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Abstract: Kelekian, GK, Zaras, N, Stasinaki, AN, Spiliopoulou, P, Karampatsos, G, Bogdanis, G, and Terzis, G. Preconditioning strategies before maximum clean performance in female weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2318-2321, 2022-The aim of the study was to examine the acute effect of performing clean pulls with either 85% or 120% one repetition maximum (1RM), on subsequent clean performance, in female Olympic weightlifters. Eight competitive female Olympic weightlifters (age, 22.9 ± 5.8 years; height, 1.67 ± 0.06 m; training experience, 6.1 ± 3.9 years; clean performance, 66.3 ± 3.9 kg), performed clean pulls either with 85% or with 120% 1RM, 3 minutes before their maximum effort in clean, in 2 different days, in a counterbalanced order. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was provided after each intervention. Body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry), countermovement jumping (CMJ) performance, leg press isometric rate of force development (RFD), and peak force (PF) were also evaluated on different days. Clean performance was increased by 6.1 ± 3.6% ( p = 0.002) after preconditioning with 85% 1RM and 4.7 ± 3.1% ( p = 0.004) after 120% 1RM. Rate of perceived exertion was lower after preconditioning with 85% 1RM, compared with 120% 1RM ( p = 0.015). No significant correlation was found between the changes in clean performance after 85% or 120% 1RM, with lean body mass, CMJ performance, and isometric leg press RFD, and leg press PF. These data suggest that lifting either 85% or 120% 1RM in clean pulls is an effective strategy for acute increase of clean performance in female Olympic weightlifters, whereas the use of 85% 1RM load may be performed with less exertion., (Copyright © 2020 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Abstract: Thomas, K, Spyridon, M, Nikolaos, Z, Angeliki-Nikolleta, S, Giorgos, K, Giorgos, G, and Gerasimos, T. Effects of complex vs. compound training on competitive throwing performance. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1866-1874, 2022-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of complex (CPX; strength and power exercises in pairs) vs. compound (CPD; strength and power exercises in different days) training on competitive track and field throwing performance. Ten well-trained throwers (7 male throwers and 3 female throwers) followed a 34-week periodized training program including 2 preparation periods. During the winter 4-week, precompetition phase, athletes were randomly assigned to CPX or CPD groups, while the opposite assignment was performed during the spring precompetition phase (counterbalanced design). Before and after each training period competitive track and field throwing performance, shot put throws, snatch, squat and bench press 1 repetition maximum (1RM), vertical jumps, rate of force development (RFD), and body composition were evaluated. Competitive track and field throwing performance increased significantly by 5.4 ± 2.9% and 1.9 ± 1.7%, after CPX and CPD, respectively, with a significant difference between groups (p < 0.001). Shot put throws and 1RM strength in bench press increased similarly after both programs (p < 0.05), but vertical jumps increased only after CPX training. CPX induced greater increases in 1RM strength in snatch and squat, RFD, and lean body mass compared with CPD (p < 0.005). The linear combination of training-induced changes in RFD 150ms, 1RM in squat, snatch, and total lean mass explained the 80% of the percentage increase in competitive track and field throwing performance (p = 0.007). These results suggest that 4 weeks of CPX training during the precompetition period induce greater increases in competitive track and field throwing performance, 1RM strength, power, and RFD compared with CPD training., (Copyright © 2022 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Abstract: Anousaki, E, Zaras, N, Stasinaki A-N, Panidi, I, Terzis, T, and Karampatsos, G. Effects of a 25-week periodized training macrocycle on muscle strength, power, muscle architecture, and performance in well-trained track and field throwers. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2728-2736, 2021-The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of a 25-week macrocycle on strength, power, vastus lateralis (VL) muscle architecture, and competitive track and field throwing performance, in well-trained track and field throwers. Twelve well-trained throwers (age: 24.3 ± 5.5 years, mass: 96.6 ± 9.9 kg, and height: 1.82 ± 0.02 m), participated in the study. All athletes followed a 25-week periodized training program divided into 3 training phases: the hypertrophy/maximum strength phase, the maximum strength/power phase, and the power/speed phase. Measurements were performed at the beginning of the training period (T1), after the first training phase (T2), and after the end of the training period (T3). Measurements included the following: competitive track and field throwing performance; shot put throws; maximum strength (1-RM) in snatch, clean, and squat; countermovement jump (CMJ); and VL muscle architecture. Competitive track and field throwing performance and shot put throws increased from T1 to T3 by 10.9 ± 3.2% (p = 0.001) and 5.1 ± 6.4% (P = 0.049), respectively. 