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This article, titled "Optimising Squat Performance: Exploring Variable Resistance," discusses the use of variable resistance (VR) during squats to improve power and force development. The study compared the biomechanical differences between elastic band variable resistance (EVR), chain variable resistance (CVR), and regular free-weight (FW) training. The results showed that EVR facilitated a more explosive ascent during the squat compared to FW and CVR. Additionally, both EVR and CVR increased knee moments during the descent, likely due to the lifter recruiting more musculature for stability. The practical applications suggest that elastic VR can enhance explosiveness and power-related qualities in squats, and both chain and elastic VR can help inexperienced lifters control the descent. [Extracted from the article]

Working at the amateur level of competition can often present unique challenges that require a strength and conditioning (S&C) coach to alter the way in which they would normally work with coaches or athletes. Although some considerations have been mentioned in previous literature, there has not been an article discussing recommendations on dealing with amateur coaches and athletes in Australian sport. There are a number of factors that commonly occur at the amateur level that can cause these aforementioned issues such as time and financial restrictions and a lack of education in the coaches and players in understanding the role of the S&C coach in sport. It is recommended that S&C coaches attempt to educate coaches and players on the importance of S&C and ensure they have contingency plans for all sessions such as alternative exercises or locations. Thus, this paper aims to provide young or new S&C coaches both a discussion and potential solutions to the common issues that may arise when working with amateur coaches and players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prospective application of serum cytokines, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and heat shock proteins (eHSPs) requires reliable measurement of these biomarkers that can signify exercise-induced heat stress in hot conditions. To accomplish this, both short-term (7 day) reliability (at rest,n = 12) and the acute responsiveness of each biomarker to exercise in the heat (pre and post 60-min cycling, 34.5°C and 70% RH,n = 20) were evaluated. Serum was analysed for the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), heat shock protein 72 (eHSP72), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and LPS. Test–retest reliability was determined as the coefficient of variation (CV). Biomarkers with the least short-term within-participant variation were IL-6 (19%, ±20%; CV, ±95% confidence limits (CL)) and LPS (23%, ±13%). Greater variability was observed for IgM, eHSP72 and CRP (CV range 28–38%). IL-6 exhibited the largest increase in response to acute exercise (95%, ±11%,P = < 0.001) and although CRP had a modest CV (12%, ±7%), it increased substantially post-exercise (P = 0.02, ES; 0.78). In contrast, eHSP72 and LPS exhibited trivial changes post-exercise. It appears variation of common inflammatory markers after exercise in the heat is not always discernible from short-term (weekly) variation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents research on the physical fitness and anthropometric characteristics of senior amateur rugby league players over competitive and pre seasons in the tropics in Australia. Results of the study indicate the absence of transference to physical fitness improvements with favourable climatic conditions, the physiological stress of playing and training in the tropics, and the recovery of players between games and training.

The article presents research on the comparison of the competitive seasonal fitness of youth netball and soccer academy teams and the sustained injuries throughout the season in Australia. Results of the study indicate the incorporation of certain conditioning training and weekly training program for seasonal fitness maintenance and the use of injury prevention programs to lessen sustained injury severity.

The article presents research on the gender differences in the perceptual measures of fatigue and soreness and performance variables or power and strength after traditional resistance exercises among in Australia. Results of the study indicate the ability of females in maintaining the average leg extensor torque, the transition in fibre type for sports, and the absence of differences for mean or peak torque of leg curl exercise.

The article discusses research which was conducted to investigate whether an incremental cadence protocol (CP) using a constant resistance relative to gross body mass was as reliable and valid in eliciting maximum oxygen uptake as incremental resistance protocols in trained cyclists. Researchers evaluated 10 male recreational cyclists. They found that the two protocols were equally effective.

The article focuses on the study that analyzes the immune function response to resistance-training programs combined with administration of testosterone enanthate (TE), an anabolic androgenic steroid, among young men. It cites that 18 healthy young men were match-paired and randomly selected to either TE or placebo (PG) group. Discussion on the strength and conditioning program, sprint test, and measure of natural killer toxic activity (NKCA) and lymphocyte of the subjects are also offered.

