The Impacts of Wrist Wrap Type and Sex on Bench Press Muscular Strength and Power

While wrist wraps have become increasingly prevalent in both competitive and recreational demographics, their posited ability to augment bench press performance by enhanced wrist stability still remains unclear. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of varying wrap styles on bench-specific muscular strength and associated power, as well as quantitative and subjective differences between sexes. METHODS: Eighteen resistance trained males and females (9M/9F; 24±4y; 176±33cm; 80±15kg) visited the laboratory on three separate occasions in randomized, crossover, and counterbalanced design to sport either a flexible wrist wrap (FW), stiff wrap (SW), or a no wrap control (NW) condition. All participants underwent a bench press one-repetition maximum (1RM) test and linear position transducer-derived peak power and velocity assessments. Furthermore, subjective stability (SS) and discomfort (SD) were determined promptly following 1RM attempts. Bench press performance and sex-collapsed subjective variables were analyzed using a two-way (condition x sex) mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures and a nonparametric Friedman’s ANOVA, respectively. Both analyses were performed at a p\u3c.05 significance level. RESULTS: Analyses failed to detect any main condition or interaction effects for bench press 1RM, however, a statistically significant main sex effect was observed (p\u3c.001; ηp2=.597) favoring males relative to females (p\u3c.001; 114±22kg vs 68±16kg). Both peak power and velocity failed to reveal any significant main condition or sex effects, nor any interactions. Nonparametric assessments further revealed significant wrist wrap condition effects for both SS (p\u3c.001; Kendall’s W=.628) and SD (p\u3c.001; Kendall’s W=.935), whereby NW was statistically more comfortable (p\u3c.001) than either wrap condition, without any difference between DW and SW (p\u3e.05). CONCLUSION: Although wrist wraps did not significantly alter bench press-specific strength and power, participants nonetheless perceived wrist wraps as subjectively more stable irrespective of increased discomfort. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors of this abstract would like to thank Peter Spence and SBD Apparel for generously donating the wrist wraps utilized in the present investigation

The Prevalence of Wrist Wrap Use in Actively Competing Powerlifters

Wrist wraps are often ergogenically employed by competitive powerlifters to improve bench press performance, but several product-specific variations may impact any potential benefits. Moreover, the prevalence of athletic wrist wrap use is hitherto undescribed. PURPOSE: to characterize the pervasiveness of wrist wrap use amongst competitive powerlifters with regards to style (flexible [F] or stiff [S]), length, and tightness amongst competitive powerlifters. METHODS: Powerlifters (n = 70; 27±6y) who competed in the last two years were randomly recruited at sanctioned meets across the USA. After providing consent and following a 5-minute seated rest, participant wrist wrap use descriptive data (wrap style [F or S], wrap length, and events used) were collected. Additionally, wrap tightness was assessed via pulse oximeter-detected oxygen saturation (SpO2). Post-meet bench press one repetition maximum (1RM) was also recorded from the Openpowerlifting.com open database. Wrist wrap use prevalence data (wrap style [F or S], wrap length, and events used) were assessed across Central, West Coast, and East Coast regions via separate Pearson’s Chi-squared tests. Furthermore, the relationships between both region-collapsed wrapped SpO2 and bench press 1RM were assessed using Pearson’s product-moment correlations and all statistical analyses were set at a significance level of pRESULTS: Analyses failed to detect any significant regional differences in wrap style, length, or events used (p\u3e0.05). Furthermore, there was a weak, negative correlation between wrapped SpO2 and bench press 1RM (r = -0.393, p = 0.086). CONCLUSIONS: Although we failed to detect any significant relationships between performance and wrap tightness, actively competing powerlifters nonetheless prominently utilize wraps similarly across the US regions assessed. Therefore, the potential for wrist wraps to augment bench press performance warrants further elucidation in a controlled, standardized investigation

LGD-4033 and MK-677 Use Impacts Body Composition, Circulating Biomarkers, and Skeletal Muscle Androgenic Hormone and Receptor Content: A Case Report

