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There is currently an underrepresentation of sports science research focused on the female athlete, specifically in the context of Gaelic football. The aims of this study are to (a) compare the strength characteristics of elite and subelite players and (b) establish normative-based values and percentile scores for the strength characteristics of female Gaelic football players. Ninety-two female Gaelic football players were recruited for this study and subsequently categorized as elite (intercounty n = 30, age; 25.1 ± 5.3 years, stature; 1.69 ± 0.06 m, mass; 69.5 ± 5.9 kg) or subelite (club n = 62, age; 25.4 ± 6.8 years, stature; 1.66 ± 0.06 m, mass; 65.1 ± 8.9 kg). The physical strength characteristics of the subjects were assessed through the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP), countermovement jump (CMJ), and 10-5 repeated jump test. Statistically significant differences were found in the physical strength characteristics between the groups with elite players demonstrating greater peak force (large effect), relative peak force (moderate effect), and reactive strength index (large effect). Statistically significant differences were also observed for key CMJ phase characteristics with elite players producing greater RSImod (moderate effect), jump height (large effect), and propulsion peak power (large effect) than subelite players. This study demonstrated that there are moderate to large differences between playing standards with elite players displaying superior reactive-, explosive-, and maximal-strength than their subelite counterparts. The strength characteristics evaluated in this study may be used in conjunction with other performance indices to distinguish between elite and subelite playing standards in female Gaelic football players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beattie, K and Ruddock, AD. The role of strength on punch impact force in boxing. J Strength Cond Res 36(10): 2957–2969, 2022—The ability to punch with a high impact force is beneficial to boxers as there is an increased likelihood of success. Punch impact force differentiates between performance level, weight class, gender, and punch type in competitive boxers. Although technique is likely to play a major role in punch impact force, the capabilities of the neuromuscular system may also be a limiting factor. This review examines the role of strength on punch impact force in amateur and professional boxers. The maximal strength qualities of the lower body, as well as explosive strength qualities of both the upper and lower body, are largely associated with punch impact force in elite amateur boxers. Specifically, elite amateur boxers who punch with "high" impact forces have greater levels of lower-body maximal strength and explosive strength when compared with elite amateurs who punch with "low" impact forces. However, the maximal strength capabilities of the upper body are not associated with punch impact force and does not differentiate between elite boxers who punch with "high" and "low" impact forces. Therefore, based off the present evidence, this review recommends that for boxers who aim to develop their punch impact force, it may be advantageous to emphasize both maximal and explosive strength development of the legs, with only an explosive strength focus in the upper body. However, it is important to highlight that, to date, there are a lack of experimental studies in both elite amateur and professional boxing. Furthermore, there is a dearth of research in female boxing. Future experimental studies are needed to infer causality regarding the role that strength training has on punch impact force in both elite amateur and professional boxers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maximum- and reactive-strength qualities both have important roles in athletic movements and sporting performance. Very little research has investigated the relationship between maximum strength and reactive strength. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maximum-strength (isometric midthigh-pull peak force [IMTP PF]) and reactive-strength (drop-jump reactive-strength index [DJ-RSI]) variables at 0.3-m, 0.4-m, 0.5-m, and 0.6-m box heights. A secondary aim was to investigate the between- and within-group differences in reactive-strength characteristics between relatively stronger athletes (n = 11) and weaker athletes (n = 11). Forty-five college athletes across various sports were recruited to participate in the study (age, 23.7 ± 4.0 y; mass, 87.5 ±16.1 kg; height, 1.80 ± 0.08 m). Pearson correlation results showed that there was a moderate association (r = .302-431) between maximum-strength variables (absolute, relative, and allometric scaled PF) and RSI at 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 m (P < .05). In addition, 2-tailed independent-samples t tests showed that the RSIs for relatively stronger athletes (49.59 ± 2.57 N/kg) were significantly larger than those of weaker athletes (33.06 ± 2.76 N/kg) at 0.4 m (Cohen d = 1.02), 3.5 m (d = 1.21 ), and 0.6 m (d = 1.39) (P < .05). Weaker athletes also demonstrated significant decrements in RSI as eccentric stretch loads increased at 0.3-m through 0.6-m box heights, whereas stronger athletes were able to maintain their reactive-strength ability. This