Since traditional sport-specific training or exercise programs do not create enough stimulus to improve the function of the respiratory muscles, the rationale to introduce respiratory muscle training (RMT) emerged. RMT is associated with improved endurance performance and pulmonary function, and it reduced respiratory fatigue, perceived exertion, or breathlessness. The purpose of this article is to provide coaches with tools to select the appropriate form of RMT in the context of the athletes’ needs, using appropriate methods, techniques, devices, and testing protocols. The video abstract is presented in Supplemental Digital Content as SDC 1
This column reviews recent literature that investigated the appropriateness of a commonly utilized on-duty exercise training modality for firefighters and describes the occupational demands of specialist tactical police officers.
Both unilateral and bilateral training should be used to optimally develop basketball players. This article compares single-leg and double-leg training options and provides considerations and potential implications for training basketball athletes.
CoachesExercise TechniqueProgram designsingle-leg trainingbasketball conditioningdouble-leg trainingbilateral trainingUnilateral training
Soldiers in today’s Army should be exposed to realistic and stressful training scenarios. Additionally, they should be educated on the physical, psychological, and cognitive effects of combat and fatigue. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (AROTC) cadets are an ideal training audience since they are already immersed in an academic environment.
TSAC FacilitatorsProgram designProfessional DevelopmentROTCTactical AthleteMilitary TrainingCadet Training
Periodization of training is based on the principle that different loads (e.g., light, moderate, or heavy) or power requirements recruit different types and numbers of motor units. Recruitment order is important from a practical standpoint for several reasons.
CoachesExercise Sciencekinetic selectstrength and conditioningstrength training
Periodization of training is based on the principle that different loads (e.g., light, moderate, or heavy) or power requirements recruit different types and numbers of motor units. Recruitment order is important from a practical standpoint for several reasons.
CoachesExercise Sciencestrength and conditioningstrength training
This article discusses the variability in physical testing outcomes for law enforcement recruits based on the ambient temperatures and relative humidity present on test day.
TSAC FacilitatorsTesting and EvaluationLaw EnforcementFitness TestingRecruitsTemperatureRelative Humidity
An emerging body of research has explored the potential ergogenic effects of noninvasive interset recovery strategies involving the application of cold substances to the extremities distal to exercising muscles (e.g., palms of the hands or the soles of the feet). It was suggested that such strategies may acutely enhance resistance training (RT) performance by augmenting excitation and motor unit recruitment of the working muscles through enhanced stimulation of the central nervous system, resulting in greater force production and the ability to perform more repetitions to fatigue. Moreover, peripheral stimuli such as distal cooling may acutely reduce the sensation of distress during RT, allowing individuals to tolerate more exercise and achieve higher training volumes. Although there is some evidence that interset distal cooling confers an ergogenic benefit during RT, certain methodological considerations, a paucity of longitudinal research, and contrasting findings call into question its effectiveness. Thus, the purpose of this review is to assess the current evidence regarding the effects of interset palm and sole cooling on RT performance outcomes.