Association of the load-velocity relationship variables with 2000-m rowing ergometer performance

Validation of a Single-Session Protocol to Determine the Load-Velocity Profile and One-Repetition Maximum for the Back Squat Exercise

ABSTRACT

Gomes, M, Fitas, A, Santos, P, Pezarat-Correia, P, and Mendonca, GV. Validation of a single session protocol to determine the load-velocity profile and one-repetition maximum for the back squat exercise. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1013-1018, 2024-We investigated whether a single session of absolute incremental loading is valid to obtain the individual load-velocity profile (LVP) and 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for the free-weight parallel back squat. Twenty strength-trained male subjects completed 3 testing sessions, including a baseline 1RM session and 2 LVP sessions (LVP rel based on incremental relative loads and LVP abs based on absolute load increments until 1RM). The 1RM load was compared between the baseline and LVP abs . The load at zero velocity (load-axis intercept [L 0 ]), maximal velocity capacity (velocity-axis intercept [V 0 ]), slope, and area under the load-velocity relationship line (A line ) were compared between the LVP rel and LVP abs using equivalence testing through 2 one-sided t -tests. Measurement accuracy was calculated using the absolute percent error. The 1RM measured at baseline and LVP abs was equivalent and presented a low absolute percent error (1.2%). The following LVP parameters were equivalent between LVP rel and LVP abs : 1RM, L 0 , and A line because the mean difference between sessions was close to zero and the Bland-Altman limits of agreement (1RM:5.3 kg; L 0 :6.8 kg; A line : 9.5 kg·m -1 ·s -1 ) were contained within the a priori defined ± equivalent margins (5% for 1RM and L 0 and 10% for A line ). The aforementioned variables presented a low absolute percent error. However, slope and V 0 were not equivalent between sessions. In conclusion, a single session of absolute incremental loading is a valid approach to obtain the L 0 and A line of the individual LVP and 1RM, and can be used to efficiently track the magnitude of neuromuscular adaptations throughout the training cycles for the free-weight back squat.

Acute Effect of Different Velocity-Based Training Protocols on 2000-meter Rowing Ergometer Performance

ABSTRACT

Leandro Quidel-Catrilelbún, ME, Ruiz-Alias, SA, García-Pinillos, F, Ramirez-Campillo, R, and Pérez-Castilla, A. Acute effect of different velocity-based training protocols on 2000-m rowing ergometer performance. J Strength Cond Res 38(1): e8-e15, 2024-This study aimed to explore the acute effect of 4 velocity-based resistance training (VBT) protocols on 2000-m rowing ergometer (RE2000) time trial, as well as the behavior of the maximal neuromuscular capacities when RE2000 is performed alone or preceded by VBT protocols in the same session. Fifteen male competitive rowers (15-22 years) undertook 5 randomized protocols in separate occasions: (a) RE2000 alone (control condition); (b) VBT against 60% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) with a velocity loss in the set of 10% followed by RE2000 (VBT60-10 + RE2000); (c) VBT against 60% 1RM with a velocity loss in the set of 30% followed by RE2000 (VBT60-30 + RE2000); (d) VBT against 80% 1RM with a velocity loss in the set of 10% followed by RE2000 (VBT80-10 + RE2000); (e) VBT against 80% 1RM with a velocity loss in the set of 30% followed by RE2000 (VBT80-30 + RE2000). The load-velocity relationship (load-axis intercept [L0], velocity-axis intercept [v0], and area under the load-velocity relationship line [Aline]) was used to evaluate the maximal neuromuscular capacities during the prone bench pull exercise before and after each protocol. The time trial was significantly longer for VBT60-30 + RE2000 and VBT80-30 + RE2000 than for RE2000, VBT60-10 + RE2000 and VBT80-10 + RE2000 (all p < 0.001; ES = 0.10-0.15). L0 and Aline were significantly reduced after all protocols (p < 0.001; ES = 0.10-0.13), with Aline reduction more accentuated for VBT60-10 + RE2000, VBT60-30 + RE2000, VBT80-30 + RE2000, and RE2000 (all p = 0.001; ES = 0.11-0.18) than for VBT80-10 + RE2000 (p = 0.065; ES = 0.05). Therefore, VBT protocols with greater velocity loss in the set (30% vs. 10%) negatively affected subsequent rowing ergometer performance, in line with impairment in Aline pulling performance.

Assessing the Maximal Mechanical Capacities Through the Load-Velocity Relationship in Elite Versus Junior Male Volleyball Players

BACKGROUND

Physical testing is crucial for athlete monitoring, talent identification, optimizing training, and tailoring programs to enhance game-performance in elite competitions.

HYPOTHESIS

Load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables discriminate between elite and junior volleyball players, correlate with volleyball-specific performance, and are generalizable across lower- and upper-body exercises.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

METHODS

A total of 9 elite and 11 junior volleyball players were assessed for the L-V relationship (load-axis intercept [L0], velocity-axis intercept [v0], and area under the L-V relationship line [Aline]) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) and bench press throw (BPT) exercises. Block and spike jump height, as well as standing and jumping spike speed were assessed 24 hours later.

RESULTS

Elite players presented greater magnitude in the L-V variables (P ≤ 0.03; effect size [ES] ≥ 1.06) and higher volleyball-specific performance (P ≤ 0.03; ES ≥ 1.09) than juniors (except for CMJ v0 and Aline). The L-V relationship variables were significantly associated with the block and spike jump height and jumping spike speed only in elite players (r ≥ 0.703 and P ≤ 0.04 in 11 out of 18 correlations). No significant associations were observed between CMJ and BPT for any L-V relationship variable (r ≤ 581; P ≥ 0.08, except for Aline in junior players).

