jump height feedback (knowledge of result; KR) can increase the performance and the consistency of output variables. In a randomised order, sixteen participants performed six squat or countermovement jumps (three from a 90o knee angle and three from a self-preferred knee angle) with or without KR over four sessions. The provision of KR significantly increased peak force (p = 0.046, 1.83%), mean force (p = 0.037, 1.45%), peak velocity (p < 0.001, 3.71%), mean velocity (p = 0.004, 3.44%), peak power (p < 0.001, 4.22%) and mean power (p = 0.001, 4.69%). A high within-session reliability was observed for all variables (coefficient of variation [CV] ≤ 5.62%, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.95). No systematic differences in reliability were detected between the jumps performed without KR (CV = 3.00 ± 1.38%, ICC = 0.97 ± 0.03) and with KR (CV = 3.04 ± 1.49%, ICC = 0.97 ± 0.04). These results suggest that the provision of jump height feedback during vertical jump testing is effective to enhance vertical jump performance but it does not reduce the variability between jumps.

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a video-based technology for assessing the reaction time (RT) during karate kumite situations. The Simple RT (one stimulus and one response), 2-Choic...

This study aimed to explore the relationship between the inter-limb differences in unilateral countermovement (CMJ) height and the inter-limb differences in bilateral CMJ force production, and to elucidate whether the self-reported preferred leg contributes more to force production than the non-preferred leg. Twenty-three senior basketball players performed in a single session eight unilateral CMJs (four with each leg) and four bilateral CMJs. Impulse, peak force, mean force were recorded during the bilateral CMJ, and jump height during the unilateral CMJ.

This study aimed to explore the effect of the knee angle and loading condition on the magnitude and reliability of squat jump (SJ) performance variables. Thirteen male sport sciences students performed in a random order 4 SJ types (knee angle of 80o [SJ80], 90o [SJ90], 100o [SJ100], and self-preferred [SJ(pref)]) against 3 external loads. The push-off distance (HpO), jump height (Hmax), maximum force (Fmax) and maximum power (Pmax) were obtained from force platform recordings. The HpO during the SJ(pref) (43.4 +/- 6.4 cm) was always between SJ90 (44.3 +/- 4.8 cm) and SJ100 (40.5 +/- 4.2 cm). The magnitudes of Hmax, Fmax and Pmax were comparable or higher during the SJ(pref). The increase of the knee angle was associated with larger values of Fmax and Pmax, but no significant differences were observed for Hmax. An acceptable reliability was observed for HpO (coefficient of variation [CV] lt = 5.09% and intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] gt = 0.78), Hmax (CV lt = 6.06% and ICC gt = 0.84), Fmax (CV lt = 3.25% and ICC gt = 0.96) and Pmax (CV lt = 2.93% and ICC gt = 0.96). Reliability did not systematically differ between the 4 SJ types. In conclusion, the higher magnitudes and comparable reliability of the performance variables obtained during the SJ(pref) support its use for testing lower-body ballistic performance against different loads.

Background: One-repetition maximum (1RM) tests are time-consuming, and they might not always be logistically possible or warranted due to increased risk of injury when performed incorrectly or by novice athletes. Repetitions-to-failure tests are a widespread method of predicting the 1RM, but its accuracy may be compromised by several factors such as the type of exercise, sex, training history, and the number of repetitions completed in the test. Hypothesis: The touch-and-go bench press would provide a higher 1RM than the concentric-only bench press for both genders regardless of whether the 1RM was obtained by the direct or repetitions-to-failure method and the error in the 1RM prediction would be positively correlated with the number of repetitions performed to failure and negatively correlated with the 1RM strength and resistance training experience. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 113 adults (87 men and 26 women) were tested on 2 sessions during the concentric-only and touch-and-go bench press. Each session consisted of an incremental loading test until reaching the 1RM load, followed by a repetitions-to-failure test. Results: The 1RM was higher for the touch-and-go bench press using both the direct (men, 7.80%; women, 7.62%) and repetitions-to-failure method (men, 8.29%; women, 7.49%). A significant, although small, correlation was observed between the error in the estimation of the 1RM and the number of repetitions performed ( r = 0.222; P < 0.01), 1RM strength ( r = −0.169; P = 0.01), and resistance training experience ( r = −0.136; P = 0.05). Conclusion: The repetitions-to-failure test is a valid method of predicting the 1RM during the concentric-only and touch-and-go bench press variants. However, the accuracy of the prediction could be compromised with weaker and less experienced individuals and if more than 10 repetitions are completed during the repetitions-to-failure test. Clinical Relevance: The repetitions-to-failure test does not require any sophisticated equipment and enables a widespread use in different training environments.

