Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research最新文献

{"title":"Specific Effects of Aqua and Land Plyometric Training on Jump Performance Across Diverse Stretch-Shortening Cycle Types.","authors":"Mile Cavar, Toso Marsic, Davor Sentija, Zoran Culjak, Javier Gene Morales","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005474","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005474","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Cavar, M, Marsic, T, Sentija, D, Culjak, Z, and Morales, JG. Specific effects of aqua and land plyometric training on jump performance across diverse stretch-shortening cycle types. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1059-1068, 2026-The effects of aqua plyometric (AQP) versus land plyometric (LP) training on jumping performance have been inconsistently reported and primarily examined using the countermovement jump (CMJ). This study compared AQP and LP training across 4 jump tests with diverse stretch-shortening cycles (SSCs). Thirty-three trained adult men were divided into AQP, LP, and control (CON) groups. To enhance training outcomes over a 6-week, 12-session intervention and reflect common practice, jump training was combined with short sprints performed in group-specific water or land environments. A significant group × time interaction was observed for the CMJ ( p < 0.05). Both AQP and LP significantly and similarly improved CMJ performance, whereas CON did not. Program-specific effects were evident, as LP significantly outperformed AQP and CON in the Four Jump Test (4JT; p < 0.05) based on the reactive strength index, whereas AQP showed significantly greater improvement in the standing broad jump (SBJ; p < 0.01). No between-group differences were observed for the squat jump (SQJ). These findings suggest that AQP is at least as effective as LP for jump tasks with slow or absent SSCs, such as the CMJ, SBJ, and SQJ, which rely primarily on voluntary force production, likely due to the beneficial training effects of increased resistance in water. By contrast, for jumps involving fast SSCs and reliance on elastic energy utilization, such as the 4JT, AQP is not an effective alternative to LP because key fast-SSC characteristics, such as impact forces and short contact times, might be compromised in water.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1059-1068"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148005653","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":"Assessing Isometric Hip Adductor and Abductor Strength in Elite Youth Soccer Players: Does Hip-Flexion Angle Matter?","authors":"Jonathan M Taylor, Hermes Pallotta, Alastair Hamilton, Craig Tears, Matthew D Wright","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005482","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Taylor, JM, Pallotta, H, Hamilton, A, Tears, C, and Wright, MD. Assessing isometric hip adductor and abductor strength in elite youth soccer players: Does hip-flexion angle matter? J Strength Cond Res 40(9): e983-e990, 2026-Isometric hip strength is a risk factor for hip and groin injuries in soccer and is assessed at various short lever positions (i.e., a hip-flexion angle of 45-90°). In this study, the effects of hip-flexion angle on peak adduction and abduction force, adduction-to-abduction ratio (ADD:ABD), and relationship between test positions were assessed. Twenty-four male soccer players (age 17.4 ± 0.8 years) completed 3 testing sessions across 2 weeks, during which peak adduction and abduction force and ADD:ABD were assessed at 45-, 60-, and 90° of hip flexion on a fixed frame dynamometer. Players completed three 5-second maximal voluntary contractions in each position, and the tests were completed in counterbalanced order. Robust repeated measures ANOVAs were used to compare peak force and ADD:ABD between positions, with significance set at p < 0.05. Pearson's correlations were used to quantify associations between peak force on each test. Significant differences were observed in adduction between 45 and 60° (right -25.9 ± 23.1 N [±95% confidence limit]; left -33.4 ± 19.1 N); 45 and 90° (right 46.8 ± 23.2 N; left 32.6 ± 19.9 N) and 60 and 90° (right 72.7 ± 22.9 N; left 66.1 ± 19.9 N). Significant differences were also observed in abduction between 45 and 90° (right 32.2 ± 20.8 N; left 25.7 ± 21.1 N) and 60 and 90° (right 42.4 ± 20.9 N; left 41.6 ± 21.3 N). Very large correlations between tests were observed in adduction and abduction, respectively ( r = 0.77-0.87). However, prediction errors were also large (∼40 N). Adduction-to-abduction ratio was highest at 60° (1.10). In conclusion, peak adduction and abduction force vary between short lever testing positions. Although strong associations between testing positions exist, large prediction intervals are evident, and these tests should not be used interchangeably.