Uncertain matches

• Keep a 45-60° angle between your arms and upper body. The dumbbells should not touch your chest in the bottom position. Flare your elbows out to prevent this. If the dumbbells are particularly large, you may also need to rotate your wrists to prevent the dumbbells from touching your chest and thereby limiting your range of motion. • Your elbows should lock out at the top and go down as far as possible in the bottom. • Your set-up should be just as tight as for a barbell bench press. Retract your shoulder blades firmly into the bench and arch your upper back as much as possible, pushing your chest up with your legs (leg drive). Think of pushing yourself into the bench rather than pressing the dumbbells up. • To get into the starting position for the first rep, start sitting upright with the dumbbells on your thighs. Then you have to kick up the dumbbells with your knees while you let yourself fall back on the bench. Some people can do this with straight arms so they end with their arms straight overhead, but with heavy weights, if you don’t have shoulder problems, it may be safer to let the dumbbells fall into the bottom position and then press them up immediately. What do you think about this exercise? Model: IFBB Pro @eveluhtala Location: @strengthfactory.nl #benchpress #bench #dumbbells #pecs #chest #muscle #strength #training #exercise #form #fitness #bodybuilding #mennohenselmans #personaltrainer #personaltrainers #personaltraining #personaltrainerlife #personaltraineronline

Join Steve and Magic Mike as they explore topics like managing fatigue, coaching relationships, and training tips, all infused with personal insights and humor. This episode offers practical advice for bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts alike. In this episode, Steve Hall and Magic Mike discuss a wide range of topics including workout modifications for knee discomfort, effective peak week strategies, and managing diet fatigue post-prep. They also share personal insights, practical tips, and answer listener questions, making it a valuable resource for fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders. Join the hypertrophic time chamber to ask questions: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbazLhBRouBrMkCq/ Muscle & Strength Pyramids • https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 05:51 Emotional Regulation and Self-Discipline 09:01 Anime and Pop Culture Discussions 11:54 Improvement Season Insights 14:58 Client Updates and Coaching Dynamics 17:48 The Privilege of Coaching 20:54 Trust in the Coaching Relationship 23:58 Switching Coaches: When and Why? 27:03 Navigating Coaching Challenges 30:56 Individualized Coaching Approaches 32:16 Addressing Injury Concerns in Strength Training 36:27 Exploring Personal Preferences and Statistics 39:12 Optimizing Leg Press Techniques 40:09 Eating Habits and Sleep Quality 44:35 Body Hair Management Tips 46:54 Micro Loading for Dumbbell Progression 49:33 Managing Knee Discomfort in Training 51:10 Character Traits and Body Parts Exchange 53:54 Recommended Nutrition Books for Beginners 56:16 Death Row Meal Choices: Healthy vs. Indulgent 01:02:50 Exploring London and Neapolitan Styles 01:03:05 Leg Press Techniques for Quad Biasing 01:05:07 Load Increment Strategies in Training 01:06:48 Diet Fatigue Post-Cutting Phase 01:09:20 Carb Loading and Water Manipulation in Contest Prep 01:12:30 Tracking New Local Foods 01:18:08 RPE and Proximity to Failure in Training 01:20:43 Clenching Teeth During Heavy Sets 01:22:51 Training and Nutrition During Family Changes 01:29:38 Proudest and Most Challenging Moments in Prep 01:34:34 The Value of Tofu in Nutrition 01:35:40 Recommended Content for Bodybuilding Knowledge Thanks, please comment, like and subscribe! COACHING: https://revivestronger.com/online-coaching/ INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/revivestronger NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/2rRONG5 __________________________________________________________________ Epic Workout Clothing (use code STRONGER): • US: https://www.raskolapparel.com?snowball=STRONGER • Europe: https://raskolapparel.eu/ • Canada: https://raskolapparel.ca/ __________________________________________________________________ Our Ebooks! Ultimate Guide To Contest Prep Ebook: • https://revivestronger.com/product/the-ultimate-guide-to-contest-prep/ __________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date with the latest research and educate yourself! MASS (Research Review): • https://www.massmember.com/a/2147994108/MxeV4T3M Muscle & Strength Pyramids • https://getdpd.com/cart/hoplink/25469?referrer=1uk0lvv6e1rqv __________________________________________________________________ When you're interested in online coaching, please go visit our website and follow the application form: https://www.revivestronger.com/online-coaching/

CNS fatigue has real cultural traction in the lifting community. The claim that advanced lifters are uniquely limited by accumulated central nervous system fatigue, and therefore require categorically different programming, has been tested directly. The data does not support the standard story. In this segment from the Barbell Medicine Podcast, Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum and Dr. Austin Baraki walk through Skarabot 2018, which used direct electrical nerve stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation to localize where the fatigue from a hard squat session actually sits. Plus a 2024 Garcia-Ramos finding showing that lower-load sets to failure produce more acute fatigue than heavy low-rep work performed below failure. If you are dropping heavy work because you think your nervous system needs a longer break, this segment is for you. Timestamps: 0:00 - The CNS fatigue claim 0:45 - The Skarabot 2018 setup: 10 sets of 5 at 80% 1:45 - How they localized the fatigue (TMS and nerve stim) 2:30 - What they found: peripheral, not central 3:15 - The high-rep set actually hits you harder (Garcia-Ramos 2024) Resources Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYDmLCk5Nhc&feature=youtu.be Training Plateau Action Plan (free): https://www.barbellmedicine.com/training-plateau-action-plan/ Progressive Loading Part 1: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/progressive-loading/ Beyond Progressive Overload Part 2: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/beyond-progressive-overload/ The Death of the Novice-Intermediate-Advanced Framework Part 3: Article: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/novice-intermediate-advanced-strength-training/ BBM Programs and Coaching: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/. Skarabot J et al. Neuromuscular fatigue and recovery after heavy resistance, jump, and sprint training. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2018. Garcia-Ramos A et al. Greater neuromuscular and perceptual fatigue after low-load to failure than heavy-load to failure. 2024.

Three weeks of flat numbers on a lift you care about. Is it a stall, or just the day-to-day noise getting larger as your absolute strength climbs? In this segment from the Barbell Medicine Podcast, Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum and Dr. Austin Baraki walk through the within-session diagnostic (the reference warm-up set), the across-week diagnostic (a three-to-four week trend in estimated 1RM against a recent anchor), and the framework we use with a frustrated lifter whose environment outside the gym has become problematic. If you are stalling, switching programs, or wondering whether your scale is calibrated, this is the segment. Timestamps 0:00 - The replacement for the novice / intermediate / advanced framework 1:00 - What the warm-up tells you 3:00 - What counts as a genuine stall 5:00 - How to measure it (recent anchor, like-to-like comparison) 6:30 - Beginning- and end-of-block testing for cleaner signal 7:30 - Austin: the bad-sleep-bad-work consult 8:30 - Environment first, then training load 9:00 - The wrap Resources Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYDmLCk5Nhc&feature=youtu.be Training Plateau Action Plan (free): https://www.barbellmedicine.com/training-plateau-action-plan/ Progressive Loading Part 1: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/progressive-loading/ Beyond Progressive Overload Part 2: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/beyond-progressive-overload/ The Death of the Novice-Intermediate-Advanced Framework Part 3: Article: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/novice-intermediate-advanced-strength-training/ Halperin I et al. Accuracy in predicting repetitions to task failure: scoping review. Sports Med. 2022.

