Strength and Conditioning

Purpose: One of the most widely applied methods to assess upper-body strength in children and adolescents is the handgrip strength test. While in adolescents it has been determined which elbow position, and which type of dynamometer are most appropriate for achieving the maximal grip strength, in children is still not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether elbow position and the type of dynamometer affect the handgrip strength in children. Material: Grip strength was measured by TKK and DynX dynamometers, and their validity and reliability were also analysed. A total of 60 children, 6 to 11 years old, participated in this study, and performed the handgrip strength test with their elbow extended and flexed at 90°. Results: While using the TKK dynamometer, grip strength was significantly higher when the test was performed with elbow extended, in contrast to those obtained with elbow flexed (14.58±3.04 kg vs 12.97±2.99 kg, p<0.001 for right, and 14.25...

Nikolaidis, PT, Ziv, G, Arnon, M, and Lidor, R. Physical characteristics and physiological attributes of female volleyball players-The need for individual data. J Strength Cond Res 26(9): 2547-2557, 2012-The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to profile physical characteristics and physiological attributes of adolescent and adult Greek female volleyball players (n = 61) who were members of the A (the best league for female volleyball players) and B (the second-best league for female volleyball players) Series clubs in Greece and (b) to examine the intraindividual variability among these players in all physical and physiological measurements that were undertaken in the study. The participants were divided into 3 age groups--under 14, 14-18, and over 18 years. They underwent a series of physical (e.g., height, body mass, and percentage of body fat) and physiological (e.g., aerobic profile, flexibility, and vertical jumping ability) tests. Three main findings emerged from the data analysis: (a) differences in physical characteristics and physiological attributes existed between the 3 age groups. For example, fat-free mass was lower in players under the age of 14 years (41.57 6 6.06 kg) compared with that in players between the ages of 14-18 years (50.24 6 6.96 kg) and players over the age of 18 years (52.03 6 3.39 kg). In addition, the relative peak power as measured in the Wingate Anaerobic Test was the highest in the over-18 group (9.72 6 0.65 WÁkg 21 ), lower in the 14-18 group (8.95 6 0.7), and the lowest in the under-14 group (8.32 6 0.78 WÁkg 21 ), (b) large intraindividual variability existed in most physical characteristics and physiological attributes measured in the study, and (c) the intraindividual variability was observed in all the 3 groups. These findings emphasize the need for coaches to examine the intraindividual variability within the players on their teams and to use this information when designing training programs and strength and conditioning programs. Figure 3. Total Z-scores and category-based Z-scores of 2 players from each age group.

The Smith machine (SM) (vertical motion of bar on fixed path; fixed-form exercise) and free weights (FWs) (free-form path) are commonly used strength training modes. Exercisers may need to alternate between types of equipment, depending on testing, training, rehabilitation, and/or the exercisers' goals. The purposes of this study were to compare muscle force production for SM and FWs using a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for the parallel back squat and supine bench press exercises and to predict the 1RM for one mode from 1RM on the other mode. Men (n ϭ 16) and women (n ϭ 16) alternately completed 1RM testing for squat and bench press using SM and FWs. Analyses of variance (type of equipment ϫ sex) and linear regression models were calculated. A significant difference was found between bench press and squat 1RMs for each mode of equipment for all participants. The squat 1RM was greater for the SM than the FWs; conversely, the bench 1RM was greater for FWs than the SM. When sex was considered, bench 1RM for FWs was greater than SM for men and women. The squat 1RM was greater for SM than FWs for women only. The 1RM on one mode of equipment was the best predictor of 1RM for the other mode. For both sexes, the equation SM bench 1RM (in kilograms) ϭ Ϫ6.76 ϩ 0.95 (FW bench 1RM) can be used. For women only, SM squat 1RM (in kilograms) ϭ 28.3 ϩ 0.73 (FW squat 1RM). These findings provide equations for converting between SM and FW equipment for training.

