Research Review: Poles Reduce Ground Force by Over 5% and Boost Uphill Performance

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study tested whether trekking poles reduce leg strain during steep uphill movement. Fifteen trained trail runners performed treadmill and outdoor uphill climbs with and without poles, both at moderate and maximum effort. Using force sensors and metabolic testing, researchers found that poles consistently reduced impact on the legs—especially during […]

Research Review: How Fatigue Alters Movement During Loaded Ruck Marches

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study examined how fatigue changes soldiers’ movement mechanics during a loaded ruck march. Using wearable sensors during a 7+ mile field march, researchers tracked gait and torso movement among 70 infantrymen from the 82nd Airborne Division. As the march progressed, fatigue led to clear biomechanical changes: stride length shortened, […]

Research Review: Monitoring the Return to Sport Transition After ACL Injury – An Alpine Ski Racing Case Study

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) An elite female alpine ski racer’s return-to-sport journey after ACL reconstruction was managed through a comprehensive, individualized, milestone-driven plan designed by an interdisciplinary team. Despite returning to snow within 7 months, neuromuscular deficits and asymmetries persisted for up to 18 months. The case highlights the critical importance of continuous neuromuscular […]

Research Review: In-Season Strength Maintenance Training Increases Well-Trained Cyclists’ Performance

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): This study investigated how different maintenance strength training frequencies during the competitive cycling season impact cycling performance. It found that continuing strength training once per week helped maintain and even improve strength and endurance markers in elite cyclists, while completely stopping strength training led to declines. The findings reinforce the […]

Research Round-Up: Asymmetrical Transfer of Strength in Untrained Limbs

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study investigates whether strength gains from unilateral training transfer more effectively to the contralateral limb on the same (ipsilateral) side of the body than across sides. The researchers explored if training one limb (e.g., left arm) improves strength more in the untrained ipsilateral leg (left leg) or the contralateral […]

Research Review: General Aerobic Base Doesn’t Transfer to the Demands of Sport Climbing

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study confirms that general aerobic capacity has no meaningful relationship to climbing-specific aerobic capacity or performance. In contrast, forearm oxidative recovery, oxygen use in the forearms during climbing, and climbing-specific VO₂peak (measured on a treadwall) were all strong predictors of red-point climbing ability. When combined, these three measures explained 67% of […]

Research Review: Climbing Performance Testing — A Systematic Review

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) This extensive systematic review analyzed 156 studies and identified 429 unique performance, strength, endurance, and flexibility tests used in climbing. The authors found a lack of consistency in testing protocols and a widespread absence of quality metrics (validity and reliability), making it difficult to recommend standardized tests. However, several tests […]

Research Review: Real-World Load Conditions Reveal Gaps in Police Standard Fitness Testing

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study investigated whether wearing a full police uniform affects performance on the Dutch National Police Physical Competence Test (PCT). Results showed that wearing the uniform significantly slowed completion time, increased perceived exertion (RPE), and elevated cumulative physiological load. While physiological intensity did not differ significantly, performance declines were seen […]

×

CART

No products in the cart.