LGD-4033, a selective androgen receptor modulator, and MK-677, a growth hormone secretagogue, are being used increasingly amongst recreationally active demographics. However, limited data exist describing their effects on health- and androgen-related biomarkers. The purpose of this case study was to determine changes in body composition and biomarkers during and after continued co-administration of LGD-4033 and MK-677. We also aimed to examine muscular strength and intramuscular androgen-associated biomarkers relative to non-users. A 25-year-old male ingested LGD-4033 (10 mg) and MK-677 (15 mg) daily for 5 weeks. Blood and body composition metrics were obtained pre-, on- and post-cycle. One-repetition maximum leg and bench press, in addition to intramuscular androgens and androgen receptor content, were analysed on-cycle. We observed pre- to on-cycle changes in body composition (body mass, +6.0%; total lean body mass, +3.1%; trunk lean body mass, +6.6%; appendicular lean body mass, +4.3%; total fat mass, +15.4%; trunk fat mass, +2.8%; and appendicular fat mass, +14.8%), bone (bone mineral content, −3.60%; area, −1.1%; and bone mineral density, −2.1%), serum lipid-associated biomarkers (cholesterol, +14.8%; triglycerides, +39.2%; low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol, +40.0%; and high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol, −36.4%), liver-associated biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase, +95.8%; and alanine aminotransferase, +205.0%) and androgen-associated biomarkers (free testosterone, −85.7%; total testosterone, −62.3%; and sex hormone-binding globulin, −79.6%); however, all variables returned to pre-cycle values post-cycle, apart from total fat mass, appendicular fat mass, bone area, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol. Follicle-stimulating hormone was below clinical reference values on- (1.2 IU/L) and post-cycle (1.3 IU/L). Intramuscular androgen receptor (−44.6%), testosterone (+47.8%) and dihydrotestosterone (+34.4%), in addition to one-repetition maximum leg press and bench press (+39.2 and +32.0%, respectively), were different in the case subject compared with non-users. These data demonstrate that LGD-4033 and MK-677 increase several body composition parameters, whilst negatively impacting bone and several serum biomarkers. Given the sparsity of data in recreationally using demographics, further research is warranted to elucidate the acute and chronic physiological effects of these anabolic agents

Nutrient Timing: A Garage Door of Opportunity?

Nutrient timing involves manipulation of nutrient consumption at specific times in and around exercise bouts in an effort to improve performance, recovery, and adaptation. Its historical perspective centered on ingestion during exercise and grew to include pre- and post-training periods. As research continued, translational focus remained primarily on the impact and outcomes related to nutrient consumption during one specific time period to the exclusion of all others. Additionally, there seemed to be increasing emphasis on outcomes related to hypertrophy and strength at the expense of other potentially more impactful performance measures. As consumption of nutrients does not occur at only one time point in the day, the effect and impact of energy and macronutrient availability becomes an important consideration in determining timing of additional nutrients in and around training and competition. This further complicates the confining of the definition of “nutrient timing” to one very specific moment in time at the exclusion of all other time points. As such, this review suggests a new perspective built on evidence of the interconnectedness of nutrient impact and provides a pragmatic approach to help frame nutrient timing more inclusively. Using this approach, it is argued that the concept of nutrient timing is constrained by reliance on interpretation of an “anabolic window” and may be better viewed as a “garage door of opportunity” to positively impact performance, recovery, and athlete availability

Effects of Protein Supplementation on Performance and Recovery in Resistance and Endurance Training

There is robust evidence which shows that consuming protein pre- and/or post-workout induces a significant rise in muscle protein synthesis. It should be noted, however, that total daily caloric and protein intake over the long term play the most crucial dietary roles in facilitating adaptations to exercise. However, once these factors are accounted for, it appears that peri-exercise protein intake, particularly in the post-training period, plays a potentially useful role in terms of optimizing physical performance and positively influencing the subsequent recovery processes for both resistance training and endurance exercise. Factors that affect the utility of pre- or post-workout feeding include but are not necessarily limited to: training status (e.g., novice vs. advanced, or recreational vs. competitive athlete), duration of exercise, the number of training sessions per day, the number of competitive events per day, etc. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, consuming protein post-workout represents an opportunity to feed; this in turn contributes to one's total daily energy and protein intake. Furthermore, despite recent suggestions that one does not “need” to consume protein during the immediate (1 h or less) post-training time frame, it should be emphasized that consuming nothing offers no advantage and perhaps even a disadvantage. Thus, based on performance and recovery effects, it appears that the prudent approach would be to have athletes consume protein post-training and post-competition

