Selective Effect of Different High-Intensity Running Protocols on Resistance Training Performance

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.

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.