Context: Ergogenic effects of caffeine on aerobic or endurance exercise are well documented. Conversely, the ergogenic value of caffeine on high-intensity, primarily anaerobic performance is not well understood even though the proposed mechanisms of action for caffeine permit a strong theoretical basis for application to this type of exercise. Purpose: This study examined effects of caffeine (Ca) on number repetitions (reps), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and peak heart rate (PHR) during resistance-training exercise with reps performed to volitional failure. Methods: Subjects (N = 17) were tested for 10-rep maximum in bench press (BP) and leg press (LP). In sessions 2 and 3, Ca (~6 mg/kg) or placebo (Pl) was ingested 1 hr beforehand in a double-blind manner and counterbalanced order. Subjects performed 3 sets to failure (BP and LP) with reps, PHR, and RPE recorded each set. Repeated-measures ANOVAs, 2 (trial) × 3 (set), were used to analyze dependent measures with the Tukey honestly significant difference used when necessary as the post hoc test. Results: In BP, no significant differences (Ca vs Pl) were observed (reps, RPE, PHR). During set 3 of LP training, Ca was associated with significantly higher reps (12.5 ± 4.2 vs 9.9 ± 2.6) and PHR (158.5 ± 11.9 vs 151.8 ± 13.2). No significant RPE differences were found during LP. Conclusions: The findings of similar RPE concurrent with higher reps suggest that caffeine can blunt pain responses, possibly delaying fatigue in high-intensity resistance training. Ergogenic effects might be limited to the later sets in a resistance-training session. Further research is warranted regarding ergogenic effects of caffeine during resistance training and potential mechanisms of action.Caffeine can enhance endurance-based exercise performance with ergogenic properties attributed to mechanisms such as enhanced free-fatty-acid mobilization 1,2

Objective. To compare resistance bouts performed to failure atlow (60% 1RM) and high (90% 1RM) workloads for acute rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (per exercise), session RPE (S-RPE) (30 min post), HR (per exercise) and total work (per session, and per exercise).Background. RPE is a convenient method for quantifying intensityin aerobic exercise. However, RPE has recently been extended to exercise modalities dominated by anaerobic pathways such as resistance training (RT). Method. Subjects (N=12) were assessed using an exercise-specific1 repetition maximum (1RM) for 6 exercises. On separate days in a counterbalanced order, subjects performed 3 sets of each exercise to volitional failure at a low intensity (LI) and a high intensity (HI) with 2 minutes rest between sets and exercises. At the end of each set, subjects estimated acute RPE for that set using a 10-point numerical scale. Thirty minutes after the end of the exercise session subjects estimated their S-RPE for the entire workout. HR, total work, and acute RPE were compared (HI v. LI) using repeated measures ANOVA.Results. A paired samples t-test showed LI was significantly higher(p=0.039) than HI for session RPE (LI=8.8±0.8, HI=6.3±1.2) andtotal work (LI=17461±4419, HI=8659±2256) (p=0.043). Per exercise,total work and acute RPE were significantly greater (p=0.01) for LI for all exercises. Peak HR was significantly higher per exercise during LI for leg press (p=0.041), bench press (p=0.031), lat pull-down (p=0.037) and shoulder press (p=0.046).

Background: All competitive tennis players take time away from coaches throughout the year; however, little information is available as to the short-term physiological effect of these breaks. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of a 5 week off-campus structured, yet unsupervised, break from regular training in top collegiate tennis players. Methods: A nationally ranked collegiate NCAA Division I male tennis team (n = 8) performed a test battery in December and again in January after a 5 week period of recommended, yet unsupervised, training. The tests performed were 5, 10 and 20 m sprints, spider agility test, medicine ball power throws, standing long jump, Wingate anaerobic power test, VO 2max , push-up and sit-up test, grip strength and range of motion (ROM) measures (goniometer) of the shoulder, hip, hamstring and quadriceps. Conclusions: These results suggest that a 5 week interruption of normal training can result in significant reductions in speed, power and aerobic capacity in competitive tennis players, likely owing to poor compliance with the prescribed training regimen. Therefore, coaches and trainers might benefit from techniques (eg, pre-and post-testing) requiring athletes' to have accountability for unsupervised workouts.

Acute cardiovascular and perceptual responses to Super Slow resistance training (SS) are not well understood. This study compared blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) between SS and traditional machine (TM) protocols. Participants (n = 20) completed three sessions of elbow flexion (EF) and knee extension (KE). Session 1 consisted of determining 1RM for EF and KE and a familiarization trial for the SS technique. Sessions 2 and 3 were counterbalanced, with subjects completing three sets of SS (10 seconds concentric, 5 seconds eccentric per rep, 40% 1RM) and TM (2 seconds concentric, 4 seconds eccentric per rep, 65% 1RM). Paramount resistance training equipment was used for both exercises. Peak HR was recorded for each set, with recovery HR taken between sets after 3 minutes of rest. Blood pressure was taken after 5 minutes of seated rest, after each set, before sets 2 and 3, and at 2 minutes post set 3. Ratings of perceived exertion for active musculature were obtained three times per set. Although systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) responses were not significantly different between SS and TM for EF or KE, SBP (SS and TM combined) was significantly lower during EF and was significantly higher during KE than resting BP. Diastolic BP (SS and TM combined) was not significantly different from resting BP for EF or KE. Peak HR was significantly greater during TM (vs. SS) for EF and KE. Ratings of perceived exertion were also significantly greater during TM for EF and KE. Even though SBP was greater for SS and TM combined during KE, comparing SS and TM revealed minimal differences in BP. This suggests that, when performing small muscle group exercises with lighter weight at a slow speed, either SS or TM would be appropriate for individuals to whom strength training is not contraindicated.

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