Surface Electromyography analysis of the free, Smith Machine and split squats performed by strength-trained males.

Introduction: Squats recruit a large proportion of the body’s muscular system and provide a foundation for strength training programs for athletes. However, our understanding of electromyographical activity in variations of the high-bar back-squat, notably the split squat, is limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate surface electromyography (EMG) in the free, Smith and split types of squat. Method: A randomised sample of 10 healthy strength-trained males (mean ± SD age, 20.3 ± 0.5 years;height, 1.7 ± 0.6 m; mass, 78.1 ± 9.5 kg; strength training, 2.5 ± 0.5 years) performed 3 repetitions of each type of squat at 75% of their one repetition maximum. A Noraxon EMG - Raxon system was used to collect peak EMG, root-mean-square EMG (RMS EMG), and integrated EMG (iEMG) data for the eccentric and concentric phases of the squat. EMG data from the free and split squats were normalised to the Smith squat. Two-way ANOVAs were used for the analysis of type-of-squat and phase-of-squat (p ≤ 0.01).Results: Statistically significant effects for type-of-squat were found for peak EMG and iEMG of the bicep femoris (BF), lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and tibialis anterior (0.001 ≤ p ≤ 0.003), and for RMS EMG of the BF(p = 0.002) and LG (p = 0.001). Significant differences in phase-of-squat were found for peak EMG and RMS EMG of BF (p = 0.001). Discussion: The split squat elicited higher BF and LG muscle activity compared to the free and Smith squats. The findings suggest that the split squat effectively stimulates the BF and LG muscles and should consequently form an integral part of strength programs for athletes

The association between competitor level and the physical preparation practices of amateur boxers

Physical training, testing, and monitoring are three key constitutes of athlete physical performance; however, there is a currently a lack of information on the prevalence of such methods in amateur boxing. This study aimed to explore the physical preparation practices of senior elite (SEB) and senior development (SDB) amateur boxers, and to determine whether these practices were discriminated by competitor level. One hundred and one amateur boxers (SEB n = 59, SDB n = 42) were surveyed on their understanding, perceptions and application of physical training, monitoring, and testing practices. SEB were associated with strength/power training (SEB 78%, SDB 50%, P = 0.005), monitor of training intensities (SEB 68%, SDB 40%, P = 0.006), and performing regular fitness testing (SEB 76%, SDB 50%, P = 0.006), compared to SDB. Likewise, SEB were twice as likely (56%) to have their physical preparation managed by a strength and conditioning (S&C) coach or sport scientist, compared to SDB (26%; P = 0.005). For the first time, these data demonstrate the extent to which competitor level is associated with preparatory practices in amateur boxing. Cost was identified as the main barrier in implementing several forms of scientific support in SDB. These data serve as a framework to enhance preparatory practices across different competitor levels in amateur boxing. This might include boxer and coach education on the benefits to a more scientific approach, and the use of cost-effective methods to develop, monitor and assess amateur boxers physical performance. This may be of particular importance where boxers are not funded, such as the SDB in the current study. However, this work may also be used to emphasise the importance of strength/power training, physical fitness testing and monitoring at the elite level of amateur boxing

Upper-Body Post-activation Performance Enhancement for Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Recommendations for Future Research

BACKGROUND: Research on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) is dominated by lower-body conditioning activities/performance test complexes. Despite the contribution of the upper body to many sporting actions, no review on upper-body PAPE currently exists. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to provide a synthesis of the available research on the inclusion of upper-body PAPE conditioning activities to improve athletic performance. METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses guidelines, including a literature search of EBSCOhost, SPORTDiscus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. A total of 127 studies were identified through database searches, and were assessed against the following criteria: (1) randomised controlled trial or pre-and-post study design; (2) studies explored the effects of prior voluntary muscle activity, and not electrically induced contractions, (3) evidence, or lack thereof, of PAPE was quantified by the monitoring of individual performance to commonly applied physical tests or sport-specific tasks; (4) conditioning activities and performance tests were primarily upper-body; (5) detailed description of a standardised warm-up; and (6) full-text versions of studies could be accessed in English language peer-reviewed journals. Studies were quality assessed for methodological quality via the PEDro scale and ranked accordingly. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were classified into different conditioning activity modes: bench press variations, sport-specific (modified implement throws, swing-specific, cable pulley, elastic resistance, combination) and bodyweight activity. Acute performance enhancement in several movement-specific combinations was found. A meta-analysis revealed that bench press at  ≥ 80% one repetition maximum significantly (p = 0.03; ES = 0.31) improves subsequent power output in the ballistic bench throw at 30–40% one repetition maximum, following 8–12 min recovery. Additionally, sport-specific overweight implement throws improved subsequent throwing distance at competition weight by ~ 1.7–8.5%; ES = 0.14–0.33, following 3 min recovery. Sport-specific lighter weighted bat swings and swing-specific isometrics resulted in improved subsequent competition weight bat swing velocities, ranging from ~ 1.3–4.9%; ES = 0.16–0.57. CONCLUSIONS: This review presents several upper-body movement-specific conditioning activities that could be considered by coaches and practitioners as part of complex or contrast training, or used in pre-competition warm-ups to acutely enhance performance