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Background: There has been a rise in the participation, professionalism, and profile of female sports in recent years. Sprinting ability is an important quality for successful athletic performance in many female team sports. However, much of the research to date on improving sprint performance in team sports is derived from studies with male participants. Given the biological differences between the sexes, this may be problematic for practitioners when programming to enhance sprint performance in female team-sport athletes. Therefore, the aims of this systematic review were to investigate (1) the overall effect of lower body strength training on sprint performance, and (2) the effect of specific strength training modalities (i.e., reactive-; maximal-; combined-; special-strength) on sprint performance in female team-sport athletes. Methods: An electronic database search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS to identify relevant articles. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to establish standardised mean difference with 95% confidence intervals and the magnitude and direction of the effect. Results: Fifteen studies were included in the final analysis. The 15 studies represent a total sample size of 362 participants (intervention n = 190; control n = 172) comprising 17 intervention groups and 15 control groups. The overall effects revealed small improvements in sprint performance in favour of the experimental group over 0–10 m and moderate improvements over sprint distances of 0–20 m and 0–40 m. The magnitude of improvement in sprint performance was influenced by the strength modality (i.e., reactive-, maximal-, combined-, and special-strength) utilised in the intervention. Reactive- and combined-strength training methods had a greater effect than maximal- or special-strength modalities on sprint performance. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that, when compared with a control group (i.e., technical and tactical training), the different strength training modalities exhibited small to moderate improvements in sprint performance in female team-sport athletes. The results of a moderator analysis demonstrated that youth athletes (< 18 years) yielded a greater improvement in sprint performance compared with adults (≥ 18 years). This analysis also supports the use of a longer programme duration (> 8 weeks) with a higher total number of training sessions (> 12 sessions) to improve overall sprint performance. These results will serve to guide practitioners when programming to enhance sprint performance in female team-sport athletes. [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]

Background: Economy, velocity/power at maximal oxygen uptake ( $$ {\text {v}} \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } /{\text w}\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } $$ ) and endurance-specific muscle power tests (i.e. maximal anaerobic running velocity; vMART), are now thought to be the best performance predictors in elite endurance athletes. In addition to cardiovascular function, these key performance indicators are believed to be partly dictated by the neuromuscular system. One technique to improve neuromuscular efficiency in athletes is through strength training. Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to search the body of scientific literature for original research investigating the effect of strength training on performance indicators in well-trained endurance athletes-specifically economy, $$ {\text{v}}\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } /\,{\text{w}}\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } $$ and muscle power (vMART). Methods: A search was performed using the MEDLINE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science search engines. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria (athletes had to be trained endurance athletes with ≥6 months endurance training, training ≥6 h per week OR $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } $$ ≥50 mL/min/kg, the strength interventions had to be ≥5 weeks in duration, and control groups used). All studies were reviewed using the PEDro scale. Results: The results showed that strength training improved time-trial performance, economy, $$ {\text{v}}\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } /{\text{w}}\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } $$ and vMART in competitive endurance athletes. Conclusion: The present research available supports the addition of strength training in an endurance athlete's programme for improved economy, $$ {\text{v}}\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } /{\text{w}}\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2 \, \hbox{max} } $$ , muscle power and performance. However, it is evident that further research is needed. Future investigations should include valid strength assessments (i.e. squats, jump squats, drop jumps) through a range of velocities (maximal-strength ↔ strength-speed ↔ speed-strength ↔ reactive-strength), and administer appropriate strength programmes (exercise, load and velocity prescription) over a long-term intervention period (>6 months) for optimal transfer to performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]