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Messages - adarqui

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22487
Program Review / Vertfreak
« on: June 05, 2009, 04:59:15 pm »

22489
well i've decided to change my training dramatically, as is seen in my new journal with 500+ ankle hops with a 45 lb. bar... hah

anyway, i decided to change it because, even though I have made progress in my jumping focusing primarily on hip strength, my ankles remain lacking.. my ankles have improved since I started on this journey, dont get my wrong, they dont sink as much in my plants when I do my running jumps, but they do sink too much.

I want to truly figure this out.. I've attempted in the past, but, i already had an ankle injury at the time, so that wasnt a great time to experiment, and was forced to quit.


I personally feel that dramatic ankle stiffness will improve my vert dramatically, allowing me to use even more of the hip strength I already have... but I'm talking significant gains here in ankle stiffness, not just the "ya it feels better" kind.. im talking about visually noticable differences in all of my movements, plants, and jumps.. and I want these changes to become permanent, not just temporary stiffness like I get from doing stiff leg angle hops a few times per week.



after performing 500+ ankle hops with a 45 lb. bar yesterday, I assumed I would feel horrible today... well my quads,hamstrings,calfs and glutes feel incredibly good.. my back does feel very tight though - which is why i might have to alternate DB variations with barbell variations to take less load off my spine.

anyway, I plan on using only a few variations to target ankle stiffness:
- weighted ankle hops
- weighted alternating lunge hops on balls of feet
- weighted low squat ankle hops
- basketball dribbling explosively
- different types of max effort jumps
- high intensity barbell calf raises to increase my limit strength in the PF's

I plan on using high volume for these sessions:

day 1: bball dribbling, weighted ankle hops @ 10 x 50, barbell calf raise: heavy singles (~5-10)

day 2: rest

day 3: bball dribbling + jumps, weighted ankle hops (2x50), weighted alternating lunge hops (3 x 20 each leg), weighted low squat ankle hops (3x50)

day 4: rest

day 5: jumps, above parallel squat singles, barbell lunge singles, heavy calf raise singles (only a few)

day 6: rest

etc



i mean that's not at all set in stone, but you get the idea of my general template... very high volume on the ankle work, with a 2:1 training ratio of ankle to max strength, while getting more rest.


the barbell squat/lunge singles will probably be around 80-90% max now, not going close to 100% max like i enjoy doing...



i do not think i need depth jumps or depth drops in a routine such as this... i think i will be getting plenty of work already..


anyway, input on my crazy ideas is welcome.


edit: the reason im doing everything weighted, is I want alot more reflexive force production when I land in those positions.. and I can progressively overload (albeit small progressions) those positions and keep increasing my stiffness properly.. If i could reflexively gain more force output in any of those positions, my jumping should improve.. I psyche myself up way too much to jump, I need more tendon power.

22491
All conclusions of studies will be listed in this original post (TABLE OF SUMMARIES) for quick reference.


Post anything related to tapering, supercompensation, post-active potentiation or stimulatory methods of training. Do not post anything about nutritional "stimulants".


1. Acute Effects of Plyometric Exercise on Maximum Squat Performance in Male Athletes

Quote
These data suggest that DJ performed before 1RM testing
may enhance squat performance in trained male athletes.




2. Postactivation Potentiation Response in Athletic and Recreationally Trained Individuals

Quote
The response to a heavy resistance exercise stimulus designed to elicit postactivation potentiation appears to depend on training status. Recreationally trained individuals may exhibit fatigue in the 5 minutes following an acute heavy resistance exercise stimulus. In athletically trained individuals, however, this stimulus enhances power performance for 5 to 18.5 minutes.




3. The Acute Effects of Heavy Loads on Jump Squat Performance: An Evaluation of the Complex and Contrast Methods of Power Development

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It was concluded that contrast training is advantageous for increasing power output but only for athletes with relatively high strength levels.



4. Investigation of Vertical Jump Performance After Completing Heavy Squat Exercises

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Therefore, we examined the individual responses to the exercises and determined that 5 of the subjects did increase their vertical jumps after both squat exercises. It may be that the influence of prejump exercise on jump performance may be individualized. Nevertheless, the use of a strength ratio does not appear to predict who will benefit from posttetanic potentiation in this type of exercise situation.



5. Influence of recovery time on post-activation potentiation in professional rugby players

Quote
The findings suggest that muscle performance during a countermovement jump can be markedly enhanced following bouts of heavy resistance training provided that adequate recovery (?8 min) is allowed between the heavy resistance training and the explosive activity.



