Objectives: The purpose of this communication is to discuss the need for methodological detail and accuracy in resistance training publications. In doing so the hope is that future research might provide greater clarity, and thus have greater validity serving to (i) advance our physiological understanding of human adaptation, and (ii) provide coaches, trainers, and trainees with methods and results to better accommodate their own practice. Design and Methods: The sample of literature discussed herein has been considered due to previous exclusion from a larger review article due to a lack of control and/or reporting of independent variables. The present article follows a narrative review format discussing these methodological limitations. Results: A number of previous publications have failed to control, and/or report with clarity, independent variables such as exercises performed, repetitions, load, contractions, intensity of effort and total training volume both within and between intervention groups. Conclusions: The results show that a previous lack of control/clarity in resistance training studies can hinder the scientific validity and practical application of any results obtained. By discussing this topic, the hope is to remind researchers, authors, editors, and reviewers of the need for scientific rigour throughout the process of research publication.

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Objectives: The review paper addresses current interests among golfers emphasizing importance of physical improvement specifically on flexibility, balance and stability, and strength and power. Design: The review paper contains two different perspectives of golf literature, and establishes evidence-based training design. Methods: Golf biomechanics has been investigated scientifically over several decades to identify the vital components of superior golf swing mechanism from various levels of golfers and computer simulations. This paper introduces two aspects of an up-to date literature; 1) performance-based research on driving/shot performance and its variability, and 2) clinical-based research specifically on low back stress, spinal stabilization mechanism, and trunk/spinal muscular activation. The final part of the paper addresses the appropriate training design for golfers. Results: Both performance and clinical aspects of information are well established to guide evidence-based training for golfers. Conclusion: The recommendations are specifically for flexibility and resistance training to enhance overall physical fitness for golf performance.

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Objectives: The purpose of this work was to compare the effects of resistance, plyometric, and their combination (complex training) on countermovement vertical jumps (CMVJ) and broad jumps (BDJ). Design: Longitudinal study design with repeated measures and group comparisons. Methods: Thirty four recreationally trained college aged males trained using one of three methods; resistance (RT; n = 13), plyometric (PT; n = 11), or complex (CT; n = 10) training twice weekly for six weeks and were assessed pre (W1), mid (W5), and post (W9) training. Measures included: CMVJ height (cm), CMVJ peak ground reaction force (pGRF; N), peak power (Watts), peak power per kilogram (Watts/kg), peak power per kilogram of fat free mass (Watts/kg FFM), BDJ distance (cm), and BDJ peak ground reaction force (pGRF; N). Results: Body mass significantly increased from W1 (83.85 ± 20.54 kg) – W5 (85.26 ± 20.29 kg) for RT and from W1 (81.25 ± 10.43 kg) – W9 (82.49 ± 10.19 kg) for PT. Body fat percentage significantly increased from W5 (18.0 ± 8.0 %) – W9 (20.0 ± 7.0 %) and W1 (18.0 ± 8.0 %) – W9 (20.0 ± 7.0 %) for RT and from W5 (18.0 ± 5.0 %) – W9 (22.0 ± 4.0 %) for PT. Results indicated no statistical differences between groups for any measure at any testing time point. Statistical increases in CMVJ pGRF (PT: W1 (2059.97 ± 314.83 N) – W5 (2145.02 ± 317.00 N); CT: W1 (2255.48 ± 375.79 N) – W5 (2323.19 ± 340.61 N)), CMVJ peak power/kg FFM (PT: W5 (78.32 ± 4.86 Watts/kg FFM) – W9 (82.09 ± 5.59 Watts/kg FFM)), and BDJ distance (PT: W1 (202.0 ± 27.0 cm) – W9 (214.0 ± 19.0cm)) were identified. Conclusions: The significant increase in pGRF and peak power/kg FFM in PT and CT suggests increased force/power production in the muscle mass of their lower limbs. The significant increase in BDJ distance for the PT is likely a transfer of training effect.

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Objectives: To examine the impact of load on lower body kinetics during the jump shrug. Design: Randomized, repeated measures design. Methods: Fourteen men performed randomized sets of the jump shrug at relative loads of 30%, 45%, 65%, and 80% of their one repetition maximum hang clean (1RM-HC). A number of variables were obtained through analysis of the force-time data, which included peak force, peak velocity, peak power, force at peak power, and velocity at peak power. A series of one-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare the differences in peak force, peak velocity, peak power, force at peak power, and velocity at peak power between each load. Results: Statistical differences in peak velocity, peak power, force at peak power, and velocity at peak power existed between loads (p<0.001), while peak force trended toward statistical significance (p=0.060). The greatest peak velocity, peak power, and velocity at peak power occurred at 30% 1RM-HC. In addition the greatest peak force and force at peak power occurred at loads of 65% and 80% 1RM-HC, respectively. Conclusions: Velocity is the greatest contributing factor to peak power production during the jump shrug. Practitioners should prescribe specific loading schemes for the jump shrug to provide optimal training stimuli to their athletes based on the training goal: specifically, loads of 65% 1RM-HC or higher, loads of approximately 30-45% 1RM-HC, and loads of 30% 1RM-HC should be prescribed for improvements in peak force and force at peak power, peak power, and velocity and velocity at peak power, respectively.

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Objectives: The monitoring of physical characteristics of athletes is important as it serves to provide valuable information to researchers, coaches, and athletes. The purpose of this work was to identify relationships between body composition and jump performance in collegiate female athletes. Design: Cross sectional study design with comparisons of relationships. Methods: Twenty one female collegiate athletes completed testing (Soccer (n = 10): 19.6±1.3 yrs; 165.9±4.8 cm; 63.7±8.7 kg; Volleyball (n = 6): 19.8±1.0 yrs; 179.9±5.1 cm; 76.1±14.1 kg; and Dance (n = 5): 20.3±1.8 yrs; 163.4±6.3 cm; 56.8±6.4 kg). Testing included: dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans; static jumps (SJ); countermovement jumps (CMJ); and depth jumps (DJ). Data was assessed via Pearson product-moment correlation matrix with two-tailed tests of significance at αlevel of p ≤ 0.05. Results: Jump modalities related to one another and %FM and body composition were strong predictors of jump performance. Additionally, jumping metrics reflected the chosen sport participation of the athletes. Conclusions: Disciplines greater in reliance upon stretch shortening cycle (SSC) utilization (Volleyball) had more and stronger correlations with CMJ and DJ, whereas Soccer and Dance athletes had more and stronger relationships to SJ, as they rely less on a reactive component (than Volleyball) and more on ultimate force production over time.

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