research highlights that in specific sporting scenarios, when there are high eccentric stretch loads and fast stretch-shortening-cycle demands, athletes' reactive-strength ability may be dictated by their relative maximal strength, specifically eccentric strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cycling economy (CE), power output at maximal oxygen uptake (w...O2max), and anaerobic function (ie, sprinting ability) are considered the best physiological performance indicators in elite road cyclists. In addition to cardiovascular function, these physiological indicators are partly dictated by neuromuscular factors. One technique to improve neuromuscular function in athletes is through strength training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 20-wk maximal- and explosive-strength-training intervention on strength (maximal strength, explosive strength, and bike-specific explosive strength), w...O2max, CE, and body composition (body mass, fat and lean mass) in cyclists. Fifteen competitive road cyclists were divided into an intervention group (endurance training and strength training: n = 6; age, 38.0 ± 10.2 y; weight, 69.1 ± 3.6 kg; height, 1.77 ± 0.04 m) and a control group (endurance training only: n = 9; age, 34.8 ± 8.5 y; weight, 72.5 ± 7.2 kg; height, 1.78 ± 0.05 m). The intervention group strength-trained for 20 wk. Each participant completed 3 assessments: physiology (CE, w...O2max, power at 2 and 4 mmol/L blood lactate), strength (isometric midthigh pull, squat-jump height, and 6-s bike-sprint peak power), and body imposition (body mass, fat mass, overall leanness, and leg leanness). The results showed significant between- and within-group changes in the intervention group for maximal strength, bike-specific explosive strength, absolute w...O2max, body mass, overall leanness, and leg leanness at wk 20 (P < .05). The control group showed no significant within-group changes in measures of strength, physiology, or body composition. This study demonstrates that 20 wk of strength training can significantly improve maximal strength, bike-specific explosive strength, and absolute w...O2max in competitive road cyclists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that antioxidants can attenuate high-intensity interval training-induced improvements in exercise performance. Methods: Two groups of recreationally active males performed a high-intensity interval running protocol, four times per week for 4 wk. Group 1 (n = 8) consumed 1 g of vitamin C daily throughout the training period, whereas Group 2 (n = 7) consumed a visually identical placebo. Pre- and posttraining, subjects were assessed for VO2max, 10 km time trial, running economy at 12 km/h and distance run on the YoYo intermittent recovery tests level 1 and 2 (YoYoIRTl/2). Subjects also performed a 60 min run before and after training at a running velocity of 65% of pretraining VO2max so as to assess training-induced changes in substrate oxidation rates. Results: Training improved (P < .0005) VO2max, 10 km time trial, running economy, YoYolRTl and YoYolRT2 in both groups, although there was no difference (P = .31,0.29,0.24,0.76 and 0.59) between groups in the magnitude of training-induced improvements in any of the aforementioned parameters. Similarly, training also decreased (P < .0005) mean carbohydrate and increased mean fat oxidation rates during submaximal exercise in both groups, although no differences (P = .98 and 0.94) existed between training conditions. Conclusions: Daily oral consumption of 1 g of vitamin C during a 4 wk high-intensity interval training period does not impair training-induced improvements in the exercise performance of recreationally active males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to intense training or competition periods, athletes can experience acute neuromuscular fatigue. The drop-jump reactive-strength index (DJ-RSI) is a test used by coaches and sport scientists to monitor reactive-strength, and potentially neuromuscular readiness, in athletes. The aim of this paper was to establish the trial-to-trial and interday reliability of the DJ-RSI measured via a 40cm drop-jump in a practical setting and to demonstrate how this data can be utilised to examine the 'meaningfulness' of monitoring data. Elite junior international rugby players (n = 15), who were competing in an 8 week international tournament, participated in this study. Trial-to-trial analyses showed that the DJRSI demonstrated adequate reliability with a coefficient of variance (CV) of 5% and an observed intraclass correlation (ICCα) of 0.90. Interday analyses also demonstrated that DJ-RSI had acceptable reliability with a CV of 8% and ICCα of 0.93. However, both trial-to-trial and inter-day CV (5.27 & 8.47 %) were greater than the smallest worthwhile change (2.79 & 3.31 %), and between-athlete CV for the reactive strength index ranged from 1 - 15%. It is advised that in this scenario, when a monitoring tool is reliable but the SWC < CV, each individual athlete's CV should be used as the threshold for 'meaningful change' in individual monitoring analyses. This paper also highlights, that where possible, practitioners should calculate individual athlete's own reliability data to optimise the interpretation of acute monitoring data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]