Daniel Marcos-Frutos, Sergio Miras-Moreno, Gonzalo Márquez, Amador García-Ramos
{"title":"Comparative Effects of the Free Weights and Smith Machine Squat and Bench Press: The Important Role of Specificity for Strength Adaptations.","authors":"Daniel Marcos-Frutos, Sergio Miras-Moreno, Gonzalo Márquez, Amador García-Ramos","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0274","DOIUrl":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0274","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Although previous studies have compared strength-training adaptations between free weights (FW) and machine-guided exercises, those studies did not use a Smith machine (SM), which most closely replicates the exercises performed with FW. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the chronic effects of strength-focused, velocity-based training regimens using FW versus SM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-seven sport-science students (14 female) were assigned, balanced by sex and relative strength, to either an FW or SM training group. The training program lasted 8 weeks (2 sessions/wk), and participants performed 4 sets per exercise (back squat and bench press) at 70% of their 1-repetition maximum with moderate effort levels (20%-25% velocity loss). Load-velocity profile parameters (load-axis intercept, velocity-axis intercept, and area under the load-velocity relationship line), cross-sectional areas of the vastus lateralis and pectoralis major muscles, and the number of repetitions to failure in the bench-press exercise were assessed before and after the training program. Mechanical variables were assessed using both FW and SM.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All variables, with the exception of back-squat velocity-axis intercept (P = .124), improved in both training groups. The changes in load-axis intercept and area under the load-velocity relationship line were more pronounced when the training and testing conditions matched. Failure in the bench-press exercise and cross-sectional areas of the vastus lateralis and pectoralis major showed comparable improvements for both training groups, while velocity-axis intercept tended to improve more in the SM group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The general population, unconcerned with the specificity of strength adaptations, can choose a training modality (FW or SM) based on personal preferences.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"292-300"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142909667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ciaran O'Connor, Martin McIntyre, Eamonn Delahunt, Kristian Thorborg
{"title":"Hip Adduction and Abduction Strength Reference Values of Gaelic Football and Rugby Union Players: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Ciaran O'Connor, Martin McIntyre, Eamonn Delahunt, Kristian Thorborg","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0116","DOIUrl":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this research was to report isometric hip adduction and abduction strength reference values of men's and women's Gaelic football and rugby union players and compare values between sexes and between sports.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional cohort study consisted of 331 club-level athletes. Maximum isometric hip adduction squeeze and abduction press strength values were measured with a ForceFrame across several testing positions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hip adduction squeeze and abduction press strength reference values for men's and women's Gaelic and rugby union footballers were provided with mean and 1 SD. A 2-way analysis of variance demonstrated significant sport × sex interaction main effects for hip adduction squeeze (η2 = .159-.228), abduction press (η2 = .099-.144), and adduction:abduction ratio (η2 = .120). Men demonstrated significantly greater relative (Newtons per kilogram) maximum isometric hip adduction squeeze (15.5%-26.4%, 0.48-1.00 N/kg) and hip abduction press (9.6%-19.6%, 0.20-0.67 N/kg) strength across all testing positions when compared with women of the same sport. Male Gaelic football players demonstrated significantly greater hip adduction (8.7%-14.0%, 0.30-0.52 N/kg) and abduction (6.1%-8.6%, 0.16-0.31 N/kg) strength (Newtons per kilogram) than their rugby counterparts, while no significant between-sports differences in strength were observed between female athletes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Reference values are provided with mean and 1 SD. Sport and sex interaction had significant main effects for hip adduction, abduction, and adduction:abduction ratio, with medium to large effect sizes. Male athletes demonstrate significantly greater hip strength than female athletes of the same sport, and male Gaelic players demonstrate greater hip strength than male rugby players.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"282-291"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142909668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Erratum. Effects of 5-Week Brain Endurance Training on Fatigue and Performance in Elite Youth Epée Fencers.","authors":"","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2025-0237","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0237","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144159017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giorgio Varesco, Walter Staiano, Maëlle Bracco, Benjamin Pageaux, Lena Soulas, Maël Goisbault, Julie Doron, Marc Jubeau
{"title":"Effects of 5-Week Brain Endurance Training on Fatigue and Performance in Elite Youth Epée Fencers.","authors":"Giorgio Varesco, Walter Staiano, Maëlle Bracco, Benjamin Pageaux, Lena Soulas, Maël Goisbault, Julie Doron, Marc Jubeau","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0396","DOIUrl":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0396","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To examine the effectiveness of 5 weeks of brain endurance training (BET) in reducing impairments in sustained attention, performance at a specific fencing test, and perceived fatigue after a cognitive fatiguing task in youth épée elite fencers during the preseason.