The purpose of this study was to examine the concurrent validity of 4 clinical tests used to measure hamstring muscle length. A pilot study (N = 10) was conducted to determine the intratester reliability of 4 hamstring length measures: knee extension angle (KEA), sacral angle (SA), straight leg raise (SLR), and sit and reach (SR). The pilot investigation revealed good to excellent intratester reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.92-0.95) for each of the 4 tests. Eighty-one subjects (42 men and 39 women) participated in the main investigation. Subjects were randomly tested for each of 4 assessments of hamstring length. Concurrent validity was determined using linear regression, correlation, and k statistics. Correlation coefficients corresponding to the concurrent validity of the six combinations of the 4 clinical tests revealed poor to fair correlation (r = 0.45-0.65). The correlation coefficients for each pair from greatest to least were SR-SA= 0.65, SLR-SR = 0.65, KEA-SLR = 0.63, KEA-SR = 0.57, SLR-SA = 0.50, and KEA-SA = 0.45. Despite the common clinical use of these measures to assess hamstring length, these tests do not have sufficient concurrent validity to be used interchangeably or to assume that they each measure the same construct (hamstring length). Based on the results of this investigation and a review of the literature, the authors recommend that researchers, clinicians, and strength and conditioning specialists adopt the KEA test as the gold standard measure for hamstring muscle length.

The present study aimed to analyze neuromuscular, physiological and perceptual responses to a single bout of five different dynamic squat exercise protocols. In a randomized and counterbalanced order, fifteen male resistance-trained athletes (mean±SD; age: 23.1±1.9 years, body mass: 77.4±8.0 kg) completed a traditional multiple sets (MS: 4 x 6, 85% 1RM), drop sets (DS: 1 x 6, 85% 1RM + 3 drop sets), eccentric overload (EO: 4 x 6, 70% 1RM concentric, 100% 1RM eccentric), flywheel YoYo TM Squat (FW: 4 x 6, all-out), and a plyometric jump protocol (PJ: 4 x 15, all-out). Blood lactate (La), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), counter movement jump height (CMJ), multiple rebound jump performance (MRJ), maximal voluntary isometric contraction force (MVIC), serum creatine kinase (CK) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were measured. Immediately post-exercise, La was significantly (p<0.001) higher in FW (mean±95% CL; 12.2±0.9 mmol•L-1) and lower in PJ (3.0±0.8 mmol•L-1) compared to MS (7.7±1.5 mmol•L-1), DS (8.5±0.6 mmol•L-1) and EO (8.2±1.6 mmol • L-1), accompanied by similar RPE responses. Neuromuscular performance (CMJ, MRJ) significantly remained decreased (p<0.001) from 0.5 to 48 h post-exercise in all protocols. There was a significant time x protocol interaction (p<0.05) in MRJ with a significant lower performance in DS, EO and FW compared to PJ (0.5 h post-exercise), and in EO compared to all other protocols (24 h post-exercise). A significant main time effect with peak values 24 h post-exercise was observed in CK serum concentrations (p<0.001), but there was no time x protocol interaction. In conclusion, (1.) metabolic and perceptual demands were higher in FW and EO compared to MS, DS and PJ, (2.) neuromuscular fatigue was consistent up to 48 h postexercise in all protocols, and (3.) EO induced the greatest neuromuscular fatigue.

The main goal of this method paper was to evaluate the reliability and factorial validity of flexibility tests used in soccer, and to do crossvalidation study on 2 other team sports using handball and basketball players. The second aim was to compare the validity of the different tests and evaluate the flexibility of soccer players; the third was to determine the positional differences between attackers, defenders, and midfielders in all flexibility tests. One hundred and fifty (n = 150) elite male junior soccer players, members of the First Croatian Junior League Teams, and 60 (n = 60) handball and 60 (n = 60) basketball players also members of the First Croatian Junior League Teams volunteered to participate in the study, tested for the purpose of crossvalidation. The SAR and V-SAR had the greatest AVR and ICC. The within-subjects variation ranged from between 0.3 and 3.8%. The lowest value of CV was found between the LSPL and LSPR. Low to moderate statistically significant correlation coefficients were found among all the measured flexibility tests. It was observed that the greatest correlations existed between the SAR and V-SAR (r = 0.65) and between the LLSR and LLSL (r = 0.56). Statistically significant correlations were also observed between the BLPL and BLPR (r = 0.62). The principal components factor analysis of 9 flexibility tests resulted in the extraction of 3 significant components. The results of this study have the following implications for the assessment of flexibility in soccer: (a) all flexibility tests used in this study have the acceptable between and within-subjects reliability and they can be used to estimate the flexibility of soccer players; (b) the LSPL and LSPR tests are the most reliable and valid flexibility tests for the estimation of flexibility of professional soccer players.