6. The Effects of Postactivation Potentiation on Muscular Strength and Power

Quote
However, an increase in force parameter during LCMJ was appeared in 80%1RM preload but not in 40%1RM. Moreover, an increase in power parameter with 80%1RM preload was remained longer than that of 40% 1RM. These results suggest that the effects of postactivation potentiation on muscular strength and power and its time course of recovery may be different from the intensity of preload.



7. The Acute Effects of a Resistance Training Warmup on Sprint Performance

Quote
The results showed a mean improvement of 0.098s (p<0.0001) when the second sprint was preceded by the back squats. This amounted to a 3.3% improvement on the precondition time. During the control condition, no improvement was observed between the first and second sprint. The improved sprint times observed during the E condition probably were due to a temporary increase in the efficiency of neuromuscular activation following the performance of heavy-load back squats.



8. The Acute Effects of Heavy-Load Squats and Loaded Countermovement Jumps on Sprint Performance

Quote
The data from this study suggest that an acute bout of low-volume heavy lifting with the lower body may improve 40-m sprint times, but that loaded countermovement jumps appear to have no significant effect.



9. Acute neuromuscular and hormonal responses during contrast loading: Effect of 11 weeks of contrast training

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Training-induced improvements in SJ height, 80% 1 RM squat load, and maximum isometric LE force were observed (12%, 10%, and 7.7%, P<0.05). In conclusion, potentiated SJ performance occurred during a typical contrast loading protocol before the training period. However, potentiated SJ performance may alter through training, and therefore, the responsiveness of the individual should be periodically monitored and training protocols updated when necessary.



10. Acute Effects of Heavy- and Light-LoadSquat Exercise on the Kinetic Measures of Vertical Jumping

Quote
Reasons for the lack of performance enhancement can be attributed to postactivation potentiation stimulated by the SIS being insufficient in magnitude or dissipating before post-testing. This may have been due to a submaximal workload of 50% during the SIS, insufficient movement pattern specificity between the squat exercise and a CMJ, or rest intervals of excess duration.




11. THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF A SINGLE SET OF CONTRAST PRELOADING ON A LOADED COUNTERMOVEMENT JUMP TRAINING SESSION

Quote
The aim of this research was to assess the effect of a single set of contrast preloading on peak vertical displacement (PD) during a loaded countermovement jump (LCMJ) training session. These results suggest that a single set of preloading exercises enhances performance during a lower-body explosive power training session; however, the effects of a single preloading set may not peak until midway through the training session.


12. Effects of Tapering on Performance: A Meta-Analysis.

Quote
Results: The optimal strategy to optimize performance is a tapering intervention of 2-wk duration (overall effect = 0.59 +/- 0.33, P < 0.001), where the training volume is exponentially decreased by 41-60% (overall effect = 0.72 +/- 0.36, P < 0.001), without any modification of either training intensity (overall effect = 0.33 +/- 0.14, P < 0.001) or frequency (overall effect = 0.35 +/- 0.17, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: A 2-wk taper during which training volume is exponentially reduced by 41-60% seems to be the most efficient strategy to maximize performance gains. This meta-analysis provides a framework that can be useful for athletes, coaches, and sport scientists to optimize their tapering strategy.


13. DETRAINING AND TAPERING EFFECTS ON HORMONAL RESPONSES AND STRENGTH PERFORMANCE

Quote
These data indicated that DTR may induce larger declines in muscle power output than in maximal strength, whereas TAP may result in further strength enhancement (but not muscle power), mediated, in part, by training-related differences in IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations.



14. A Theoretical Study of Taper Characteristics to Optimize Performance.

Quote
Results: The taper allowed performance gains if training was higher than a minimal level. The best performance without OT preceding the taper was reached with a load reduction of 30.8 +/- 11.8% and a duration of 19.3 +/- 2.3 d. The best performance with OT preceding the taper was significantly higher than without OT (P < 0.02) and was obtained with a significantly greater load reduction and duration, 39.3 +/- 9.9% and 28.0 +/- 5.1 d respectively. The best performance with a progressive load reduction was significantly higher than with a step reduction only with OT before the taper (102.2 +/- 1.7 vs 101.8 +/- 1.5% of performance with ODT, P < 0.005)

Conclusion: Greater training volume and/or intensity before the taper would allow higher performance gains, but would demand a greater reduction of the training load over a longer period. The results also pointed out the importance of training adaptations during the taper, in addition to fatigue dissipation.




