The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 7-week practical blood flow restriction (BFR) protocol used in conjunction with a strength training program on measures of muscular strength and size in collegiate American football players. Sixty-two participants were divided into 4 groups. Three groups completed a traditional upper- and lower-body split strength program. Two of these groups also completed supplemental lifting sessions. Of these 2, 1 completed the additional lifts with BFR. The final group completed a modified training program, followed by the supplemental lifts, with BFR. The supplemental lifting protocol consisted of bench press and squat, using 20% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for 4 sets with 30 repetitions performed in the first set and 20 repetitions performed in the following 3 sets. Each set was separated by 45 seconds of rest. The supplemental bench press was completed at the end of upper-body days and the squat at the end of lower-body days. Dependent measures were taken before the start of the program and again on conclusion the following dependent variables were measured: upper- and lower-body girths, 1RM bench, and squat. Results of a 4 × 2 mixed-model multivariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant difference for the interaction on the dependent variables. Follow-up univariate analysis of variances indicated a significant difference for 1RM squat. This suggests that a practical BFR program used in addition to a traditional strength training program can be effective at increasing 1RM squat performance. The use of elastic knee wraps makes BFR a feasible training option for coaches and athletes.

Describing and analyzing error for one-dimensional performance tasks is fairly straightforward, but suggestions for describing and analyzing error for two-dimensional performance tasks (e.g., marksmanship) are quite problematic. Specifically, imposing an arbitrary axis onto the two-dimensional work space, along which traditional one-dimensional measures can be computed and analyzed, yields measures of accuracy, bias, and consistency that are entirely dependent upon the choice of axis. The present contribution offers new measures and methods for describing and analyzing data from two-dimensional performances. Unlike the resu1ts from previous suggestions, the approaches described herein yield results that are completely independent of the axes used to quantify the individual two-dimensional trials. These new approaches are strongly related to well-established methods for describing and analyzing error for one-dimensional tasks.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a practical blood flow restriction (BFR) training program on lower-body strength of high school weightlifters. Twenty-five students were divided into three groups. For six weeks, each group completed the same resistance training program with the exception of the parallel back squat exercise (2 days/week), which was different for each group. One group (HI) completed a traditional high load (≥65% 1RM) back squat protocol with three sets of low repetitions (≤10). The LO group completed the squat exercise using a relatively light load (≤30% 1RM) for one set of 30 repetitions and three sets of 15 with 30 seconds of rest between sets. The LO+BFR group followed the same protocol as LO, but did so with blood flow restricted. 1RM back squat tests were conducted prior to the start of the program and again upon conclusion, the values of which were used as the dependent measure. A 3 x 2 (group x time) repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction (p=.043). Follow-up tests were conducted to explore the interaction. Paired-sample t-tests for each group indicated a significant increase in leg strength for the LO+BFR group (p=.005), but not for the HI (p=.142) or LO groups (p=1.00). This suggests that a practical BFR training program may be effective in increasing 1RM squat performance of high school students.

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Abstract:The purpose of this study was to test reports that size and arrangement manipulations of weight plates [i.e., inducing a size-weight illusion (SWI)] would have an effect on athletic weightlifting performance. Seventy-two experienced, weight-trained collegiate American football players participated. Across three weeks, each athlete performed three different repetitions-to-fatigue bench press tests (NFL-225, . A multiple regression revealed a positive association between participants' strength relative to the test load and repetitions for NFL-225 and SWI-215, but no association with SWI-225. To explore these results, players were ranked into quartiles based on their 1RM relative to 102.27 kg (225 lb) and a 3 x 4 repeated measures ANOVA was conducted. The primary finding was a significant test condition x quartile interaction (p = .004). Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons revealed that Quartile 4 (those with lowest strength relative to test load) completed more repetitions for SWI-225 compared to NFL-225 (p = 0.049). These results suggest that alternate weight plate arrangements may be beneficial for those whom the bench press load is near the lifter's 1RM. However, variations of the SWI do not appear to affect the performance of repetitions-to-fatigue bench press tests for the majority of collegiate American football players. AbstractThe purpose of this study was to test reports that size and arrangement manipulations of weight plates [i.e., inducing a size-weight illusion (SWI)] would have an effect on athletic weightlifting performance. Seventy-two experienced, weight-trained collegiate American football players participated. Across three weeks, each athlete performed three different repetitions-to-fatigue bench press tests (NFL-225, SWI-225, and SWI-215). A multiple regression revealed a positive association between participants' strength relative to the test load and repetitions for NFL-225 and SWI-215, but no association with SWI-225. To explore these results, players were ranked into quartiles based on their 1RM relative to 102.27 kg (225 lb) and a 3 x 4 repeated measures ANOVA was conducted. The primary finding was a significant test condition x quartile interaction (p = .004). Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons revealed that Quartile 4 (those with lowest strength relative to test load) completed more repetitions for SWI-225 compared to NFL-225 (p = 0.049). These results suggest that alternate weight plate arrangements may be beneficial for those whose bench press load is near the lifter's 1RM. However, variations of the SWI do not appear to affect the performance of repetitions-to-fatigue bench press tests for the majority of collegiate American football players.