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of nine 1-repetition maximum (1RM) prediction methods during the paused and touch-and-go bench press exercises performed in a Smith machine. Method: A total of 86 men performed 2 identical sessions (incremental loading test until reaching the 1RM followed by a set to failure) in a randomized order during the paused and touch-and-go bench press exercises. Individualized load–velocity relationships were modeled by linear and polynomial regression models considering 4 loads (45%–60%–75%–90% of 1RM) (multiple-point methods) and considering only 2 loads (45%–90% of 1RM) by a linear regression (2-point method). Three minimal velocity thresholds were used: the general velocity of 0.17 m·s−1 (general velocity of the 1RM [V1RM]), the velocity obtained when lifting the 1RM load (individual V1RM), and the velocity obtained during the last repetition of a set to failure. Results: The 1RM prediction methods were generally valid (range: r = .96–.99, standard error of the estimate = 2.8–4.9 kg or 4.6%–8.0% of 1RM). The multiple-point linear method (2.79 [2.29] kg) was more precise than the multiple-point polynomial method (3.54 [3.31] kg; P = .013), but no significant differences were observed when compared with the 2-point method (3.09 [2.66] kg, P = .136). The velocity of the last repetition of a set to failure (3.47 [2.97] kg) was significantly less precise than the individual V1RM (2.91 [2.75] kg, P = .009) and general V1RM (3.00 [2.65] kg, P = .010). Conclusions: Linear regression models and a general minimal velocity threshold of 0.17 m·s−1 should be recommended to obtain a quick and precise estimation of the 1RM during the bench press exercise performed in a Smith machine.

Purpose: To test whether the force–velocity (F–V) relationship obtained during a specific single-stroke kayak test (SSKT) and during nonspecific traditional resistance-training exercises (bench press and prone bench pull) could discriminate between 200-m specialists and longer-distance (500- and 1000-m) specialists in canoe sprint. Methods: A total of 21 experienced male kayakers (seven 200-m specialists and 14 longer-distance specialists) participated in this study. After a familiarization session, kayakers came to the laboratory on 2 occasions separated by 48 to 96 hours. In a randomized order, kayakers performed the SSKT in one session and the bench press and bench pull tests in another session. Force and velocity outputs were recorded against 5 loads in each exercise to determine the F–V relationship and related parameters (maximum force, maximum velocity, F–V slope, and maximum power). Results: The individual F–V relationships were highly linear for the SSKT (r = .990 [.908, .998]), bench press (r = .993 [.974, .999]), and prone bench pull (r = .998 [.992, 1.000]). The F–V relationship parameters (maximum force, maximum velocity, and maximum power) were significantly higher for 200-m specialists compared with longer-distance specialists (all Ps ≤ .047) with large effect sizes (≥0.94) revealing important practical differences. However, no significant differences were observed between 200-m specialists and longer-distance specialists in the F–V slope (P ≥ .477). Conclusions: The F–V relationship assessed during both specific (SSKT) and nonspecific upper-body tasks (bench press and bench pull) may distinguish between kayakers specialized in different distances.

Background This study aimed to compare the effect of two upper-body resistance training programs (strength-oriented vs. ballistic) on bench press (BP) performance and handball throwing velocity (HTV). Methods Thirty resistance-trained males were randomly assigned to a strength-oriented training group (STG) or a ballistic training group (BTG). The study consisted of 11 sessions: 2 pre-tests (week 1), 8 training sessions (weeks 2-5), and 1 post-test (week 6). The STG performed the BP at the 70-90% of the one-repetition maximum (1RM), and the BTG the BP throw at the 40% of 1RM. BP performance (BP 1RM and maximum velocity achieved against 20 kg [BP20]) and HTV were assessed before and after training. Results The STG enhanced BP 1RM (effect size [ES]=0.24) but not BP20 (ES=0.21) or HTV (ES=0.10). The BTG enhanced BP20 (ES=0.63) but not BP1RM (ES=0.27) or HTV (ES=0.02). HTV was not significantly correlated with the BP 1RM (r≤0.181) or BP20 (r≤0.220). Conclusions These results indicate that a short-term RT program based exclusively on the BP exercise performed against either heavy (strength-oriented) or light loads (ballistic) is not effective to increase HTV in resistance-trained men with little handball experience.