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"e983-e990"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148447684","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":"The Effect of Habitual Caffeine Use on Strength, Power, and Muscular Endurance Performance in Collegiate Athletes.","authors":"Ian P Jump, Hung-Sheng Hsu, Michael D Roberts, Gretchen D Oliver","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005481","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005481","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Jump, IP, Hsu, H-S, Roberts, MD, and Oliver, GD. The effect of habitual caffeine use on strength, power, and muscular endurance performance in collegiate athletes. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1078-1084, 2026-Caffeine has been shown to increase strength, power, and muscular endurance performance in trained athletes, but individual variation can persist. One belief for this variation is the habituation of caffeine, which may influence how individuals respond to an acute caffeine dose. The current research on this topic is sparse and has produced mixed findings. The purpose of this study was to investigate how habituation to caffeine influences the ergogenic effects on strength, power, and muscular endurance. Twenty-one NCAA Division III baseball players completed a double-blind, randomized, within-participant crossover design (age = 20 ± 1 years old; mass = 87.2 ± 8 kg). Three weeks before testing, subjects completed daily caffeine intake questionnaire. Subjects were classified as habitual or nonhabitual users using a sample mean split. Each subject completed 2 experimental trials, separated by 72 hours, consisting of a vertical jump, trap bar deadlift 1 repetition maximum (1RM), bench press 1RM, and a pull-up test to failure. Trials followed identical procedures under 2 conditions: ingestion of caffeine (3 mg·kg -1 ) or placebo. Performance outcomes were analyzed using two 2 × 2 mixed ANOVAs to test the main effects of the condition and the condition × group interaction. Linear regression analyses examined average caffeine intake as a predictor of standardized performance change. Significant was set to p ≤ 0.05. Caffeine had no significant effect on performance, and no condition × group interaction was detected. Lower dose caffeine supplementation did not enhance performance outcomes in college male athletes, and habituation to caffeine did not influence these null effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1078-1084"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148055391","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":"Identifying Key Physical Predictors of Sprint Skating Performance in Collegiate Hockey Athletes Using Regularized Regression Models.","authors":"John S Fitzgerald, Mark A Poolman, Josh L Secomb","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005662","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005662","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Fitzgerald, JS, Poolman, MA, and Secomb, JL. Identifying key physical predictors of sprint skating performance in collegiate hockey athletes using regularized regression models. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The purpose of this study was to identify the most influential lower-body physical capacities associated with the distinct sprint skating phases in collegiate hockey athletes. While numerous research has reported associations between various physical capacities and sprint skating performance, these have typically examined narrow subsets rather than a comprehensive profile, limiting practitioners' ability to determine the priority assessments in time-constrained high-performance environments. Twenty male NCAA Division I hockey athletes completed the following assessments: isometric hip strength (flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and internal and external rotation), countermovement jump, single-leg lateral jump, broad jump, isometric belt squat, and 6-second cycling peak power. Thirty-five metres forward sprint skating performance was assessed from a stationary start and analyzed for initial acceleration (0-6 m), flying acceleration (10-20 m), and maximal performance (0-35 m) phases. Regularized regression analyses were performed to identify the most influential variables associated with each phase. Countermovement jump modified-reactive strength index was identified as the most influential and consistent predictor across all sprint skating phases. Hip external rotation relative peak force was also identified as a key predictor of initial acceleration, aligning with the mechanical importance of optimizing blade orientation and propulsive force generation. Hip flexion relative peak force contributed consistently across predictive models, highlighting its proposed role in efficient leg recovery. Other capacities contributed minimally or not at all to the predictive models. These results indicate that practitioners should consider prioritizing reactive strength measures and hip external rotation and flexion force assessments, when implementing profiling and monitoring protocols in high-performance hockey.