Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research最新文献

{"title":"Assessing Shoulder Joint Kinematics During the Bench Press Exercise in Competitive Powerlifters With Markerless Motion Capture.","authors":"Jodi G Motlagh, David B Lipps","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005593","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Motlagh, JG and Lipps, DB. Assessing shoulder joint kinematics during the bench press exercise in competitive powerlifters with markerless motion capture. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The barbell bench press is fundamental in strength training and powerlifting, yet shoulder injury risk related to this exercise, especially among female athletes, is understudied. Markerless motion capture provides a scalable approach for examining three-dimensional joint kinematics during athletic maneuvers. This study characterized changes in glenohumeral range of motion throughout a standardized, fatiguing bench press protocol and assessed differences by biological sex. Nineteen competitive powerlifters (10 male and 9 female subjects) completed 3 sets of 8 repetitions of barbell bench press at 73.9% of self-reported 1-repetition maximum, following a standardized warm-up. Shoulder kinematics were recorded with markerless motion capture and analyzed with Theia3D. Primary outcomes included the intra- and interset 3D range of motion of the glenohumeral joint. Repeated-measures ANOVA examined the effects of repetition, set, arm dominance, and sex. Within each set, significant intraset increases in range of motion were observed between the first and second-to-last repetition across all joint axes: plane of elevation (p = 0.002), elevation (p < 0.001), and rotation (p < 0.001). No significant interset changes were found. Female lifters demonstrated significantly greater increases in glenohumeral range of motion compared with male powerlifters in the plane of elevation (p = 0.011) and elevation (p = 0.036) axes but not in rotation. This study found notable intraset increases in glenohumeral range of motion during repeated bench press, with these increases most pronounced in female lifters. The findings underscore the importance of targeted injury prevention strategies and support the value of markerless motion capture for sport-specific biomechanical assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148982912","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":"Endocrine, Skeletal, and Circadian Biomarker Profiles Across Operational Phases in Elite Special Forces Operators.","authors":"William J Kraemer, Jeff S Volek, Mark D Stephenson, Tunde K Szivak, Catherine Saenz, Alex Buga, Elaine C Lee, Nicholas A Ratamess, Emily M Post, Lydia K Caldwell, Joshua A Hagen, Carl M Maresh","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005679","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Kraemer, WJ, Volek, JS, Stephenson, MD, Szivak, TK, Saenz, C, Buga, A, Lee, EC, Ratamess, NA, Post, EM, Caldwell, LK, Hagen, JA, and Maresh, CM. Endocrine, skeletal, and circadian biomarker profiles across operational phases in elite special forces operators. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This investigation examined multisystem biomarker responses across distinct operational phases in elite Special Forces operators and evaluated whether integrated patterns, including principal component analysis (PCA), could reveal coherent signatures of stress and recovery. Fifty-six male operators (28-42 years, 175-187 cm, 77-95 kg) participated in a longitudinal study. Resting venous blood samples were obtained at 3 visits aligned with recovery/reset (visit 1), peak training stress (visit 2), and reintegration (visit 3). Serum analytes included 25-hydroxy vitamin D, triiodothyronine (T3), β-C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), melatonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), R-β-hydroxybutyrate (R-BHB), and plasma samples for ghrelin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). All biomarkers were analyzed in duplicate using ELISA. Repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction (p ≤ 0.05) and exploratory PCA were performed. Vitamin D and T3 declined significantly from visit 1 to visit 2 (-16% and -30%; p < 0.001) and remained suppressed at visit 3. CTX decreased markedly at visit 2 (-87%; p < 0.001) but recovered by visit 3. Ghrelin increased at visit 2 (+16%; p = 0.002), whereas NPY increased only at visit 3. Melatonin doubled at visit 2 (+105%; p < 0.001) and remained elevated. R-BHB, VEGF, and CRP did not change significantly. Exploratory PCA identified 3 components representing hormonal-circadian regulation, metabolic-inflammatory strain, and neuroendocrine appetite regulation. A phase-based, multisystem biomarker panel, supported by PCA-derived physiological axes, identified coherent signatures of operational stress and recovery. These findings support the use of integrated biomarker monitoring to characterize