Effects of caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine on vigilance, marksmanship, and hemodynamic responses in tactical personnel: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background Tactical athletes require fast reaction times (RT) along with high levels of vigilance and marksmanship performance. Caffeine has been shown to improve these measures but also results in increased blood pressure and jitteriness. Research on other purine alkaloids, such as methylliberine and theacrine, has suggested they do not increase blood pressure or jitteriness to the same extent, but their impact on tactical performance is unknown. Methods A between-subjects, randomized, placebo-controlled design was used to test the effects of placebo (PLA), 300 mg caffeine (CAF), and a combination of 150 mg caffeine, 100 mg methylliberine, and 50 mg theacrine (CMT) on RT and marksmanship along with hemodynamic and arousal measures following a sustained vigilance task in tactical personnel (n = 48). Following consumption of the supplement, participants underwent a 150-min protocol consisting of two rounds. Each round began with leisurely reading followed by a 30-min vigilance task before beginning two trials of movement and marksmanship tasks. Hemodynamics and felt arousal were assessed throughout the protocol. Composite Z-scores were calculated for overall performance measures at each timepoint, and mixed-effects models were used to assess differences in RT, accuracy, and composite Z-scores along with hemodynamics and felt arousal. An α-level of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance, and Cohen’s d was used to quantify effect sizes. Results A Group-by-Time interaction for vigilance RT (P = 0.038) indicated improvements for both CAF and CMT from round 1 to round 2 (P  0.20). Group main effects for systolic (SBP; P = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; P = 0.028) indicated higher SBP in CAF (P = 0.003, d= 0.84) and CMT (P = 0.007, d= 0.79) compared to PLA but only higher DBP in CAF (P = 0.025, d= 0.74). No Group-by-Time interaction or Group main effect was found for felt arousal (P > 0.16). Conclusions These findings suggest similar benefits on RT during a vigilance task between CAF, containing 300 mg caffeine, and CMT above PLA, though CAF resulted in slightly less favorable hemodynamic changes. This study is the first to provide data showing similar efficacy of combined caffeine, methylliberine, and theacrine compared to double the caffeine dose consumed alone on vigilance RT but without a significant rise in DBP above PLA in tactical personnel

Effects of fucoidan supplementation on inflammatory and immune response after high-intensity exercise

Introduction High-intensity exercise (HIE) can damage the musculotendon complex and impact the immune response, resulting in post-exercise inflammation. Sufficient rest and recovery will improve muscular resilience against future damaging bouts; however, HIE with minimal durations of rest is common in athletic competitions that facilitate persistent inflammation and immune dysregulation. Fucoidans are fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharides with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and pro-immune responses. Fucoidans may improve inflammation and immune responses, which may prove beneficial for individuals who regularly engage in repeated HIE. The research purpose was to investigate the safety and efficacy of fucoidans on inflammatory and immune markers following HIE. Methods Eight male and eight female participants were randomized into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover design study and supplemented with 1 g/day fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida (UPF) or placebo (PL) for 2 weeks. Supplementation periods concluded with HIE testing, followed by 1 week of washout. HIE involved one > 30 s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) and eight 10 s WAnT intervals. Blood was drawn pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, 30 min, and 60 min post-exercise to assess immune and inflammatory markers. Blood markers, peak power (PP), and mean power (MP) were analyzed using a 2 (condition) × 4 (time) design. Significance was set at α = .05. Results A time-by-condition interaction was observed for interleukin-6 (p = .01) and interleukin-10 (p = .008). Post hoc analysis revealed greater interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 concentrations at 30 min post HIE with UPF supplementation (p = .002 and p = .005, respectively). No effects of condition were observed for all blood markers or performance outcomes with UPF supplementation (p > .05). Main effects of time were observed for white blood cells, red blood cells, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, natural killer cells, B and T-lymphocytes, CD4 and CD8 cells (p < .05). Discussion No adverse events were reported throughout the study period, indicating a positive safety profile of UPF. While notable changes in biomarkers occurred up to 1 hr post HIE, few differences were observed between supplementation conditions. There did appear to be a modest effect of UPF on inflammatory cytokines potentially warranting further investigation. However, fucoidan supplementation did not influence exercise performance

