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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]

Running economy (RE) and velocity at maximal oxygen uptake (v...o2max) are considered to be the best physiological performance indicators in elite distance runners. In addition to cardiovascular function, RE and v...o2max 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 40-week strength training, intervention on strength (maximal and reactive strength), v...o2max, economy, and body composition (body mass, fat, and lean mass) in competitive distance runners. Twenty competitive distance runners were divided into an intervention group (n = 11 ; 29.5 ± 10.0 years; 72.8 ± 6.6 kg; 1.83 ± 0.08 m) and a control group (n = 9; 27.4 ± 7.2 years; 70.2 ± 6.4 kg; 1.77 ± 0.04 m). During week 0, 20, and 40, each subject completed 3 assessments: physiology (v2 mmol⋅L-1 BLa, v2 mmol⋅L-1 BLa [blood lactate], v4 mmol⋅L-1 BLa, RE, v...o2max, ...o2max), strength (1 repetition maximum back squat; countermovement jump and 0.3 m drop jump), and body composition (body mass, fat mass, overall lean, and leg lean). The intervention group showed significant improvements in maximal and reactive strength qualities, RE, and v...o2max, at weeks 20 (p ≤ 0.05) and 40 (p ≤ 0.05). The control group showed no significant changes at either time point. There were no significant changes in body composition variables between or within groups. This study demonstrates that 40 weeks of strength training can significantly improve maximal and reactive strength qualities, RE, and v...o2max, without concomitant hypertrophy, in competitive distance runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]