Research

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study assessed the mechanical and performance effects of wearing knee wraps during the back squat at 80% 1RM. Results showed increased vertical impulse and peak power output when knee wraps were worn, likely due to the elastic energy stored during the descent and released during the ascent. However, knee […]

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 […]

By Rob Shaul, Founder BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) Ten 60-minute sessions of sandbag drags at a controlled Zone 2 heart rate resulted in an 11% improvement in a loaded step-up assessment, also conducted at Zone 2. While this is a single-subject case study, it suggests that extended, loaded drags may effectively train uphill movement […]