Prior to major competitions, athletes often use a peaking protocol such as tapering or training cessation to improve performance. The majority of the current literature has focused on endurance-based sports such as swimming, cycling, and running to better understand how and when to taper or use training cessation to achieve the desired performance outcome. However, evidence regarding peaking protocols for strength and power athletes is lacking. Current limitations for peaking maximal strength is that many studies do not provide sufficient details for practitioners to use. Thus, when working with athletes such as powerlifters, weightlifters, throwers, and strongman competitors, practitioners must use trial and error to determine the best means for peaking rather than using an evidence-based protocol. More specifically, determining how to peak maximal strength using data derived from strength and power athletes has not been established. While powerlifting training (i.e., back squat, bench press, deadlift) is used by strength and power athletes up until the final days prior to a competition, understanding how to peak maximal strength relative to powerlifting performance is still unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to review the literature on tapering and training cessation practices relative to peaking powerlifting performance.

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Este estudo compara quatro diferentes intensidades com o volume total similar no exercício supino. Avaliou-se a dor muscular de início tardio (DMIT), atividade de creatina quinase (CK), as concentrações sangüíneas de interleucina (IL)-1<font face=\"symbol\">b, IL-6, fator de necrose tumoral-<font face=\"symbol\">a (TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a), prostaglandina E2 (PGE2) e o perfil hormonal. A amostra foi composta de soldados do exército brasileiro, divididos em cinco grupos: 50%-1RM, 75%-1RM, 90%-1RM, 110%-1RM e o controle. A DMIT e a atividade plasmática de CK aumentaram significativamente (P<0,05) após a sessão de exercício. A concentração de PGE2 também teve aumento significativo (P<0,05) após a sessão (P<0,05). A concentração plasmática de cortisol após 1h do término do exercício aumentou apenas no grupo 75%-1RM (p < 0,05). Esses resultados sugerem que a intensidade no exercício supino não afeta a magnitude da DMIT, marcadores de lesão muscular, inflamação e na resposta hormonal geral, desde que haja a equalização do volume total, com exceção da concentração plasmática do cortisol, grupo 75%-1RM. / This study compared four different intensities with similar total volume of a bench press exercise for muscle soreness, creatine kinase (CK) activity, interleukin (IL)-1<font face=\"symbol\">b, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-<font face=\"symbol\">a (TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and hormonal concentrations in the blood. Brazilian Army male soldiers were placed into five groups: 50%-1RM, 75%-1RM, 90%-1RM, and 110%-1RM, and control that did not perform the exercise. Muscle soreness and plasma CK activity increased significantly (p<0.05) after exercise. Serum PGE2 concentration also increased significantly (p<0.05) after exercise. After one hour post exercise cortisol increased in 75%-1RM group, with this response also exceeding the other intensities (p<0.05). These results suggest that the intensity of bench press exercise does not affect the magnitude of muscle soreness and blood markers of muscle damage, inflammation and largely similar hormonal responses, which may be attributed to the equalization of total volume, exception made for the 75%-1RM group for serum cortisol concentration.

