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peer-reviewed, PURPOSE: To examine the reliability and usefulness of the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and isometric squat (ISqT) performed at the same knee and hip angles. The scores produced in each test were compared to determine the magnitude of differences between tests. METHODS: Twenty-six male and female athletes (age, 23.6 [4.3] y; height, 1.75 [0.07] m; and body mass, 68.8 [9.7] kg) performed 2 maximal repetitions of the IMTP and ISqT following a specific warm-up. RESULTS: Maximum force, absolute peak force (PF), relative PF, allometrically scaled PF, rate of force development (0-200 and 0-250 ms), and impulse (0-300 ms) were deemed reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥.86 and coefficient of variation [CV] ≤9.4%) in the IMTP and ISqT based on predetermined criteria (ICC ≥.8 and CV ≤10%). Impulse (0-200 and 0-250 ms) was reliable in the ISqT (ICC ≥.92 and CV ≤9.9%). Participants produced significantly (P < .05) greater PF and impulse (0-300 ms) during the ISqT compared with the IMTP. When split by sex, female participants produced significantly greater PF (P = .042) during the ISqT, with no significant differences among male participants (P = .245). Both tests are capable of detecting changes in performance in maximum force and absolute PF. CONCLUSIONS: Both tests are reliable for non-time-dependent maximal strength measures when measured at the same knee and hip angles. The ISqT may be preferred when coaches want to test an athlete's true maximum lower-limb strength, especially female athletes, ACCEPTED, peer-reviewed

peer-reviewed, THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS RESEARCH RELATING TO THE STRETCH-SHORTENING CYCLE AND PLYOMETRICS. THE ARTICLE INSTRUCTS STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PRACTITIONERS IN THE USE OF GROUND CONTACT TIMES AND THE REACTIVE STRENGTH INDEX IN PLYOMETRIC TRAINING. DOCUMENTATION ON HOW THESE MEASUREMENTS CAN BE USED TO OPTIMIZE PLYOMETRICS AND TO IMPROVE ATHLETES' FAST STRETCH SHORTENING CYCLE PERFORMANCE IS PROVIDED. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE REGARDING THE USE OF GROUND CONTACT TIMES TO IMPROVE TRAINING SPECIFICITY AND THE USE OF THE REACTIVE STRENGTH INDEX TO OPTIMIZE PLYOMETRICS, TO MONITOR TRAINING PROGRESS, AND TO SERVE AS A MOTIVATIONAL TOOL. A 4-STEP PROGRESSION OF IMPLEMENTATION IS DETAILED., peer-reviewed

peer-reviewed, This article instructs strength and conditioning practitioners in the use of the session RPE system of training load monitoring in the context of the professional rugby union environment. An explanation of the system and the research underpinning its validity and reliability is presented. The use of the system to manage squad and individual player training plans within weeks and across weeks is detailed. Common errors which can be encountered when using the system within professional rugby union are addressed., Accepted, peer-reviewed

Brady, C. J., Harrison, A. J., Flanagan, E. P., Haff, G. G., & Comyns, T. M. (2019). The relationship between isometric strength and sprint acceleration in sprinters. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(1), 38-45. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0151

peer-reviewed, Purpose: This investigation examined the inter-day reliability and usefulness of reactive strength index (RSI) derived from a maximal 5 rebound jump test (5max RJT) and a maximal 10 rebound jump test (10/5 RJT). Methods: Twenty male field sport athletes (24.5±3.0 y; 1.78±0.1 m; 84.9±5.2 kg) performed 2 maximal repetitions of the 5max RJT and the 10/5 RJT on two testing days following a specific warm up. A one week period separated each testing day and these sessions were proceeded by a familiarisation session. RSI was calculated by dividing jump height (m) by contact time (s). The 5max RJT and the 10/5 RJT trial with the highest RSI on each testing day was used for reliability and usefulness analysis. Results: Both tests were deemed reliable for determining RSI for male, female and pooled male and female cohorts as the ICCs ≥ 0.80 and the CV ≤ 10%. Only the 5max RJT was rated as ‘good’ at detecting the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) in performance for female athletes (SWC: 0.10 ˃ TE:0.07). The 5max RJT for males and the 10/5 RJT for males and females were rated as ‘good’ in detecting a moderate change in performance only. Conclusions: Both tests are reliable for the determination of RSI but the usefulness of the tests in detecting the SWC is questionable.

peer-reviewed, The purpose of this study was to compare peak force produced during the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) and isometric squat (IsoSquat), performed at the same knee and hip angles (135 – 140°) and determine the reliability of both tests. Following a specific warmup, 22 international athletes from different sports performed 2 maximal effort tests of both the IMTP and IsoSquat. Peak force achieved during the IsoSquat was significantly greater (p = 0.01) than peak force achieved during the IMTP. Both tests were highly reliable for peak force (ICC ≥ 0.97:CV ≤ 5 %). Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches can select either test when examining lower extremity maximum strength. However, the IsoSquat produces higher peak force values and this may be a more accurate reflection of the athlete’s maximum strength.