My evidence-based Personal Training Certification Course: https://mennohenselmans.com/online-pt-course/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_content=lifting_weights_while_pregnant_what_the_science_actually_says Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:10 The traditional advice 00:42 Strength training safety and benefits during pregnancy 01:37 Health organizations recommendations 01:49 Intra-abdominal pressure 02:45 My Online PT Course 03:04 Conclusion 03:41 Outro Reference: https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-109123 https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.15122 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-100056 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832868/uk-chief-medical-officers-physical-activity-guidelines.pdf https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/05/evidence-based-physical-activity-guidelines-for-pregnant-women.pdf https://doi.org/10.1177/19417381211000717 https://doi.org/10.1097/EJA.0000000000001554 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00192-022-05393-1 #pregnancy #fitness #health #prenatalfitness #strengthtraining #women #fit #exercise #mennohenselmans #personaltrainer #personaltrainers #personaltraining #personaltrainerlife #personaltraineronline

If the novice / intermediate / advanced framework was right about the biology of strength adaptation, the long-run strength curve for competitive lifters should show a visible change at the boundary between categories. Latella et al. 2024 published a mixed-effects growth model on the largest publicly available powerlifting dataset, with nearly ten thousand competitors tracked across up to seventeen years. Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum and Dr. Austin Baraki walk through the headline numbers (greatest gains in year one at 7.5 to 12.5%, up to 20% above baseline after ten years), the smooth asymptotic shape with no categorical inflection, and what the data does and does not say cleanly. Austin offers an analogy from GLP-1 weight loss data that lands the same-machinery, less-remaining-room story. Two findings that cut against popular claims also get unpacked: women in this dataset gained as a percentage of baseline faster than men (because they entered the sport less pre-trained on average), and masters lifters lose strength roughly a third as fast as their non-training peers. Timestamps: 0:00 - The best data we have 1:00 - The Latella 2024 setup: 9,259 lifters, 17 years 2:30 - The headline numbers (7.5 to 12.5%, up to 20%) 4:00 - The naive read, and why it's too strong 5:30 - The same-machinery, less-remaining-room argument 6:30 - Austin's GLP-1 analogy 9:00 - Sex effects in the data 10:30 - Masters lifters and aging 12:00 - The frustrated four-year lifter consult 16:00 - Program-hopping: when it's defensible, when it isn't Resources Pre-order our book, Signal: barbellmedicine.com/signal Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYDmLCk5Nhc&feature=youtu.be Training Plateau Action Plan (free): https://www.barbellmedicine.com/training-plateau-action-plan/ Progressive Loading Part 1: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/progressive-loading/ Beyond Progressive Overload Part 2: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/beyond-progressive-overload/ The Death of the Novice-Intermediate-Advanced Framework Part 3: Article: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/novice-intermediate-advanced-strength-training/ BBM Programs and Coaching: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/ Latella C et al. Using powerlifting athletes to determine strength adaptations across ages in males and females. Sports Med. 2024. Lincoff AM et al. SELECT trial. NEJM. 2023. (referenced indirectly via Austin's GLP-1 analogy)

• Stand exactly in between 2 cable pulleys and then take a small step forward so the cable won’t have to bend over your arms during the exercise. • Let your elbows come down as far as possible in the bottom position. At the top, lock out your elbows. • Keep your forearms in line with the cable pushing angle (almost vertical). • If you feel the movement is too heavy at the top and too easy in the bottom, increase the height or width of the cable pulleys. Similarly, if you feel the movement is too heavy in the bottom, almost requiring a biceps curl to keep the weights in position, decrease the width or height of the cable pulleys. What do you think about this exercise? Model: IFBB Pro @eveluhtala Location: @strengthfactory.nl #cable #overheadpress #ohpress #shoulders #delts #muscle #strength #training #exercise #form #fitness #bodybuilding #mennohenselmans #personaltrainer #personaltrainers #personaltraining #personaltrainerlife #personaltraineronline

Get a FREE trial & program in my MH Physique App: https://mennohenselmans.com/mh-physique-app/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_content=was_mike_mentzer_right_about_arm_training_new_study Learn the ins and outs of optimal program design in my online PT Course: https://mennohenselmans.com/online-pt-course/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_content=was_mike_mentzer_right_about_arm_training_new_study Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:19 Study design 01:17 Study results 02:10 Caveats 03:20 Overall literature 04:19 Conclusions 06:26 Outro Reference: https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2026.2652354 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-025-02344-w https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33440446/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26244600/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29351383/ #armtraining #biceps #triceps #hypertrophy #strength #training #evidencebased #fitness #mennohenselmans #personaltrainer #personaltrainers #personaltraining #personaltrainerlife #personaltraineronline

• Perform the exercise lying on your side with your leg draping off a bench to increase the range of motion. What do you think about this exercise? Model: IFBB Pro @eveluhtala Location: @strengthfactory.nl #dumbbell #abduction #gluteus #glutes #hipabduction #muscle #strength #training #exercise #form #fitness #bodybuilding #mennohenselmans #personaltrainer #personaltrainers #personaltraining #personaltrainerlife #personaltraineronline