LGD-4033 and MK-677 use impacts body composition, circulating biomarkers, and skeletal muscle androgenic hormone and receptor content: A case report

LGD-4033, a selective androgen receptor modulator, and MK-677, a growth hormone secretagogue, are becoming increasingly used amongst recreationally-active demographics. However, limited data exist describing their effects on health- and androgen-related biomarkers. The purpose of this case study is to report changes in body composition and biomarkers during and after continued co-administration of LGD-4033 and MK-677. We additionally aimed to examine muscular strength and intramuscular androgen-associated biomarkers relative to non-users. A 25-year-old male ingested LGD-4033 [10 mg] and MK-677 [15 mg] daily for 5 weeks. Blood and body composition metrics were obtained pre-, on-, and post-cycle. One repetition maximum (1RM) leg and bench press, as well as intramuscular androgens, and androgen receptor (AR) content were analyzed on-cycle. We observed pre- to on-cycle changes in body composition [BM:Δ+6.0%; LBMtotal:Δ+3.1%; LBMtrunk:Δ+6.6%; LBMappendicular:Δ+4.3%; FMtotal:Δ+15.4%; FMtrunk:Δ+2.8%; FMappendicular:Δ+14.8%], bone [BMC:Δ-3.60%; area:Δ-1.1%; BMD:Δ-2.1%], serum lipid- [cholesterol:Δ+14.8%; triglycerides:Δ+39.2%; LDL-C:Δ+40.0%; HDL-C:Δ-36.4%], liver- [AST:Δ+95.8%; ALT:Δ+205.0%], and androgen- [free testosterone:Δ-85.7%; total testosterone:Δ-62.3%; SHBG:Δ-79.6%] associated biomarkers; however, all variables returned to pre-cycle values post-cycle, aside from FMtotal, FMappendicular, bone area, total cholesterol, and LDL-C. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was below clinical reference values on- [1.2IU/L] and post-cycle [1.3IU/L]. Intramuscular AR [-44.6%], testosterone [+47.8%], and dihydrotestosterone [+34.4%] in addition to 1RM leg press and bench press [+39.2%; +32.0%] were different in the case subject compared to non-users. These data demonstrate LGD-4033 and MK-677 increased several body composition parameters, whilst negatively impacting bone and several serum biomarkers. Given the sparsity of data in recreationally-using demographics, further research is warranted to elucidate the acute and chronic physiological effects of these anabolic agents