1 RM strength in snatch and squat increased significantly from T1 to T3 by 9.7 ± 8.9% (p = 0.001) and 9.9 ± 7.1% (p = 0.002), respectively. Countermovement jump height increased only from T1 to T2 by 10.9 ± 11.8% (p = 0.026). A significant increase was found for VL fascicle length between T1 and T3 (9.6 ± 11.1%, p = 0.049). Strong correlations were found between the percentage increase of competitive track and field throwing performance with 1 RM snatch (r = 0.571, p = 0.046) and with shot put throws (r = 0.715, p = 0.001). Twenty five weeks of training may increase performance and VL fascicle length, whereas increases in 1 RM snatch and in shot put throws are associated with competitive track and field throwing performance in well-trained throwers., (Copyright © 2021 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Methenitis, S, Spengos, K, Zaras, N, Stasinaki, A-N, Papadimas, G, Karampatsos, G, Arnaoutis, G, and Terzis, G. Fiber type composition and rate of force development in endurance- and resistance-trained individuals. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2388-2397, 2019-The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between muscle fiber composition and the rate of force development (RFD) in well-trained individuals with different training background. Thirty-eight young men with different training background participated: 9 endurance runners, 10 power-trained individuals, 9 strength-trained individuals, and 10 sedentary individuals. They performed maximal isometric leg press for the measurement of RFD. Body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry) and vastus lateralis fiber type composition were also evaluated. When all participants were examined as a group, moderate correlations were found between the percent of type II muscle fibers and RFD between 100 and 600 milliseconds (r = 0.321-0.497; p ≤ 0.05). The correlation coefficients were higher for the cross-sectional area (CSA) and the %CSA of type II and IIx muscle fibers (r = 0.599-0.847; p < 0.001). For the power group, RFD up to 250 milliseconds highly correlated with % type IIx muscle fibers and type IIx fiber CSA (r = 0.670-0.826; p ≤ 0.05), as well as with %CSA of type IIx fibers (r = 0.714-0.975; p ≤ 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the relative RFD (·kg lower extremities lean mass) and CSA-%CSA of type II and IIx fibers for the power group (r = 0.676-0.903; p ≤ 0.05). No significant correlations were found between muscle morphology and RFD for the other groups. In conclusion, the present data suggest that there is a strong link between the type IIx muscle fibers and early RFD and relative RFD in power-trained participants. Type II fibers seem to be moderately linked with RFD in non-power-trained individuals.

The aim of the study was to examine the correlation between muscle morphology and jumping, sprinting, and throwing performance in participants with different power training duration experience. Thirty-six power-trained young men were assigned to 3 groups according to the length of their power training: less experienced (<1 year), moderately experienced (1-3 years), and experienced (4-7 years). All participants performed countermovement and squat jumps, 60-m sprint, and shot throws twice. Lean body mass (LBM) was evaluated with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) with anthropometry. The vastus lateralis architecture and fiber type composition were evaluated with ultrasonography and muscle biopsies, respectively. When all subjects were considered as 1 group (n = 36), jumping performance was correlated with LBM, fascicle length, and type II fiber CSA; sprinting performance was correlated with estimated thigh muscle CSA alone; and shot throwing was correlated with LBM and type I, IIA fiber CSA. In the least experienced group, the LBM of the lower extremities was the most significant contributor for power performance, whereas in the moderately experienced group, the LBM, architectural properties, and type II fiber percentage CSA were the most significant contributors. For the experienced group, fascicle length and type II fiber percentage CSA were the most significant factors for power performance. These data suggest that jumping performance is linked with muscle morphology, regardless of strength or power training. The vastus lateralis muscle morphology could only partially explain throwing performance, whereas it cannot predict sprinting performance. Power performance in experienced participants rely more on the quality of the muscle tissue rather than the quantity.

