Meanwhile, publications have frequently appeared on a line of research in which aerobic and resistance exercises are combined, not from the perspective of the deleterious effect on muscle hypertrophy and strength performance, but with potential additional health benefits.^19–21 These studies have demonstrated that the combination of the two types of exercise improves cardiovascular parameters in older people,^22,23 neuromuscular parameters in youths²⁴ and older people,²⁵ hormonal parameters in older women,²⁶ and immunological and virological parameters in HIV/AIDS patients,²⁰ while increasing excess post-exercise oxygen consumption time^21,27 and simultaneously improving lipid profile and body composition.²⁸ In all these studies, the combination of the two forms of exercise was just as if not more effective than one of the exercises alone. In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine suggests that the combination of aerobic and resistance exercises promotes more benefits than just one of these individually.²⁹

Despite strength training (ST) being well characterized by professional runners, little is known about the inclusion of ST models for recreational runners. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the presence of ST in the training practices of recreational runners, with a focus on understanding its characteristics and the motivations of recreational athletes for including ST in their routines. To this end, 801 recreational runners (493 male and 308 female) completed a structured questionnaire regarding their training habits, the inclusion of ST, and its characteristics, concerning the type of ST, training volume, and the reasons for including ST in their training programs. To assess the possible associations between categorical variables, data were analyzed using the chi-square test for independent samples. Approximately 625 runners (78.1%) reported that they included ST in their training routine, with a statistically significant difference between the sexes (men: 73.5% vs. women: 85.4%; X² = 14.09; p = 0.01). Traditional strength training (TST) was the predominant type of ST included (78.5%), with most participants performing 2–4 sets and 8–12 repetitions per set at a frequency of 3–4 sessions per week. The importance of ST was primarily attributed to performance improvement (85%). The results suggest that recreational runners incorporate different types of ST into their training routines, with TST being the predominant type perceived by runners as a valuable asset for improving running performance.

Rufino, HVdO, Franchini, E, Forte, LDM, da Silva, TBO, Meireles, CLS, and Soares, YM. Physiological and perceptual responses of a guard passing test and a simulated Brazilian jiu-jitsu combat: a pilot study. J Strength Cond Res 38(10): e574–e578, 2024—Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling combat sport characterized by high-intensity efforts during the scoring actions interspersed by low-intensity actions or pause during the referee stoppage. Therefore, understanding of the physiological response to a BJJ match and BJJ-specific test can contribute to both athletes testing and training prescription. Thus, the present study aimed to compare the physiological and perceptual responses to a guard passing test (GPT) and to a simulated BJJ combat (simulated combat [SC]). For that, 7 male BJJ athletes performed a BJJ SC and the GPT at different days at random order. GPT was composed by 6 sets of all-out guard passing movements. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration ([La]), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured immediately after SC and after each set of GPT. RPE increased after sets 4, 5, and 6 compared with set 1, with no differences to SC (p < 0.001). In additionally, no differences were observed between [La] or heart rate after SC to GPT. Results suggests that GPT is an efficient training protocol that elicits similar physiological and perceptual responses to BJJ combat. Future studies should investigate GPT reliability and validity for performance assessment.

This study aimed to compare the vertical rebound jump performance of basketball players by using Hurdle Jump and Drop Jump tests based on different performance parameters, in addition to investigating whether the height of the hurdles used (barrier and box) are equivalent when the optimal and maximum heights for the tests mentioned are determined. Thirteen players of a male basketball team were included in this study (age 18.77 ±1.78 years old, height 182 ±7.97 m, body mass 76.4 ±9.55 kg, practice time 6.0 ±1.8 years). Data normality and homogeneity were tested by applying Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests, respectively. The paired t-test was used to compare the means of the results obtained in the tests; the significance level was p ≤ 0.05. The results regarding the comparison of the performance parameters means were the following: the maximum vertical rebound jump and reactive strength index did not show significant differences (p = 0.256 and p = 0.243, respectively); on the other hand, differences were seen for the corresponding obstacle heights. These differences can be attributed to both, individual characteristics of each subject and the specificities of the tests.