Background and Study Aim
Periodised training strategies, due to their demonstrated success in improving athletic performance, have become increasingly utilised by coaches, athletes, and strength and conditioning practitioners as a key training methodology. As a consequence, a coach's knowledge of periodisation and training methods have become increasingly important for improvement of sport-sprint performance. Despite their importance of performance at the elite level, it was suspected that little is known about the Sri Lankan context. As a result, the purpose of this formative exploratory study was to examine knowledge about, and application of, periodisation and training methods by Sri Lankan elite-level coaches working with short-sprint athletes.
Material and Methods
With institutional ethics approval, ten (n=10) expert short-sprint coaches volunteered to participate in the study, with data collected via semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed inductively, to identify 'patterns', 'themes' and 'categories' using the NVivo 12 qualitative software.
Results
Four primary themes emerged from the interview data. These included "Periodisation models", "Monitoring training", "Strength development", and "Speed development". Findings revealed that coaches reported minimal or inadequate knowledge of periodized training and consequently, there did appear to be a gap between coach knowledge of periodized training, but additionally in regard to general training methodology; including aspect such as prescribing strength and speed training loads and, monitoring of training loads. The coaches believed that their knowledge was inadequate to support athletes with Olympic level potential.
Conclusions
The findings identified a potential knowledge gap in coach education and development for elite sprint coaches in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Pull-ups is one of the most popular and traditional exercises that involves one’s body weight which acts as a resistance against gravity. The exercise focuses mainly on upper back muscles (Latissimus Dorsi, Rhomboid), Posterior Deltoid and Biceps Brachii.
Objective: This study aimed at investigating the effects of different hand positions (grips) on the Electromyographic (EMG) activity of Latissimus Dorsi (LD) and Biceps Brachii (BB) muscles during pullups.
Novelty: To the best of our knowledge none of the studies has analyzed the muscle activation of Latissimus Dorsi (LD) and Biceps Brachii (BB) muscles with the selected exercises.
Materials and Method: Ten healthy men performed 1 repetition of six different grip pull-ups. The maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was recorded with the help of biograph infinity software (EMG). Surface ElectroMyoGraphy (SEMG) was used for measuring muscle electrical activity that occurs during muscle contraction.
Results and Discussion: The results of the study shows that, in case of muscles activation in Biceps Brachii, all the exercises reveal significant differences with the Supine Narrow Grip pull-ups (SNG). Similarly, Prone Narrow Grip pull-ups showed a significant difference in Latissimus Dorsi with Prone wide Grip pull-ups and Prone Extreme wide Grip pull-ups, suggesting that other pull-ups exercises may be similarly effective in activating Latissimus Dorsi.
Application: It will help the professional trainers and coaches to design a training schedule for all level of Athletes which may consist of different variations of pull-ups.
Conclusion: Supine Narrow Grip pull-ups is the best exercise to activate the Biceps Brachii as compared to other pull-ups variations. Similarly, Prone Wide Grip pull-ups found to be a more effective exercise for the activation of upper back muscle - Latissimus Dorsi.
Keywords: Electromyography, Muscle activation, Pull-Ups, Latissimus Dorsi and Biceps Brachii

To determine if training status directly impacted the response to postactivation potentiation, athletes in sports requiring explosive strength (ATH; n ϭ 7) were compared to recreationally trained (RT; n ϭ 17) individuals. Over the course of 4 sessions, subjects performed rebound and concentric-only jump squats with 30%, 50%, and 70% 1 RM loads. Jump squats were performed 5 minutes and 18.5 minutes following control or heavy load warm-ups. Heavy load warm-up consisted of 5 sets of 1 repetition at 90% 1 RM back squat. Jump squat performance was assessed with a force platform and position transducer. Heavy load warmup did not have an effect on the subjects as a single sample. However, when percent potentiation was compared between ATH and RT groups, force and power parameters were significantly greater for ATH (p Ͻ 0.05). Postactivation potentiation may be a viable method of acutely enhancing explosive strength performance in athletic but not recreationally trained individuals.