The story goes that hard exercise is risky for women, and that the idea is ancient. Both halves fall apart on contact. In this solo episode, Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum follows the claim that physical effort harms the female body across twenty centuries, and shows that almost every version of it arrived as a verdict first, with the science bolted on afterward. It runs from antiquity to the present: what Galen actually wrote, why Sparta trained its women on purpose, the Victorian “vital force” panic and Edward Clarke’s claim that studying would sterilize girls, the doctor who prescribed bed rest to women and the wilderness to men, and the 1928 Olympic 800m that was erased for 32 years over a collapse that never happened. Then the correction: the research that finally tested heavy training in older women and women with low bone mass, and what it found. The episode closes on 2026, where the guidelines say lift and the menopause market often says don’t. What we cover •    Why the “ancient Greeks” origin story for the no-hard-exercise rule doesn’t hold up. •    How a Victorian energy-budget idea became a medical case against women lifting and studying. •    The real story of the 1928 Olympic women’s 800m and the 32-year ban. •    The strong women who were relabeled as freaks or exceptions instead of counted. •    What Fiatarone’s nonagenarians and LIFTMOR actually showed about lifting heavy later in life. •    The cortisol panic, the fasting scare, and cycle syncing, examined against the data. •    Why the cautious messaging now comes from the market, not the medical guidelines. Timestamps • 00:00 The 1928 Olympic “massacre” that never happened • 03:37 Antiquity: what the Greeks actually said • 06:50 The Victorians and “vital force” • 10:02 Mary Putnam Jacobi tests the claim, and is ignored • 11:53 1928 in full: who killed the women’s 800m • 13:53 The double standard, and Alice Milliat • 15:39 The strong women history relabeled • 20:26 The correction: what the evidence shows • 22:27 LIFTMOR: lifting heavy with low bone mass • 24:35 2026: guidelines, the market, and cortisol • 28:34 Cycle syncing, and naming the pattern • 30:40 What to take away Subscribe to BBM Plus for the full unabridged Direct Line: https://barbellmedicine.supercast.com/ Barbell Medicine coaching and templates: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/ Signal book pre-order: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/shop/learning/signal/ References Cahn S. Coming on Strong: Gender and Sexuality in Twentieth-Century Women's Sport. Harvard University Press; 1994. Clarke EH. Sex in Education; or, A Fair Chance for the Girls. Boston: James R. Osgood and Company; 1873. Colenso-Semple LM, McKendry J, Lim C, et al. Menstrual cycle phase does not influence muscle protein synthesis or whole-body myofibrillar proteolysis in response to resistance exercise. J Physiol. 2025. PMID: 39630025. Daly W, Hackney AC. Is exercise cortisol response of endurance athletes similar to levels of Cushing's syndrome? J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2019. PMID: 31371847. Eastell R, Rosen CJ, Black DM, Cheung AM, Murad MH, Shoback D. Pharmacological management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(5):1595-1622. PMID: 30907953. Fiatarone MA, Marks EC, Ryan ND, Meredith CN, Lipsitz LA, Evans WJ. High-intensity strength training in nonagenarians: effects on skeletal muscle. JAMA. 1990;263(22):3029-3034. PMID: 2342214. Fiatarone MA, O'Neill EF, Ryan ND, et al. Exercise training and nutritional supplementation for physical frailty in very elderly people. N Engl J Med. 1994;330(25):1769-1775. Galen. On the Preservation of Health (De Sanitate Tuenda). 2nd century CE. Various translations. Jacobi MP. The Question of Rest for Women During Menstruation. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons; 1877. (Awarded the Harvard Boylston Prize.) Latella C, Teo WP, Spathis J, et al. Using powerlifting athletes to determine strength adaptations across ages in males and females: a longitudinal growth modelling approach. Sports Med. 2024;54(3):753-774. Maudsley H. Sex in mind and in education. Fortnightly Review. 1874;15:466-483. Plutarch. Life of Lycurgus. Approx. 75 CE. Various translations. Schultz J. Qualifying Times: Points of Change in U.S. Women's Sport. Urbana: University of Illinois Press; 2014. Sinaki M, Mikkelsen BA. Postmenopausal spinal osteoporosis: flexion versus extension exercises. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1984;65(10):593-596. PMID: 6487063. Soranus of Ephesus. Gynecology. Approx. 2nd century CE. Translated by Temkin O. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press; 1991. Switzer K. Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press; 2007. Todd J. Various publications. Iron Game History. Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, University of Texas at Austin. Tunis JR. Women and...

Get a FREE trial & program in my MH Physique App: https://mennohenselmans.com/mh-physique-app/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_content=5_fitness_myths_science_officially_debunked_in_2026 Learn how to take your physique to the next level in my online PT Certification: https://mennohenselmans.com/online-pt-course/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_content=5_fitness_myths_science_officially_debunked_in_2026 Chapters: 00:00 1. Caffeine is ineffective in the morning 01:57 2. Women can’t build much muscle 03:40 3. Menopause destroys your ability to change your physique 04:22 4. Citrulline supplementation is a proven muscle builder 05:32 5. Slowly lowering weights improves muscle growth 06:52 Outro Reference: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8100639 https://doi.org/10.1080/27697061.2023.2212740 https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2022.2038274 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-025-05820-3 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11332-025-01609-1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40028215/ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2026.03.002 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103339 https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2025.2535198 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395267527 #fitnessmyths #evidencebased #fitness #strength #training #muscle #sports #nutrition #exercise #diet #mennohenselmans #personaltrainer #personaltrainers #personaltraining #personaltrainerlife #personaltraineronline

The study aimed to investigate the effects of training frequency on sleep quality, stress, and arousal levels among athletes who regularly engage in resistance/weight training. To this end, 30 male amateur bodybuilders aged 18-25 (M=22.13; SD =1.85) were examined longitudinally. Each participant who met the inclusion criteria was randomly assigned to one of two groups via computer software. Within their assigned group, they were given a random code by the software. Training times were divided into two different time slots (Morning Group: Training time and sleep time < 4 hours, Evening Group: Training time and sleep time > 8 hours), and a training program was designed. The amateur bodybuilders were given weight-training sessions that were carefully planned and structured in terms of intensity and duration. The amateur bodybuilders were required to continue these training sessions routinely for 4 weeks. Following the program, the Perceived Stress Scale, Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale, and Richards-Campbell Sleep Scale were administered to the participants at weekly intervals. The Mixed ANOVA results suggest that regular exercise reduces stress and pre-sleep arousal, regardless of whether it is performed in the morning or evening. Examining the relationships among training time, perceived stress, arousal, and sleep quality can offer original and up-to-date contributions to the applied sports science and health psychology literature.

Multi-view 3D human pose estimation drives automated sports and biomechanics evaluation but relies on fragile camera calibration.Conversely, recent parameter-free alternatives degrade severely under limited views.To overcome this, we propose the Global Attention Transformer (GAT).Our method emphasizes an extrinsic-free, singleframe architecture using joint-specific queries to model spatial and cross-view relationships without geometric triangulation.We employ a synthetic-to-real training strategy using extensive viewpoint randomization for robust generalization to uncalibrated setups.We also introduce an end-to-end biomechanical assessment pipeline extracting 2D keypoints via HRNet, lifting them to 3D via GAT, and evaluating weight training movements (correct or incorrect of squats and deadlifts) using a MiniROCKET classifier.GAT achieves a competitive Mean Per Joint Position Error (MPJPE) of 68.5 mm.Stress tests reveal strong generalization, maintaining 77.6 mm error under monocular views.Ultimately, the end-to-end pipeline achieves 95.31% classification accuracy on our collected dataset, indicating that GAT is a promising component for camera-agnostic weight training assessment under the evaluated conditions.

