Fernando Naclerio Ayllón

Neuromuscular Activity During Whole-Body Vibration of Different Amplitudes and Footwear Conditions: Implications for Prescription of Vibratory Stimulation

Marín, PJ, Bunker, D, Rhea, MR, and Ayllón, FN. Neuromuscular activity during whole-body vibration of different amplitudes and footwear conditions: implications for prescription of vibratory stimulation. J Strength Cond Res 23(8): 2311-2316, 2009-This study investigated the magnitude of whole-body vibration (WBV) at 30 Hz induced in surface electromyography root-mean-square (EMGrms) signals of different amplitudes and footwear conditions of unloaded isometric half squat (100o). For this purpose, 10 healthy and active males (age 28.7 ± 4.6 yr; height 180 ± 5.9 cm; and weight 90 ± 13.4 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were exposed to the WBV treatment using a vibration platform (FreeMotion Fitness iTonic). The subjects were exposed randomly to 4 different treatments of WBV: with shoes 2 mm amplitude, without shoes 2 mm, with shoes 4 mm, and without shoes 4 mm. The EMGrms signals were recorded from the vastus lateralis and the gastrocnemius medialis muscle during the different conditions. The WBV treatments resulted in a significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) EMGrms compared with unloaded isometric half squat (without WBV). The WBV treatment that induced the highest EMGrms signals of the vastus lateralis was during the amplitude of 4 mm without shoes (+62.7%; p < 0.01), whereas 4 mm with shoes induced the highest EMGrms signals of the gastrocnemius medialis (+142.7%; p < 0.01). These data suggest that wearing shoes does alter the neuromuscular response to WBV stimuli, and exercise professionals should consider such differences when using WBV to target neuromuscular activation of such muscle groups. In this study, the magnitude of the WBV effect was clearly higher with the amplitude 4 mm versus 2 mm for the vastus lateralis muscle and gastrocnemius medialis muscle. The vastus lateralis showed the greatest activity without shoes and at amplitude of 4 mm. The maximal activation for the gastrocnemius medialis was measured with shoes at 4 mm.

Control of resistance training intensity by the OMNI perceived exertion scale.

Naclerio, F, Rodríguez-Romo, G, Barriopedro-Moro, MI, Jiménez, A, Alvar, BA, and Triplett, NT. Control of resistance training intensity by the omni perceived exertion scale. J Strength Cond Res 25(7): 1879-1888, 2011—The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale as a means of controlling resistance training intensity and establishing the relationship between the RPE value, load, and mechanical power (MP) produced during the bench press. Eleven men (22.1 ± 1.0 years) were evaluated on 8 separate days with 48 hours of rest between sessions. After determining the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) value, each subject underwent 7 tests until achieving muscular failure with the following percentage ranges: 30-40, >40-50, >50-60, >60-70, >70-80, >80-90, and >90%. A rotary encoder and the OMNI-RES (0-10) scale were used to estimate the power and to determine the perception of effort (RPE) expressed after each repetition of each set. The RPE produced from the start to the end of each set was related to the percentage of the load and the variability of the MP measured. Additionally, except for the >90% range, significant differences (p < 0.05) between the initial RPE (RPE I) and the average RPE of the first 3 repetitions (RPE 1_3 rep) with respect to the RPE produced with a 10% reduction in MP were identified for all the ranges. These relationships demonstrate the utility of RPE for controlling resistance training intensity.

Noncompatibility of power and endurance training among college baseball players.

Exercise professionals seeking to develop evidence-based training programs rely on several training principles demonstrated through research and professional experience. In an effort to further research examining these principles, an investigation was designed and completed to evaluate the compatibility of cardiovascular endurance and neuromuscular power training. Sixteen Division-I collegiate baseball players were divided into two training groups with lower body power measured before and after their college playing season. The two groups differed in training in that one group performed moderate- to high-intense cardiovascular endurance training 3-4 days per week throughout the season, while the other group participated in speed/speed endurance training. A significant difference between groups (P < .05) was identified in the change in lower body power during the baseball season. During the season, the endurance training group decreased an average of 39.50 ± 128.03 watts while the speed group improved an average of 210.63 ± 168.96 watts. These data demonstrate that moderate- to high-intense cardiovascular endurance and neuromuscular power training do not appear to be compatible when performed simultaneously. For baseball players, athletes who rely heavily on power and speed, conventional baseball conditioning involving significant amounts of cardiovascular endurance training should be altered to include more speed/power interval training.

The effectiveness of resisted jump training on the VertiMax in High School Athletes

Resisted jumping devices and resisted plyometric training have become more common in recent years. The effectiveness of such training has yet to be determined among high school athletes. Sixty-four high school athletes (50 boys and 14 girls) from a variety of sports were divided into 2 groups and participated in a training intervention that differed only by the use of the VertiMax jump trainer in 1 group. Lower-body power was tested before and after the intervention and compared statistically for differences between the groups. Athletes from both groups followed a periodized training program with resistance exercises performed 2 or 3 days per week, and sprint and plyometric training (i.e., training control group) or sprint, plyometric, and VertiMax training (i.e., VertiMax group) 1 or 2 days per week, for 12 total weeks. In addition to the traditional compound lower-body lifts and equated sprint work, the VertiMax group performed supplementary exercises on the VertiMax training apparatus. The average improvement in power observed in the training control group was 49.50 ± 97.83 W, and the increase in power in the VertiMax group was 217.14 ± 99.21 W. The differences in power after the test and improvements in power with training were found to differ between the groups (P < 0.05) and favored the VertiMax training group. Combined with previous research with college athletes, these data show the added effectiveness of resisted jump training on the VertiMax among athletes for the development of lower-body power.

An examination of training on the VertiMax Resisted Jumping Device for improvements in lower body power in highly trained college athletes

Training to develop superior muscular power has become a key component to most progressive sport conditioning programs. Conventional resistance training, plyometrics, and speed/agility modalities have all been employed in an effort to realize superlative combinations of training stimuli. New training devices such as the VertiMax resisted jump trainer are marketed as a means of improving lower body reactive power. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the VertiMax, in combination with traditional training modalities, for improvements in lower body power among highly trained athletes. Forty men and women Division I collegiate athletes representing the sports of baseball, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and track completed a 12-week mixed-methods training program. Two groups were constructed with both groups performing the same conventional resistance training and strength training exercises. The training control group performed traditional plyometric exercises while the experimental group performed similar loaded jump training on the VertiMax. Lower body power was measured before and after the training program by the TENDO FiTROdyne Powerlizer and statistically compared for differences between groups. Data analyses identified a significant (p < 0.05) and meaningful difference between power development among the 2 groups, with the VertiMax eliciting a greater treatment effect (effect size = 0.54) over conventional resistance and plyometric training alone (effect size = 0.09). These data convincingly demonstrate that the VertiMax represents an effective strategy for developing lower body power among trained college athletes, when combined with traditional strength and conditioning approaches.