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a quasi-randomized controlled trial, 19 elite youth fencers (8 women, 18 [1] y) were divided into a BET (n = 11) or control (n = 8) group. Both groups trained for 5 sessions/wk during 5 weeks. The BET group completed the BET sessions before, during, or after fencing training, 3 or 4 times a week. The control group performed only fencing training. Before and after the 5 weeks, fencers performed a psychomotor vigilance test and fencing test before and after 40 minutes of a reverse Stroop task. Perceived fatigue was scored on a 10-cm visual analog scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After 5 weeks, perceived fatigue, reaction time, and number of lapses in the psychomotor vigilance test increased from before to after the reverse Stroop task only in the control group (P ≤ .011), with no pre-to-post difference for the BET group (P > .059). No differences were found in fencing-test performance (P > .07). Effort for the reverse Stroop task increased for both groups after the 5 weeks (P = .043). We observed an increase in perceived fatigue, reaction time, and number of lapses in the BET group before the fatiguing task (P ≤ .028).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>BET reduced the negative effects of a cognitive fatiguing task on sustained attention, without a clear improvement in performance on the fencing test, and represents a possible tool to mitigate fatigue in fencing.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144127619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antonio Gualtieri, Maria Angonese, Massimo Maddiotto, Ermanno Rampinini, Duccio Ferrari Bravo, Marco Beato
{"title":"Analysis of the Most Intense Periods During Elite Soccer Matches: Effect of Game Location and Playing Position.","authors":"Antonio Gualtieri, Maria Angonese, Massimo Maddiotto, Ermanno Rampinini, Duccio Ferrari Bravo, Marco Beato","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0441","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0441","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to quantify the game-speed demand of elite soccer players using time windows from 5 seconds to 10 minutes and to examine the effect of match location and playing position on game-speed outputs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-four Serie A (Italy) male professional soccer players (27.5 [4.1] y old) participated in this study across an entire season. The players' activity profiles during matches were analyzed using a semiautomatic video tracking system (Stats Perform), which provided 2-dimensional coordinates of the players, and from these data, total distance (TD) covered, high-speed running distance (HSRD), and sprint distance (SD) were calculated. The most intense periods of match play were calculated using a moving-average method within 15 time windows (ie, 5-10-15-30-60-90 s and from 2 to 10 min) and analyzed using a linear mixed model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A slightly higher SD (estimate values = 3.98, P = .0192) was performed when playing a home match. Midfielders run the highest values for TD (P = .0001), center backs produced the lowest HSRD (P = .0011), and no significant differences between roles were found in terms of SD.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A univariate approach based on velocity can aid in designing training for the most intense periods of a match, considering positional differences for TD and HSRD. On the other hand, the consistency in SD across different roles suggests a team behavior during the most intense periods of the game such as attacking and defensive transition phases.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144127615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Using Multilevel Models to Compare Performance Prediction and Characterization Abilities Between Power-Law and Critical-Speed Models in Middle- and Long-Distance Running.","authors":"Maxime Walt, Arturo Casado, Jean-Marie Le Goff","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0330","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0330","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Speed-duration relationships are widely used to predict performances and characterize athletes. The critical-speed (CS) and power-law (PL) models share the spotlight for practitioners. Therefore, the present study compares performance prediction accuracy and characterization abilities between PL and CS models using a multilevel model (MLM) for middle- and long-distance runners.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from 184,755 performances by 52,847 athletes from France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, and Switzerland across 6 events (400-10,000 m running) were computed. MLMs were developed based on the hierarchical structure of the data. Prediction accuracy was evaluated using mean absolute error and mean absolute relative error (MARE) for time and speed. Athletes were characterized by model-derived parameters: speed (S), endurance (E), anaerobic capacity (D'), and CS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The PL MLM (MAREtime = 1.32% and MAREspeed = 1.32%) outperformed the CS MLM (MAREtime = 6.87% and MAREspeed = 9.1%) on prediction accuracy. Long-distance specialists expressed higher E and CS values, whereas middle-distance runners showed higher S values. The 1500- to 5000-m specialists relied on higher D'. Gender differences highlighted lower S, D', and CS for female athletes but comparable E values to male athletes. International-level athletes demonstrated maximized S, E, and CS in accordance with their specialization.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>MLMs enhance understanding of speed-duration relationships across clusters, gender, and performance levels. Model-derived parameters provide valuable insights for athlete profiling. Finally, the PL MLM is a reliable prediction tool.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144119618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comment on Sitko et al: Unbiased Analysis of Zone 2 Exercise Training and Expected Benefits.","authors":"Isaac A Chavez Guevara","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2025-0120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0120","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144077979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mikaela C Gabler, Bruce J Martin, Blair D Johnson, Zachary J Schlader, Robert F Chapman