The article focuses on a research which explores the influence of six weeks pre-season training on the physiological fitness of amateur soccer players. It reveals the importance of pre-season training on players so that they can sufficiently maintain high intensity actions throughout a match as the average work intensity during a soccer game has been estimated to approximate 70-80% of maximum aerobic power. An overview of the research is presented.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine whether residency in a tropical or temperate environment influences the perceptual and physiological response to exercise in the heat between ethnically-matched moderately trained males. METHODS: Two groups of adult males were recruited as either Tropical (n=8; Cairns, AU, Trop) or Temperate (n=8, Plymouth, UK, Temp) based on location of residency, in matched pairs. Characteristics: age 23 ± 3 y, height 177 ± 8 cm, mass 81 ± 11 kg, VO2max 42.1 ± 5.7 mL.kg.-1min-1 (mean ± SD). Participants undertook three Heat Stress Tests (HST) seven days apart consisting of 60 min cycling in hot conditions (35 oC and 70% RH) at intensities of 50%, 60%, and 70% of peak power output before a 5 km time trial (TT). Core and skin temperatures, perceptual measures, and fluid loss were recorded. RESULTS: Trop exhibited lower ratings of perceived exertion than Temp (range, -2-3 RPE units), and moderately lower peak core temperature (TC PEAK) in all three HST's (range, 0.23-0.25 oC lower). Trop also experienced greater fluid loss (% body mass) than Temp in each of the three HST's (range, 0.4-0.6 greater reduction in %b.m-1). Neither Trop nor Temp had any significant change in 5 km TT in comparison to their initial HST. DISCUSSION: Moderately trained residents from Trop and Temp zones can tolerate 60 min of intense cycling in the heat. However, Temp residents reached a higher TC, lost less fluid, and reported higher levels of perceived exertion when exercising in these conditions. In this study, only overall fluid loss was measured, therefore, it cannot be ascertained if differences in local sweat rates or skin temperature were present. As Trop also experienced a trend for moderately lower peak TC during each of the three HSTs, it is possible this increased fluid loss resulted in greater evaporative cooling for Trop particpants. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: While moderate differences in some measures such as TC PEAK and fluid loss between Trop and Temp were evident, it is not clear whether these effects provided Trop a physiological advantage during exercise in hot conditions. Practitioners should be aware of athlete fluid replacement requirements and perception of effort during exercise in the heat, regardless of geographical residence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Rugby League is a high intensity intermittent sport requiring speed, agility, strength, power and maximal aerobic power. To address this, coaches compartmentalise training with individual drills designed to develop these attributes. Historically, training sessions and workloads have been prescribed based on empirical evidence or the coach's expert intuition (i.e. 'gut feel'). However, the transition to applied sport science has seen increased use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to objectively quantify training workloads and assist with planning and periodising training sessions. To date, only one study has described the running intensities of training drills in professional rugby league players with no studies published on semi-professional players. Therefore, the objective of this study was to report the running intensities of training drills commonly used by a semi-professional rugby league team. METHODS: Forty semi-professional male rugby league players competing in the Queensland Cup were recruited for the study. Two hundred and fifty-five training data sets were collected over the 2017 playing season via GPS units (minimax, Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, Australia) sampling at 10 Hz. Data was cleaned so that analysis was performed only on the individual training drills performed. Data was categorised into relative total distance (TD m·min-1), relative low-speed running (LSR m·min-1) distance (< 5 m.s-1) and relative high-speed running (HSR m·min-1) distance (≥ 5 m.s-1). Player's rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of the training drills were collected following completion of the training session. Data was reported as means and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Running intensities of training drills for semi-professional rugby league players are presented in Table 1. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to report the running intensities of training drills commonly used by a semi-professional rugby league team. The results show that the traditional field conditioning drills and small sided games were the most physically demanding. This is highlighted by higher m/min covered during the drills and accompanying high RPE reported. Conversely, the skill based drills were less physically demanding in relation to m/min and players' RPE. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: These results can assist coaches in prescribing and periodising training for rugby league, especially when planning a 'deload' week and/or when there is limited training field training time. It will also help guide coaches in selecting appropriate drills that are pertinent to their individual team requirements whilst also taking into consideration the overall work being performed by the team. TD, total distance; m/min, metres per minute; LSR, low speed running (< 5 m.s-1); HSR, high speed running (≥ 5 m.s-1); RPE, rating of perceived exertion; Data reported as means and 95% confidence intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]