Purpose: To explore the effect of several methodological factors on the number of repetitions performed before and after reaching certain velocity loss thresholds (VLTs). Method: Fifteen resistance-trained men (bench press 1-repetition maximum = 1.25 [0.16] kg·kg−1) performed with maximum intent a total of 182 sets (77 short sets [≤12 repetitions] and 105 long sets [>12 repetitions]) leading to failure during the Smith machine bench press exercise. Fifteen percent, 30%, and 45% VLTs were calculated, considering 2 reference repetitions (first and fastest repetitions) and 2 velocity variables (mean velocity [MV] and peak velocity [PV]). Results: The number of repetitions performed before reaching all VLTs were affected by the reference repetition and velocity variable (P ≤ .001). The fastest MV and PV during the short sets (75.3%) and PV during the long sets (72.4%) were predominantly observed during the first repetition, while the fastest MV during long sets was almost equally distributed between the first (37.1%) and second repetition (40.0%). Failure occurred before reaching the VLTs more frequently using PV (4, 8, and 33 occasions for 15%, 30%, and 45% VLTs, respectively) than MV (only 1 occasion for the 45% VLT). The participants rarely produced a velocity output above a VLT once this threshold was exceeded for the first time (≈10% and 30% of occasions during the short and long sets, respectively). Conclusions: The reference repetition and velocity variable are important factors to consider when implementing VLTs during resistance training. The fastest repetition (instead of the first repetition) and MV (instead of PV) are recommended.

This study aimed to compare the magnitude of the force-velocity (F-V) relationship parameters (maximum force [F-0], maximum velocity [V-0], F-V slope, and maximum power [P-max]) between the squat jumps (SJ) performed from different knee angles. The F-V relationships of 12 men were assessed in 3 sessions during the SJ performed from a knee angle of 80 degrees (SJ80), 90 degrees (SJ90) and 100 degrees (SJ100). The SJ100 provided likely to very likely higher values of F-0 and P-max compared to SJ80 (86% and 98%, respectively) and SJ90 (73% and 94%, respectively), while unclear and trivial differences were observed for the remaining comparisons. The magnitude of the correlations between the 3 SJ types was very large to nearly perfect for P-max (r range = 0.864 to 0.940), moderate to very large for F-0 (r range = 0.438 to 0.778), and small to large for V-0 (r range = 0.361 to 0.642) and the F-V slope (r range = 0.178 to 0.645). These results suggest that the F-V relationship assessed during the SJ exercise is affected by the initial knee angle with the increase of the knee angle from 80 degrees to 100 degrees being associated with higher values of F-0 and P-max, while V-0 remains unchanged.

This study aimed to compare the reliability and magnitude of velocity variables between 3 variants of the bench press (BP) exercise in participants with and without BP training experience. Thirty males, 15 with and 15 without BP experience, randomly performed 3 variants of the BP on separate sessions: (I) concentric-only, (II) fast-eccentric and (III) controlled-eccentric. The mean velocity (MV) and maximum velocity (Vmax) of the concentric phase were collected against 3 loads (≈30%1RM, 50%1RM, and 75%1RM) with a linear velocity transducer. Reliability was high regardless of the variable, BP variant, and load (coefficient of variation [CV] ≤ 4.47%, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.87). The comparison of the CVs suggested a higher reliability for the fast-eccentric BP (8 out of 12 comparisons), followed by the concentric-only BP (5 out of 12 comparisons), and finally the controlled-eccentric BP (never provided a higher reliability). No differences in reliability were observed between experienced (CV ≤ 4.71%; ICC ≥ 0.79) and non-experienced (CV ≤ 6.29%; ICC ≥ 0.76) participants. The fast-eccentric BP provided the highest MV (p < 0.05) and no differences were observed for Vmax. These results support the assessment of movement velocity during the fast-eccentric BP even in participants without experience. Sin financiación 3.337 JCR (2020) Q2, 30/88 Sport Sciences 1.208 SJR (2020) Q1, 47/288 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine No data IDR 2020 UEC