Abstract Background: The ability to produce a high power output can be the deciding factor in determining which athlete wins or loses in a sporting event. Power output can be measured in an exercise like the squat or bench press. The use of a force plate, or a force plate paired with a linear position transducer is considered the gold standard when measuring power output in an exercise like the squat or bench press. Linear position transducers or linear encoders have also been considered valid methods. Power output can also be measured by accelerometers. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the concurrent validity of the accelerometer Beast Sensor by measuring average power in explosive squatting and bench pressing at 40 % and 80 % of one repetition maximum (1RM). The linear encoder MuscleLab was used as criterion. Methods: 17 test subjects, five women and 12 men (average age 28 years) were recruited. Fifteen of the subjects completed two test sessions. The first session determined their 1RM. The second session took place 7-14 days later and measured average power output during two sets of three repetitions at 40 % and 80 % of the subjects 1RM in explosive squats and bench presses. The average power output of the repetitions was measured simultaneously by Beast Sensor and MuscleLab. For the Beast Sensor to be considered valid, a correlation coefficient of 0.9 or higher needed to be reached. Results: Beast Sensor demonstrated high or very high correlations with MuscleLab for average power output of explosive squats at 40 % of 1RM (rs = 0.91), and for explosive bench presses at 40 % (rs = 0.86) and 80 % of 1RM (rs = 0.74). However, for explosive squats at 80 % of 1RM, the correlation was low (rs = 0.42). All correlations were statistically significant with p-values of &lt; 0.01. Beast Sensor was considered valid for squats at 40 % of 1RM, but neither at 80 % of 1RM in squats, nor at 40 % or 80 % of 1RM in bench presses. Conclusion: Beast Sensor showed high or very high correlations with the criterion MuscleLab in three of the four assessed data variables. Only the correlation for average power output of the explosive squats at 40 % of the subject’s 1RM reached the required correlation coefficient of 0.9 or higher for the Beast Sensor to be considered valid. Except for at 40 % of 1RM in squats, Beast Sensor missed a substantial amount of repetitions. Further studies examining the reliability of the Beast Sensor are therefore needed. / Abstrakt Bakgrund: Förmågan att producera hög effektutveckling (power) kan avgöra vilken idrottare som vinner eller förlorar en tävling. Effektutveckling kan mätas i övningar som knäböj och bänkpress. Detta kan göras med hjälp av en kraftplatta, eller en kraftplatta parad med en linear position transducer. Dessa metoder anses vara ”gold standard”, men linear position transducers eller linear encoders har också ansetts vara valida metoder. Effektutveckling kan även mätas med hjälp av en accelerometer. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att mäta samtidig validitet hos accelerometern Beast Sensor genom att mäta genomsnittlig effektutveckling i explosiva knäböj och bänkpressar vid 40 % och 80 % av en repetition max (1RM). MuscleLab, en linear encoder, användes som referensvärde.  Metod: 17 försökspersoner, fem kvinnor och tolv män (medelålder 28 år) rekryterades. Femton av försökspersonerna fullföljde deltagande. Vid det första testtillfället mättes 1RM. Det andra tillfället ägde rum 7-14 dagar senare och mätte genomsnittlig effektutveckling i explosiva knäböj och bänkpressar vid 40 % och 80 % av försökspersonernas uppmätta 1RM. Två set av tre repetitioner mättes vid 40 % och 80 % av 1RM i både knäböj och bänkpress. Repetitionerna mättes samtidigt av MuscleLab och Beast Sensor. För att Beast Sensor skulle anses vara valid behövde en korrelationskoefficient på 0.9 eller högre uppnås. Resultat: Beast Sensor uppvisade höga eller väldigt höga korrelationer med MuscleLab för genomsnittlig effektutveckling i explosiva knäböj vid 40 % av 1RM (rs = 0.91) och explosiva bänkpressar vid 40 % (rs = 0.86) och 80 % av 1RM (rs = 0.74). Dock uppmättes en låg korrelation för de explosiva knäböjen vid 80 % av 1RM (rs = 0.42). Alla korrelationer var statistiskt signifikanta med p-värden på &lt; 0.01. Beast Sensor ansågs vara valid för att mäta effektutveckling vid 40 % av 1RM i knäböj, men varken vid 80 % av 1RM i knäböj, eller vid 40 % eller 80 % av 1RM i bänkpressar. Slutsats: Beast Sensor visade höga eller väldigt höga korrelationer med referensvärdet från MuscleLab för tre av de fyra uppmätta variablerna. Endast korrelationen för genomsnittlig effektutveckling i explosiva knäböj vid 40 % av 1RM uppnådde den korrelationskoefficient på 0.9 eller högre som krävdes för att Beast Sensor skulle anses vara valid. Förutom vid 40 % av 1RM i knäböj, missade Beast Sensor en väsentlig andel repetitioner. Därför finns det ett behov av fler studier som undersöker reliabiliteten hos Beast Sensor.

Este estudo compara quatro diferentes intensidades com o volume total similar no exercício supino. Avaliou-se a dor muscular de início tardio (DMIT), atividade de creatina quinase (CK), as concentrações sangüíneas de interleucina (IL)-1<font face=\"symbol\">b, IL-6, fator de necrose tumoral-<font face=\"symbol\">a (TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a), prostaglandina E2 (PGE2) e o perfil hormonal. A amostra foi composta de soldados do exército brasileiro, divididos em cinco grupos: 50%-1RM, 75%-1RM, 90%-1RM, 110%-1RM e o controle. A DMIT e a atividade plasmática de CK aumentaram significativamente (P<0,05) após a sessão de exercício. A concentração de PGE2 também teve aumento significativo (P<0,05) após a sessão (P<0,05). A concentração plasmática de cortisol após 1h do término do exercício aumentou apenas no grupo 75%-1RM (p < 0,05). Esses resultados sugerem que a intensidade no exercício supino não afeta a magnitude da DMIT, marcadores de lesão muscular, inflamação e na resposta hormonal geral, desde que haja a equalização do volume total, com exceção da concentração plasmática do cortisol, grupo 75%-1RM. / This study compared four different intensities with similar total volume of a bench press exercise for muscle soreness, creatine kinase (CK) activity, interleukin (IL)-1<font face=\"symbol\">b, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-<font face=\"symbol\">a (TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and hormonal concentrations in the blood. Brazilian Army male soldiers were placed into five groups: 50%-1RM, 75%-1RM, 90%-1RM, and 110%-1RM, and control that did not perform the exercise. Muscle soreness and plasma CK activity increased significantly (p<0.05) after exercise. Serum PGE2 concentration also increased significantly (p<0.05) after exercise. After one hour post exercise cortisol increased in 75%-1RM group, with this response also exceeding the other intensities (p<0.05). These results suggest that the intensity of bench press exercise does not affect the magnitude of muscle soreness and blood markers of muscle damage, inflammation and largely similar hormonal responses, which may be attributed to the equalization of total volume, exception made for the 75%-1RM group for serum cortisol concentration.

