Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research最新文献

{"title":"Longitudinal Changes in Countermovement Jump and Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Metrics and Their Relationship With On-Court Basketball Performance in Elite Female Collegiate Basketball Players.","authors":"Arian Aguila Camacho, Fernando Ochoa Ahmed, Meagan Rowlett, Pablo Tadeo Ríos-Gallardo, Damjana V Cabarkapa, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Samuel Montalvo","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005468","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Aguila Camacho, A, Ochoa Ahmed, F, Rowlett, M, Ríos-Gallardo, PT, Cabarkapa, DV, Cabarkapa, D, and Montalvo, S. Longitudinal changes in countermovement jump and isometric mid-thigh pull metrics and their relationship with on-court basketball performance in elite female collegiate basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1095-1102, 2026-To quantify within-subject relationships among countermovement jump (CMJ) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) variables, describe their temporal behavior across a competitive season, and examine their association with game performance in female collegiate basketball. Eighteen athletes (21.6 ± 1.9 years; 69.9 ± 9.1 kg; 171.6 ± 8.2 cm) completed CMJ and IMTP testing for 33 weeks. Within-subject (demeaned) Spearman correlation matrices were used to identify functional clusters. Representative CMJ (jump height, peak power, contraction time, reactive strength index(mod) and IMTP (peak force, impulse 100 ms, rate of force development [RFD] 50 ms) variables were modeled longitudinally with linear mixed-effects models (random intercepts; autoregressive (1) for a week). Game outcomes from 24 contests were linked to the nearest prior test and evaluated with bivariate Spearman correlations and leave-one-out cross-validated (LOOCV) linear models. Countermovement jump variables clustered into (a) force-production measures (e.g., impulses/peak power; moderate-high positive associations), (b) performance outcomes (jump height with relative power), and (c) temporal measures (contraction/phase durations). Isometric mid-thigh pull variables formed tight early impulse and RFD clusters, with peak-force measures grouping separately. Cross-test associations were generally small (|ρ| ≤ ∼0.30), indicating complementary constructs. Mixed-model marginal means showed modest, nonuniform seasonal trends-modified reactive strength index (mRSI) tended to increase and contraction time to decrease late season, while IMTP peak force exhibited a mid-season rise-amid substantial within-player variability. For game performance, only mRSI showed a statistically significant positive correlation with point differential (ρ = 0.46, p = 0.024); other variables were small and nonsignificant. Single-variable LOOCV models explained little variance in point differential (R 2 _cv ≤ 0.04). Countermovement jump and IMTP capture largely independent neuromuscular qualities and exhibit modest, test-specific seasonal changes. Although mRSI relates positively to game point differential, single neuromuscular metrics showed limited standalone predictive value, supporting their use primarily for monitoring readiness in conjunction with contextual factors rather than for game-to-game prediction.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1095-1102"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147973433","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":"Comparisons of National Hockey League Edge Data for Playoff Versus Nonplayoff Teams.","authors":"Zachary M Gillen","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005543","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005543","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Gillen, ZM. Comparisons of national hockey league edge data for playoff versus nonplayoff teams. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1137-1142, 2026-The purpose of this study was to compare NHL EDGE data between playoff and nonplayoff teams during the 2024-2025 season. These data were used to examine potential differences between playoff ( n = 16) vs. nonplayoff ( n = 16) teams. Therefore, the independent variable in this study was playoff status. Data for NHL EDGE was taken from sensors embedded within pucks and individual jerseys and is publicly accessible. Variables were classified into the following categories based on the data repository: skating speed, skating distance, shot speed, shot location, and zone time. All data were taken as the team average. Independent samples t-tests were performed for all variables to examine differences between playoff and nonplayoff teams. Playoff teams had greater 22+ mph bursts, 20-22 mph bursts, offensive zone time percent, even strength offensive zone time percent, penalty kill neutral zone time percent, goals, shots on goal, shooting percent, high-danger shots on goal, high-danger goals, and mid-danger goals ( p ≤ 0.038). Defensive zone time percent and even strength defensive zone time percent were greater for nonplayoff teams ( p ≤ 0.041). These results suggest that high-intensity skating capabilities, tactical zone control, and shot placement seem to enhance overall team performance. This demonstrates unique potential for further developing practice and game strategies that could further enhance team success.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1137-1142"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143749","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":"Association Between Single-Leg Heel Rise Performance and Lower Leg, Ankle, and Foot Injuries in Adolescent Ballet Dancers: A Prospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Anna Schrefl, Nico Kolokythas, Daniel Erlacher, Andrea Schärli","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005470","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005470","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Schrefl, A, Kolokythas, N, Erlacher, D, and Schärli, A. Association between single-leg heel rise performance and lower leg, ankle, and foot injuries in adolescent ballet dancers: a prospective cohort study. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): e1006-e1012, 2026-Lower leg, ankle, and foot injuries are common in dancers, yet prospective evidence on performance-based risk factors is limited. The single-leg heel rise (SLHR) test is widely used to assess calf muscle endurance in dance screenings, but its predictive value for injuries remains unclear. At baseline, 70 vocational ballet students (45 females, 25 males) completed the SLHR test. Six movement-quality criteria and a muscular endurance threshold (30 repetitions) were assessed. Medical attention and time-loss injuries were prospectively recorded during a 36-week season. Random forest models identified key predictors, evaluated with logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Low eccentric control and pronounced supination emerged as top movement-quality predictors (medical attention: area under the curve [AUC] = 0.75-0.76; time-loss: AUC = 0.80-0.84). Combined with the 30-repetition threshold, this model achieved AUC 0.73 (95% CI: 0.62-0.85), sensitivity 0.60, and specificity 0.80 for medical attention injuries, and AUC 0.69 (95% CI: 0.55-0.82), sensitivity 0.69, and specificity 0.70 for time-loss injuries. Low eccentric control was significantly associated with injury (OR = 4.49, p = 0.013), with nonsignificant trends for the 30-repetition threshold (OR = 2.71) and supination (OR = 1.56). Poor eccentric control, failure to complete 30 repetitions, and pronounced supination were the strongest performance-based indicators of lower leg, ankle, and foot injury risk in adolescent ballet dancers. Monitoring performance deficits in these areas may serve as a practical, low-cost approach to injury risk screening in dance populations. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"e1006-e1012"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147592987","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 Modified 3-Minute All-Out Test Parameters as Predictors of 50-, 100-, and 200-m Front Crawl Official Performance in Trained Swimmers.","authors":"Simone Di Gennaro, Marco Panascì, Gennaro Apollaro, Marco Fassone, Luca Puce, Piero Ruggeri, Emanuela Faelli","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005480","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005480","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Di Gennaro, S, Panascì, M, Apollaro, G, Fassone, M, Puce, L, Ruggeri, P, and Faelli, E. The modified 3-minute all-out test parameters as predictors of 50-, 100-, and 200-m front crawl official performance in trained swimmers. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): 1111-1118, 2026-In this study, we investigated (a) the relationship between the modified 3-minute all-out test (3mAO mod ) parameters and swimming official performance in 50-, 100-, and 200-m front crawl; (b) the predictive accuracy of critical speed (CS) model; (c) the predictive linear regression (MLR) models incorporating CS, curvature constant (D') or anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), and anthropometry. Twenty-three young swimmers (mean ± SD : age = 17.5 ± 1.9 years, mass = 61.8 ± 7.2 kg, height 1.79 ± 0.08 m) performed the 3mAO mod and, within 6 weeks, competed in 50-, 100-, and 200-m official races. The relationships between 3mAO mod parameters and race times were examined using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation. Race times were predicted using the CS model and MLR, including CS, D', or ASR, sex, age, height, and body mass. Mean absolute error ( MAE ) and paired sample t-tests with Bonferroni corrections were used to compare actual and predicted results. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The correlation between CS and race time increased with the increase in race distance ( r = -0.491 to -0.698) while the correlation between D' and ASR with race time decreased with the increase in race distance (rho = -0.628 to -0.347 and -0.574 to -0.274, respectively). The CS model underestimates race times in the 50- and 200-m races ( p ≤ 0.001, MAE = ±3.33 and ±5.06 seconds, respectively), but not in the 100-m race ( p = 0.070, MAE = ±1.72 seconds). Predictions from MLRs were not significantly different from actual performance in all events ( p = 0.999, ±0.41 seconds < MAE < ±3.56 seconds). The 3mAO mod parameters are related to 50-, 100-, and 200-m performance, supporting their physiologic rationale and, when applied to the developed MLRs, can predict performance with higher accuracy than the CS model, and in a user-friendly manner.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"1111-1118"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147592934","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":"Characterization of Sports Science Professionals Working in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Australian A-League, and Major League Soccer.","authors":"Abbey Jones, Disa Hatfield, Luis Peñailillo, William J Kraemer, Carlos O Rehbein, Jorich Swift, Jacob Earp","doi":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005466","DOIUrl":"10.1519/JSC.0000000000005466","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Jones, A, Hatfield, D, Peñailillo, L, Kraemer, WJ, Rehbein, CO, Swift, J, and Earp, J. Characterization of sports science professionals working in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Australian A-League, and Major League Soccer. J Strength Cond Res 40(9): e968-e974, 2026-Sport science (SS) is an evolving field dedicated to enhancing athlete performance and health through implementation of evidence-based practices and integration with technical coaching and medical staff. Despite numerous advances in this field, SS integration is not standardized across professional soccer. The present study compares functional roles of SS stakeholders working across five international soccer leagues and how educational background varies by role. Stakeholders ( n = 358) from the Premier League (PL), Bundesliga (BL), La Liga (LL), Major Soccer League (MLS), and Australian A-League (AA-L) were identified from club websites and media releases. Stakeholder roles were classified by job title as sports scientist, performance director, data analyst, or performance coach, and comparisons were made between leagues. Level of education and area of study was available for 75% of stakeholders and was compared between positions by role. Overall, PL (5.32 ± 2.98 stakeholders/club) and BL (5.72 ± 2.42 stakeholders/club) employed more ( p < 0.05) stakeholders than LL (2.68 ± 1.67 stakeholders/club), MLS (2.61 ± 1.47 stakeholders/club), and AA-L (2.50 ± 1.00 stakeholders/club). The relative number of stakeholders with each role differed between leagues ( F = 2.74-13.91, p = 0.001-0.034). Notably, PL employed more sports scientists than BL and LL, whereas BL employed more analysts and performance coaches than LL, MLS, and AA-L ( p < 0.05). In addition, sports scientists were more likely to have a sports-science degree (80%) than data analysts (44%) or performance coaches (72%) and on average possessed more advanced degrees ( p = 0.001-0.002). Overall integration of SS differed between soccer leagues in the number of stakeholders employed, their primary job responsibilities, and educational background.</p>","PeriodicalId":17129,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research","volume":" ","pages":"e968-e974"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148031846","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":"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}