{"title":"Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up and Perceptual, Physiological, and Performance Outcomes During Exercise in Normoxia and Hypoxia.","authors":"Mikaela C Gabler, Bruce J Martin, Blair D Johnson, Zachary J Schlader, Robert F Chapman","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0425","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Some evidence shows that an inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) could enhance exercise performance; however, outcomes are mixed, and the mechanistic basis is unclear. Therefore, our purpose was to examine how IMW affects the sensory and affective components of dyspnea, exercise performance, and locomotor muscle oxygenation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirteen recreationally active individuals (23 [5] y, 5 women) performed a cycling time-to-exhaustion test (∼80%-85% maximal oxygen uptake) preceded by either IMW (2 × 30 breaths, 40% maximal inspiratory pressure) or SHAM (2 × 30 breaths, 15% maximal inspiratory pressure) in normoxic (FIO2 = 0.21) and hypoxic (FIO2 = 0.16) conditions (ie, 4 trials total). Near-infrared spectroscopy, dyspnea (ie, breathing intensity and breathing unpleasantness), and cardiorespiratory parameters were measured throughout. Cardiorespiratory variables were analyzed using the individual isotime method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were no differences in mean dyspnea responses between IMW and SHAM (P > .05). Mean Δ tissue saturation index did not reach statistical significance between IMW and SHAM in normoxia (P = .110) or hypoxia (P = .07). Mean performance was not different in normoxia (P = .636) or hypoxia (P = .512). In normoxia, minute ventilation (P = .059) and breathing frequency (P = .056) approached significance with IMW values greater compared with SHAM in the third isotime.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Group improvements in dyspnea, performance, and Δ tissue saturation index were not seen following IMW. However, the degree of selected individual responses suggests that this intervention has interindividual applicability that should not be overlooked.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144077984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Durability in Youth Squad Triathletes-Influence of Strenuous Cycling on Subsequent Running Performance, Economy, and Substrate Utilization.","authors":"Greta Röhrs, Sebastian Keller, Patrick Wahl","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2025-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2025-0009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to investigate oxygen/energy cost (OC/EC) of running and substrate utilization before and after strenuous cycling in well-trained junior triathletes and the relevance of changes in these variables for fatigued running performance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nineteen junior squad triathletes (4 female, 15 male; 17.2 [1.8] y; maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) 61.4 [5.1] mL·kg-1·min-1) completed 3 submaximal running steps (2.8 m·s-1, +0.4 m·s-1, and 5 min) under fresh conditions, followed by an incremental cycling test (∼2 W·kg-1, +20 W, and 3 min) to exhaustion. Afterward, they performed another incremental running test to exhaustion under fatigued conditions for V˙O2peak, OC, and time-to-exhaustion assessment. During both runs, OC, EC, and carbohydrate/fat oxidation (CHO/FO) were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Contrary to trivial/small average changes in OC (210 [15] to 209 [14] mL·kg-1·km-1, P = .71) and EC (4.75 [0.33] to 4.59 [0.29] kJ·kg-1·km-1, P = .02), CHO decreased (2.96 [0.68] to 2.08 [0.68] g·min-1) while FO increased (0.15 [0.13] to 0.48 [0.22] g·min-1) significantly from fresh to fatigued running (P < .001). Besides V˙O2peak (r = .68, P = .002), the changes in CHO (r = -.60, P = .01) and FO (r = .67, P = .003) were significantly correlated with fatigued time to exhaustion (1715 [172] s). Multiple regression and commonality analysis identified V˙O2peak, OC, and the change in FO as the best model for time to exhaustion (R2 = 88%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite trivial/small changes in OC/EC from fresh to fatigued running, a pronounced shift in substrate utilization from CHO to FO was evident in junior triathletes, which was also associated with fatigued running performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144077983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of Stabilization Exercises on Athletic Performance and Injury Risk in College Volleyball Players.","authors":"Raziye Erkan, Emine Aslan Telci","doi":"10.1123/ijspp.2024-0348","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2024-0348","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to determine the effects of stabilization exercises on athletic performance and injury risk in volleyball players.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A randomized clinical trial was conducted at university sport facilities with 23 college volleyball players age 18 to 25 years. Using a stratified randomization method, participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 11), which continued their routine training program, or the intervention group (n = 12), which performed additional volleyball-specific stabilization exercises twice per week for 8 weeks. The main outcomes, including injury risk, and athletic performance were assessed using functional movement screening, sit-reach flexibility test, weight-bearing lunge, medicine-ball throw, closed-kinetic-chain upper-extremity stability test, 20-m speed test, serve skill test, vertical jump test, and upper- and lower-extremity dynamic Y-balance test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both groups showed significant improvements in all parameters after the 8-week program, except for the control group's sit-reach test and asymmetry points (P < .05). When comparing the 2 groups, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in functional movement screening score, asymmetry points, medicine-ball throw, closed-kinetic-chain upper-extremity stability test, vertical jump, serve skill, Y-balance test scores for upper and lower extremities, lower-extremity anterior asymmetry score, and right-foot weight-bearing lunge results (P < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Stabilization exercises effectively reduce injury risk and enhance athletic performance in volleyball players. Incorporating these exercises into training programs can be a valuable strategy for preventing injuries and improving individual and team success in volleyball.</p>","PeriodicalId":14295,"journal":{"name":"International journal of sports physiology and performance","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144010119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}