Mário C. Marques

IN-SEASON RESISTANCE TRAINING AND DETRAINING IN PROFESSIONAL TEAM HANDBALL PLAYERS

The object of this study was to investigate the changes in physical parameters produced during an in-season resistance training (RT) and detraining (DT, or RT cessation) in 16 high level team handball players (THPs). Apart from normal practice sessions, THPs underwent 12 weeks of RT. Subjects performed 3 sets of 3–6 reps with a load of 70–85% concentric 1 repetition maximum bench press (1RMBP), 3 sets of 3–6 reps with a load of 70–95% of 4 repetition maximum parallel squats (4RMPS), plus vertical jumps and sprints. The 1RMBP, 4RMPS, speed over 30 m (S30), jump (countermovement jump height [CMJ]; CMJ with additional weights [20kg and 40kg], and ball throw velocity (BTv) were tested before the experimental period (T1), after 6 weeks (T2), and after the 12-week experimental period (T3). Immediately after these 12 weeks, THPs started a 7-week DT period, maintained normal practices. The CMJ and the BTv were the only parameters evaluated during DT. The most important gains (p < 0.001) in S30 were obtained between T1-T2 and T1-T3. The BTv improved significantly (p < 0.001) only between T1-T2 and T1-T3. The most relevant increases (p < 0.001) in jumping performance took place between T1-T2 and T1-T3. The 1RMBP showed significant increases (p < 0.001) only between T1-T2 and T1-T3. The 4RMPS increased significantly between all testing trials. After the DT, THPs showed no significant losses in CMJ performance. However, they declined significantly in BTv (p = 0.023). The results suggest that elite THPs can optimize important physical parameters over 12 weeks in-season and that 7 weeks of DT, although insufficient to produce significant decreases in CMJ, are sufficient to induce significant decreases in BTv. It is concluded that after RT cessation THPs reduced BTv performance.

Changes in strength and power performance in elite senior female professional volleyball players during the in-season: a case study.

Marques, MC, van den Tillaar, R, Vescovi, JD, and González-Badillo, JJ. Changes in strength and power performance in elite senior female professional volleyball players during the in-season: a case study. J Strength Cond Res 22: 1147-1155, 2008-It is often recommended that in-season training programs aim to maintain muscular strength and power developed during the off-season. However, improvements in performance may be possible with a well-designed training regimen. The purpose of this case report is to describe the changes in physical performance after an in-season training regimen in professional female volleyball players in order to determine whether muscular strength and power might be improved. Apart from normal practice sessions, 10 elite female volleyball players completed 2 training sessions per week, which included both resistance training and plyometric exercises. Over the 12-week season, the athletes performed 3-4 sets of 3-8 repetitions for resistance and plyometric exercises during each training session. All sessions were supervised by one of the investigators as well as by the team head coach. Muscular strength and power were assessed before and after the 12-week training program using 4 repetition maximum bench press and parallel squat tests, an overhead medicine ball throw (BTd), as well as unloaded and loaded countermovement jumps (CMJs). Strength improved by 15% and 11.5% in the bench press and parallel squat, respectively (p < 0.0001). Distance in the BTd improved by 11.8% (p < 0.0001), whereas unloaded and loaded CMJ height increased between 3.8 and 11.2%. The current findings suggest that elite female volleyball players can improve strength and power during the competition season by implementing a well-designed training program that includes both resistance and plyometric exercises.

Effects of high-speed power training on functional capacity and muscle performance in older women.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of 12 weeks high-speed power training on isometric contraction (handgrip strength), maximal strength (1RM), muscle power (walking velocity, counter movement jump and ball throwing) and functional tasks of the arm and leg muscles (sit-to-stand and get-up and go). Fifty-six older women were divided into an experimental group and a control group [EG, n=28, 62.5 (5.4) years; CG: n=28, 62.5 (4.3) years]. The EG was submitted to a high-speed power training that consisted of 40% of one repetition maximum (1<RM) to 75% of 1RM); 3 sets 4-12 reps, countermovement jump and medicine ball (1.5 kg) throwing. Over the 12-week training period, the EG significantly increased dynamic and isometric strength performance (57% to 61%), muscle power (range from 14% to 40%) (P<0.05) and function (P<0.05). No significant magnitudes of increase were observed in the CG. These data indicate that high-speed power training is an effective exercise approach leading to large gains in upper and lower extremity muscle performance and function capacity.

Physical performance characteristics of high-level female soccer players 12-21 years of age.