• Lean sideways on an incline bench (approximately 45° incline), keep the dumbbell just above your hip and raise it explosively straight out to your side, maintaining tension on the deltoid at all times. • If it feels comfortable, you can lift the arm all the way up until it’s vertical, but there’s little muscle tension in that position, so it’s fine to only go up about two thirds or even just up to shoulder height. What do you think about this exercise? Model: IFBB Pro @eveluhtala Location: @strengthfactory.nl #dumbbell #delts #sidedelts #lateral #raises #muscle #strength #training #exercise #form #fitness #bodybuilding #mennohenselmans #personaltrainer #personaltrainers #personaltraining #personaltrainerlife #personaltraineronline

That is pretty much the best way to improve cardio as well. There is some benefit to long slow cardio in that it induces the same mitochondrial growth and fitness improvement, but it requires more time. The injury risk is a little lower for low intensity work. Interval training is a proven quantity for cardio fitness as well, though. I don't think you can min-max cardio fitness much more than that. Mainly, just ensure you aren't doing anaerobic work (e.g. sprinting) if your goal is cardio improvement. But that is easy enough, if you really want to baseline it, you just run a mile all out and there are a bunch of calculators that are very good which give you good paces for VO2 Max / intervals. The goal is you want to sort of keep your HR elevated once warmed and stay in that high VO2 max zone sort of ending right at max HR on your final interval or two pushing yourself up to the limit. It ends up looking like the strength training wisdom at the end of the day. Do cardio. Make sure it is challenging and you aren't phoning it in if your min-maxing. Be consistent. For strength training, I think it comes down to what I captured in my blog post. For a given muscle, if you are challenging it and truly reaching 1 or 2 reps in reserve there isn't much else to do per set. Hit your desired training volumes and you are the happy place for time+gains. If the intensity is there and you are targeting your entire body at the right volume level every week it will come down to nutrition and other factors vs. what you are doing in the gym.

McBride L1, Oxford S21Coventry University, Physiotherapy, Coventry, United Kingdom, 2Coventry University, Sport Science, Coventry, United KingdomBackground: Rugby union has one of the highest occurrences of reported match and training injuries among contact sports. The game involves considerable loading and impact to the head and neck and a growing prevalence of concussion and sub-concussive events highlights the need to explore preventative strategies. Strength training is important in building players' resilience to withstand the rigours of their sport, and a recommendation to reduce the injury burden is to strengthen the neck muscles to enable players to dissipate energy from the forces of collisions. However, evidence detailing protocols of strength training for the neck is scarce.Purpose: This preliminary inquiry was designed to discover what screening data is currently collected by medics, physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches from professional rugby players regarding the neck, and to ascertain their neck exercise protocols.Methods: Survey methodology was employed via an online questionnaire platform following ethical approval and pilot of design (n=4) to ensure validity. This was sent to the head of medical services at 40 professional and semi-professional rugby union clubs for distribution. Forty-two questionnaires were received for analysis from teams at all levels including: international (n=1); Premiership (n=16); academy (Premiership n=8, national n=4, Championship n=1); Championship (n=4); National League 1 (n=4); women's (n=2); Mitre 10 Cup (New Zealand) (n=2). Respondents consisted of: physiotherapists (n=28); strength and conditioning coaches (n=6); club doctors (n=4); sports rehabilitators/therapists (n=3); an athletic performance manager (n=1). Data was analysed descriptively and quantitatively.Results: Pre-season screening of players' necks was reported by 55% (n=23) of respondents and the majority was undertaken by physiotherapists. Most (96%, n=22) measured isometric neck strength, 83% (n=19) active range of motion and 30% (n=7) proprioception. Respondents reported screening of all Premiership teams, compared to only 50% at academy level. Strength was measured, predominantly with hand-held dynamometers or the Don Gatherer system kit. Exercise prescription for the neck was reported by 71% (n=30) of respondents, all citing injury prevention as the primary reason. They were most likely (75%, n=25) to incorporate neck exercises at least twice per week into the gym programmes of front row forwards, in the Premiership, with 100% (n=30) prescribing isometric strength, predominantly using a harness with cable stack and/or bands, held for a set time. Only 50% (n=15) reported these being performed with a playing position-specific bias. 80% (n=24) prescribed endurance exercises. Neck exercises were prescribed for other playing positions on average only once per week (50%, n=15) or after injury (30%, n=9); where isometric holds were again the most common mode of strength training.Conclusion(s): Currently, physiotherapists play a major role in injury prevention for elite rugby players. Despite strong evidence in the literature that training programmes can improve neck strength and reduce injury risk these preliminary findings demonstrate a lack of consistency in approach towards neck screening and exercise protocols within professional rugby.Implications: To promote safe and effective spinal exercise provision for rugby players, the next phase of this research will involve experts in the field devising an evidence-based exercise protocol for elite rugby players using a Delphi study methodology.Keywords: Rugby Union, Cervical spine, Strength exercisesFunding acknowledgements: Non receivedTopic: Sport & sports injuries; Musculoskeletal: spineEthics approval required: YesInstitution: Coventry UniversityEthics committee: Coventry University Ethics CommitteeEthics number: P60723All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.

1800s - Eugen Sandow Strength and How to Obtain It (1897). Arguably the most influential fitness book ever, it kick started the modern fascination with muscular development and physical culture. 1920s - Alan Calvert Super Strength (1924). One of the first books to promote heavy, progressive barbell training for the everyday person. 1930s - Mark Berry’s Physical Training Simplified (1930). One of the first modern barbell training manuals. Berry, the US Olympic Weightlifting coach, laid out the principles of progressive overload and compound lifts. 1940s – The Male Hormone by Paul de Kruif (1945) Not a lifting book, but this one introduced testosterone to the public, shaping early ideas about hormones, vitality, and performance. 1950s – Advanced Methods of Weight Training by Bob Hoffman (1951). Hoffman took lifting to the next level, talking progressive overload, recovery, and splits, laying the groundwork for modern strength programming. 1960s – The Complete Keys to Progress by John McCallum (1965–1972). McCallum’s Strength & Health columns perfectly captured 1960s gym culture; storytelling mixed with practical strength advice. 1970s - Charles Gaines and George Butler Pumping Iron (1974). Began as a Sports Illustrated feature, became a book, and then the film. A cultural explosion that made bodybuilding mainstream and created the Arnold legend. 1980s – The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger (1985). This was the lifting bible. Training, nutrition, and posing all in one place. Every serious lifter had it. 1990s – Mike Mentzer Heavy Duty (1993). This book shows the origins of low-volume high-intensity training and why it became popular. 2000s – Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe (2005) Made barbell training simple, effective, and accessible. Tons of lifters started here. 2010s – Bigger Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews (2012). Evidence-based lifting and nutrition made easy for beginners. A big step forward for mainstream fitness advice. 2020s – The Muscle and Strength Pyramid by Eric Helms, Andy Morgan, and Andrea Valdez (2019 2nd edition) Technically 2019, but close enough. These books are some of the best resources out there on training and nutrition, and they actually inspired my own book, The Muscle Ladder.