THE EFFECTS OF A BRAND-SPECIFIC HEMP-DERIVED CANNABIDIOL PRODUCT IN HEALTHY ADULTS

BACKGROUND: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phyto-cannabinoid that has recently gained traction for its potential anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, psychological, and pain-relieving effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a brand-specific hemp-derived CBD product in healthy adults over 12 weeks, compared to a placebo product. METHODS: 54 healthy adults (27 women and 27 men, age=25±7y; BMI=24.82±3.25 kg/m2) participated in the study. Participants arrived after \u3e8 h of fasting and \u3e48 h without alcohol consumption and vigorous exercise. Following baseline measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, EKG, and blood work to ensure health status), participants were stratified by sex and randomized into a placebo or CBD (50 mg/mL) group. Participants were instructed to consume 2mL daily. Data were collected at baseline and days 30±3, 60±3, and 90±3. Urine samples calculated chronic pain according to the foundational pain index (FPI) developed by Ethos laboratory. Blood was drawn to assess serum TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-6 levels. Psychological states were assessed using psychometric questionnaires: Cohen\u27s Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Profile of Mood States, and a 10-item Likert scale for perceived pain. Daily surveys were completed to determine overall well-being. A Two-way ANOVA was used to determine group differences over time while adjusting for baseline values (α=0.05). RESULTS: There were no main effects of group or time or group-by-time interactions for serum TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 (p\u3e0.05). Similarly, there were no group-by-time interactions or main effects for perceptual measures and most profile of mood state subscales (p\u3e0.05). No significant differences were found between groups in the incidence and prevalence of “colds or flus” (p\u3e0.05). However, the sub-score for “vigor” decreased (p=0.007) from visit 3 to visit 5 (p=0.014). In addition, the placebo group exhibited greater pain scores than the CBD group (p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: CBD appears safe and well tolerated in healthy adults over a 12-week period. Moreover, CBD supplementation may help improve pain in healthy adults. Vigor decreased across the intervention for both groups, this may be an effect of time due to the academic semester. The present dosing appears safe but minimally effective, higher doses may be required to elicit more pronounced anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and mood-altering effects in healthy populations

HORMONAL RESPONSES TO EXERCISE-HEAT STRESS AND ORAL REHYDRATION

BACKGROUND: Regulating hydration status in active individuals is essential for mitigating losses in performance and physiological function that occur with hypohydration. Many hormonal responses stimulated by physiological stressors are amplified by hypohydration and may impair central nervous system function, cardiovascular responses, perspiration rates, and increase core body temperature. This study aims to assess the cortisol, arginine vasopressin (AVP), and blood lactate (La-) responses to exercise-heat exposure and an oral rehydration regiment. METHODS: Thirty-seven physically active individuals, aged 18 to 50 years (n = 37; MWeight ± SD = 72.10 ± 13.80 kg; MHeight = 172 ± 9.54 cm), entered a heat chamber (30°C, 45% relative humidity) and completed two, 45-minute bouts of running on a treadmill at a 2% grade. The protocol mimicked demands of a soccer match to control for extraneous variables (environment, opponent, travel, player position, etc.). During a 15-min break between treadmill bouts and at PE, participants consumed fluids equal to their total body mass loss. Venous blood was drawn from the antecubital space and was analyzed for La-, AVP, and cortisol at pre-exercise (PRE), immediately post-exercise (PE), and 1-hour post-exercise (PE1). Body mass (BM) was measured at PRE, PE, and PE1. Using a linear mixed effects model, significant main effects were followed up with post hoc pairwise comparisons using the Holm correction method. RESULTS: AVP showed a significant main effect of time (p = 0.03). Post hoc testing revealed significantly lower values at PRE (0.80 ± 0.45 pmol/L) and PE1 (1.33 ± 0.39 pmol/L), compared to PE (3.28 ± 0.46 pmol/L, p = 0.05). Total cortisol had a significant main effect of time of (p \u3c 0.01). Post hoc testing revealed significantly higher values at PRE (14.52 ± 1.04 µg/dL) than at PE (11.58 ± 1.05 µg/dL, p = 0.09), and PE1 (9.98 ± 1.05 µg/dL, p \u3c 0.01). There was a significant main effect of time for La- (p \u3c 0.01). Post hoc testing revealed that PRE values (1.41 ± 0.20 mmol/L) were significantly lower than at PE (2.12 ± 0.12 mmol/L, p = 0.02). There was a significant main effect of time for BM (p \u3c 0.01). Post hoc testing revealed significantly lower values at PE (71.40 ± 2.32 kg, p \u3c 0.01) and PE1 (71.80 ± 2.32 kg, p \u3c 0.01) in comparison to PRE (72.20 ± 2.32 kg, p \u3c 0.01). CONCLUSION: AVP was elevated significantly at PE but values normalized by PE1. BM at PE was significantly lower than PRE, demonstrating some degree of hypohydration, while values at PE1 were higher than PE due to the rehydration protocol. Despite an intensive exercise-heat stress protocol accompanied by significant increases in La- from PRE to PE, cortisol values were significantly less at PE compared to PRE. Therefore, further research is warranted to rationalize or replicate the unexpected decrease in cortisol following exercise-heat stress