15. The effects of a 10-day taper on repeated-sprint performance in females

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22494
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrP16PSoA0s" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrP16PSoA0s</a>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrP16PSoA0s

22495

22496
Peer Reviewed Studies Discussion / Re: MISC Animal Studies
« on: June 04, 2009, 11:14:38 pm »

22497
Peer Reviewed Studies Discussion / MISC Animal Studies
« on: June 04, 2009, 11:11:23 pm »
All conclusions of studies will be listed in this original post (TABLE OF SUMMARIES) for quick reference.


Post anything relevant to studies done on animals / rodents etc. I'm not a big fan of animal testing, thought it does provide valuable information. There are some crazy studies that exist out there.



1. Intracranial self-stimulation motivates weight-lifting exercise in rats

Quote
At the end of the training period, the rats were lifting over 550% of the starting weight. Gastrocnemius size and mean fiber diameter were increased in the weight-lifting animals. This model combines exercise with positive incentive and has the advantages of being relatively easy to implement and not producing any apparent physical or mental trauma in the animal.



2. Mirror neurons and the simulation theory of mind-reading

Quote
A new class of visuomotor neuron has been recently discovered in the monkey's premotor cortex: mirror neurons. These neurons respond both when a particular action is performed by the recorded monkey and when the same action, performed by another individual, is observed.



3. Measurements of muscle stiffness and the mechanism of elastic storage of energy in hopping kangaroos.

Quote
3. When the muscle was developing close to its maximum isometric tension, up to eight times as much movement occurred in the tendon as in the muscle fibres. This is made possible by the wallaby having a long and compliant tendon.



4. Beneficial Effects of Exercise on Growth of Rats During Intermittent Fasting

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When the fasted-EOD rats were also exercised, they gained 29% more weight, consumed 11% more feed and had carcasses that contained 29% more lean mass and 18% less fat than the fasted-EOD rats. The data suggest that exercise may be beneficial where feed restriction is episodic, allowing some capacity for catch-up growth.



5. Adaptation of Equine Locomotor Muscle Fiber Types to Endurance and Intensive High Speed Training

Quote
Endurance training results in increased mitochondrial density, capillary supply, changes in key metabolic enzymes, and increased maximal oxygen uptake and promotes a transition from type II to type I muscle fiber. In horses, prolonged aerobic exercise training has been shown to induce a further decline in the percentage of type IIx MyHC isoform expression and an increase of type I and IIa MyHC isoform expression. Short-duration, high-intensity exercise training stimulates type IIA and hybrid (IIA/IIX) fibers. Therefore, intensive high-speed trotting facilitates muscle fiber hypertrophy and increases the oxidative capacity of type IIX fibers.


6. 2003: Functional trade-offs in the limb muscles of dogs selected for running vs. fighting

Quote
The physical demands of rapid and economical running differ from those of physical fighting such that functional trade-offs may prevent simultaneous evolution of optimal performance in both behaviours. Here we test three hypotheses of functional trade-off by measuring determinants of limb musculoskeletal function in two breeds of domestic dogs that have undergone intense artificial selection for running (Greyhound) or fighting performance (Pit Bull). We found that Greyhounds differ from Pit Bulls in having relatively less muscle mass distally in their limbs, weaker muscles in their forelimbs than their hindlimbs, and a much greater capacity for elastic storage in the in-series tendons of the extensor muscles of their ankle joints. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that specialization for rapid or economical running can limit fighting performance and vice versa. We suggest that functional trade-offs that prevent simultaneous evolution of optimal performance in both locomotor and fighting abilities are widespread taxonomically.


7.





8. Metabolic changes in skeletal muscle and blood of greyhounds during 800-m track sprint.

Quote
The aim of this study was to examine some metabolic properties and changes that occur in skeletal muscle and blood of greyhounds after an 800-m sprint. Three prime moving fast-twitch muscles were selected: biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius (G), and vastus lateralis (VL). The amount of glycogen utilized during the event was 42.57, 43.86, and 42.73 mumol glucosyl units/g wet wt, respectively. Expressed as a function of race time (48.3 +/- 0.7 s, n = 3), the mean rate of glycogen breakdown was 53.48 +/- 0.5 mumol.g wet wt-1.min-1 during the sprint. This is equivalent to an ATP turnover of 160 mumol.g wet wt-1.min-1, assuming 100% anaerobic conversion to lactate. This represents a conservative estimate, since greyhound muscle is heterogeneous and comprised of a large percentage of fast-twitch oxidative fibers (Armstrong et al., Am. J. Anat. 163: 87-98, 1982). The large decrease in muscle glycogen was accompanied by a 6- to 7-fold increase in muscle lactate from 3.48 +/- 0.13 to 25.42 +/- 3.54 (BF), 2.54 +/- 1.05 to 18.96 +/- 2.60 (G), and 4.57 +/- 0.44 to 30.09 +/- 1.94 mumol.g wet wt (VL), and a fall in muscle pH from 6.88 +/- 0.03 to 6.40 +/- 0.02 (BF), 6.92 +/- 0.02 to 6.56 +/- 0.02 (G), and 6.93 +/- 0.02 to 6.47 +/- 0.01 (VL). Cytosolic phosphorylation potential in BF decreased 10-fold from 11,360 +/- 680 to 1,184 +/- 347, and redox potential decreased 5-fold, indicating a marked reduction in the cytosol at this time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)