Middle-distance running is one of the most involved events in college physical education, but the incidence of sports injuries remains high. However, the existing research mostly discusses injury prevention and physical recovery separately, lacking systematic integration. In this paper, college students' middle and long-distance running group is taken as the research object. On the basis of combing the common injury types of knee joint, calf, ankle and other parts and the three-dimensional causes of training load, individual ability and recovery status, preventive strategies such as scientific load management, running posture technology optimization, special strength training, warm-up and cold-body, and recovery means such as sleep intervention, nutritional supplement, active recovery and psychological recovery are analyzed respectively. Then, starting from the underlying mechanism of collaborative logic, a four-dimensional integrated "prevention-recovery" collaborative operation model of time, means, monitoring and individual is constructed, and some suggestions such as curriculum reconstruction, log monitoring, medical and physical linkage are put forward for college physical education teaching and extracurricular autonomous training. The purpose of this study is to break the training misunderstanding of "prevention belongs to prevention and recovery belongs to recovery", and provide an integrated theoretical framework and practical path for scientific training of middle and long distance running in universities.

• Position yourself on your knees or standing in front of a high cable pulley with a V- or W-grip or rope attachment. • Lean forward into the weight and let your arms almost but not fully extend (less than 180° ROM: aim for 120-170°): keep the tension on your lats, not your connective tissue. • With straight or nearly straight arms, pull the bar/rope into your lap while leaning backwards. It’s a rhythmic motion. • In the bottom position, your elbows should be in line with your torso, effectively in anatomical position. • Use your body movement to get a good stretch in the top position (torso more horizontal) and a good peak contraction in the bottom position (torso more vertical). If you don't get a good stretch, lean over further forwards during the ascent. Kneeling down helps you get a good stretch too. If you don't get good peak contraction, lean more backwards during the descent, or step back a bit further from the cable tower. What do you think about this exercise? Model: IFBB Pro @eveluhtala Location: @strengthfactory.nl #lats #latprayers #back #triceps #muscle #strength #training #exercise #form #fitness #bodybuilding #mennohenselmans #personaltrainer #personaltrainers #personaltraining #personaltrainerlife #personaltraineronline

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Objective. The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on psychological, sleep and performance outcomes in powerlifters. Previous research has primarily focused on taVNS in clinical or healthy samples and showed improvements in psychological functioning, recovery and sleep. Evidence for beneficial effects of taVNS in healthy athletes, however, is missing so far.Methods. Over the course of four weeks, ten healthy adult powerlifters self-administered taVNS five times a week for 30 minutes after strength training or before bedtime. Measurements were taken at three time points: before the intervention phase (pre), immediately after the four-week intervention phase (post) and one month after the post-assessment (follow-up). Pre, post and follow-up measurements included various subjective psychological domains (recovery, stress, perceived stress, affect, memory, attention, anxiety and well-being), objective sleep domains (nocturnal HRV, sleep score, sleep duration and subjective sleep quality) and submaximal strength performance outcomes in squat, bench press and deadlift. The small sample size required non-parametric testing. Additionally, a responder analysis was conducted to explore individual differences in outcome-specific responses.Results. Results showed statistically significant pre-post improvements in positive affect and attention, both revealing large effect sizes, while the remaining psychological domains and sleep outcomes did not show meaningful changes. Regarding performance, no distinct beneficial effect of taVNS was observed. The responder analysis confirmed the statistically significant findings and demonstrated mixed patterns of change for most outcomes. Conclusions. The current study is the first to implement a four-week taVNS intervention in strength training and to demonstrate differences in domain-specific responsiveness to taVNS in athletes for psychological health and cognitive performance. These findings offer important insights into the feasibility and practical application of taVNS in sports settings. Further studies are advised to include a larger sample size and apply a longer intervention period, as athletes may benefit from a longer stimulation phase.

Background Age-related gait decline is associated with reduced heel loading, forefoot overloading, and impaired gait stability. Soft wearable robotic suits that assist hip extension may improve gait biomechanics, but evidence for training-induced carry-over effects on plantar pressure distribution remains limited in community-dwelling older adults. This study investigated whether a short-term gait training program using a hip extensor-assistive soft wearable robotic suit could modify plantar pressure and spatiotemporal gait parameters under device-free assessment conditions. Methods In this prospective, single-center, randomized controlled pilot trial, 42 community-dwelling older adults aged 65–79 years were randomly assigned to a robot-assisted training group (n = 21) or a control group (n = 21). Both groups completed a 3-week intervention consisting of six sessions, each including 20 min of treadmill-based gait training and 20 min of strength training. The robot-assisted group wore a cable-driven soft wearable robotic suit providing bilateral hip extension assistance during treadmill training, whereas the control group performed identical training without the device. All post-intervention assessments were conducted without the device. Plantar pressure and spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured using the GAITRite® system at baseline and post-intervention. Results Compared with the control group, the robot-assisted group showed a greater increase in heel contact area (p = 0.014), greater reductions in forefoot contact area (p = 0.016) and forefoot peak plantar pressure (p = 0.026), and significant time × group interactions for heel contact area (F = 7.273, p = 0.011), forefoot contact area (F = 5.042, p = 0.031), and forefoot peak plantar pressure (F = 5.535, p = 0.024). The robot-assisted group also showed reduced step length (p = 0.005), stride length (p = 0.005), single support time (p = 0.032), and swing phase duration (p = 0.037), along with increased stance phase duration (p = 0.041). Conclusion Short-term training with a hip extensor-assistive soft wearable robotic suit was associated with changes in plantar loading and gait cycle patterns under device-free assessment conditions, suggesting that gait pattern modifications may occur after repeated training sessions.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effects of four days of Rhodiola Rosea (RR) supplementation on bench-press and bench-pull exercises under resting or mental fatigue conditions in young healthy individuals. Methods: Eighteen participants (seven women) visited the laboratory on five occasions separated by 7 days—one preliminary session and four experimental sessions. In the preliminary session, participants were familiarised with the Stroop and Multiple Object Tracking tests, after which their one-repetition maximum loads for bench presses and bench pulls were determined. The four experimental sessions had the same protocol, differing only in the supplement (RR or placebo) and mental task conditions (Stroop test or control video). Participants were assigned randomly and counterbalanced to each experimental condition: (I) RR and Stroop test, (II) RR and control video, (III) placebo and Stroop test, and (IV) placebo and control video. Results: The main findings indicate that RR supplementation has trivial-to-small effects in terms of mental fatigue, visuo-cognitive processing, or perceived exertion. However, RR was significantly superior to placebo on strength performance in the control video condition during some sets, as it increased the number of repetitions performed in the bench press and the fastest velocity in the bench pull. Out of 52 comparisons, 17 small effect sizes were observed, with 14 favouring RR and 3 favouring placebo, with the remaining differences being trivial. Conclusions: These results suggest that short-term RR supplementation is safe and provides its main ergogenic effects on physical performance rather than in visuo-cognitive or mental outcomes.

