Activity

Next, to assess the combined impact of all 28 DNA polymorphisms, all athletes were classified according to the number of “strength” alleles they possessed. All highly elite strength athletes were carriers of at least 22 (up to 34) “strength” alleles, whereas 27.8% of Russian controls had less than 22 “strength” alleles (p less then 0.0001). The proportion of subjects with a high (≥26) number of “strength” alleles was significantly greater in highly elite strength athletes (84.8%) compared with less successful strength athletes (64.9%; odd ratio [OR] = 3.0, p = 0.042), Russian (26.3%; OR = 15.6, p less then 0.0001) or European (37.8%; OR = 6.4, p less then 0.0001) controls. This is the first study to demonstrate that the likelihood of becoming an elite strength athlete depends on the carriage of a high number of strength-related alleles.

Barrack, MT, Fredericson, M, Dizon, F, Tenforde, AS, Kim, BY, Kraus, E, Kussman, A, Singh, S, and Nattiv, A. Dietary supplement use according to sex and Triad risk factors in collegiate endurance runners. Anacardic Acid nmr J Strength Cond Res 35(2) 404-410, 2021-This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence in the use of dietary supplements among elite collegiate runners among 2 NCAA Division I cross-country teams. At the start of each season from 2015 to 2017, male and female endurance runners were recruited to complete baseline study measures; the final sample included 135 (male n = 65, female n = 70) runners. Runners completed a health survey, web-based nutrition survey, and Triad risk assessment. The prevalence of dietary supplement use and Triad risk factors, including disordered eating, low bone mass, amenorrhea (in women), low body mass index, and stress fracture history, was assessed. A total of 78.5% (n = 106) runners reported taking 1 or more supplements on ≥4 days per week over the past month, 48% (n = 65) rmen, compared with men, used iron (61.4 vs. 30.8%, p less then 0.001) and calcium (41.4 vs. 24.6%, p = 0.04); men exhibited higher use of amino acids and beta-alanine (6.2 vs. 0%, p = 0.04). Runners with bone stress injury (BSI) history, vs. no previous BSI, reported more frequent use of ≥3 supplements (61.5 vs. 32.8%, p = 0.001), vitamin D (49.2 vs. 19.4%, p less then 0.001), and calcium (47.7 vs. 19.4%, p = 0.001). Low bone mineral density was also associated with higher use of vitamin D and calcium. Most runners reported regular use of 1 or more supplements, with patterns of use varying based on sex, history of BSI, and bone mass.

Ortega-Becerra, M, Sánchez-Moreno, M, and Pareja-Blanco, F. Effects of cluster set configuration on mechanical performance and neuromuscular activity. J Strength Cond Res 35(2) 310-317, 2021-The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different cluster set (CS) configurations on mechanical performance and electromyography (EMG) activity during the bench press (BP) exercise. Fourteen strength-trained men (age 23.0 ± 2.4 years; height 1.76 ± 0.08 m; body mass 78.3 ± 12.2 kg) performed 3 different protocols in the BP exercise consisting of 3 sets of 12 repetitions at 60% of 1 repetition maximum with interset rests of 2 minutes, differing in the set configuration (a) traditional sets (TRDs), (b) cluster sets of 4 repetitions (CS4), and (c) cluster sets of 2 repetitions (CS2). Intraset rests of 30 seconds were interposed for CS protocols. The mean propulsive values of force, velocity, and power output were measured for every repetition by synchronizing a linear velocity transducer with a force platform. exhibited lower RMS-PM than CS4 and TRD for almost all sets. In addition, TRDs showed significantly lower MDF-TB than CS2 for all sets and lower MDF-TB than CS4 during the third set. In conclusion, more frequent intraset rests were beneficial for maintaining mechanical performance, which may be mediated, from a neuromuscular perspective, by lesser increases in EMG amplitude and attenuated reductions in EMG frequency.

Gray, WD, Jett, DM, Cocco, AR, Vanhoover, AC, Colborn, CE, Pantalos, GM, Stumbo, J, Quesada, PM, and Caruso, JF. Ergogenic and physiological outcomes derived from a novel skin cooling device. J Strength Cond Res 35(2) 391-403, 2021-Our study’s purpose assessed a cooling headband’s ergogenic and physiological impacts. Subjects (15 women and 13 men) completed six visits; the final 3 entailed rowing workouts with the following treatment conditions no head cooling (NoHC), intermittent head cooling during exercise (HCex), and intermittent head cooling during exercise and post-exercise recovery (HCex&post). Data collection occurred at the following times (a) pre-exercise and post-warm-up, (b) between stages of up to eight 2-minute bouts, and (c) at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes post-exercise. In addition to distance rowed, thermal, cardiovascular, perceptual, and metabolic measurements were obtained. Results included a small yet significant intertreatment difference (HCex, HCex&post > NoHC) for distance roature (AUDT) results suggest the head is sensitive to heat increases, yet LHT data show headband use evoked significantly greater temperature increases at the hand’s palmar surface, indicative of heat transfer. We conclude, and our practical applications suggest, the headband’s ergogenic effect was manifested by cold-induced vasodilation at the hand’s palmar surface, rather than heat losses through the head.Szivak, TK, Thomas, MM, Pietrzak, RH, Nguyen, DR, Ryan, DM, and Mazure, CM. Obesity Risk Among West Point Graduates Later in Life. J Strength Cond Res XX(X) 000-000, 2020-The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate sex differences in health and fitness outcomes among United States Military Academy (USMA) graduates (class years 1980-2011). Subjects (n = 701 men, 641 women, age 45.7 ± 9.3 years) were surveyed as a part of a larger investigation on risk and resiliency factors among USMA graduates. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form and calculation of weekly metabolic equivalents (METs). Overweight and obesity status were assessed by body mass index (BMI). Significance for the study was set at p ≤ 0.05. Obesity rates for men (30.1%) were significantly higher than for women (16.6%). Men reported significantly higher (p = 0.01) vigorous METs·wk (1,214.6 ± 1,171.6) than women (1,046.8 ± 1,133.2) despite significantly higher (p = 0.00) BMI values (28.