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Swim sprints are a central component of water polo competitions; however, a paucity of data describes the effect of repeated swim sprints on game-like performances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated swim sprints on water polo throwing velocity and accuracy. Eleven female community college water polo players (age: 18.91 [+ or -] 1.04 years, height: 165.91 [+ or -] 4.69 cm, and mass: 70.22 [+ or -] 15.36 kg) performed 2 conditions: control and sprint. The control condition consisted of 10 shots at the 5-m line, each with a 35-second rest period and aimed at a specific target on the goal. The sprint condition also had the same 10 shots but included a sprint between each throwing attempt. The sprints consisted of 'head-down' swimming from the 2-m line to half court, then 'head-up' swimming from half court to the 5-m line where the ball was shot and aimed at a specific target on the goal. Analysis was performed on ball velocity and accuracy between conditions. Ball velocity in the control condition (26.01 [+ or -] 3.13 mph) was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than the sprint condition (25.08 [+ or -] 2.76 mph); however, there was no significant difference in accuracy (shots made; Control: 3.00 [+ or -] 1.67; Sprint: 2.45 [+ or -] 1.03). These results indicate that ball velocity decreases in female collegiate water polo players after repeated swim sprints when compared with a control condition, yet accuracy is unaffected. Therefore, coaches should incorporate 'game-like' conditions during practice that include repeated sprints-while focusing on maintaining high velocity to promote goal scoring. KEY WORDS speed, pool, shoulder, women

The purpose of the current investigation was to identify any existing relationships between off-ice performance measures and on-ice performance quantified by speed and acceleration. Twenty-seven women (age 19 [+ or -] 1 year; body mass (59.5 [+ or -] 6.8 kg; height 164.6 [+ or -] 6.35 cm; body fat 23.2 [+ or -] 3.9%) who were collegiate synchronized figure skaters volunteered for the investigation. To examine the relationship between off-ice performance and on-ice speed and acceleration, collegiate synchronized skaters were evaluated on various performance tests over a 1-week period. Off-ice tests completed were peak torque for hip abduction and adduction, 40-yard sprint, vertical jump height, 30-second slide board stride count, and a 1-RM (repetition maximum) squat. On-ice tests included a timed single lap sprint, 4.5-minute (duration of long program) lap count, and an approximately 16.5-m (18-yard blue line to blue line) timed acceleration. Significance was set at P [less than or equal to] 0.05. This study showed 3 primary findings: (a) slide board stride count was the single best predictor for both single lap on-ice speed and acceleration accounting for 53.5% (adjusted [R.sup.2] value) of the variance in the single lap test and 42.5% (adjusted [R.sup.2] value) of the variance in acceleration times; (b) vertical jump height test was the second best predictor for both the single lap test and on-ice acceleration accounting for 36.6% and 39.9% (adjusted [R.sup.2] values) of the variance in times recorded, respectively; and (c) the best combined predictors for the single lap speed test were slide board stride count and 40-yard dash ([R.sup.2] = 0.675), whereas the best combined predictors for on-ice acceleration were slide board stride count and vertical jump height test ([R.sup.2] = 0.571). Conditioning for synchronized skaters to enhance performance of on-the-ice speed and acceleration should include slide board training implementation of plyometric and linear speed training while developing and maintaining 1-RM strength to support power capabilities. KEY WORDS sport science, speed, power, winter sports, athletic performance

Recovery from an American football game has had limited study. The purpose of this study was to examine markers of skeletal muscle tissue damage and circulating anabolic and catabolic hormones to gain insight into the recovery process from Friday until Monday, when a new practice week begins. Twenty-eight National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players gave consent to participate in the investigation in the ninth game of the season. Sixteen players started the game and played the entire game (PL), and 12 others did not play and were on the bench during the game (DNP). Each player had fasted blood samples obtained at the same time of day between 1000 and 1200 hours the day before the game (Friday; T1), 18-20 hours after the game (Sunday; T2), and then 42-44 hours after the game (Monday; T3). Blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol. The PL players showed significantly (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) increased concentrations of CK (T2 > T1 and T3), myoglobin (T2 > T1 and T3), and LDH (T2 > T1). In contrast, DNP players showed significant differences in cortisol (T3 < T1 and T2) and testosterone:cortisol (T3 > T1). Few changes were observed in testosterone and cortisol changes, indicating stability of the anabolic/catabolic hormones. In conclusion, these data indicate that participation in a college football game late in the season results in some degree of tissue damage but with minimal hormonal responses, which seem to have stabilized at resting concentrations without predominance of cortisol's catabolic presence. As previously noted in the literature, some type of 'contact adaptation' to the season may have occurred with regard to tissue damage responses. However, by the ninth game of a season, players do carry soft tissue damage levels above resting ranges into subsequent games, indicating that recovery should be monitored, with coaches being careful with scheduling scrimmage and full-contact drills. How such data implicate overuse injuries remains unclear, considering that hormonal status in this study was highly stable, with catabolic influences minimized by the high level of athlete conditioning. These data again support that high-level conditioning can stabilize anabolic and catabolic hormonal signals and limit acute soft tissue injury, making cerebral concussion (acute and chronic) and traumatic injury the biggest threats to a student-athlete's health and well-being during an American football game. Key Words competition, contact sports, collision injury, endocrine, performance, recovery, skeletal muscle

