Research

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This multi-study paper investigates the minimum effective training dose (METD) needed to produce meaningful 1-repetition maximum (1RM) strength gains in powerlifters. The authors concluded that 3–6 weekly working sets of 1–5 reps at >80% 1RM and RPE 7.5–9.5, over 6–12 weeks, are sufficient to elicit 1RM improvements. The RPE, or Rate of Perceived […]

By Emmett Shaul BLUF  A pilot study examined the effects of Alaska backcountry expeditionary hunting on skeletal muscle protein synthesis under conditions of physical and nutrient stress. The study found that despite significant negative energy balance and weight loss , participants maintained skeletal muscle mass. The study also found that muscle protein synthesis (MPS) increased […]

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This scoping review compared the long-term effects of Polarized Training (POL) with other Training Intensity Distribution (TID) models—Pyramidal (PYR), Threshold (THR), and Block Training (BT)—on endurance performance and physiological adaptations. In endurance athletes ranging from trained to world-class (Tiers 2–5), POL and PYR models were generally more effective than THR […]

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) This study compared High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) with Traditional Military Physical Training (TMPT) over a 19-week period in conscripts. HIFT proved to be a more effective and time-efficient approach for improving aerobic endurance and strength, despite incorporating less total running volume than TMPT. HIFT resulted in greater improvements in aerobic capacity, upper- and lower-body strength, […]

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”