PURPOSE Interset rest (ISR) is a variable of resistance training (RT) that has received limited attention and focused mainly on the length of the ISR rather than examining the effects of different stimuli when using the same ISR duration. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2-minute passive (PAS) or active ISR (ACT) on intraset velocity loss, blood lactate concentrations, and rating of perceived exertion during bench press in resistance-trained men. METHODS Fourteen participants (23.64 [2.02] y, 82.79 [10.74] kg, 181.50 [7.02] m, maximal power in bench press 660 [113] W) completed 2 RT sessions of 5 × 8 repetitions at maximal velocity using individual optimal load for maximal power output with 2-minute PAS or ACT ISR. During the ACT, participants completed repetitions of vertical chest press at 5% to 10% 1-repetition maximum at a controlled velocity. The intraset velocity loss was measured using a lineal encoder, and blood lactate concentrations and rating of perceived exertion before and after each set were registered. RESULTS Intraset velocity loss was lower in ACT compared with the PAS protocol, without statistically significant differences (P = .571). Blood lactate concentrations increased across the session for both ISR protocols, but this increase was diminished in ACT compared with PAS, without statistical meaning (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Continuing to perform the same activation during rest intervals was well-tolerated and may reduce the loss of performance due to accumulated workload throughout an RT session, suggesting that ACT may trigger a metabolic advantage in exercise performance for consecutive sets during an RT bout.

This study examined the relationships between fatigue-related blood biomarkers, training load distribution, and performance changes in elite triathletes across a structured training season. Twenty athletes (11 international-level and 9 national-level) were monitored. Exercise stimuli were quantified using objective and subjective metrics during the general and specific preparatory periods, with each microcycle classified as heavy, moderate, or low according to accumulated weekly load. Baseline and follow-up blood samples were collected to assess urea and creatine kinase (CK), and an incremental cycling test with gas analysis was performed at the beginning and end of the training period to evaluate changes in physiological performance. Statistical analyses assessed pre–post differences, while correlation analyses explored associations between training load, biomarker responses, and performance outcomes. Urea concentrations increased significantly during severe (p < 0.001; ES: 2.1) and moderate (p < 0.001; ES: 1.2) load microcycles compared with baseline, whereas CK showed no meaningful associations across the season. Greater accumulated subjective training load was associated with larger increases in urea (ϱ = 0.67; p < 0.05), whereas a more favorable balance between the objectively monitored training load and the athlete’s perceived exertion—characterized by lower perceived effort relative to the external load—was associated with smaller urea elevations (ϱ = -0.55; p<0.05). In addition, improvements in relative power at V̇O 2 max and VT2 were negatively associated with increases in urea ((ϱ = -0.65; p < 0.05) (ϱ = -0.68; p < 0.05) respectively). Despite phases of comparable exercise stimuli, no differences in biomarker responses were observed between national- and international-level triathletes. These findings suggest that longitudinal monitoring of urea may provide useful information to help identify potential states of excessive training load in athletes. However, the substantial inter-individual variability observed indicates that isolated biomarker measurements are insufficient to identify non-adaptive responses. Therefore, an individualized, longitudinal, and holistic monitoring framework integrating objective and subjective training load measures is required to better understand training-induced adaptations and fatigue.

Objective Exercise boredom is a pervasive barrier to physical activity adherence; however, no study has examined it as a primary outcome using a multidimensional boredom measure with temporal tracking across exercise settings. This study compared forest bathing and indoor gym exercise on exercise-related boredom, affective responses, perceived restorativeness, and adherence intention. Design This is a randomized, counterbalanced crossover trial with repeated measures at four time points. Methods A total of 34 healthy university students (21 male and 13 female students; mean age = 21.3 years) completed two intensity-matched, 30-min walking sessions (forest-path and indoor treadmill conditions) in a counterbalanced order, separated by a washout period of 7- to 10-days between them. The primary outcome was exercise boredom, assessed using an 8-item adapted Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS; Cronbach’s α = 0.87–0.89). Data were analyzed using a 2 (condition) × 4 (time) repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Greenhouse–Geisser correction. Results A significant condition × time interaction emerged for boredom [ F (1.75, 57.62) = 7.17, p = 0.003, partial η 2 = 0.179]. Post-exercise boredom was lower after forest bathing compared to gym exercise [mean difference = 0.60, 95% confidence interval (0.17, 1.03), d = 0.49]. Boredom decreased during forest walking but increased during treadmill walking ( p < 0.001). Forest bathing resulted in higher affective valence ( d = 0.43), greater perceived restorativeness ( d = 1.84), and stronger adherence intention ( d = 0.37). Ratings of perceived exertion confirmed equivalent exercise intensity. Conclusion Exercise boredom is not merely an individual disposition but a context-sensitive response that is environmentally modifiable. Nature-based exercise warrants further investigation as a strategy for sustaining physical activity engagement.

<h4>Objective</h4>The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, and blood lactate concentration in recreational cricket players between the modified Bruce protocol and the continuous backward medicine ball throw (CBMB) test. The goal was to develop an alternate, inexpensive test for submaximal exercise testing.<h4>Methods</h4>Thirteen recreational cricket players were recruited from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. The heart rate and rate of perceived exertion were recorded at rest during standing, at the time of reaching the ventilatory threshold, and after 1, 2 and 3 minutes of the recovery period during the modified Bruce protocol and continuous backward medicine ball throw test. The blood lactate levels were recorded at rest while standing, at the time of reaching VT, and after 3 minutes of the recovery period during the modified Bruce protocol and the continuous backward medicine ball throw (CBMB) test, and also at the end of stage 1 for modified Bruce protocol and at the end of 10 reps for continuous backward medicine ball throw test.<h4>Results</h4>The mean age of the recreational cricket player in the study was 22.23±1.87 years. Significant 'r' values were found for heart rate <i>(r=.975, p<.001)</i>, and blood lactate concentration <i>(r=.824, p=.001)</i> between the modified Bruce protocol and the continuous backward medicine ball throw test.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The continuous backward medicine ball throw (CBMB) test for submaximal exercise testing showed validity when compared to the Bruce protocol in recreational cricket players.

In this PCC-funded project, scientists examined the acute effects of real-world training on 26 circulating steroids in blood. They reported rapid changes in key steroid biomarkers, including T:A ratio, that were related to training load and perceived exertion. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Background. Professional athletes increasingly rely on neurophysiology to enhance athleticpotential. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has become one of techniques tomodulate cortical excitability. It can act as ergogenic aid by modifying motor control andfatigue perception.Aim.This systematic review analyzes the impact of tDCS on motor skills, physicalendurance, and cognitive performance. It also addresses the ethical debate surrounding“neurodoping”.Materials and Methods. This systematic review was conducted following PRISMAguidelines. The search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science, and Scopus. 62publications were analyzed, published up to January of 2026. The review focused on anodalstimulation of M1 and DLPFC regions.Results. Findings indicate small to moderate effects on performance. The most consistentresults involve reduced perceived exertion and improved Time-to-Exhaustion (TTE),especially in M1 stimulation. DLPFC stimulation showed benefits in cognitive tasks,decision-making, and emotional regulation. However, significant heterogeneity existed due tovariations in study methodology.Conclusions. tDCS can enhance performance by modulating the perception of effort ratherthan increasing physical capacity. While not currently prohibited by WADA, the highvariability in results shows need for standardized protocols and further research into longterm effects and ethical regulations.