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of upper-body static stretching and dynamic stretching on upper-body muscular performance. Eleven healthy men, who were National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I track and field athletes (age, 19.6 [+ or -] 1.7 years; body mass, 93.7 [+ or -] 13.8 kg; height, 183.6 [+ or -] 4.6 cm; bench press 1 repetition maximum [1RM], 106.2 [+ or -] 23.0 kg), participated in this study. Over 4 sessions, subjects participated in 4 different stretching protocols (i.e., no stretching, static stretching, dynamic stretching, and combined static and dynamic stretching) in a balanced randomized order followed by 4 tests: 30% of 1 RM bench throw, isometric bench press, overhead medicine ball throw, and lateral medicine ball throw. Depending on the exercise, test peak power (Pmax), peak force (Fmax), peak acceleration (Amax), peak velocity (Vmax), and peak displacement (Dmax) were measured. There were no differences among stretch trials for Pmax, Fmax, Amax, Vmax, or Dmax for the bench throw or for Fmax for the isometric bench press. For the overhead medicine ball throw, there were no differences among stretch trials for Vmax or Dmax. For the lateral medicine ball throw, there was no difference in Vmax among stretch trials; however, Dmax was significantly larger (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) for the static and dynamic condition compared to the static-only condition. In general, there was no short-term effect of stretching on upper-body muscular performance in young adult male athletes, regardless of stretch mode, potentially due to the amount of rest used after stretching before the performances. Since throwing performance was largely unaffected by static or dynamic upperbody stretching, athletes competing in the field events could perform upper-body stretching, if enough time were allowed before the performance. However, prior studies on lower-body musculature have demonstrated dramatic negative effects on speed and power. Therefore, it is recommended that a dynamic warm-up be used for the entire warm-up. KEY WORDS power, force; static stretch, dynamic stretch, throwing

Previous research has shown that L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) supplementation beneficially affects markers of hypoxic stress following resistance exercise. However, the mechanism of this response is unclear. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of LCLT supplementation on muscle tissue oxygenation during and after multiple sets of squat exercise. Nine healthy, previously resistancetrained men (25.2 [+ or -] 6 years, 91.2 [+ or -]10.2 kg, 180.2 [+ or -] 6.3 cm) ingested LCLT (equivalent to 2g L-Carnitine/day) or an identical placebo for 23 days using a randomized, balanced, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures study design. On day 21, forearm muscle oxygenation was measured during and after an upper arm occlusion protocol using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which measures the balance of oxygen delivery in relation to oxygen consumption. On day 22, subjects performed 5 sets of 15 to 20 repetitions of squat exercise with corresponding measures of thigh muscle oxygenation, via NIRS, and serial blood draws. Compared to the placebo trial, muscle oxygenation was reduced in the LCLT trial during upper arm occlusion and following each set of resistance exercise. Despite reduced oxygenation, plasma malondealdehyde, a marker of membrane damage, was attenuated during the LCLT trial. There were no differences between trials in the vasoactive substance prostacyclin. In conclusion, because oxygen delivery was occluded during the forearm protocol, it is proposed that enhanced oxygen consumption mediated the reduced muscle oxygenation during the LCLT trial. Enhanced oxygen consumption would explain why hypoxic stress was attenuated with LCLT supplementation. KEY WORDS ergogenic aids, metabolic stress, performance, recovery, supplements