Nutrition and recovery go hand in hand. After a resistance training workout, it is extremely important for athletes to rebuild and refuel their bodies with the proper nourishment to obtain maximal results. In doing so, they consume different recovery aids or ergogenic aids for gains in muscle mass, an aid in hydration, and a speedy recovery. Ergogenic aids can include many things (i.e., improved equipment, training program), but one of the most popular types of ergogenic aids is nutritional supplements such as protein, carbohydrates, creatine, and vitamins. A nutritional supplement that has recently grown in popularity is chocolate milk. Currently, no studies exist comparing the effects of fat-free chocolate milk and 2% chocolate milk on muscular strength and body composition in collegiate softball players. The purpose of this study will be to determine the effects of fat-free and 2% chocolate milk ingestion on body composition and muscular strength following eight weeks of resistance training. In a randomized (matched according to strength and bodyweight), double blind experimental design, 18 female, collegiate softball players (18.5 +_ .7 yrs; 65.7 +_ 1.8 inches; 156.2 +_ 21.6 lbs) ingested either fat-free chocolate milk or 2% chocolate milk immediately after resistance exercise workouts for an 8-week period. Dependent variables included body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, bench press 1RM, and leg press 1RM. Data was analyzed via a paired samples t-test (to detect difference across both groups over the 8-week training period) and an independent samples t-test (to detect differences between the groups) using SPSS for Windows 15.0. No statistically significant differences were found in bench press strength, leg press strength, body fat %, and lean body mass between the fat-free group and the 2% chocolate milk group. The major finding of this study is that there is no difference between fat-free chocolate milk and 2% chocolate milk in regards to body fat percentage, lean body mass, bench press maximal strength, and leg press maximal strength following an eight week exercise program where the chocolate milk was ingested immediately after each workout. However, there was a significant difference in both groups combined after the eight week training program. Therefore, from a practical sense, consumption of either fat-free chocolate milk or 2% chocolate milk in conjunction with a periodized resistance training program does improve exercise performance in regards to maximal strength as well as improvements in body fat percentage and lean body mass.

Background: Strength is considered an important part in swimming and is usually included in training programs for swimmers. However, studies assessing the relationship between muscle strength, muscle endurance and swim performance are not many and have showed different results. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between bench press, pull-up and 400 meter freestyle swim performance in elite swimmers. Method: The subjects (n=15, age 16-20) performed a one repetition maximum (1RM) bench press test to measure maximal muscle strength and to measure muscle endurance the subjects performed as many pull-up repetitions as possible during 30 seconds. A velocity four (V4) speed test was performed to assess swim performance by measuring time over covered distance and blood lactate levels. Results: The results of this study showed a moderate correlation (r=-0.54) between one repetition maximum in bench press and 400 meter freestyle swim performance. It showed a strong correlation (r=-0.63) between number of pull-ups repetitions during 30 seconds and 400 meter freestyle swim performance. Conclusion: These results suggest that upper body strength contributes to swim performance over 400 meter. The stronger correlation between pull-ups and swimming may indicate that muscle endurance of m. latissimus dorsi and the back muscles may be important to incorporate in a training program since it has shown to have a strong correlation with swim performance at 400 meters. / Bakgrund: Styrka anses vara en viktig del i simning och är ofta inkluderat i träningsprogram för simmare. Dock har endast ett mindre antal studier undersökt relationen mellan muskelstyrka, muskel uthållighet och simprestation och de som har gjort det visar olika resultat. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att utvärdera korrelationen mellan bänkpress, pull-ups och 400m simprestation hos elitsimmare. Metod: Deltagarna (n=15, ålder 16-20) utförde ett en repetition maximum (1RM) i bänkpress för att mäta maximal muskel styrka och för att mäta muskeluthållighet utförde deltagarna så många pull-ups repetitioner som möjligt under 30 sekunder. Ett velocity four (V4) hastighets test utfördes för att utvärdera simprestation genom att mäta tid över simmad distans och blod laktat värden. Resultat: Resultatet i denna studie visade på en moderat korrelation (r=-0,54) mellan en repetition maximum i bänkpress och 400 meter fristil simprestation. Den visade på en stark korrelation (r=-0,63) mellan antalet pull-ups repetitioner under 30 sekunder och 400 meter fristil simprestation. Konklusion: Dessa resultat tyder på att överkroppsstyrka bidrar till simprestation över 400 meter. Den starkare korrelationen mellan pull-ups och simning kan indikera att muskeluthållighet hos m. latisimus dorsi och ryggmusklerna kan vara viktigt att lägga in i ett träningsprogram då det visat på en stark korrelation till simprestation på distansen 400 meter.