Performance assessment has become an invaluable component of monitoring player development and within talent identification programs in soccer, yet limited performance data are available for female soccer players across a wide age range. The aim of this study was to describe the physical performance characteristics of female soccer players ranging in age from 12 to 21 years. High‐level female soccer players (n=414) were evaluated on linear sprinting (36.6 m with 9.1 m splits), countermovement jump (CMJ), and two agility tests. Separate one‐way ANOVAs were used to compare performance characteristics between (1) each year of chronological age and (2) three age groups: 12–13 years, n=78, 14–17 years, n=223, and 18–21 years, n=113. Mean linear sprint speed over 9.1 m was similar across all chronological ages, however sprint speed over the final 9.1 m, CMJ height and agility scores improved until approximately 15–16 years. Outcomes from the group data indicated better performance on all tests for the 14–17‐year‐old group compared with the 12–13‐year‐old group. Additionally, sprint speed on the second and fourth 9.1 m splits and 36.6 m sprint speed as well as performance on the Illinois agility test was better in the 18–21‐year‐old group compared with the 14–17‐year‐old group. The findings from this study indicate that marked improvements of high intensity short duration work occur up until 15–16 years. Smaller gains in performance were observed beyond 16 years of age as evidenced by better performance on 36.6 m sprint speed, several sprint splits and the Illinois agility test in the college aged players (i.e., 18–21‐year‐old group).

Physical fitness qualities of professional volleyball players: determination of positional differences.

Marques, MC, van den Tillaar, R, Gabbett, TJ, Reis, VM, and González-Badillo, JJ. Physical fitness qualities of professional volleyball players: Determination of positional differences. J Strength Cond Res 23(4): 1106-1111, 2009-The purpose of this study was to investigate the anthropometric and strength characteristics of elite male volleyball athletes and to determine if differences exist in these characteristics according to playing position. A group of 35 professional male team volleyball players (mean ± SD age: 26.6 ± 3.1 years) participated in the study. Players were categorized according to playing position and role: middle blockers (n = 9), opposite hitters (n = 6), outside hitters (n = 10), setters (n = 6), and liberos (n = 4). Height, body mass, muscular strength (4 repetition maximum bench press and 4 repetition maximum parallel squat tests), and muscular power (overhead medicine ball throw, countermovement jump) were assessed. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found among the 5 positional categories. The results indicated that the middle blockers and opposite hitters were the tallest and heaviest players, whereas the libero players were the lightest. Differences were also found in bench press maximal strength, with the middle blockers and opposite players significantly stronger (p < 0.05) than the setters and liberos. The setter positional group had significantly poorer (p < 0.05) parallel squat performances than the outside hitter and opposite hitter groups. No other significant differences (p > 0.05) were found among groups for the strength and power parameters. These results demonstrate that significant anthropometric and strength differences exist among playing positions in elite male volleyball players. In addition, these findings provide normative data for elite male volleyball players competing in specific individual playing positions. From a practical perspective, sport scientists and conditioning professionals should take the strength and anthropometric characteristics of volleyball players into account when designing individualized position-specific training programs.

High-speed resistance training is more effective than low-speed resistance training to increase functional capacity and muscle performance in older women

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of 12 weeks of high-speed resistance training (RT) versus low-speed RT on muscle strength [one repetition of maximum leg-press (1RMLP) and bench-press (1RMBP), plus dominant (HGd) and non-dominant maximum isometric handgrip], power [counter-movement jump (CMJ), ball throwing (BT) and 10-m walking sprint (S10)], functional performance [8-foot up-and-go test (UG) and sit-to-stand test (STS)], and perceived quality of life in older women. METHODS 45 older women were divided into a high-speed RT group [EG, n=15, age=66.3±3.7y], a low-speed RT group [SG, n=15, age=68.7±6.4y] and a control group [CG, n=15, age=66.7±4.9y]. The SG and EG were submitted to a similar 12-week RT program [3 sets of 8 reps at 40-75% of the one-repetition maximum (1<RM), CMJ and BT] using slow, controlled (3s) concentric muscle actions for the SG and using fast, explosive (<1s) concentric muscle actions for the EG (20% less work per exercise without CMJ and BT). RESULTS Over the 12-week training period, both RT groups showed small to large clinically significant improvements in the dependent variables; however, a significant difference was found between the EG and SG for the performance changes in BT, S10 and UG (20% vs. 11%, p<0.05; 14% vs. 9%, p<0.05; 18% vs. 10%, p<0.01; respectively). No significant changes were observed for the CG. CONCLUSION Both RT interventions are effective in improving functional capacity, muscle performance and quality of life in older women, although a high-speed RT program induces greater improvements in muscle power and functional capacity.

Relationship between kinematic factors and countermovement jump height in trained track and field athletes.