L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT) supplementation beneficially affects markers of postexercise metabolic stress and muscle damage. However, to date, no study has determined the dose response of LCLT to elicit such responses. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different doses of LCLT on criterion variables previously shown to be responsive to LCLT supplementation. Eight healthy men (22 [+ or -] 3 y, 174 [+ or -] 5 cm, 83.0 [+ or -] 15.3 kg) were supplemented with 0 g, 1 g, and 2 g of LCLT for 3 weeks and then performed a bout of resistance exercise (5 sets of 15-20 repetition maximum with a 2-min rest between sets) with associated blood draws. This procedure was performed in a balanced, randomized, repeated measures design. Serum carnitine concentrations increased (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) following the 1 g and 2 g doses, with the 2-g dose providing the highest carnitine concentrations. The 1 and 2-g doses reduced postexercise serum hypoxanthine, serum xanthine oxidase, serum myoglobin, and perceived muscle soreness. In conclusion, both the 1- and 2-g doses were effective in mediating various markers of metabolic stress and of muscle soreness. Use of LCLT appears to attenuate metabolic stress and the hypoxic chain of events leading to muscle damage after exercise. KEY WORDS. ergogenic aids, metabolic stress, performance, recovery, sports supplements, strength training

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in body composition (BC) and physical performance tests (PT) resulting from a competitive season in soccer. Twenty-five male collegiate players (age = 19.9 [+ or -] 1.3 years; height = 177.6 [+ or -] 6.4 cm; body mass = 77.6 [+ or -] 8.6 kg, and percentage body fat = 12.8 [+ or -] 5.2%) were tested before (PRE) and after (POST) the 2003-2004 National Collegiate Athletic Association season. The following tests were performed: BC (anthropometric and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements), vertical jump (VJ), 9.1-m (9 m) and 36.5-m (36 m) sprint, lower-body power (LP), total body power (TP), and cardiorespiratory endurance ([Vo.sub.2]max). Training was divided into soccer-specific training: field warm-up drills, practices, games, and additional conditioning sessions. A daily, unplanned, nonlinear periodization model was used to assign session volume and intensity for strength sessions (total repetitions [less than or equal to] 96 and workload was [greater than or equal to] 80% of 1 repetition maximum). For the entire team, body mass significantly increased by 1.5 [+ or -] 0.4 kg from PRE to POST due to a significant increase in total lean tissue (0.9 [+ or -] 0.2 kg). Regionally, lean tissue mass significantly increased in the legs (0.4 [+ or -] 0.0 kg) and trunk (0.3 [+ or -] 0.1 kg). Physical performance variables were very similar for the entire team at PRE and POST; VJ (cm) = 61.9 [+ or -] 7.1 PRE vs. 63.3 [+ or -] 8.0 POST, 9.1-m (s) = 1.7 [+ or -] 0.1 PRE and POST, 36.5-m (s) = 5.0 [+ or -] 0.2 PRE and POST, predicted [Vo.sub.2]max (ml x kg x [min.sup.-1] = 59.8 [+ or -] 3.3 PRE vs. 60.9 [+ or -] 3.4 POST. The only significant improvements across the season were for TP (17.3%) and for LP (10.7%). In conclusion, soccer athletes who begin a season with a high level of fitness can maintain, and in some cases improve, body composition and physical performance from before to after a competitive season. A correct combination of soccer-specific practices and strength and conditioning programs can maintain and develop physical performance, allowing a soccer athlete to perform optimally throughout pre-, in-, and postseason play. KEY WORDS. starters, nonstarters, DEXA, conditioning, strength training

Resistance exercise intensity is commonly prescribed as a percent of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). However, the relationship between percent 1RM and the number of repetitions allowed remains poorly studied, especially using free weight exercises. The purpose of this study was to determine the maximal number of repetitions that trained (T) and untrained (UT) men can perform during free weight exercises at various percentages of 1RM. Eight T and 8 UT men were tested for 1RM strength. Then, subjects performed 1 set to failure at 60, 80, and 90% of 1RM in the back squat, bench press, and arm curl in a randomized, balanced design. There was a significant (p < 0.05) intensity x exercise interaction. More repetitions were performed during the back squat than the bench press or arm curl at 60% 1RM for T and UT. At 80 and 90% 1RM, there were significant differences between the back squat and other exercises; however, differences were much less pronounced. No differences in number of repetitions performed at a given exercise intensity were noted between T and UT (except during bench press at 90% 1RM). In conclusion, the number of repetitions performed at a given percent of 1RM is influenced by the amount of muscle mass used during the exercise, as more repetitions can be performed during the back squat than either the bench press or arm curl. Training status of the individual has a minimal impact on the number of repetitions performed at relative exercise intensity. KEY WORDS. weight training, percentage loading, intensity, exercise prescription

