Takizawa, K, Yamaguchi, T, and Shibata, K. Warm-up exercises may not be so important for enhancing submaximal running performance. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1383–1390, 2018—The purpose of this study was to determine an appropriate warm-up intensity for enhancing performance in submaximal running at 90% vV̇o ₂max (it assumes 3,000–5,000 m in track events). Seven trained male university athletes took part in this study (age: 21.3 ± 2.1 years, height: 169.3 ± 4.7 cm, body mass: 58.4 ± 5.6 kg, V̇o ₂max: 73.33 ± 5.46 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹). Each subject ran on a treadmill at 90% vV̇o ₂max until exhaustion after 1 of 4 warm-up treatments. The 4 warm-up treatments were no warm-up, 15 minutes running at 60% vV̇o ₂max, at 70% vV̇o ₂max, and at 80% vV̇o ₂max. The running performance was evaluated by time to exhaustion (TTE). V̇o ₂, and vastus lateralis muscle temperature were also measured. There were no significant differences in TTE among the warm-up exercises (p > 0.05). V̇o ₂ in no warm-up showed slower reaction than the other warm-up exercises. Regarding, the vastus lateralis muscle temperature immediately after warm-up, no warm-up was significantly (p < 0.01) lower compared with the other warm-up exercises. Our results suggested that submaximal running performance was not affected by the presence or absence of a warm-up or by warm-up intensity, although physiological changes occurred.

With this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of different warm-up intensities on counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance over time under cold conditions. Eleven male collegiate athletes volunteered. The participants performed high-intensity warm-up (HWU) at 80% VO_2max and moderate-intensity warm-up (MWU) at 60% VO_2max for 15 min on a bicycle ergometer in a laboratory room at 10 °C. CMJ height, vastus lateralis muscle temperature, heart rate, and perceived fatigue were measured before warm-up (Pre), immediately after (Post 0), 10 min after (Post 10), and 20 min after (Post 20). Significant main effects and interactions were found for CMJ height (time, p < 0.001 and η_p² = 0.859; interaction, p = 0.007 and η_p² = 0.327). HWU significantly increased CMJ height at Post 0 to Post 20 compared to that at Pre (p < 0.01), whereas MWU increased CMJ height at Post 0 only compared to that at Pre (p < 0.001). The results indicate that HWU achieved an increase in CMJ height for 20 min. MWU changed CMJ height instantly, but the change did not last compared to HWU in a cold environment.

The aim of this study is to clarify the effects of 3-week work-matched high-intensity intermittent cycling training (HIICT) with different cadences on the VO_2max of university athletes. Eighteen university athletes performed HIICT with either 60 rpm (n = 9) or 120 rpm (n = 9). The HIICT consisted of eight sets of 20 s exercise with a 10 s passive rest between each set. The initial training intensity was set at 135% of VO_2max and was decreased by 5% every two sets. Athletes in both groups performed nine sessions of HIICT during a 3-week period. The total workload and achievement rate of the workload calculated before experiments in each group were used for analysis. VO_2max was measured pre- and post-training. After 3 weeks of training, no significant differences in the total workload and the achievement rate of the workload were found between the two groups. VO_2max similarly increased in both groups from pre- to post-training (p = 0.016), with no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.680). These results suggest that cadence during HIICT is not a training variable affecting the effect of VO_2max.

The aim of this study was to clarify effects of 3-week work-matched high-intensity intermittent cycling training (HIICT) with different cadences on VO2max in university athletes. Eighteen university athletes performed HIICT with either 60 rpm (n = 9) or 120 rpm (n = 9). HIICT consisted of eight sets of 20-s exercise with a 10-s passive rest between each sets. The initial training intensity was set at 135% of VO2 max and was decreased by 5% every two sets. Athletes in both groups performed 9 sessions of HIICT during 3-week. The total work-load and achievement rate of the work load calculated before experiments in each group were used for analysis. VO2max was measured pre and post-training. After 3-week of training, no significant differences in the total work-load and achievement rate of the work load were found between the two groups. VO2max similarly increased in both groups from pre to post training (p = 0.016), with no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.680). These results suggest that cadence during HIICT is not training variable affecting effect of VO2max.

Shibata, K, Yamaguchi, T, Takizawa, K, and Nosaka, K. Comparison between eccentric-concentric and eccentric-only dumbbell arm curl exercise training for their effects on neuromuscular adaptations. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—Eccentric-concentric (ECC-CON), low-load (ECC-Low), and high-load eccentric-only (ECC-High) dumbbell arm-curl exercise training were compared to test the hypothesis that ECC-Low would induce similar neuromuscular adaptations to ECC-CON and ECC-High. Thirty-four male university students without regular elbow flexor resistance exercise training were placed to ECC-CON ( n = 11), ECC-Low ( n = 11), or ECC-High ( n = 12) group, and trained twice weekly for 6 weeks. The training load was progressively increased from 30 to 90% of concentric-only one-repetition maximum (CON1-RM) for ECC-CON and ECC-Low, and of eccentric-only 1-RM (ECC1-RM) for ECC-High. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded after each set and averaged RPE was obtained. Changes in elbow flexion CON1-RM and ECC1-RM, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) strength at 30°, 60°, and 90° elbow flexion, concentric peak power at 30% MVIC, and biceps brachii and brachialis muscle thickness (MT) were compared between groups by split-plot analyses of variance. RPE was lower ( p < 0.05) in ECC-Low (4.0 ± 0.7) and ECC-High (5.1 ± 1.1) than ECC-CON (6.2 ± 1.1). ECC1-RM, MVIC strength at all angles, and concentric peak power increased ( p < 0.01) similarly between groups (e.g., ECC1-RM, ECC-CON: 9.8 ± 4.8%, ECC-Low: 10.3 ± 4.9%, ECC-High: 12.8 ± 7.1%), but increases ( p < 0.01) in CON1-RM (ECC-CON: 11.8 ± 7.1%, ECC-High: 9.9 ± 5.3%) and MT (3.9 ± 3.1%, 5.4 ± 4.4%) were evident only after ECC-CON and ECC-High without a difference. These results did not fully support the hypothesis, but ECC-Low was effective for improving 6 of 8 measures similarly to ECC-High and ECC-CON with lower RPE. This suggests the efficacy of eccentric-only resistance exercise training for individuals who are novice in elbow flexor resistance exercise training.