This study aimed to compare the effect of three interset rest intervals (1, 3, and 5 minutes) on (I) mean velocity during a resistance training session conducted in a Smith machine with the squat and bench press exercises, and (II) the pre- and post-exercise force-velocity relationship. Fifteen male university students completed three sessions (i.e., Rest 1', Rest 3', and Rest 5') consisting of three sets of five repetitions against the 10RM load during the squat and bench press exercises. The force-velocity relationship (maximal values of force [F0], velocity [v0], and power [Pmax]) was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of each session with the countermovement jump and bench press throw exercises. During training, mean velocity was slower in sets 2 and 3 of the Rest 1' protocol compared to Rest 3' and Rest 5', but no significant differences were present between Rest 3' and Rest 5'. After training, there was a significant decrease in F0 (p = 0.017) and Pmax (p = 0.010), but not in v0 (p = 0.259). These results support the Rest 3' as the most time-efficient protocol, among those analysed, for the maintenance of high mean velocities during training sessions not leading to failure. Sin financiación 2.832 JCR (2020) Q2, 42/88 Sport Sciences 0.752 SJR (2020) Q2, 104/288 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine No data IDR 2020 UEC

Cuevas-Aburto, J, Jukic, I, Chirosa-Ríos, LJ, González-Hernández, JM, Janicijevic, D, Barboza-González, P, Guede-Rojas, F, and García-Ramos, A. Effect of traditional, cluster, and rest redistribution set configurations on neuromuscular and perceptual responses during strength-oriented resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1490-1497, 2022-This study aimed to compare the acute effect of traditional (TR), cluster (CL), and rest redistribution (RR) set configurations on neuromuscular and perceptual measures of fatigue. Thirty-one resistance-trained men randomly performed a Control session and 3 experimental sessions consisting of the squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) exercises performed against the 10 repetition maximum load using TR (3 sets of 6 repetitions; 3 minutes of interset rest), CL (3 sets of 6 repetitions; 30 seconds of intraset rest every 2 repetitions; 3 minutes of interset rest), and RR (9 sets of 2 repetitions; 45 seconds of interset rest) set configurations. A significant effect of "set configuration" (p = 0.002) was observed for barbell velocity. The average velocity of the training session was lower for TR compared with CL (% difference = 5.09% in SQ and 5.68% in BP) and RR (% difference = 5.92% in SQ and 2.71% in BP). The 3 set configurations induced comparable decrements in countermovement jump height (% difference from -6.0% to -8.1%) and throwing velocity (% difference from -0.6% to -1.2%). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE-10) values collected after the sets were higher for TR (SQ: 6.9 ± 0.7 a.u.; BP: 6.8 ± 0.8 a.u.) compared with CL (SQ: 6.2 ± 0.8 a.u.; BP: 6.4 ± 0.7 a.u.) and RR (SQ: 6.2 ± 0.8 a.u.; BP: 6.6 ± 0.9 a.u.), while the session RPE did not differ between the set configurations (p = 0.595). CL and RR set configurations allow for higher velocities and lower RPE values during resistance training sessions not performed to failure in comparison with a TR set configuration.

This study aimed to compare the reliability and magnitude of the force-velocity (F-V) relationship parameters between the squat jumps performed from the 90 degrees (SJ90) and self-preferred knee angle (SJ(pref)). A secondary aim was to explore the effect of the analysis procedure (force platform [FP] and Samozino's [SAM] method) and the number of loads tested (three- and two-point methods) on the F-V relationships. Twelve men were tested in two sessions during the SJ90 and SJ(pref). Two identical blocks of jumps were performed in each session against three external loads. The F-V relationship parameters (maximum force, maximum velocity, F-V slope and maximum power) were determined at each block through the FP and SAM procedures using the data collected under three (three-point method) or only the two most distant loads (two-point method). The average coefficient of variation (CV) of the four F-V parameters revealed a higher reliability for the SJ90 compared to the SJ(pref) (5.86% vs. 7.55%; CVratio = 1.29) with more pronounced differences using the FP (CVratio = 1.43) than the SAM procedure (CVratio = 1.14), and higher reliability for the SAM compared to the FP (6.14% vs. 7.27%; CVratio = 1.18). The SJ(pref) and SAM procedures provided comparable or higher magnitude of the F-V relationship parameters than the SJ90 and FP, respectively. The three- and two-point methods revealed a comparable reliability and trivial differences in the magnitude of the F-V relationship parameters. The routine testing procedure of the F-V relationship could be simplified using the SJ(pref), the SAM procedure and the two-point method. This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: Janićijević, D.; Knežević, O.; Mirkov, D. M.; Perez-Castilla, A.; Petrović, M. R.; Samozino, P.; Garcia-Ramos, A. Assessment of the Force-Velocity Relationship during Vertical Jumps: Influence of the Starting Position, Analysis Procedures and Number of Loads. European Journal of Sport Science 2020, 20 (5), 614–623. [https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2019.1645886]