CONCLUSION

The L-V relationship is a practical procedure to assess volleyball players' maximal mechanical capacities, which are associated with volleyball-specific performance in elite players. However, these data should not be used interchangeably between playing standards or exercises.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This information might help strength and conditioning coaches to prescribe more effective training programs that focus on developing the specific physical capacities necessary for players to potentially advance to elite status.

Interference Effects of Different Resistance-Training Protocols on Rowing Ergometer Performance: A Study on Semiprofessional Rowers

PURPOSE

To evaluate the interference effects of various resistance-training (RT) protocols on rowing ergometer performance.

METHODS

Fourteen semiprofessional male rowers randomly completed 5 protocols in separate sessions: (1) control-no RT session was performed, (2) upper-body high-fatigue-4 sets to failure during the bench pull exercise, (3) upper-body low-fatigue-4 sets of 6 repetitions during the bench pull exercise, (4) lower-body high-fatigue-4 sets to failure during the leg-press exercise, and (5) lower-body low-fatigue-4 sets of 6 repetitions during the leg-press exercise. All sets were performed against the 12-repetition-maximum load with 2 minutes of interset rest. Following the completion of the protocols, subjects performed an all-out 1000-m rowing ergometer test.

RESULTS

Compared with the control condition, rowing ergometer performance was not significantly affected after the low-fatigue RT protocols (upper body: P ≥ .487; Δ = 0.0%-0.2%; lower body: P ≥ .200; Δ = -0.2%-0.5%), while it significantly declined following high-fatigue RT protocols (upper body: P ≤ .001; Δ = 1.0%-2.0%; lower body: P ≤ .002; Δ = 2.1%-2.5%). The average heart rate was significantly lower for the control condition compared with all RT protocols (P ≤ .043; Δ = 1.0%-1.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

To minimize interference on rowing performance, coaches should prioritize the level of effort in RT protocols over specific exercises, specifically avoiding high-fatigue protocols that lead to failure before rowing practice.

Does the Menstrual Cycle Impact the Maximal Neuromuscular Capacities of Women? An Analysis Before and After a Graded Treadmill Test to Exhaustion

ABSTRACT

Morenas-Aguilar, MD, Ruiz-Alias, SA, Blanco, AM, Lago-Fuentes, C, García-Pinillos, F, and Pérez-Castilla, A. Does the menstrual cycle impact the maximal neuromuscular capacities of women? An analysis before and after a graded treadmill test to exhaustion. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2185-2191, 2023. This study explored the effect of the menstrual cycle (MC) on the maximal neuromuscular capacities of the lower-body muscles obtained before and after a graded exercise test conducted on a treadmill to exhaustion. Sixteen physically active women were tested at -11 ± 3, -5 ± 3, and 5 ± 3 days from the luteinizing peak for the early follicular, late follicular, and midluteal phases. In each session, the individualized load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables (load-axis intercept [L0], velocity-axis intercept [v0], and area under the L-V relationship line [Aline]) were obtained before and after a graded exercise test conducted on a treadmill to exhaustion using the 2-point method (3 countermovement jumps with a 0.5-kg barbell and 2 back squats against a load linked to a mean velocity of 0.55 m·second-1). At the beginning of each session, no significant differences were reported for L0 (p = 0.726; ES ≤ 0.18), v0 (p = 0.202; ES ≤ 0.37), and Aline (p = 0.429; ES ≤ 0.30) between the phases. The MC phase × time interaction did not reach statistical significance for any L-V relationship variable (p ≥ 0.073). A significant main effect of "time" was observed for L0 (p < 0.001; ES = -0.77) and Aline (p = 0.002; ES = -0.59) but not for v0 (p = 0.487; ES = 0.12). These data suggest that the lower-body maximal neuromuscular capacities obtained before and after a graded treadmill test are not significantly affected by MC, although there is a high variability in the individual response.

Two-point Method Applied in Field Conditions: A Feasible Approach to Assess the Load-Velocity Relationship Variables During the Bench Pull Exercise

ABSTRACT

Miras-Moreno, S, García-Ramos, A, Jukic, I, and Pérez-Castilla, A. Two-point method applied in field conditions: a feasible approach to assess the load-velocity relationship variables during the bench pull exercise. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1367-1374, 2023-This study explored the between-session reliability and concurrent validity of the load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables obtained from different methods during the Smith machine bench pull exercise. In a counterbalanced order, 23 resistance-trained male subjects performed 2 sessions against 6 different loads in one week and 2 sessions against the lightest and heaviest loads in another week. The L-V relationship variables (load-axis intercept [ L0 ], velocity-axis intercept [ v0 ], and area under the L-V relationship line [ Aline ]) were obtained using the mean and peak velocity by the standard multiple-point (all 6 loads were used for the L-V modeling), modified multiple-point (the data point that most reduced the coefficient of determination was omitted from the L-V modeling), and 2-point (only 2 loads were used for the L-V modeling) methods. The reliability of the L-V relationship variables was acceptable for all methods (within-subjects coefficient of variation [CV] = 2.09-9.21%). The standard multiple-point and 2-point methods provided greater reliability for all L-V relationship variables compared with the modified multiple-point method (CV ratio ≥ 1.27), while the 2-point method provided similar (CV ratio = 1.04 for Aline ) or greater (CV ratio = 1.50 for L0 and 1.62 for v0 ) reliability than the standard multiple-point method. The concurrent validity of the modified multiple-point and 2-point methods was acceptable for the L-V relationship variables (effect size ≤ 0.62; r ≥ 0.76). These results suggest that the 2-point method is not only a valid procedure but also more reliable, simpler, faster, and less prone to fatigue than multiple-point methods for assessing maximal neuromuscular capacities through the L-V relationship.