Creatine monohydrate has become the supplement of choice for many athletes striving to improve sports performance. Recent data indicate that athletes may not be using creatine as a sports performance booster per se but instead use creatine chronically as a training aid to augment intense resistance training workouts. Although several studies have evaluated the combined effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance, these data have not been analyzed collectively. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effects of creatine supplementation on muscle strength and weightlifting performance when ingested concomitant with resistance training. The effects of gender, interindividual variability, training status, and possible mechanisms of action are discussed. Of the 22 studies reviewed, the average increase in muscle strength (1, 3, or 10 repetition maximum [RM]) following creatine supplementation plus resistance training was 8% greater than the average increase in muscle strength following placebo ingestion during resistance training (20 vs. 12%). Similarly, the average increase in weightlifting performance (maximal repetitions at a given percent of maximal strength) following creatine supplementation plus resistance training was 14% greater than the average increase in weightlifting performance following placebo ingestion during resistance training (26 vs. 12%). The increase in bench press 1RM ranged from 3 to 45%, and the improvement in weightlifting performance in the bench press ranged from 16 to 43%. Thus there is substantial evidence to indicate that creatine supplementation during resistance training is more effective at increasing muscle strength and weightlifting performance than resistance training alone, although the response is highly variable.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether players in different positional roles have a different physical and physiologic profile. For the purpose of this study, physiologic measurements were taken of 270 soccer players during the precompetitive period of 2005/06 and the precompetitive period of 2006/07. According to the positional roles, players were categorized as defenders (n = 80), midfielders (n = 80), attackers (n = 80), and goalkeepers (n = 30). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was use to determinate differences between team positions. Goalkeepers are the tallest and the heaviest players in the team. They are also the slowest players in the team when sprinting ability over 10 and 20 meters is required. Attackers were the quickest players in the team when looking at sprint values over 5, 10, and 20 meters. There were statistically significant differences between attacker and defenders when measuring vertical jump height by squat jump. Goalkeepers were able to perform better on explosive power tests (squat jump and countermovement jump) than players in the field. Midfielders had statistically significant superior values of relative oxygen consumption, maximal heart rate, maximal running speed, and blood lactate than defenders and attackers. Defenders had more body fat than attackers and midfielders (p , 0.05). Coaches are able to use this information to determine which type of profile is needed for a specific position. It is obvious that players in different positions have different physical and physiologic profiles. Experienced coaches can use this information in the process of designing a training program to maximize the fitness development of soccer players with one purpose only, to achieve success in soccer.

Anecdotal and research evidence is that vertical jump performance declines over the competitive volleyball season. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a short period of ballistic resistance training would attenuate this loss. Fourteen collegiate women volleyball players were trained for 11 weeks with periodized traditional and ballistic resistance training. There was a 5.4% decrease (p Ͻ 0.05) in approach jump and reach height during the traditional training period (start of season to midseason), and a 5.3% increase (p Ͻ 0.05) during the ballistic training period (midseason to end of season), but values were not different from start to end of season. These changes in overall jump performance were reflective of changes in underlying neuromuscular performance variables: in particular, power output and peak velocity during loaded jump squats, countermovement jumps, and drop jumps. During the first 7 weeks of traditional heavy resistance training, it appears that the neuromuscular system is depressed, perhaps by the combination of training, game play, and skills practice precluding adequate recovery. Introduction of a novel training stimulus in the form of ballistic jump squats and reduction of heavy resistance training of the leg extensors stimulated a rebound in performance, in some cases to exceed the athlete's ability at the start of the season. Periodization of in-season training programs similar to that used in this study may provide volleyball players with good vertical jump performance for the crucial end-of-season games.