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a very slow (VS) velocity and a self-selected volitional (VOL) velocity at varying intensities on repetition number, peak force, peak power, and total volume in the squat and shoulder press exercises. On separate testing days, 9 resistance trained men (age: 23.9 [+ or -] 2.5 years; height: 174.8 [+ or -] 6.5 cm; body mass: 80.1 [+ or -] 12.4 kg) performed a squat (SQ) and shoulder press (SP) exercise at 60 or 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) at either VOL or VS (10-second eccentric and 10-second concentric actions) velocity for as many repetitions as possible. Force, power, and volume (repetitions x kg) were also determined. Subjects performed significantly fewer repetitions (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) in the VS exercises (60% VS SQ 5 [+ or -] 1 vs. VOL SQ 24 [+ or -] 2; 80% VS SQ 2 [+ or -] 0 vs. VOL SQ 12 [+ or -] 1;60% VS SP 4 [+ or -] 1 vs. VOL SP 14 [+ or -] 2; 80% VS SP 1 [+ or -] 0 vs. VOL SP 6 [+ or -] 1). Peak force and power were significantly higher at the VOL speed (peak force) [in newtons]: 60% VS SQ 564.4 [+ or -] 77.3 vs. VOL SQ 1229.0 [+ or -] 134.9 N; 80% VS SQ 457.3 [+ or -] 27.9 vs. VOL SQ 1059.3 [+ or -] 104.7 N; 60% VS SP 321.6 [+ or -] 37.8 vs. VOL SP 940.7 [+ or -] 144.8 N; 80% VS SP 296.5 [+ or -] 24.7 vs. VOL SP 702.5 [+ or -] 57.7 N; and peak power [in watts]: 60% VS SQ 271.2 [+ or -] 40.1 vs. VOL SQ 783.2 [+ or -] 129.1 W; 80% VS SQ 229.3 [+ or -] 49.5 vs. VOL SQ 520.2 [+ or -] 85.8 W; 60% VS SP 91.3 [+ or -] 21.9 vs. VOL SP 706.6 [+ or -] 151.4 W; 80% VS SP 78.1 [+ or -] 19.8 vs. VOL SP 277.6 [+ or -] 46.4 W). VOL speed elicited higher total volume than the VS velocity. The results of this study indicate that a VS velocity may not elicit appropriate levels of force, power, or volume to optimize strength and athletic performance. KEY WORDS. volume, force, power, maximal strength, strength training

Spreuwenberg, L.P.B., W.J. Kraemer, B.A. Spiering, J.S. Volek, D.L. Hatfield, R. Silvestre, J.L. Vingren, M.S. Fragala, K. Hfikkinen, R.U. Newton, C.M. Maresh, and S.J. Fleck. Influence of exercise order in a resistance-training exercise session. J. Strength Cond. Res. 20(1):141-144. 2006.--The order of resistance exercises within a training session may have a vital impact on the quality of the constituent exercises performed. However, very few studies have documented the specific influence of exercise order. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercise order on back squat performance in the context of a whole-body workout. Nine resistancetrained male subjects (age: 24 [+ or -] 4 years, body mass: 81.5 [+ or -] 15.3 kg, resistance-training experience: 7 [+ or -] 4 years) performed the back squat exercise (4 sets at 85% of 1 repetition maximum) on 2 separate occasions in a balanced, crossover design. During one protocol, the squat exercise was performed first (protocol A); during the other protocol, it was performed after a whole-body resistance-exercise session (protocol B). Number of repetitions, average power, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected during each set of the squat exercise. All subjects performed significantly (p < 0.01) more repetitions during set 1 when they performed protocol A (8.0 [+ or -] 1.9 repetitions) compared with protocol B (5.4 [+ or -] 2.7 repetitions). The average power for each set was higher during protocol B compared with protocol A. There were no significant differences in RPE values between the 2 protocols. In conclusion, performing the barbell back squat first in an exercise session allowed the completion of more total repetitions. However, this study showed that performing the squat exercise after a whole-body workout session may result in greater power output if the squat is preceded by a power exercise (i.e., hang pull). This phenomenon may have been due to postactivation potentiation. KEY WORDS. performance, postactivation potentiation, power output, resistance exercise, strength