Ensidigt bedriven styrketräning och idrotter kan leda till en förändradstyrkekvot mellan olika muskelantagonister och anses i vissa fall kunna ökarisken för skador och besvär. Syftet med denna studie var att undersökastyrkekvoten mellan press- och dragstyrkan hos tränade personer samtundersöka om det fanns några styrkeskillnader hos deltagarna i bänkpressjämfört med bänkrodd. Femton tränade deltagare inkluderades i studien därdeltagarna var i snitt 26 år gamla, 177 cm långa och vägde 81 kg. Deltagarnautförde ett testprotokoll som inkluderade ett test i bänkpress respektivebänkrodd, där deltagaren skulle utföra maximalt antal repetitioner på den vikti bänkpress deltagaren själv ansåg sig klara omkring 5–10 repetitioner. Totaltantal kg (antal repetitioner x belastning) i respektive övning dokumenteradesoch angavs som en styrkekvot (press/drag-kvot). Resultatet avundersökningen var att deltagarnas press/drag-kvot var 2,4:1, vilket innebäratt deltagarna var 140% starkare i press- än i dragstyrkan. Det fanns ensignifikant styrkeskillnad (p=0,002) i bänkpress jämfört med bänkrodd hosmajoriteten av deltagarna. Det fanns en relativt stor variation i styrkekvot(press/drag-kvot) bland deltagarna. Faktorer som träningserfarenhet ochfamiljaritet med testprotokollets övningar kan vara faktorer som kan förklaraspridningen i styrkekvot. Att styrkekvoten befanns vara 2,4:1 kan därför inteanvändas som en utgångspunkt i ett träningsupplägg då det inte går att utgåfrån att personen som skall instrueras har den styrkekvoten. Vidare skulleresultaten kunna användas som referensmaterial i framtida studier som avseratt undersöka styrkekvoten mellan press- jämfört med dragstyrkan. / Previous literature considers that both strength training and many sports maylead to an increased risk of athletes incurring injury due to an unbalanced, orchanged, strength ratio. The purpose of this study was therefore to examinethe strength ratio between press- and pulling strength of trained individualsas well as investigate whether there was any difference in strength betweenthe two exercises tested. Fifteen participants with strength trainingexperience were included in the study where the participants mean were 26years old, 177 cm tall, and weighed 81 kg. They performed a protocol thatconsisted of a test of bench press and bench row, respectively. For bothexercises, the participants performed the maximum number of repetitions fora weight that was based on the participants’ self-assessed 5-10 repetitionmaximum bench press. Total weight lifted (weight x repetitions) for eachexercise was measured and converted to a push/pull strength ratio. Meanpush/pull strength ratio for the participants was 2,4: 1. The participants wereon average 140% stronger in pressing strength than in pulling strength(P=0,002) In the current study, the participants were stronger in bench presscompared to bench row. Factors such as training experience and familiaritywith the exercises in the could possibly have influenced the spread amongthe participants, but that cannot be determined. The variation in the strengthratio of the participants can therefore not be used as a starting point in atraining program as it is not possible to assume that the instructor's strengthratio is 2.4: 1. The results could be used as a comparison in future studiesthat aim to examine the strength ratio between press strength compared topulling strength.

Title: The force toning in women's softball Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate post-activation potentiation (PAP) following the muscle toning during the strenght training. The toning effect on upper limb explosive force was analyzed following application of two different degrees of resistence. Methods: In this study, we applied randomized selection for the subject to minimize the effect of possible ambiguities such as gender, training status, and player maturity. A homo- -geneous group of well-trained women with the most developed technical response was accepted. (Czech national team, Women's softball). We used the contrast method, where the data were analyzed to determine the effect of different resistance degrees and a fixed rest interval for the strength-dynamic exercise. It is a sticking out of medicine ball in sitting position, which was performed by women of the highest player level. The measurement was processed by using the direct method of dynamic efforts. We compared the explosive force with a medicine ball sticking forward in relation to the distance of the sticking medicine ball by the tested person. Results: The measurement has shown that the PAP generated by toning protocol has a sig- -nificant impact on enhancing the response in explosive drills. The exercise for...