The rate of force development (RFD) is an essential component for performance in explosive activities, although it has been proposed that muscle architectural characteristics might be linked with RFD and power performance. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between RFD, muscle architecture, and performance in young track and field throwers. Twelve young track and field throwers completed 10 weeks of periodized training. Before (T1) and after (T2) training performance was evaluated in competitive track and field throws, commonly used shot put tests, isometric leg press RFD, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) strength as well as vastus lateralis architecture and body composition. Performance in competitive track and field throwing and the shot put test from the power position increased by 6.76 ± 4.31% (p < 0.001) and 3.58 ± 4.97% (p = 0.019), respectively. Rate of force development and 1RM strength also increased (p ≤ 0.05). Vastus lateralis thickness and fascicle length increased by 5.95 ± 7.13% (p = 0.012) and 13.41 ± 16.15% (p = 0.016), respectively. Significant correlations were found at T1 and T2, between performance in the shot put tests and both RFD and fascicle length (p ≤ 0.05). Close correlations were found between RFD, muscle thickness, and fascicle length (p ≤ 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the % changes in lean body mass and the % increases in RFD. When calculated together, the % increase in muscle thickness and RFD could predict the % increase in shot put throw test from the power position (p = 0.019). These results suggest that leg press RFD may predict performance in shot put tests that are commonly used by track and field throwers.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of compound vs. complex resistance training on strength, high-speed movement performance, and muscle composition. Eighteen young men completed compound (strength and power sessions on alternate days) or complex training (strength and power sets within a single session) 3 times per week for 6 weeks using bench press, leg press, Smith machine box squat, and jumping exercises. Pre- and posttraining, jumping and throwing performance and maximum bench press, leg press, and Smith machine box squat strength were evaluated. The architecture of vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscle was assessed using ultrasound imaging. Vastus lateralis morphology was assessed from muscle biopsies. Jumping (4 ± 3%) and throwing (9 ± 8%) performance increased only with compound training (p < 0.02). Bench press (5 vs. 18%), leg press (17 vs. 28%), and Smith machine box squat (27 vs. 35%) strength increased after both compound and complex training. Vastus lateralis thickness and fascicle angle and gastrocnemius fascicle angle were increased with both compound and complex training. Gastrocnemius fascicle length decreased only after complex training (-11.8 ± 9.4%, p = 0.006). Muscle fiber cross-sectional areas increased only after complex training (p ≤ 0.05). Fiber type composition was not affected by either intervention. These results suggest that short-term strength and power training on alternate days is more effective for enhancing lower-limb and whole-body power, whereas training on the same day may induce greater increases in strength and fiber hypertrophy.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of power training with light vs. heavy loads during the tapering phases of a double periodized training year on track and field throwing performance. Thirteen track and field throwers aged 16-26 years followed 8 months of systematic training for performance enhancement aiming at 2 tapering phases during the winter and the spring competition periods. Athletes performed tapering with 2 different resistance training loads (counterbalanced design): 7 athletes used 30% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) light-load tapering (LT), and 6 athletes used the 85% of 1RM heavy-load tapering (HT), during the winter tapering. The opposite was performed at the spring tapering. Before and after each tapering, throwing performance, 1RM strength, vertical jumping, rate of force development (RFD), vastus lateralis architecture, and rate of perceived exertion were evaluated. Throwing performance increased significantly by 4.8 ± 1.0% and 5.6 ± 0.9% after LT and HT, respectively. Leg press 1RM and squat jump power increased more after HT than LT (5.9 ± 3.2% vs. -3.4 ± 2.5%, and 5.1 ± 2.4% vs. 0.9 ± 1.4%, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). Leg press RFD increased more in HT (38.1 ± 16.5%) compared with LT (-2.9 ± 6.7%), but LT induced less fatigue than HT (4.0 ± 1.5 vs. 6.7 ± 0.9, p ≤ 0.05). Muscle architecture was not altered after either program. These results suggest that performance increases similarly after tapering with LT or HT in track and field throwers, but HT leads to greater increases in strength, whole body power, and RFD.