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the career experiences of Australian strength and conditioning coaches. Six Australian strength and conditioning coaches (mean age = 33.7 years, SD = 6.0 years) with a mean of 10.4 (SD = 4.9) years’ experience working with elite Olympic and professional athletes were interviewed about their experiences of career development. Each interview was transcribed verbatim and analysed to produce key themes and sub-themes relating to: 1) work environments; 2) sport management practice; 3) career development processes: and 3) career building strategies. The work environments of Australian strength and conditioning coaches were found to be poor due to long working hours and irregular human resource policy and management practices of sport organisations. Due to the volatile and unpredictable nature of their working conditions, the coaches interviewed have only a short-term view of their career creating considerable stress in their lives. The coaches interviewed found it difficult to develop their careers as their only options were self-supported and self-funded professional development activities. The coaches in this study believed that more needed to be done at a policy and management level by sport organisations and their professional body to enhance the career development of strength and conditioning coaches as they play a key role in both athlete and sport organisation performance. These results may help sport organisations develop policies and management practices that enhance the careers of strength and conditioning coaches and will have important practical implications for the education and development of sport professionals.

Individuals >65 years of age typically defined as elderly. In the US, estimated that >70 million people would be elderly by the year 2050. Becoming the elderly can have a tremendous influence on psychosocial factors, and disease risk rises. Resistance training can reduce disease risk factors, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis, and can improve one cross-section area (CSA) up to 10% in 6 weeks. Risk considerations, such as low self-efficacy, hearing impairment, visual impairment, thermoregulation problems, and pathological factors, must be taken in mind when designing a training program for the elderly. General guidelines of 2-3 days of resistance training, 1-3 sets, 8-20 repetitions, and a load of 40-80% of the 1RM. Addressing nutritional information to elderly clients is suggested.

summary
    The research about the strength physical quality has been developed over four decades by Russian scientists. The focus of these investigations has been on the influence that this physical quality provides the athlete's training and how much can affect the performance. In contemporary programs of sports training the force has been noted as an important element in the athlete's improvement. Thus, knowledge of the proper methodology of strength training by coaches allow their athletes better optimize their performance. The force components are presented in different ways in the game of tennis. This article aims to inter-relate the concept of force and its manifestations on the tennis mode, beyond the presentation of exercises aimed at enhancing training in the sport.
    Key words: Strength training. Tennis. Release acyclic activities

Little is understood about the acute physiological or metabolic demand of pole dancing classes. As such, the aims of this study were to quantify the demands of a standardized recreational pole dancing class, classifying outcomes according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exercise intensity guidelines, and to explore differences in physiological and metabolic measures between skill-and routine-based class components. Fourteen advanced-level amateur female pole dancers completed three 60-min standardized pole dancing classes. In one class, participants were fitted with a portable metabolic analysis unit. Overall, classes were performed at a mean VO2 of 16.0 ml. kg-1. min-1 , total energy cost of 281.6 kcal (4.7 kcal. min-1), metabolic equivalent of 4.6 METs, HR of 131 b. min-1 , RPE of 6.3/10, and blood lactate of 3.1 mM. When comparing skills-and routine-based components of the class, energy cost per min (4.4 vs. 5.3 kcal. min-1), peak VO2 (21.5 vs. 29.6 ml. kg-1. min-1), METs (4.3 vs. 5.2), and RPE (7.2 vs. 8.4) were all greater in the routine-based component (p < 0.01), indicating that classes with an increased focus on routine-based training, as compared to skills-based training, may benefit those seeking to exercise at a higher intensity level, resulting in greater caloric expenditure. In accordance with ASCM guidelines, an advanced-level 60-min pole dancing class can be classified as a moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise; when completed for ≥30 min, ≥5 days per week (total ≥150 min) satisfies the recommended level of exercise for improved health and cardiorespiratory fitness.

The strength and conditioning pratice targeted specifically for basketball players is a complex task. It is necessary to understand the bioenergetic, morphofunctional, and biomechanical aspects involved in the prescription of different types of training in order to improve the athletic performance of the players. However, the modern problems of sports preparation (competitive schedule, travels, injuries, different philosophies of team work, etc.) make your work more difficult. The monitoring of training loads has become a crucial tool for the fitness coach, as the large amount of competitions in the season and reduced time to train, causes unexpected fluctuations in peak performance and increased risk of injury to athletes.  Success in monitoring loads depends on selecting the correct variables to be controlled, feedback to know how to interpret them and appropriate decision making.
Finally, the modern fitness coach in basketball lives a dilemma of building an appropriate training program for his players in an unfavorable calendar, recovering them from the loads and, at the same time, managing a database that, if well deciphered , will allow to optimize the team's performance.
Keywords: strength and conditioning, basketball, sports training

