In this study we examined changes to the human gut microbiome resulting from an eight-week intervention of either cardiorespiratory exercise (CRE) or resistance training exercise (RTE). Twenty-eight subjects (21 F; aged 18–26) were recruited for our CRE study and 28 subjects (17 F; aged 18–33) were recruited for our RTE study. Fecal samples for gut microbiome profiling were collected twice weekly during the pre-intervention phase (three weeks), intervention phase (eight weeks), and post-intervention phase (three weeks). Pre/post VO_2max, three repetition maximum (3RM), and body composition measurements were conducted. Heart rate ranges for CRE were determined by subjects’ initial VO_2max test. RTE weight ranges were established by subjects’ initial 3RM testing for squat, bench press, and bent-over row. Gut microbiota were profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Microbiome sequence data were analyzed with QIIME 2. CRE resulted in initial changes to the gut microbiome which were not sustained through or after the intervention period, while RTE resulted in no detectable changes to the gut microbiota. For both CRE and RTE, we observe some evidence that the baseline microbiome composition may be predictive of exercise gains. This work suggests that the human gut microbiome can change in response to a new exercise program, but the type of exercise likely impacts whether a change occurs. The changes observed in our CRE intervention resemble a disturbance to the microbiome, where an initial shift is observed followed by a return to the baseline state. More work is needed to understand how sustained changes to the microbiome occur, resulting in differences that have been reported in cross sectional studies of athletes and non-athletes.

Participation by female athletes in competitive sport has increased dramatically since the inception of Title IX, although female athletes are represented significantly less than their male counterparts in strength and conditioning (S&C) literature. This is apparent when examining current identified trends in the field, such as implementation of blood flow restriction (BFR) training, functional assessments to predict injuries, or the ever-increasing use of technology in sports. The aim of this review is to examine three prevalent trends in contemporary S&C literature as they relate to female athletes in order to expose areas lacking in research. We conducted journal and database searches to progressively deepen our examination of available research, starting first with broad emerging themes within S&C, followed next by an inquiry into literature concerning S&C practices in females, ending finally with a review of emerging topics concerning female athletes. To this end, 534 articles were reviewed from PubMed, Academic Search Complete, Google Scholar, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. Results demonstrate the utility of implementing BFR, functional movement assessments, and various technologies among this population to expand representation of female athletes in S&C literature, improve athletic capabilities and performance, and decrease potential for injury over time.

As women age, they typically experience a progressive decrease in skeletal muscle mass and strength, which can lead to a decline in functional fitness and quality of life. Resistance training (RT) has the potential to attenuate these losses. Although well established for men, evidence regarding the benefits of RT for women is sparse and inconsistent: prior reviews include too few studies with women and do not adequately examine the interactive or additive impacts of workload, modalities, and nutritional supplements on outcomes such as muscle mass (MM), body composition (BC), muscle strength (MS), and functional fitness (FF). The purpose of this review is to identify these gaps. Thirty-eight papers published between 2010 and 2020 (in English) represent 2519 subjects (mean age = 66.89 ± 4.91 years). Intervention averages include 2 to 3 × 50 min sessions across 15 weeks with 7 exercises per session and 11 repetitions per set. Twelve studies (32%) examined the impact of RT plus dietary manipulation. MM, MS, and FF showed positive changes after RT. Adding RT to fitness regimens for peri- to postmenopausal women is likely to have positive benefits.

Bycura, DK, Dmitrieva, NO, Santos, AC, Waugh, KL, and Ritchey, KM. Efficacy of a Goal Setting and Implementation Planning Intervention on Firefighters' Cardiorespiratory Fitness. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3151–3161, 2019—The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a goal setting and implementation planning (GSIP) intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness among firefighters. Male career firefighters (N = 20) from a large municipal fire department were assigned to an intervention arm (n = 12) or passive control arm (n = 8) of a 14-week study involving cardiorespiratory exercise. The intervention consisted of GSIP coaching at baseline and support throughout the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed through a standardized physical protocol for firefighters (Candidate Physical Ability Test) at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 14 weeks time points, using the Cosmed K4b² portable metabolic system to measure physiological variables. Using intention-to-treat principles, we employed a 2-level multilevel model to examine the effect of intervention group on intercept and change over time on primary outcomes of interest: oxygen transport and utilization (Vo₂), heart rate (HR), and respiratory exchange ratio (R). Results demonstrated that the intervention and control groups both exhibited a significant increase in Vo₂ (B = 0.143, SE = 0.025, p < 0.001) and a decline in R (B = −0.003. SE = 0.001, p < 0.01) over the course of the study. Although both groups exhibited improvements on 2 of the 3 cardiorespiratory outcomes, subjects assigned to the intervention did not exhibit superior outcomes when compared to the control group. Given the improvements we observed in 2 out of 3 outcomes across both conditions, future research may consider testing effectiveness of interventions consisting of functional training exercises that closely translate to firefighting tasks over time periods sufficient to elicit aerobic metabolic adaptations.

Almost one in three firefighters develop mental health disorders at some point during their careers, a rate double that in the general population. Frequent exposures to potentially traumatic situations can contribute to symptoms of these disorders, two of the most common being depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While various psychological interventions have been implemented among this group, reports of their effectiveness include mixed results. To this end, the current study endeavored to test the effectiveness of a 12-week intervention combining occupationally-tailored high-intensity functional training (HIFT) and psychological resilience training (RES) in reducing depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs), as well as increasing psychological resilience and mental wellbeing, in career firefighters. Thirty career firefighters completed four mental health measurements over 17 weeks while anthropometrics and physical performance (i.e., number of stations completed in 20 min during an eight-station simulated job-task circuit workout [T-CAC]) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Pre to post comparisons were made via repeated-measures t-tests. Significant mean differences were observed for T-CAC stations completed, PTSSs, and psychological resilience between pre- and post-intervention. In future interventions, researchers should actively engage firefighters, maximize integration with daily operations, and employ culturally-relevant practices to explore the links between physical and mental health.

Objective: Understanding unique ways that strength and power contribute to on-field performance in collegiate-based American football might aid coaches in recruiting and determining starters. Using retrospective analysis of existing data, including starting status (STR) and number of defensive tackles or contributing plays (CP), we sought a viable strategy to observe on-field play. Our purpose was to determine what role baseline and in-season strength, and power metrics contributed to on-field football performance (e.g., using STR and CP) from one Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) university. We hypothesized greater pre-season (baseline) and in-season (repeated variables) strength and power outcomes would lead to an increased number of STR among players (n = 53) as well as CP among defensive players (n = 30). Method: Power, determined through countermovement jump (CMJ) was observed weekly using a VALD Performance force deck (i.e., jump height) over a 9-week, in-season period (excluding weeks 6 and 8, a bye week, and erroneous data, respectively). Baseline measures of strength and power were also collected at the beginning of the season for each player using four specific measurements, namely the following: (a) peak vertical jump; (b) pull-ups to failure; (c) a one rep max for bench press; (d) power clean. Pearson’s correlation was used to correlate baseline measures and weekly power, along with baseline measures and the total number of STR and CP each week. Additionally, linear regressions were used to examine the effects of baseline measures (vertical jump, bench press) on STR and CP. Results: Moderate correlations (r > 0.5) were observed between baseline variables and weekly CMJ measures. Baseline measures of power clean were correlated with CP only in week 4. All other analyses were not significant. Conclusions: Since our on-field performance variables were not significant, future research should focus on more potent variables, as reported in the literature, such as football IQ, initial recruiting status, and psychological resilience, in addition to accounting for strength and power metrics.