Objectives: Rating of perceived exertion scales are commonly used in resistance training (RT) though most suffer from conflation of perceptions of both effort and discomfort by participants. The aim of this study was to examine reliability of trainee ratings of perceived effort (RPE-E) and discomfort (RPE-D) using two novel scales in addition to reliability and validity of trainer RPE-E. Design: Participants underwent 3 RT trials over a period of three weeks. Methods: Seventeen participants (males n = 6, females n = 11, age 63 ± 16 years) completed 5 RT exercises for a single set using a load permitting a self-determined 6 repetition maximum (meaning they determined inability to complete further repetitions if attempted i.e. they predicted momentary failure on the next repetition). Trainers completed their rating of RPE-E, followed by participants reporting of RPE-E and RPE-D immediately after completion of the exercises. Spearman’s correlations examined the relationship between RPE-E and RPE-D. Reliability was examined as standard error of measurement (SEM) calculated for each outcome across the 3 trials (intra-rater), in addition to agreement between trainers (inter-rater), and agreement between trainer and trainee RPE-E. Results: Correlations between RPE-E and RPE-D were significant but weak (r = .373 to 0.492; p < 0.01). Intra-rater SEMs for trainee RPE-E ranged from 0.64 to 0.85, trainee RPE-D ranged from 0.60 to 1.00, and trainer RPE-E ranged from 0.56 to 0.71. Inter-rater SEMs for trainer RPE-E ranged 0.25 to 0.66. SEMs for agreement between trainer and trainee RPE-E ranged from 1.03 to 1.25. Conclusions: Results suggest participants were able to differentiate RPE-E and RPE-D and that the reliability for both trainee measures of RPE-E and RPE-D, in addition to trainer RPE-E is acceptable. Further, trainer RPE-E appeared to have acceptable validity compared to trainee RPE-E. These scales might be adopted in research examining the dose-response nature of effort upon RT outcomes and trainers might use them to inform programming.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of velocities in the back squat between one repetition maximum (1RM) and submaximally loaded repetition maximum (RM) conditions, specifically in regard to what has been described as the minimal velocity threshold (MVT). The MVT describes a minimum concentric velocity that an individual must reach or surpass in order to successfully complete a repetition. Design: To test the presence of a MVT, participants were tested for 1RM and RM back squat ability. The mean concentric veloci ties (MCV) of the last successful repetition of each condition were then compared. Methods: Fourteen male participants familiar with the back squat volunteered to participate in the current study (age = 25.0 y ± 2.6, height = 178.9 cm ± 8.1, body mass = 88.2 kg ± 15.8). The mean concentric velocity (MCV) during the last successful repetition from each testing condition was considered for the comparison. Results: Results indicated a non-significant negative relationship of MCV between the 1RM and RM conditions (r = -0.135), no statistical difference between testing conditions (p = 0.266), with a small-to-moderate effect size (d = 0.468). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that MVT should be further investigated to enhance its use in the practical setting. Additionally, coaches considering using a velocity-based approach for testing athletes should use data from either 1RM or RM conditions, but not both interchangeably. Coaches should be cautious when considering group averages or comparing velocity data between athletes, which may not be appropriate based on our results.