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148874594","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":"Isometric Strength Adaptations After Two Consecutive 12-week Strength and Conditioning Programs in U.S. Air Force ROTC Cadets: The STAR Program.","authors":"Alexandra P Brojanac, Hunter Haynes, Jacob Mota, Sheena Puleali'i, Antonella V Schwarz, Molly F Johnson, Maria G Kaylor, Andrew Addison, Tristan Young, Madeline Klubertanz, Minali Patton, Austin J Graybeal","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005485","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Brojanac, AP, Haynes, H, Mota, J, Puleali'i, S, Schwarz, AV, Johnson, MF, Kaylor, MG, Addison, A, Young, T, Klubertanz, M, Patton, M, and Graybeal, AJ. Isometric strength adaptations after two consecutive 12-week strength and conditioning programs in U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets: The STAR Program. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1119-1136, 2026-This study evaluated changes in upper and lower body isometric force production during two 12-week implementations of formal strength and conditioning programs in 2 cohorts of male and female Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets. Forty-two cadets in the fall and 39 cadets in the spring semesters completed 2 uniquely structured strength and conditioning interventions as part of the Supporting Tactical Athlete Readiness Program. Isometric mid-thigh pull tests were used to assess lower body force production in the fall, and athletic shoulder tests were used to assess upper body force production in the spring. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps physical fitness assessments and body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed across both semesters. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.050. Absolute and relative peak force (PF), PF at 300 milliseconds, and leg muscle quality index increased, while rate of force development decreased, after the fall program ( p ≤ 0.035). These changes were no longer significant after adjusting for baseline lean soft tissue, which revealed positive associations with change in earlier PF production ( p ≤ 0.039). After the spring semester, shoulder girdle muscle quality index, absolute and relative average force (AF), and PF increased, while bilateral PF asymmetry decreased ( p ≤ 0.039). These improvements were no longer significant after adjusting for baseline lean soft tissue, which was positively associated with ΔAF and ΔPF ( p ≤ 0.033). Improvements in strength can be achieved through structured training programs, though success may be determined by muscular preconditioning. Incorporating field-friendly assessments such as isometric mid-thigh pull and athletic shoulder testing may further support cadet monitoring, reduce injury risk, and support long-term tactical performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1119-1136"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148138418","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":"Biomechanical and Neuromuscular Comparison of Horizontal and Vertical Squat Jumps.","authors":"Samuel Trama, Robin Macchi, Benjamin Pâris, Denis Bertin, Justin Regnaud, Caroline Nicol, Arnaud Hays","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005658","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005658","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Trama, S, Macchi, R, Pâris, B, Bertin, D, Regnaud, J, Nicol, C, and Hays, A. Biomechanical and neuromuscular comparison of horizontal and vertical squat jumps. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Compared with the vertical squat jump (VSJ), the horizontal squat jump (HSJ) offers a safer alternative, as the jumper performs it while lying down, which also eliminates landing impact. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical outputs from each test, with the potential to guide future applications in training and rehabilitation programs. Sixteen male athletes performed VSJ at body mass (BM) and HSJ on a frictionless sled at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% BM. Force plates and linear encoders were used to measure peak force/BM, mean force/BM, mean net force, net impulse, rate of force development (RFD/BM), time to peak force, velocity at takeoff (Vto), mean linear velocity (Vmean), peak power/BM, and push-off distance (Hpo). Hip, knee, and ankle angular velocities were recorded in parallel with the surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of 7 lower-limb muscles. All HSJ conditions showed lower Vto, Vmean, and peak power/BM than VSJ (p < 0.001), mainly due to a shorter Hpo (p < 0.001). In terms of force production, HSJ had higher values for mean net force, RFD/BM, Fmax/BM (40-100% BM), and Fmean/BM (80-100% BM) than VSJ (p < 0.05). Regardless of the load, the slope of EMG activity of all lower-limb extensors increased more sharply in the HSJ than in the VSJ, particularly for the gluteus maximus (GMax). In rehabilitation or training contexts, the HSJ should be prioritized to enhance explosive strength and motor unit recruitment, whereas the VSJ may be more suitable for improving force production at higher velocities than in the HSJ. In addition, the HSJ appears to be a promising exercise for activating the GMax.