Research

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study systematically reviewed 301 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 377 treatment comparisons assessing the efficacy of 56 different non-surgical and non-interventional treatments for acute (<12 weeks) and chronic (≥12 weeks) low back pain against placebo. The findings indicate that only 10% of the treatments provided statistically significant but small […]

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study examines the physical attributes essential for military tasks—load carriage, manual material handling, and casualty evacuation—and evaluates training methods to optimize performance. Strength and aerobic conditioning are key, with load carriage benefiting from combined resistance, endurance, and load carriage training, while manual material handling and casualty evacuation rely on structured strength […]

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) Military operational training—designed to mimic combat and survival stress—leads to significant short-term declines in physical performance. This meta-analysis of 17 studies (N = 1,592) found consistent reductions in lower body power and muscular endurance following training. These performance drops are attributed to combined stressors like sleep deprivation, caloric deficit, and […]

By Jonathan Edwards, MTI Athlete Team Lactate threshold (commonly referred to as LT, LT2, or anaerobic threshold) is a key metric in predicting performance in endurance events. It is the intensity at which your body starts accumulating lactate faster than it can clear it, and it’s directly linked to performance over long distances. Athletes commonly […]

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): This 2023 study, authored by LT Sawyer J. Rogers and LT William C. Weldin at the Naval Postgraduate School, analyzes over 232,000 training data points from the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) program to identify human characteristics that correlate with successful training evolution outcomes. Key findings indicate that older, married, and […]

“Key aspects of trail design: flow, sustainability, risk management, and rider experience optimization”

  BLUF Findings from two studies (Lander et al., 1992; Zink et al., 2001) indicate that weight belts increase intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), improve squat speed, and influence movement velocity but do not significantly alter joint kinematics or muscle activation patterns. IAP may help reduce spinal compression by distributing forces within the trunk. Belted squats were […]

BLUF A recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research examined a more efficient method for estimating the one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the free-weight back squat. The researchers compared nine different 1RM estimation approaches based on velocity recordings, concluding that the 2-Point Method combined with the Optimal Minimal Velocity Threshold (MVT) provided […]

By Rob Shaul Based on Karpęcka-Gałka, E., & Frączek, B. (2024). Nutrition, hydration and supplementation considerations for mountaineers in high-altitude conditions: A narrative review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1435494. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1435494 BLUF: Mountaineering at high altitudes (>2,500 m) presents unique physiological challenges due to hypoxia, cold exposure, and increased energy demands. A systematic […]

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study examines the relationship between maximal and explosive strength and punch impact force in elite amateur and professional boxers. The findings indicate that lower-body strength and explosive power strongly correlate with greater punch impact force, while upper-body maximal strength has little impact. However, a major limitation of the study […]