Quick Win Title: Strategic Caffeine for Athletes The Science: Research in the Journal of Sports Sciences shows 3-6mg caffeine/kg body weight 60 minutes pre-workout increases endurance by 12% and reduces perceived exertion. Your Action Plan: 1. Calculate your dose: body weight (kg) × 4mg 2 […]

“Got my lifting program, based on the latest peer reviewed studies on protein synthesis rates, on a spreadsheet with fluctuating rotating percentages based on that days Rate Of Perceived Exertion” is 100% nerdier than anything the D&D kids are doing

Pro Tips: Athletes can use this before competitions or intense sessions to calm nerves and sharpen focus. Don't force the breath. A smooth, controlled exhale is more important than hitting the exact count. Expect Results: You should feel an immediate sense of calm and reduced perceived exertion […]

Alkaline water is increasingly marketed for musculoskeletal and recovery benefits, yet its relevance to healthy aging, sarcopenia prevention, and functional capacity in older adults remains largely unexplored. This systematic evidence map and translational appraisal examined whether the available comparative human evidence on alkaline water is applicable to aging populations and longevity research. Following PRISMA guidance, PubMed and Scopus were searched from January 2005 to September 2025. Eligible studies were controlled or comparative observational human studies reporting muscle strength, physical performance, or recovery outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and JBI criteria; evidence certainty was judged narratively using GRADE-informed principles. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Most enrolled young athletic populations; only two had partial relevance to aging cohorts. Crucially, no study included participants aged 65 years or older or assessed primary sarcopenia-relevant endpoints such as appendicular lean mass, gait speed, or chair-rise performance; this total absence of data in the target demographic represents the central limitation of the current literature. Risk of bias ranged from some concerns to serious. The most consistent signals were short-term improvements in lactate clearance and perceived exertion in young male athletes. Evidence for strength, functional performance, and safety in older adults was absent or indirect. Current evidence, rated low to very low certainty for aging-relevant outcomes, does not support alkaline water as an evidence-based strategy for healthy aging or muscle preservation in older adults. Age-appropriate trials using EWGSOP2-aligned outcomes are urgently needed.

Beetroot enhances nitric oxide, boosting blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles. This optimizes endurance and reduces perceived exertion, crucial for sustained "patience and character" through a demanding match. https://blog.ryzolabs.shop/2026/05/beetroot-capsules-how-this-solves-key.html

The rest redistribution (RR) method is a contemporary approach in resistance training that redistributes the same total duration as the traditional set (TS) method but with shorter and more frequent rest intervals. This study aimed to compare the acute effects of the TS and RR methods on muscle activation, perceived fatigue, and jump performance. Twenty-two sports science students (age: 23.50 ± 3.05 years) with resistance training experience participated in this randomized crossover design study. Participants performed barbell squat exercises at 70% of their one-repetition maximum using three different resistance training protocols: TS (5 sets of 8 repetitions; 3 minutes of rest between sets), RR1 (40 sets of 1 repetition; 18.5 seconds of rest between sets), and RR2 (10 sets of 4 repetitions; 1 minute and 20 seconds of rest between sets). Findings indicated that, in terms of set main effects, significant differences were observed in average and peak muscle activation, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and perceived exertion, while no significant differences were found in group interactions (p &amp;gt; 0.05). However, for the protocol x set interaction, a significant difference was observed only in perceived exertion (p &amp;lt; 0.05). These results suggest that traditional and rest redistribution set structures produce similar performance outcomes under equal training volumes, while lower perceived fatigue is experienced with the traditional set protocol during ongoing sets. In contrast, general training evaluations revealed lower perceived fatigue with the RR2 protocol.

C. Skordis1, S. Nanas1, A. Philippou11National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, GreeceBackground: Acupuncture is especially popular in sports medicine and related fields. Relative studies have revealed that the prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) among intercollegiate student athletes of University of Hawaii was 56%, higher than the respective in adults in the United States and Hawaii. This is because it is a more natural, safe and legal method as opposed to doping, affecting important functional parameters such as muscle performance.Purpose: This systematic review aims to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture on physiological, neuromuscular and hormonal parameters in aerobic sports.Methods: The study protocol was based on PRISMA. The studies were selected by comprehensive searching through the following databases: PubMed, PEDro, Google Scholar, Cochrane and Taylor & Francis. A variety of key words entered in the search algorithm in a total of 54 potential combinations: “Acupuncture” “Traditional Chinese Acupuncture”, “Dry needling”, “Aerobic sports”, “Endurance sports”, “Physiological parameters”, “Neuromuscular parameters”, “Hormonal parameters”, “Haemodynamic parameters” “Strength”, “DOMS”, “Physical performance” and “Human performance”. A total of 436 articles was revealed. After title screening and application of inclusion -studies published in full text, athletes participating in aerobic sports, acupuncture as a sole treatment in the intervention group, at least one physiological/neuromuscular/hormonal examined variable- and exclusion criteria -systematic or semi-systematic reviews, reviews, meta-analyses, book chapters, theses-, 430 articles were removed and 6 studies were finally included. Methodological quality of the selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was evaluated with PEDro scale. Five or more was considered an acceptable score.Results: The mean age of the participants in all 6 studies was 19.3 years (SD=4.56). One out of 6 studies was RCT and its score was 7 (i.e. of high methodological quality). In addition, 2 prospective feasibility and 2 experimental studies, as well as and 1 prospective, single-blind, patient as own control, crossover study were included in this systematic review. The majority of them was assessed Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and blood lactate concentration using a VAS scale and a lactate analyser, respectively. Other outcome measures were ROM of Straight Leg Raise (SLR) and hip internal rotation, perceived exertion, VO2, max, HR, max, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and cortisol level in saliva. The findings demonstrated positive effect of acupuncture in all the variables assessed.Conclusion(s): This review provides strong indication that acupuncture can be practised in aerobic sports with initial positive indications. Further, high-quality research studies are required in order more reliable results to be collected. The evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture in other sports such as martial arts, or the comparison between biomedical and Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA), or with other evidence-based therapeutic interventions is also needed, combining larger sample sizes and a matched-control experimental design.Implications: The present systematic review provides initial evidence that acupuncture may contribute to improve physiological, neuromuscular and hormonal parameters in aerobic sports. Further, methodologically more solid research is required to support the suggestion for the use of acupuncture in usual clinical practice.Funding, acknowledgements: N/AKeywords: Acupuncture, Aerobic sports, Physiological/Neuromuscular/Hormonal parametersTopic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activityDid this work require ethics approval? NoInstitution: National and Kapodistrian University of AthensCommittee: Ethics committee of National and Kapodistrian University of AthensReason: The type of this study (systematic review) does not require ethics approvalAll authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.