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148874567","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":"Comparison Between Bilateral and Unilateral Leg-Press Resistance Exercise Training for Their Effects on Muscle Strength and Jump Performance.","authors":"Shigeru Sato, Kazunori Nosaka, Yuta Murakami, Kazuki Kasahara, Riku Yosida, Masatoshi Nakamura","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005446","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005446","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Sato, S, Nosaka, K, Murakami, Y, Kasahara, K, Yosida, R, and Nakamura, M. Comparison between bilateral and unilateral leg-press resistance exercise training for their effects on muscle strength and jump performance. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1035-1042, 2026-This study compared the effects of unilateral and bilateral leg-press eccentric-accentuated resistance training on lower-limb strength and jump performance. Twenty-eight resistance-untrained young men were assigned to either a bilateral (BG, n = 14) or unilateral training group (UG, n = 14) and performed a leg-press resistance exercise consisting of 3 sets of 10 (3-s eccentric, 1-s concentric) contractions in a session, twice weekly for 8 weeks. The UG completed the leg-press exercise for each leg separately within a session, and the BG trained both legs together. The training intensity increased from 30 to 120% of the pretraining 1 repetition maximum (1RM) strength. Changes in bilateral and unilateral leg press 1RM strength, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of knee extensors (KE) and flexors, squat (SJ), countermovement (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ) were measured before and after training. The bilateral leg-press 1RM strength increased ( p < 0.05) similarly from pre- to post-training for BG (150.4 ± 18.7 to 170.0 ± 21.1 kg: 13.4 ± 9.3%) and UG (144.3 ± 17.8 to 165.4 ± 21.2 kg: 14.7 ± 7.1%). Likewise, MVC-isometric (BG:10.2 ± 7.6%, UG:12.4 ± 9.3%), MVC-concentric (11.5 ± 12.0%, 7.0 ± 8.1%), MVC-eccentric (10.7 ± 10.8%, 11.0 ± 7.5%) of the KEs, and SJ (14.0 ± 13.4%, 9.8 ± 13.0%), CMJ (9.6 ± 11.7%, 9.0 ± 8.7%), and DJ (14.2 ± 16.4%, 16.3 ± 19.4%) height increased ( p < 0.05) without significant differences between groups. However, the increase in unilateral 1RM strength was greater ( p < 0.01) for UG (22.7 ± 7.0%) than for BG (13.7 ± 8.3%). No significant ( p > 0.05) correlations were evident between changes in the muscle strength and jump height measures. These indicate that unilateral than bilateral eccentric-accentuated resistance training increased single-leg 1RM strength greater, probably because of training specificity, but no other measures changed differently between the unilateral and bilateral training.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1035-1042"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148549434","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":"Comparison of Weekly Training Loads in Division I Lacrosse Athletes Using Hormonal Contraceptives Versus Nonusers.","authors":"Ella Coleman, Sara Honeycutt, Hannah Humphries, Di Gao, Jennifer A Bunn","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005552","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005552","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Coleman, E, Honeycutt, S, Humphries, H, Gao, D, and Bunn, JA. Comparison of weekly training loads in Division I lacrosse athletes using hormonal contraceptives versus nonusers. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1143-1146, 2026-Approximately half of female collegiate athletes use hormone contraceptives (HC), but little attention has been paid to see if there are effects of HC use on performance. This study explored workload differences among Division I, female lacrosse players' objective performance during the competitive season for those using HC ( n = 16) and those not ( n = 8). Data were collected on all training days and game days during the 16-week competitive season via global positioning system units. The workload variables used included total distance (m), maximum speed (km·h -1 ), number of accelerations and decelerations completed at >3 m·s -2 , metabolic equivalent distance (m), and meters sprinted at >90% maximum sprint speed (zone 5 distance). Weekly sums for each variable were tabulated for each athlete and used for comparisons. A Bayesian hierarchical linear regression model was used to determine group differences. The results showed no group differences in weekly summed workload across any of the weeks assessed (all p > 0.05). These data suggest that workload differences are not solely related to the use of an HC or not. These results differ from previous literature, warranting more exploration in the role of HC use with athlete performance. An individualized approach to understanding performance differences with HC use is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1143-1146"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148204935","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":"The Influence of Somatic Maturation on Stretch-Shortening Cycle Function in Youth Athletes.","authors":"Kieran Keleher, Ben Samways, Rich J Kite","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005445","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005445","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Keleher, K, Samways, B, and Kite, RJ. The influence of somatic maturation on stretch-shortening cycle function in youth athletes. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): e942-e949, 2026-The stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) is a predominant quality underpinning athletic ability. Yet, how the SSC is influenced by the process of growth and maturation in youth athletes is less understood. Therefore, the aim of this study is to further investigate the influence of maturation on SSC performance in both girls and boys. Sixty-five youth athletes (boys = 20, girls = 45) participated in this cross-sectional study. Subjects were assessed for maturational age using the percentage of predicted adult height and then undertook jumping assessment using dual force plates, executing countermovement and squat jump tasks. Applying a Pearson's correlation, moderate to very large associations were determined between jump height ( r = 0.32-0.57) and concentric impulse ( r = 0.54-0.80) with maturational age in both jumping tasks. Boys also demonstrated large associations with RSImod ( r = 0.61) and girls with eccentric braking impulse ( r = 0.53). When exploring differences by maturational grouping (Pre-, Circa-, and Post-PHV) in the girls, the Kruskal-Wallis test identified significant differences ( p < 0.05) in eccentric duration between Pre-PHV and Circa-PHV. In addition, eccentric braking impulse and concentric impulse were greater in Post-PHV than in both Pre- and Circa-PHV. The lack of temporal changes in eccentric duration, yet increases in eccentric impulse, indicated a probable enhanced efficiency of the stretch-shortening cycle post-PHV. Such findings may be attributed to the development of muscle cross-sectional area and architectural changes after maturation. These findings underscore the importance of maturation status when interpreting SSC-related performance tests and developing training programs for youth athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"e942-e949"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148330621","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":"The Adaptive Spiral of Collegiate Basketball Performance: A Multiseason Framework Integrating Load, Recovery, and Return-to-Performance.","authors":"Andrea Hudy, William J Kraemer, Jui Shah, Julie P Burland, Neal R Glaviano, Robert A Huggins, Jennifer B Fields, Abigail J Baldwin, Douglas J Casa","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005573","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005573","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Hudy, A, Kraemer, WJ, Shah, J, Burland, JP, Glaviano, NR, Huggins, RA, Fields, JB, Baldwin, AJ, and Casa, DJ. The adaptive spiral of collegiate basketball performance: A multiseason framework integrating load, recovery, and return-to-performance. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1160-1175, 2026-Basketball performance emerges from dynamic interactions among mechanical load, tissue remodeling, neuromechanical regulation, and psychological readiness. Traditional load-management and return-to-play models provide structural guidance but often lack integration across biological and contextual systems within season-dense environments. The purpose of this manuscript is to present and operationalize the Adaptive Spiral (AS) and Return-to-Performance (RTPerf) framework as a monitoring-informed model of readiness regulation in NCAA Division I women's basketball. Across three competitive seasons, longitudinal external-load metrics (e.g., PlayerLoad·min -1 , monotony), neuromechanical indices (e.g., countermovement jump variability, sway velocity), and perceptual measures were integrated within NCAA seasonal constraints to examine phase-based adaptation. The AS conceptualizes readiness as a recursive process unfolding through Restore, Build, Prime, Compete, and Recalibrate phases, whereas RTPerf operationalizes daily regulation of capacity, resilience, and performance expression. Longitudinal patterns demonstrated sustained high-intensity exposure with stabilized monotony and reduced neuromechanical variability across competitive phases, reflecting improved alignment between load progression, recovery distribution, and competitive readiness. These findings support a history-dependent model in which protection and performance are coregulated rather than sequential. By integrating objective monitoring, perceptual readiness, and contextual demands, the AS/RTPerf framework provides a structured approach for synchronizing adaptation within season-dense collegiate basketball environments, shifting performance management from reactive adjustment to proactive regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1160-1175"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148295422","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}