Presentation about the fitness for American football. Involving approach: characteristics, tactical positions, the game, skills, metabolic domain, relationship effort-pause, anthropometric profile, physical demands, distance covered, velocity zones, heart rate, wingate, endocrine and biochemical changes. Capacities conditioning, coordinative capacities, physical assessment, training types, special technical training, longitudinal changes in strength and power, speed, agility, and anaerobic conditioning. Collision and tackle. Game based in conditioning drills, macrostructural variables of functional training ( movement learning, proprioception, core and biomotor capabilities), periodization. Injuries (head, shoulders, knee, leg, ankle and foot). Injuries in room weight, control training loads, loads relationship versus injuries, recovery and regeneration, neuropsychological recovery.

In last month's article we established (1) that whilst the physical demands of bowling are not as great as in some other sports, a certain degree of competence in a number of aspects of fitness is still required; and (2) that when trying to formulate a fitness plan for bowling, it is imperative to address the specific demands of the sport. Incorporating a good warm-up (and warm-down) component in your program it is vital and as such this was covered in some depth. With that now done, we will turn our attention to improving your cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, power and strength.

My presentation arguing about specific conditioning for basketball.The basic characteristics of basketball and bioenergetic demand are discussed. Anthropometric profile of male and female players are compared by tactical function. Biomotor capabilities are detailed in conjunction with study results. Injury management, incidence pattern and preventive strategies are discussed. Periodization models (selective loads and blocks) are compared.Notions of biomechanics applied to basketball (jump shoot) are exposed. Finally, topics such as fatigue, detraining, nutrition, and recuperative methods are presented.

The capacity to perform a variety of movement patterns with a proper qualitative technique under challenging ecological conditions is a crucial aspect of pain-free and ergonomic daily functioning. This philosophy also has merit in the performance world, wherein athletes are trusted to preserve performance under physiological and ecological challenges. Traditionally, the priority of strength and conditioning practices has been on biomotoric qualities like muscular strength and muscle endurance. However, executing various movements that target fundamental movement qualities combined with corrective exercises can yield an ergogenic effect and reduce the risk of soft-tissue injuries. Accordingly, this article describes a functional movement screening battery performed on a kickboxing athlete. The focus is on developing high-quality movement before emphasising traditional strength and conditioning practices. Also, the relationship between the screenings and previous injuries is conveyed. Because of the pragmatic approach, the scientific terminology is limited were possible. The author refers to the reference list for readers interested in neurophysiological mechanisms and epidemiological studies.

The objective of this presentation is to verify the effects of tapering on the
performance of basketball players. Tapering is a real necessity in the competitive basketball environment. Basically, tapering consists of a reduction in training loads in a period prior to competition to minimize chronic physiological stress and thereby improve performance. There are three types of tapering pedagogical strategies that are well documented in the scientific literature: linear, exponential and step. However, for tapering to be effective, it is necessary to know how to manage the volume, intensity, frequency and duration of the imposed loads. The real performance gains with a properly organized tapering range from 0.5% to values greater than 10%. After tapering is applied, athletes tend to present individual physiological responses
that are governed by the level of trainability, genetic potential and the athlete's gender. In addition to the positive adaptive responses on the issue of fitness, tapering contributes to crucial improvements in the field of technical-tactical performance of basketball players. Finally, tapering is directly dependent on a systematically planned and monitored distribution of training loads. Keywords: Basketball, Tapering, Sports Training, Sports Performance, Exercise Physiology

The purpose of this article was to review a series of studies (n = 31) on physical characteristics, physiological attributes, and volleyball skills of female and male adolescent volleyball players. Among the main findings were (a) that male national players were taller and ...