Objectives: To compare the ergogenic effects of back squats, deadlifts, and hip thrusts. Design: Pilot randomized-controlled trial Methods: In order to determine the feasibility of such a large training study, a pilot study was carried out with 26 male and female participants (age = 22.15 ± 2.2 years; height = 180.17 ± 8.37 cm; body mass = 87.27 ± 15.72 kg). Subjects performed squats (n = 8), hip thrusts (n = 8), deadlifts (n = 6), or nothing (control) (n = 4) for three training sessions a week, for six weeks; thereafter, measures of sprinting performance, vertical jump, broad jump, strength, and change of direction were compared to baseline. Results: This pilot study was carried out successfully. Effect-sizes, medians, and interquartile ranges for all possible comparisons have been presented for power analyses. Conclusion: Although all of the studied interventions show promise, larger investigations are necessary in order to draw more definitive, applicable conclusions.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the practical use of heavy sled towing and its acute implications on subsequent sprint acceleration performance. Design and Methods: Eight healthy male varsity team sport athletes (age: 21.8 ± 1.8years, height: 185.5 ± 5.0cm, weight: 88.8 ± 15.7kg, 15m sprint time: 2.66 ± 0.13s) performed sprints under three separate weighted sled towing conditions in a randomized order. Each condition consisted of one baseline unweighted sprint (4-min pre), the sled towing sprint protocol: (1) 1 × 50% body mass, (2) 2 × 50% body mass, (3) 3 × 50% body mass (multiple sprints interspersed with 90s recovery), and 3 post-testing unweighted sprints thereafter (4, 8, 12-min post). All sprints were conducted over a 15m distance. Results: Significantly faster sprint times for the 3 × sled towing protocol were identified following 8-min of rest (p = 0.025, d = 0.46, 2.64 ± 0.15s to 2.57 ± 0.17s). When individual best sprint times were analyzed against baseline data, significantly faster sprint times were identified following both 1 × (p = 0.007, d = 0.69, 2.69 ± 0.07s to 2.64 ± 0.07s) and 3 × (p = 0.001, d = 0.62, 2.64 ± 0.15s to 2.55 ± 0.14s) sled towing protocols. Within the 3 × condition, all athletes achieved fastest sprint times following 8-12 min of rest. Conclusions: The findings from the present study indicate that a repeated bout of sled towing (3 × 50% body mass) leads to the enhancement in subsequent sprint acceleration performance, following adequate, and individualized recovery periods.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the best predictor of training and/or match load using session RPE. Design and Methods: 20 NCAA DI male soccer players participated in the study during the 2014 and 2015 competitive seasons. Players completed 15.20 ± 1.05 matches for a total of 304 individual data points and 29.90 ± 1.89. training sessions for a total of 598 individual data points. GPS variables (total distance, High-intensity running distance, and Player load) were analyzed with session RPE using Pearson product-moment correlations. To evaluate various methods of session RPE, “match duration” was recorded using eight different definitions: total match duration including warm-up and half-time, total match duration and warm-up, total match duration and half-time, total match duration only, minutes played including warm-up and half-time, minutes played and warm-up, minutes played and half-time, and minutes played only. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine if differences existed between the eight session RPE calculations. Results: Results from the ANOVA showed that all session RPE measures were significantly different from one another (P < 0.05). Very large correlations were reported between session RPE calculated using minutes played and total distance (0.81), while session RPE calculated using match duration showed less magnitude (0.57). Conclusions: Minutes played should be used to calculate session RPE as it was found to most closely reflect the actual workloads incurred during competitive matches.

Objectives: To determine the test-retest reliability of the submaximal version of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test – Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1-sub), which is a valid aerobic assessment. Design: Test-re-test. Methods: Elite youth soccer players (n = 10, age: 18.8 ± 0.5 years, height: 181.1 ± 4.9 cm, body mass: 74.2 ± 7.6 Kg) completed the Yo-Yo IR1-sub on two consecutive weeks to determine the reliability of a non-exhaustive alternative to maximal aerobic testing. Relative and absolute reliability of the Yo-Yo IR1-sub was assessed for heart rate response and recovery metrics (HR6, HR30, HR60, HR90, HR120, HRR30, HRR60, HRR90 and HRR120). Results: The Yo-Yo IR1-sub was determined to be a reliable alternative to maximal testing, with the final heart rate at the end of the 6 minute test (HR6) shown to be the most reliable metric (ICC = 0.96; SDD = 5.4 bpm). The percentage of heart rate recovered after 2 min (HRR120) was the most reliable recovery metric (ICC = 0.93; SDD = 4.6%). Conclusion: If maximal testing is not a feasible option, particularly during the competitive season or during the rehabilitation of an injured player, then a submaximal test is a reliable alternative to monitor fitness in elite young soccer players, with HR6 and HRR120 being the most stable parameters.