system-level stress responses and inform phase-specific recovery and readiness strategies in elite tactical populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148969362","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":"Retrospective Analysis of Competition Attempt Variations of Elite Paralympic Powerlifters.","authors":"Erick Guilherme Peixoto de Lucena, Victor Benutto, S Kyle Travis, José Igor Vasconcelos Oliveira, Thiago Mattos Frota de Souza, Marco Carlos Uchida","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005670","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005670","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>de Lucena, EGP, Benutto, V, Travis, SK, Oliveira, JIV, de Souza, TMF, and Uchida, MC. Retrospective analysis of competition attempt variations of elite Paralympic powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The purposes of this study were to retrospectively assess data from the 2019 and 2020 World Para Powerlifting World Cups to calculate and describe the percentage change (Δ%) in the load lifted between the first successful attempt and the last successful attempt for male and female athletes and to investigate the effects of age, body mass, percentage change, and best lift on ranking position. Male athletes had greater body mass than female athletes (t [-3.2] = 184.4, p < 0.01) and lifted greater absolute loads in both the first successful attempt (t [-15.9] = 228.6, p < 0.01) and the last successful attempt (best lift) (t [-15.9] = 229.3, p < 0.01). Conversely, female athletes demonstrated a Δ% greater than male athletes (t [3.9] = 181.8, p < 0.01). Among female athletes, body mass (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.09, p < 0.01) and best lift (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.92-0.96, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with improved ranking positions. Similar associations were observed in male athletes for body mass (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.08, p < 0.01) and best lift (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.92-0.95, p < 0.01). This study provides novel insight into the factors influencing Paralympic powerlifting World Cup competition outcomes, specifically highlighting the significant roles of body mass and best lift.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148930212","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":"Despite Low Concordance, Change of Direction and Maneuverability Both Differentiate Between Performance Levels in Field Hockey.","authors":"Sebastian Puschkasch-Möck, Paul A Jones, Soufiane Kaabi, Konstantin Warneke, Paul Comfort","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005671","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005671","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Puschkasch-Möck, S, Jones, PA, Kaabi, S, Warneke, K, and Comfort, P. Despite low concordance, change of direction and maneuverability both differentiate between performance levels in field hockey. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study examined the reliability and discriminatory ability of a newly developed Slalom maneuverability test compared with the established 505 change of direction (CoD) test in elite and junior elite male field hockey players. Thirty international-level (16 senior elite and 14 junior elite) athletes performed a battery of tests, including linear sprinting, the 6-bounds test, the 10-5 repeated jumps test, the Slalom test, and the 505 CoD test. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), mean absolute and percentage errors, and coefficients of variation (%CV). Both the Slalom and 505 tests demonstrated good-to-excellent reliability (ICC = 0.709-0.982, %CV < 6%). Significant differences (ranging between p = 0.043 and p < 0.001) between performance levels were observed for the turning and total times in both the Slalom and 505 tests, whereas no differences (ranging between p = 0.193 and p = 0.961) were found for sprint or jump performance. Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed acceptable to excellent discriminatory power (Area under the Curve = 0.70-0.84), slightly favoring the 505 test. However, concordance between the 2 tests was low to moderate, suggesting that they might reflect partly different aspects of multidirectional speed performance. Most athletes adopted a pacing strategy during the 505 test, suggesting possible test-specific adaptations. Overall, both tests effectively differentiated performance levels, with the Slalom test providing a reliable, field-specific measure of maneuverability that complements traditional CoD assessments. These findings highlight the importance of assessing both linear and multidirectional movement efficiency for accurate evaluation of performance in field hockey.