O futebol é uma modalidade de desporto conhecida mundialmente pela sua beleza e plasticidade nas ações motoras durante uma partida.
São encontradas uma diversidade de capacidades biomotoras que apóiam o desempenho futebolístico. Entre elas, a força motora.
Considerada na atualidade como capacidade biomotora crucial em um grande rol de esportes, a força e suas diferentes manifestações se fazem existentes no futebol moderno.
Não é apenas a citação de futebol-força que nos faz recordar de imediato a importância da força no futebol e, sim, o futebol de resultados.
No futebol de resultados, os jogadores devem estar devidamente condicionados na força motora para suportar as cargas impostas pelas partidas que requerem efeitos  de grande magnitude no desempenho. A execução de sprints curtos intermitentes, mudanças de direção, saltos, giros, carrinhos e demais movimentações acabam solicitando em variados graus da força. Em acréscimo, as habilidades motoras como os passes, dribles, fintas e distintos tipos de chutes podem ser considerados resultantes de vetores da força.
O preparador físico ao vislumbrar este quadro, se sente na obrigação de incorporar em seus programas de treinamento a força motora e suas derivações.
No entanto, mesmo o mais experiente dos profissionais se depara com questões inerentes acerca da prescrição do treino da força, levando-o a indagar: Qual o perfil das fibras musculares nos jogadores de futebol? Como elaborar um programa de treino da força baseado na concepção ecológica? Quais os principais princípios norteadores no desenvolvimento da força? Como a força se manifesta nas funções táticas? Como treinar a força no futebol? Quais os melhores testes de avaliação da força no futebol? Como realizar um aquecimento efetivo em futebolistas? Quais as formas de fadiga no futebol? Quais as lesões que mais acometem os futebolistas? Como periodizar a força no futebol? Como se realiza o controle das cargas de treino?
Estas e outras perguntas podem ser respondidas com a leitura deste manuscrito, como também pode levar o leitor a refletir e buscar questões mais aprofundadas fundamentado nas pesquisas  aqui apresentadas.
Vale dizer que futebol tem se modernizado e, assim a ciência acompanha este progresso. Portanto, ao adentrarmos no universo científico voltado ao futebol, não espere todas as respostas, haja visto a ciência levantar um maior número de interrogações do que decifrar arquétipos.

RSI and the Fast SSC Copyright © . N ational S trength and Conditioning A ssociation. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited Figure 3. A 4-step progression for developing fast stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) performance and introducing contact time (CT) and reactive strength index (RSI) as feedback tools.

The ability to develop a strong grip and maintain it during a judo match has become an important element for judo athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine differences between measurements of maximal isometric time on judogi pull-up, and number of repetitions during dynamic judogi pull-up.

La mayoría de las acciones realizadas en Deportes de Combate requieren que los atletas lleven a cabo gestos que demandarían niveles de movilidad por encima de la media.
A lo largo del presente artículo se presentará una mirada integradora, en donde se buscará ofrecer al lector de una serie de herramientas para una implementación segura y eficaz de los entrenamientos asociados a la mejora de la flexibilidad en Deportes de Combate.

As the technical performance demands of dance increase, professional companies and pre-professional schools are implementing pre-season screenings that require an efficient, cost effective way to measure dancer aerobic fitness. The aim of this study was to assess an accelerated 3-minute step test (112 beats·min -1 ) by comparing it to the well-studied YMCA step test (96 beats·min -1 ) and a benchmark standard, an incremental treadmill test, using heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) as variables. Twenty-six professional and preprofessional dancers (age 20 ± 2.02 years) were fitted with a telemetric gas analysis system and HR monitor. They were tested in the following order: 96 step, 112 step, and treadmill test, with rest to return to baseline heart rate between each test. The step and treadmill tests were compared using Intra-class Correlation Coefficients [ICC (3,k)] calculated with analysis of variance (p < 0.05). To determine whether there was a relationship between peak and recovery HR (HR peak , HR recov ) and VO 2 (VO 2peak , VO 2recov ) variables, Pearson product moment correlations were used. Differences due to gender or group (preprofessionals versus professionals) were explored with MANOVAs for HR peak ,