9. Skeletal muscle fibre composition in the dog and its relationship to athletic ability.

Quote
Skeletal limb muscles of the dog could generally be differentiated into three fibre types according to myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (pH 9.4) and succinic dehydrogenase activities. However, because this was not always possible, for comparative purposes only, division into low myosin ATPase (slow twitch) type I and high myosin ATPase (fast twitch) type II fibres was used. The percentage of these fibre types in m deltoideus, m triceps brachii caput longum, m vastus lateralis, m gluteus medius, m biceps femoris and m semitendinosus was examined in the greyhound, crossbred and foxhound. In all muscles the greyhound had a significantly higher percentage of fibres with high myosin ATPase activity at pH 9.4 than the other breeds, with almost 100 per cent in most muscles examined. The activities of nine enzymes and glycogen concentration were determined in m gluteus medius and m semitendinosus of the greyhound and crossbred. Significantly higher levels of creatine kinase, aldolase, alanine aminotransferase and citrate synthase and significantly lower activities of 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase and hexokinase were found in both muscles of the greyhound. The implications of these findings are discussed.

22498
Effects of caffeine, sleep loss, and stress on cognitive performance and mood during U.S. Navy SEAL training


Rationale. When humans are acutely exposed to multiple stressors, cognitive performance is substantially degraded. Few practical strategies are available to sustain performance under such conditions.
Objective. This study examined whether moderate doses of caffeine would reduce adverse effects of sleep deprivation and exposure to severe environmental and operational stress on cognitive performance.
Methods. Volunteers were 68 U.S. Navy Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) trainees, randomly assigned to receive either 100, 200, or 300 mg caffeine or placebo in capsule form after 72 h of sleep deprivation and continuous exposure to other stressors. Cognitive tests administered included scanning visual vigilance, four-choice visual reaction time, a matching-to-sample working memory task and a repeated acquisition test of motor learning and memory. Mood state, marksmanship, and saliva caffeine were also assessed. Testing was conducted 1 and 8 h after treatment.
Results. Sleep deprivation and environmental stress adversely affected performance and mood. Caffeine, in a dose-dependent manner, mitigated many adverse effects of exposure to multiple stressors. Caffeine (200 and 300 mg) significantly improved visual vigilance, choice reaction time, repeated acquisition, self-reported fatigue and sleepiness with the greatest effects on tests of vigilance, reaction time, and alertness. Marksmanship, a task that requires fine motor coordination and steadiness, was not affected by caffeine. The greatest effects of caffeine were present 1 h post-administration, but significant effects persisted for 8 h.
Conclusions. Even in the most adverse circumstances, moderate doses of caffeine can improve cognitive function, including vigilance, learning, memory, and mood state. When cognitive performance is critical and must be maintained during exposure to severe stress, administration of caffeine may provide a significant advantage. A dose of 200 mg appears to be optimal under such conditions.






The effects of two alternative timings of a one-hour nap on early morning performance.

The effect on performance and sleepiness of two alternative timings of a one-hour nap (2100h and 0430h, respectively) were compared with a control condition (no nap). Twelve healthy male subjects divided into three groups participated in a partly balanced repeated measurements design. At all three occasions the subjects slept 4 h during the preceding night, worked during the day and were then kept awake (except for naps) in the laboratory from 1700h to 0800h the following morning. Performance was measured through a 10-min single choice visual reaction time task administered at 1900h and 0700h. Sleepiness was measured through self-ratings and sleep latency tests at 2100h and 0600h. The results showed clear positive effects of naps (especially the 0430h nap) on performance. The sleep latency measurements showed similar, but less clear tendencies, while ratings of sleepiness did not differentiate between conditions. It was concluded that a one-hour nap could counteract the late night performance decrement.


Caffeine effects on marksmanship during high-stress military training with 72 hour sleep deprivation.