Purpose: To compare the effects of 2 upper-body strength-training programs differing in set configuration on bench press 1-repetition maximum (BP1RM), bench press throw peak velocity against 30 kg (BPT30), and handball throwing velocity. Methods: Thirty-five men were randomly assigned to a traditional group (TRG; n = 12), rest redistribution group (RRG; n = 13), or control group (n = 10). The training program was conducted with the bench press exercise and lasted 6 weeks (2 sessions per week): TRG—6 sets × 5 repetitions with 3 minutes of interset rest; RRG—1 set × 30 repetitions with 31 seconds of interrepetition rest. The total rest period (15 min) and load intensity (75% 1RM) were the same for both experimental groups. Subjects performed all repetitions at maximal intended velocity, and the load was adjusted on a daily basis from velocity recordings. Results: A significant time × group interaction was observed for both BP1RM and BPT30 (P Conclusions: Resistance-training programs based on not-to-failure traditional and rest redistribution set configurations induce similar changes in BP1RM, BPT30, and handball throwing velocity.

This study aimed to (1) evaluate the shape of the force-velocity (F-V) relationship obtained from different muscles, (2) explore the concurrent validity of the two-point method with respect to the multiple-point method, (3) evaluate whether the F-V relationship can discriminate between muscle groups and genders, and (4) explore the generalisability of the same F-V relationship parameters (maximal force [F-0], maximal velocity [V-0]), and maximal power [P-0]) between different tasks. The F-V relationship of 22 physically active participants (12 women) were tested during knee extension, knee flexion, elbow extension and elbow flexion through the multiple- (eight velocities: 30-60-90-120-150-180-210-240o/s) and two-point (two velocities: 60-180o/s) methods. The findings revealed (1) highly linear F-V relationships (r gt = 0.893), (2) high concurrent validity of the two-point method for F-0, but lower for V-0 and P-0, (3) the outcomes of both methods were sensitive to the muscle groups (higher for knee muscles) and gender (higher for men), and (4) the magnitude of the same F-V parameters were poorly correlated between different tasks (median r lt 0.1). These results support the two-point method as a valid and sensitive procedure for determining the maximal capacities of the muscles to produce F, but not V, during isokinetic tests.

This study examined the reliability and validity of three methods of estimating the one-repetition maximum (1RM) during the free-weight prone bench pull exercise. Twenty-six men (22 rowers and four weightlifters) performed an incremental loading test until reaching their 1RM, followed by a set of repetitions-to-failure. Eighteen participants were re-tested to conduct the reliability analysis. The 1RM was estimated through the lifts-to-failure equations proposed by Lombardi and O'Connor, general load-velocity (L-V) relationships proposed by Sánchez-Medina and Loturco and the individual L-V relationships modelled using four (multiple-point method) or only two loads (two-point method). The direct method provided the highest reliability (coefficient of variation [CV] = 2.45% and intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.97), followed by the Lombardi's equation (CV = 3.44% and ICC = 0.94), and no meaningful differences were observed between the remaining methods (CV range = 4.95-6.89% and ICC range = 0.81-0.91). The lifts-to-failure equations overestimated the 1RM (3.43-4.08%), the general L-V relationship proposed by Sánchez-Medina underestimated the 1RM (-3.77%), and no significant differences were observed for the remaining prediction methods (-0.40-0.86%). The individual L-V relationship could be recommended as the most accurate method for predicting the 1RM during the free-weight prone bench pull exercise.