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148930245","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":"Power Profile of Olympic Cross-Country Mountain Biking: Durability Matters.","authors":"Allan Inoue, Manuel Mateo-March, Gabriel Protzen, Everton Crivoi do Carmo, Eduardo Lattari, Vitor Pereira Costa, Elirez Bezerra da Silva","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005669","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005669","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Inoue, A, Mateo-March, M, Protzen, G, do Carmo, EC, Lattari, E, Costa, VP, and Bezerra da Silva, E. Power profile of Olympic cross-country mountain biking: Durability matters. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Power output decline may represent an important indicator of durability in Olympic cross-country mountain biking (XCO-MTB), highlighting the need to evaluate performance when fatigued. This study aimed to (a) assess the impact of a fatigue protocol on the power profile of XCO-MTB athletes and (b) explore how power profile and durability interact to shape performance. Twenty-five male XCO-MTB athletes underwent power profile tests in randomized \"fresh\" and fatigued conditions, separated by 48 hours. In the fatigued condition, the power profile test was immediately preceded by a 140-minute fatigue protocol that included 5 repeated 8-minute efforts at 105-110% of critical power. After 72 hours, athletes completed an individual time trial on an XCO-MTB track and were classified as high performance (HP, n = 9) or low performance (LP, n = 9) based on their time trial results; the middle tertile (n = 7) was excluded for clearer differentiation. Power output across all durations (5 seconds-10 minutes) and total work (kJ and kJ kg-1) were significantly lower in the fatigued condition compared with the \"fresh\" condition (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001, small-to-large effect sizes, Hedges' g = 0.32-1.52). Both groups experienced percentage reductions in power output, but the LP group showed significantly greater declines (≈14-20%, p < 0.05 to p < 0.01, moderate-to-large effect sizes, Hedges' g = 0.93-1.88) than the HP group (≈4-8%), except at the 15-second duration. In conclusion, fatigue significantly impairs the power profile of XCO-MTB athletes, whereas higher-performing athletes demonstrate greater durability through smaller declines in power output across effort durations under fatigued conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148919675","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":"Load-Dependent Modulation of Intermuscular Coherence During Drop Jumps in Female Athletes: Insights Into the Performance Optimization.","authors":"Serkan Uslu, Emel Cetin Ozdogan","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005651","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005651","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Uslu, S and Cetin Ozdogan, E. Load-dependent modulation of intermuscular coherence during drop jumps in female athletes: Insights into the performance optimization. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Mechanical outcomes of drop jumps (DJs) are well-documented; however, how mechanical load modulates neuromuscular coordination in female athletes remains unclear -an issue of particular importance for performance and injury. Despite widespread use of DJs in training and assessment, the neural mechanisms and injury risk remain underexplored. Intermuscular coherence (IMC) provides frequency-specific insights into shared synaptic input and corticospinal drive, which may refine training programs and injury prevention. Thirty-six physically active female athletes performed DJs from 30, 40, 50, and 60 cm. Surface electromyography from tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius (dominant leg) was processed, and IMC was quantified within delta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands during pre- and postcontact phases. Ground contact time (GCT), jump height, and reactive strength index (RSI) were measured. Repeated-measures analyses of variance with Bonferroni adjustments tested the effect of height. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses. Drop jump height significantly affected performance: GCT, F (2.08-72.67) = 12.41, p < 0.001; RSI, F (2.43-85.07) = 27.45, p < 0.001; jump performance, F (1.96-68.57) = 8.81, p < 0.001. Intermuscular coherence was also height-dependent. Delta-band coherence declined with increasing height (precontact: F (3-105) = 8.61, p < 0.001; postcontact: F (1.93-67.63) = 30.88, p < 0.001). Beta-band coherence showed the strongest suppression at 30 cm, while 40-50 cm showed higher values. Moderate heights (≈40-50 cm) optimize neuromechanical efficiency and performance while maintaining beta/gamma coherence, whereas 60 cm prolongs GCT, decreases RSI, and suppresses beta-band IMC, representing neuromechanical overload. Concurrent assessment of IMC and RSI might provide criteria for individualized DJ applications and for early identification of neuromuscular deficits relevant to injury prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148919594","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":"Effects of Weekly Set Distribution on Volume Load, Lower-Body Strength, and Quadriceps Muscle Thickness in Trained Men.","authors":"Jader Calzavara, Renato Barroso","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005665","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005665","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Calzavara, J and Barroso, R. Effects of weekly set distribution on volume load, lower-body strength, and quadriceps muscle thickness in trained men. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study compared volume load, maximal dynamic strength, and quadriceps muscle thickness after 2 weekly set-distribution models in trained men. Eighteen subjects completed 6 weeks of lower-body resistance training involving the Back Squat, Leg Press, and Leg Extension. Subjects were randomly allocated to RT1, which performed all weekly sets in 1 session, or RT3, which distributed the same number of sets across 3 sessions. Each exercise was performed for 3 weekly sets at 80% of pretest 1RM (1 repetition maximum) to concentric failure. RT3 achieved higher volume load than RT1 in the Back Squat (Δ% = 58%; p = 0.010) and Leg Press (Δ% = 76%; p = 0.013), with a similar trend in the Leg Extension that did not reach statistical significance (Δ% = 38%; p = 0.057). A significant main effect of time indicated that maximal dynamic strength increased across the intervention for all 1RM outcomes (all p < 0.001), with no significant group × time interactions. However, the group × time interactions approached, but did not reach, statistical significance for the Back Squat (p = 0.074) and Leg Press (p = 0.071), with larger pre-to-post changes in RT3, whereas no clear between-protocol pattern was observed for the Leg Extension (p = 0.535). Muscle thickness increased over time at the vastus lateralis and mid-thigh sites (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), with no significant group × time interaction at either site (p = 0.215 and p = 0.987, respectively). These findings indicate that distributing weekly sets across 3 sessions can increase volume load without modifying other training variables. However, this higher volume-load response provided only directional support for greater maximal strength gains in RT3 and did not translate into superior muscle thickness gains over 6 weeks.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148912635","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":"Abdominal Hoop Stress: A Field-Deployable Instrument for Quantifying Bracing During the Squat and Deadlift in Powerlifters.","authors":"Sean M Harris, Wanyi Wang, Reagan M Morrow, Matthew Hutton, Peggy Gleeson","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005660","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005660","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Harris, SM, Wang, W, Morrow, RM, Hutton, M, and Gleeson, P. Abdominal hoop stress: A field-deployable instrument for quantifying bracing during the squat and deadlift in powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-Abdominal bracing is widely taught for spinal protection during heavy lifts, yet no field-deployable measure quantifies it directly during the squat and deadlift. We piloted a strain-gauge weightlifting belt that records peak abdominal hoop stress (AHS) in collegiate powerlifters and examined its consistency and associations with low back pain (LBP) history and maximal performance. Twenty-five powerlifters (17 men, 8 women; ages 18-25 years) completed squat and deadlift sets at 25, 50, 75, and 100% of a 75%-1RM target. Within-session repeatability used duplicate measures in 10 subjects. Independent t-tests, Pearson correlations, and general linear mixed models related peak AHS to LBP history, sex, body mass index (BMI), exercise type, and weight lifted. Abdominal hoop stress showed high reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (2, 1) ≥ 0.996) and correlated strongly with maximal squat (r = 0.752) and deadlift (r = 0.654; both p < 0.001). Lifters with prior LBP showed substantially lower AHS (Cohen's d = 1.38; p = 0.002). After adjustment for exercise, sex, BMI, and prior LBP, weight lifted remained independently associated with AHS (β = 0.05, p < 0.001). These pilot data support AHS as a feasible field measure of abdominal bracing warranting further evaluation as a candidate screening signal and training target.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148912699","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":"Wavelet-Based Electromyographic and Mechanomyographic Intensity Responses to Fatiguing Tasks Anchored to a Rating of Perceived Exertion Versus Torque.","authors":"Dolores G Ortega, Robert W Smith, Jocelyn E Arnett, Tyler J Neltner, Trevor D Roberts, Justin S Pioske, Richard J Schmidt, Terry J Housh","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005666","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005666","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Ortega, DG, Smith, RW, Arnett, JE, Neltner, TJ, Roberts, TD, Pioske, JS, Schmidt, RJ, and Housh, TJ. Wavelet-based electromyographic and mechanomyographic intensity responses to fatiguing tasks anchored to a rating of perceived exertion versus torque. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This study used wavelet analyses to examine the effects of anchor scheme on electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) intensity. Twelve men (age = 20.9 ± 2.2 years) performed maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) before and after sustained, isometric forearm flexion tasks anchored to a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 4 (RPE4FT) and the torque (TRQ4FT) that corresponded to an RPE of 4. Wavelet analyses were used to decompose the EMG and MMG signals recorded from the biceps brachii during the MVICs onto sets of 11 nonlinearly scaled Cauchy wavelets. Repeated measures analyses of variance were used to analyze the EMG and MMG intensity data, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. After the RPE4FT, EMG intensity decreased (p = 0.004 to 0.047) at wavelet bands 5 and 8-11. After the TRQ4FT, EMG intensity increased (p = 0.009) at wavelet band 1 and decreased (p < 0.001 to p = 0.047) at wavelet bands 5-11. The MMG intensity distribution across the 11 wavelet bands did not differ (p > 0.05) between the sustained tasks and remained unchanged from pretest to post-test MVIC. Taken together, the EMG and MMG intensity responses suggested that, despite the presence of peripheral fatigue, which affected the TRQ4FT to a greater extent than the RPE4FT, motor units were maximally recruited with no change in their firing rates from pretest to post-test MVIC. Thus, the application of wavelet-based spectral analyses offers a sensitive approach for detecting subtle changes in muscle function, which has important implications for advancing diagnostic precision and developing targeted interventions in sports performance, rehabilitation, and clinical assessments of neuromuscular health.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148912611","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":"Comparing Neuromuscular Tests to Discriminate Striking Performance in Elite Mixed Martial Arts Athletes.","authors":"Jiaming Yan, Amador García-Ramos, Javier Courel-Ibáñez, Weixin Chen, Junxian Rui, Liang Wang, Zongwei Chen, Yuliang Sun, Wenfei Zhu","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005677","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000005677","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Yan, J, García-Ramos, A, Courel-Ibáñez, J, Chen, W, Rui, J, Wang, L, Chen, Z, Sun, Y, and Zhu, W. Comparing neuromuscular tests to discriminate striking performance in elite mixed martial arts athletes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-General upper-body strength and power tests may have limited value for profiling striking-specific performance because they do not replicate the standing, rotation-assisted kinetic chain of punching. We examined whether a standing landmine punch throw (LPT) could better discriminate striking performance in elite mixed martial arts athletes than conventional ballistic and strength tests. Thirty-six elite male athletes (age: 20.0 ± 1.9 years, height: 1.72 ± 0.07 m, body mass: 68.3 ± 8.5 kg) participated in this cross-sectional study and were stratified into higher-impact, middle-impact, and lower-impact groups according to tertiles of relative striking force. Four assessments were evaluated: clap push-up, isometric bench press, bench press throw (BPT), and LPT. Load-velocity profiles were modeled for the ballistic exercises to derive theoretical maximal force (L0), theoretical maximal velocity (v0), and the area under the load-velocity relationship line (Aline). Relative impact force was significantly correlated with LPT Aline (r = 0.64), BPT Aline (r = 0.44), BPT L0 (r = 0.42), LPT L0 (r = 0.40), isometric peak force (r = 0.39), and isometric 0-250-millisecond impulse (r = 0.35) and LPT v0 (r = 0.33) (p ≤ 0.05). However, only LPT Aline showed a significant main effect across the 3 performance tertiles. Exploratory receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a preliminary cutoff of ≤2.12 W·kg-1 for LPT Aline to classify lower-impact strikers (AUC = 0.851). These findings indicate that although some general neuromuscular variables were associated with relative striking force, the LPT load-velocity profile showed the greatest discriminative validity, likely because of its greater task specificity. Practitioners may therefore consider LPT profiling to complement traditional upper-body testing when evaluating striking-specific capability in elite fighters.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148887833","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}