PURPOSE: Navy SEALs (sea, air, land) are elite special warfare units that conduct unconventional warfare primarily in marine environments. Marksmanship accuracy and sighting time were quantified with 62 male trainees during Navy SEAL Hell Week, which involves the combined stress of sleep loss, operational combat scenarios, and cold-wet environmental conditions. Caffeine was administered to minimize deficits due to sleep deprivation. METHODS: Volunteers dry-fired a disabled rifle equipped with a laser-based marksmanship simulator system to measure shooting speed and accuracy. The target was a 2.3-cm diameter circle at a distance of 5 m, simulating a 46 cm target at a distance of 50 m. Marksmanship was assessed prior to training, and at 73 and 80 h into Hell Week. Volunteers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 100, 200, or 300 mg of caffeine or a placebo. Dosing occurred 72 h after training commenced. RESULTS: The combined effects of almost 73 h of total sleep deprivation and operational and environmental stress degraded all marksmanship accuracy measures (p < 0.05) as shown by the 37.5% increase in percent of targets missed, 38% increase in distance from center of mass of the target, and the 235% increase in shot group tightness. Sighting time increased by 53% or 3.1 s after 73 h of sleep deprivation (p < 0.05). Sighting time was significantly faster in sleep deprived individuals after taking 200 or 300 mg of caffeine compared with placebo or 100 mg of caffeine. No differences in accuracy measures between caffeine treatment groups were evident at any test period. CONCLUSION: During periods of sleep deprivation combined with other stressors, the use of 200 or 300 mg of caffeine enabled SEAL trainees to sight the target and pull the trigger faster without compromising shooting accuracy.

22499
Degenerative Changes in the Ankle in Former Elite High Jumpers

Schmitt, Holger MD; Lemke, Jan M. MD; Brocai, Dario R. C. Dipl Psych; Parsch, Dominik MD



Objective: The object of this study was to find what degenerative changes are present in the ankle (talotibiofibular) joints in former elite high jumpers at least 10 years after their retirement from competition, whether there are differences between takeoff and swinging leg, and whether correlations between any particular training history parameters, former injuries, and the degenerative changes can be recognized.

Design: A cross-sectional case control study with matched controls for radiological outcomes

Setting: The Orthopedic Department at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Participants: The subjects were 40 male high jumpers (required personal best at least 2.18m), featured in the lists of top athletes kept by the German Athletics Association (DLV) from 1972 to 1986. All radiological findings were compared with X-rays of male age, and BMI-matched controls.

Main Outcome Measurements: All underwent clinical and radiological examinations. In addition to eliciting data on the training history with the aid of a questionnaire, we assessed symptoms affecting the ankle by means of the Freiburg Ankle Score and the Kitaoka Score and scored the radiological findings according to Bargon and Scranton and MacDermott.

Results: Differences between takeoff and swinging leg were small (Freiburg takeoff leg 93/swinging leg 95, Kitaoka takeoff 89/swinging leg 93 points on a 100 points scale) in both clinical scores, but statistically significant (p < 0.005). The more jumps were performed during the active phase, the worse the radiological scores (rs = 0.4, p = 0.01). Radiological differences between takeoff and swinging leg were not found. Comparison with controls revealed no radiological differences between athletes and age- and BMI-matched men (all p-values >0.40). It was found that one takeoff and one swinging leg ankle was affected by grade 2 arthritis (Bargon). Scranton grade 3 was found in four takeoff and in three swinging legs. No further correlations with training history data were found. Athletes who reported injuries in the past tended to have poorer radiological scores, although statistically not significant. None of the athletes had an instable ankle.

Conclusions: The talotibiofibular joints in former high jumpers showed only slight signs of wear and tear with no clinically relevant side-related differences; severe arthrosis with narrowing of the joint space was rare. The risk of arthrosis connected with high-jumping seems not to be elevated.

22500
All conclusions of studies will be listed in this original post (TABLE OF SUMMARIES) for quick reference.


Every now and then people start worrying about the effect all of this intense training has on their future health. Well, studies exist, so if you find any, post them here.


1. Degenerative Changes in the Ankle in Former Elite High Jumpers

Quote
The talotibiofibular joints in former high jumpers showed only slight signs of wear and tear with no clinically relevant side-related differences; severe arthrosis with narrowing of the joint space was rare. The risk of arthrosis connected with high-jumping seems not to be elevated.

2. Association between muscular strength and mortality in men: prospective cohort study

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Muscular strength is inversely and independently associated with death from all causes and cancer in men, even after adjusting for cardiorespiratory fitness and other potential confounders.

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