Introduction Olfactory stimuli may alter appetite, affective responses, and exercise performance through psychobiological processes. However, whether odor-induced changes in appetite and pleasantness translate into measurable improvements in resistance exercise performance remains unclear. This exploratory study investigated whether exposure to chocolate-related odors alters appetite perception, odor pleasantness, and resistance exercise capacity in moderately trained men. Methods Twenty-three participants completed a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial with three odor conditions presented as freshly prepared liquid stimuli: 90% dark chocolate, 60% milk chocolate, and a water-based control. Appetite perception and odor pleasantness were assessed using 100-mm visual analog scales, and perceived exertion was assessed using the Borg CR10 scale. Ratings were obtained at baseline and after odor exposure. Participants then performed repeated 10-repetition leg-extension sets at 80% of 10RM to volitional exhaustion with 3.5-min rest intervals. Odors were presented before each set, followed by assessments of appetite, pleasantness, and ratings of perceived exertion. Results Condition significantly affected total repetitions (Wald χ ²(2) = 71.15, p &amp;lt; 0.01) and total sets (Wald χ ²(2) = 21.27, p &amp;lt; 0.01). Total repetitions were greater with 90% dark chocolate than with control (+18, 95% CI 13.8 to 22.1, p &amp;lt; 0.01) and greater with 60% milk chocolate than with control (+9, p &amp;lt; 0.01). Ratings of perceived exertion increased across sets ( p &amp;lt; 0.01) but did not differ between conditions. Before exercise, 90% dark chocolate reduced appetite-related ratings, whereas 60% milk chocolate increased odor pleasantness. Discussion These findings indicate that chocolate-related odors can modulate appetite and hedonic responses while increasing resistance-exercise volume, without clear increases in post-set perceived exertion. Chocolate-related odors may offer a non-nutritive approach to support fasted resistance exercise, although further work is needed to confirm the mechanisms and generalizability of these effects.

Background Cognitive fatigue (CF), characterized by decrements in executive function and heightened subjective exhaustion resulting from prolonged cognitive exertion, has emerged as a critical determinant of athletic performance and psychophysiological wellbeing. Despite the exponential growth in research output, systematic quantitative analyses of the intellectual structure, evolutionary trajectory, and emerging frontiers within this domain remain scarce. Methods Drawing upon the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases, this study retrieved publications addressing exercise and cognitive fatigue from 1998 to 2025 using the search strategy: TS = (“physical activity” OR exercise OR sport*) AND TS = (“mental fatigue” OR “cognitive fatigue” OR “mental fog” OR “cognitive weariness*” OR “cognitive exhaustion*”). Following systematic screening, 820 articles were included for bibliometric analysis utilizing Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. Results Publication output rose modestly (1.84% annually), peaking in 2025 ( n = 106), likely reflecting post-pandemic mental health research expansion and portable neurotechnology adoption. The US and China led productivity; the UK showed highest citation impact (48.16/article), suggesting influential contributions, though this may reflect publication timing and foundational works. Vrije Universiteit Brussel and University of Birmingham topped institutional output, reflecting sustained contributions within the Marcora, Meeusen, and Roelands traditions. Frontiers in Psychology was most influential. Keywords shifted from laboratory tasks to ecologically valid sport contexts (“football,” “team sports”). Thematic evolution moved from “chronic fatigue syndrome” to “perceived exertion” and “depression,” then to “executive function” and “combat sports”—indicating a gradual shift from descriptive symptoms to integrated cognitive-affective-physiological mechanisms. “Cognitive effort,” “physical fatigue,” and “executive function” occupied the motor themes quadrant in 2024–2025, signaling mature, structurally central topics. Findings suggest emerging brain-body-performance integration. Conclusion This study traces an evolution from pathological fatigue measurement to executive function precision assessment. Bibliometric indicators reveal growing emphasis on cognitive effort as a motor modulator, with co-occurrence patterns identifying dual clusters around subjective perception and performance parameters. Whether this bibliographic convergence reflects validated physiological mechanisms or emerging theoretical hypotheses requires further primary experimental investigation. This analysis provides a complementary, field-level perspective that complements, rather than replaces, primary experimental research.

Exercise is increasingly acknowledged as an effective intervention for depression, yet the biological mechanisms underlying its antidepressant effects remain incompletely defined. Conventional models have emphasized brain-centered pathways, including BDNF signaling, monoaminergic modulation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation, hippocampal neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. These mechanisms are important, but they may not fully explain depression phenotypes characterized by elevated inflammatory burden, fatigue, anhedonia, diminished motivation, psychomotor slowing, cognitive inefficiency, and altered peripheral immune activity. This review proposes that exercise-induced lactate should be considered not only as a metabolic substrate or byproduct, but also as a dynamic immunometabolic signal. Appropriately dosed exercise can generate a transient and recoverable lactate pulse that may be detected by immune, vascular, and brain-associated cells through hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1, also known as HCAR1 or GPR81. We propose that the lactate-HCAR1 axis could represent a candidate mechanism linking exercise metabolism to bone marrow myeloid regulation, peripheral inflammatory tone, brain vascular and border interfaces, glial responses, and inflammation-related depressive symptom dimensions. The framework integrates skeletal muscle metabolism, myelopoiesis, peripheral myeloid cells, blood-brain interfaces, microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells into a cross-organ model of exercise psychiatry. Importantly, the strength of evidence differs across this pathway: some components are supported by human exercise physiology or preclinical causal studies, whereas others remain inferential and require validation in patients with depression. We therefore frame lactate-informed exercise prescription as a testable translational hypothesis rather than a clinically established strategy. Future studies should examine lactate kinetics, inflammatory biomarkers, immune cell phenotypes, symptom dimensions, safety, recovery dynamics, and comparisons with conventional heart-rate-, VO 2 -, or perceived-exertion-based prescriptions. If validated, this framework may help identify which patients benefit from exercise, which biological responses are meaningful, and how exercise can be studied as a quantifiable immunometabolic intervention.

The shoes definitely help, but there are all sorts of other innovations that get far less press. More is known about optimal fuelling, hydration and sleep. Improve those and you improve your daily training. Better quality training compounds and allows you to reach closer to your talent ceiling. Kerr also had a system set up so his bedroom had less oxygen than the rest of his house (to mimic sleeping at altitude). He had two pacers breaking the air for the first 1,000m (although he had to do it himself the rest of the way, which was bloody impressive). Meant he could relax mentally for the first 2.5 laps and didn&#x27;t have to focus on pace. I think El Guerrouj set the previous WR in a race without pacers. They also had pacing lights on the track which helps the pacers run at an even pace. And there are all sorts of innovations like taking sodium bicarbonate to reduce muscle acidity, nitrates to dilate the veins and increase blood flow to muscles and high doses of caffeine to reduce the rate of perceived exertion. As someone else mentioned, track surfaces are generally a little bouncier now than they used to be.