The purpose of this study was to present a profile of body size and composition of National Football League (NFL) players prior to the start of the regular season. Fifty-three members of the Indianapolis Colts professional football team were measured for height, body mass, and percentage body fat using the BOD POD air-displacement plethysmography system during summer camp of the 2003 football season. These data were categorized by position for comparison with previous studies of NFL football players. The relationships observed were as follows (= represents nonsignificant; > represents p [less than or equal to] 0.05): Height: Offensive Line = Defensive Line = Quarterbacks/Kickers/Punters = Tight Ends > Linebackers > Running Backs = Wide Receivers = Defensive Backs. Body Mass: Offensive Line = Defensive Line > Tight Ends = Linebackers > Running Backs = Quarterbacks/ Kickers/Punters > Wide Receivers = Defensive Backs. Percentage Body Fat: Offensive Line > Defensive Line > Quarterbacks/ Kickers/Punters - Linebackers = Tight Ends > Running Backs = Wide Receivers = Defensive Backs. Comparisons to teams in the 1970s indicate that body mass has increased only for offensive and defensive linemen; however, height and body fat among player positions have not dramatically changed. Furthermore, the body mass index is not an accurate measure or representation of body fat or obesity in NFL players. These data provide a basic template for size profiles and differences among various positions and allow comparisons with other studies for changes in the NFL over the past 3 decades. Key Words. air-displacement plethysmography, BOD POD, percentage fat, athletics, NFL

The present study was conducted to examine (a) whether there is an association between maximal oxygen uptake (V[O.sub.2]max) and reduction in postexercise heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentrations ([La]) following resistance exercise and (b) how intensity and Volume of resistance exercise affect postexercise V[O.sub.2]. Eleven regularly weight-trained males (20.8 [+ or -] 1.3 years; 96.2 [+ or -] 14.4 kg, 182.4 [+ or -] 7.3 cm) underwent 4 sets of squat exercise on 3 separate occasions that differed in both exercise intensity and volume. During each testing session, subjects performed either 15 repetitions x [set.sup.-1] at 60% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) (L), 10 repetitions x [set.sup.-1] at 75% of 1RM (M), or 4 repetitions x [set.sup.-1] at 90% of 1RM (H). During each exercise, [VO.sub.2] and HR were measured before (PRE), immediately post (IP), and at 10 (10P), 20 (20P) 30 (30P), and 40 (40P) minutes postexercise. The [La] was measured at PRE, IP, 20P, and 40P. Decrease in HR ([DELTA]HR) was determined by subtracting HR at 10P from that at IP, whereas decrease in [La] ([DELTA][La]) was computed by subtracting [La] at 20P from that at IP. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between V[O.sub.2]max and AHR in all exercise conditions. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was also found between V[O.sub.2]max and [DELTA][La] in L and M but not in H. The V[O.sub.2] was higher (p < 0.05) during M than H at IP and 10P, while no difference was seen between L and M and between L and H. These results indicate that those with greater aerobic capacity tend to have a greater reduction in HR and [La] during recovery from resistance exercise. In addition, an exercise routine performed at low to moderate intensity coupled with a moderate to high exercise volume is most effective in maximizing caloric expenditure following resistance exercise. KEY WORDS. 1RM, maximal oxygen uptake, heart rate, lactate, exercise intensity

Preparation for the physical demands of competition often involves game simulation during practice. This paradigm is thought to promote physiological adaptations that enhance maximal performance. However, a mismatch between practice intensity and actual competition intensity may not provide adequate training to achieve optimal game-play fitness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of practice in meeting the cardiovascular demands of a women's ice hockey game. Heart rate (HR) data from 11 U.S. National Women's Ice Hockey team members were collected (5second intervals) during a game and a typical practice session. Data was normalized to individual HRmax determined during V[O.sub.2]max testing. Working time was defined as a game shift or practice-working interval. Mean working HR was greater during the game than the practice, 90 [+ or -] 2% and 76 [+ or -] 3% of HRmax, respectively (p < 0.05). Mean percent session time (game or practice) >90% HRmax was also longer during the game than the practice, 10.5 [+ or -] 4.1% and 5.6 [+ or -] 3.5% (p < 0.05), respectively. Mean session HR, percent time >80% HRmax, and mean resting HR were not different between game and practice (68 [+ or -] 7% vs. 69 [+ or -] 5%, 23.2 [+ or -] 5.3% vs. 26.1 [+ or -] 9.2%, and 59 [+ or -] 8% vs. 56 [+ or -] 5%, respectively). Elite women hockey players experience significantly greater cardiovascular load during game play than during practice. This mismatch in cardiovascular demand may prevent players from achieving 'game shape,' thus affecting competition play. Key Words: anaerobic exercise, game conditioning, ice skating, intermittent work, interval training