González-Badillo, JJ and Marques, MC. Relationship between kinematic factors and countermovement jump height in trained track and field athletes. J Strength Cond Res 24(12): 3443-3447, 2010-Countermovement jump (CMJ) has been extensively used in training, yet kinematic data for a large sample of trained athletes are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between kinematic factors of CMJ height in a large sample of trained track and field athletes. Forty-eight adult athletes performed 3 maximal CMJ-weighted jumps while ground reaction forces were sampled using a force platform synchronized with a linear transducer. The CMJ height presented significant relations with both eccentric (descending) and concentric (ascending) phases. In addition, strong correlations were observed between CMJ performance and the peak power produced during the concentric phase (r = 0.812-0.851) and with the average power generated in the same phase (r = 0.829-0.870). Finally, maximal negative velocity was low to moderate in its association with CMJ performance (r = 0.57-0.65). The present data contribute important knowledge concerning determinant factors of vertical jump performance that have not been analyzed in trained athletes. As predictors, it is important to observe high values of correlation between the force produced during the concentric and eccentric phases with the height of all the CMJ trials. In this way, our study confirms previous findings in which peak power was shown to be the best predictor of CMJ height. Nevertheless, the moderate but significant predictive value of negative velocity was even more noticeable.

Functional Capacity, Muscle Fat Infiltration, Power Output, and Cognitive Impairment in Institutionalized Frail Oldest Old

This study examined the neuromuscular and functional performance differences between frail oldest old with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In addition, the associations between functional capacities, muscle mass, strength, and power output of the leg muscles were also examined. Forty-three elderly men and women (91.9±4.1 years) were classified into three groups--the frail group, the frail with MCI group (frail+MCI), and the non-frail group. Strength tests were performed for upper and lower limbs. Functional tests included 5-meter habitual gait, timed up-and-go (TUG), dual task performance, balance, and rise from a chair ability. Incidence of falls was assessed using questionnaires. The thigh muscle mass and attenuation were assessed using computed tomography. There were no differences between the frail and frail+MCI groups for all the functional variables analyzed, except in the cognitive score of the TUG with verbal task, which frail showed greater performance than the frail+MCI group. Significant associations were observed between the functional performance, incidence of falls, muscle mass, strength, and power in the frail and frail+MCI groups (r=-0.73 to r=0.83, p<0.01 to p<0.05). These results suggest that the frail oldest old with and without MCI have similar functional and neuromuscular outcomes. Furthermore, the functional outcomes and incidences of falls are associated with muscle mass, strength, and power in the frail elderly population.

Relationships Between Vertical Jump and Full Squat Power Outputs With Sprint Times in U21 Soccer Players

Relationships Between Vertical Jump and Full Squat Power Outputs With Sprint Times in U21 Soccer Players The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between power variables in the vertical jump and full squat with the sprint performance in soccer players. Fourteen under-21 soccer players were evaluated in two testing sessions separated by 7 days. In the first testing session, vertical jump height in countermovement was assessed, and power output for both loaded countermovement jump (CMJL) and full squat (FS) exercises in two progressive load tests. The second testing session included sprinting at 10, 20, and 30m (T10, T20, T30, T10-20, T10-30, T20-30). Power variables obtained in the loaded vertical jump with 20kg and full squat exercise with 70kg showed significant relationships with all split times (r=-0.56/-0.79; p≤ 0.01/0.01). The results suggest that power produced either with vertical jump or full squat exercises is an important factor to explain short sprint performance in soccer players. These findings might suggest that certain levels of neuromuscular activation are more related with sprint performance reflecting the greater suitability of loads against others for the improvement of short sprint ability in under-21 soccer players.

Genetic Inheritance Effects on Endurance and Muscle Strength

Top-level sport seems to play a natural Darwinian stage. The most outstanding athletes appear to emerge as a result of exogenous influences of nature and/or coincidence, namely, the contingency of practicing certain sport for which their talents best fit. This coincidence arises because certain individuals possess anatomical, metabolic, functional and behavioural characteristics that are precisely those required to excel in a given sport. Apart from the effects of training, there is strong evidence of genetic influence upon athletic performance. This article reviews the current state of knowledge regarding heritable genetic effects upon endurance and muscle strength, as reported by several twin and family studies. Due, probably, to the inaccuracy of the measurement procedures and sampling error, heritability estimates differ widely between studies. Even so, the genetic inheritence effects seem incontrovertible in most physical traits: ~40–70% for peak oxygen uptake and cardiac mass and structure, and ~30–90% for anaerobic power and capacity, ranging according to the metabolic category. Studies in development by several researchers at this present time seem to guarantee that future reviews will include twins and family studies concerning genes associated with the adaptive processes against hormetic agents, such as exercise, heat and oxidative stress.