Rest is typically prescribed as inter-set, or between set, rest periods. In- traset rest schemes which ‘‘chunk’’ the set into smaller units and increase the number of rest intervals within the training set have received very little re- search attention. PURPOSE: To investigate the acute kinematic, kinetic and blood lactate responses to continuous and intraset rest loading schemes. METHODS: Nine male subjects performed bench presses (6 repetition maxi- mum [6RM] load) on an instrumented Smith machine on three separate oc- casions. The kinematics and kinetics of a continuous (CONT – 4 sets of 6RM), intraset rest equated by total rest time and volume (ISRV – 8 sets of 3 reps of 6RM load) and intraset rest equated by total rest time (ISRR - 8 sets of 6RM load; sets 1, 3, 5 and 7 􏰀 3 reps; sets 2, 4, 6 and 8 to fatigue) loading schemes were compared. Finger prick blood lactate samples were taken pre- exercise (Pre), immediately postexercise (P0), five (P5), fifteen (P15) and thirty minutes (P30) post exercise. RESULTS: A significantly (p 􏰁 0.05) greater number of repetitions (20%) were performed when using the ISRR loading scheme. These extra repetitions also resulted in significantly greater time un- der tension (􏰂59% overall), total mean force (􏰂62% overall), total impulse (􏰂59% overall), total mean power (􏰂63% overall) and total work done (􏰂65% overall). No significant differences were observed between these variables for the two schemes equated by volume. In terms of blood lactate response over time, at P0 all groups had increased (1.5–4.5 mmol*l􏰃1) significantly compared to baseline whereas at P15 only the CONT and ISRR schemes differed signif- icantly to baseline. The major finding of between-group blood lactate analysis was that the ISRR scheme resulted in significantly greater increases (34– 103%) in blood lactate compared to the other two schemes until P30. CON- CLUSION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Greater volume and resultant kinetics were associated with the ISRR loading scheme. If these mechanical and metabolic stimuli are important for strength adaptation it would seem that ISRR training would offer a better alternative to the more traditional strength training schemes. However, further research is required to further scientific understanding regarding the effects that the repeated application of intraset rest loading schemes will have.

Nivel de potencia mecánica en extremidades inferiores ¿se relaciona con la máxima velocidad del balón después del remate en Voleibol? Resumen La aplicación de altos niveles de potencia mecánica en el deporte representa una ventaja sobre el rival, especialmente en el Voleibol, donde las acciones fundamentales dependen del rendimiento alcanzado en los saltos, que además constituyen una de las acciones utilizadas para evaluar el rendimiento de los deportistas. Sin embargo, no se ha encontrado evidencia bibliográfica del estudio sobre la relación de la potencia mecánica en miembros inferiores y la máxima velocidad del balón después del remate en el voleibol. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar la relación entre la potencia mecánica alcanzada en las extremidades inferiores y la máxima velocidad del balón después del remate en el voleibol. Se evaluaron 26 voleibolistas de ambos sexos, 12 masculinos (17,6 ± 1,3 años; 181,6±6,1 cm; 67,3 ± 9,7 kg) y 14 femeninos (16,5±1,5 años; 166,1 ± 6,4 cm; 59,7 ± 6,7 kg) durante el periodo competitivo y etapa precompetitiva. Se usó una alfombra de contacto para estimar la altura de los saltos Squat Jump (SJ), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Abalakov (ABK) y salto durante el remate, donde simultáneamente se midió la Velocidad Máxima del Balón (VMB) con un radar Doopler. Se calcularon los valores promedio, desviación estándar, máximos y mínimo para las variables. En ambos sexos se observó que la potencia mecánica del salto del peor remate (SPR) es mayor que la del mejor remate (SMR), y ambos son superiores que ABK, CMJ y SJ. Al aplicar la t de student para datos independientes entre los pares de variables, no se hallaron diferencias (p>0,05) entre el Salto con el Peor Remate (SpR) y Salto con el Mejor Remate (SMR) para ambos sexos, mientras para el resto de variables de saltos pareadas se rechaza la hipótesis de igualdad en las medias (p<0,05) en ambos sexos. Se concluye que para el grupo en estudio la velocidad del balón después del remate además de estar condicionada por factores coordinativos asociados a la secuencia del salto, existe evidencia de estar relacionada con la potencia absoluta producida durante los saltos y con el aprovechamiento de la energía elástica.
Palabras clave potencia, voleibol, velocidad, remate.