Kinematic and sEMG Analysis of the Back Squat at Different Intensities With and Without Knee Wraps

Convergent Validity of Ratings of Perceived Exertion During Resistance Exercise in Healthy Participants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

The validity of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during aerobic training is well established; however, its validity during resistance exercise is less clear. This meta-analysis used the known relationships between RPE and exercise intensity (EI), heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BLa), blood pressure (BP) and electromyography (EMG) to determine the convergent validity of RPE as a measure of resistance exercise intensity and physiological exertion, during different forms of resistance exercise. Additionally, this study aims to assess the effect of several moderator variables on the strength of the validity coefficients, so that clearer guidance can be given on the use of RPE during resistance exercise.

Methods

An online search of 4 databases and websites (PubMed, Web of Science SPORTDiscus and ResearchGate) was conducted up to 28 February 2020. Additionally, the reference lists of the included articles were inspected manually for further unidentified studies. The inclusion criteria were healthy participants of any age, a rating scale used to measure RPE, resistance exercise of any type, one cohort receiving no other intervention, and must present data from one of the following outcome measures: EI, HR, BP, EMG or BLa. Weighted mean effect sizes (r) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the τ² and I² statistics. Moderator analysis was conducted using random-effects meta-regression.

Results

One-hundred and eighteen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, with 75 studies (99 unique cohorts) included in the meta-analysis. The overall weighted mean validity coefficient was large (0.88; 95% CI 0.84–0.91) and between studies heterogeneity was very large (τ² = 0.526, I² = 96.1%). Studies using greater workload ranges, isometric muscle actions, and those that manipulated workload or repetition time, showed the highest validity coefficients. Conversely, sex, age, training status, RPE scale used, and outcome measure no significant effect.

Conclusions

RPE provides a valid measure of exercise intensity and physiological exertion during resistance exercise, with effect sizes comparable to or greater than those shown during aerobic exercise. Therefore, RPE may provide an easily accessible means of prescribing and monitoring resistance exercise training.

Trial Registration The systematic review protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42018102640).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40798-021-00386-8.

Effect of a Neoprene Knee Sleeve on Performance and Muscle Activity in Men and Women During High-Intensity, High-Volume Resistance Training

ABSTRACT

Hatfield, DL, Stranieri, AM, Vincent, LM, and Earp, JE. Effect of a neoprene knee sleeve on performance and muscle activity in men and women during high-intensity, high-volume resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 35(12): 3300-3307, 2021-The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a commercially available neoprene knee sleeve (KS) on exercise performance and muscle activity during an exhaustive leg press exercise. Twenty resistance-trained individuals, 11 men {21.0 ± 2.2 years; 77.7 ± 8.7 kg; 1 repetition maximum (1RM/body mass [BM]): 0.30 ± 0.04} and 9 women (22.0 ± 3.5 years; 66.1 ± 9.1 kg; 1RM/BM: 0.30 ± 0.04), all subjects (21.5 ± 2.8 years; 72.5 ± 10.5 kg; 1RM/BM: 0.30 ± 0.04), participated in 3 testing sessions. The second and third sessions were performed using a counterbalanced and randomized design in which subjects exercised with (WS) or without (NS) KSs and performed 6 sets of leg press exercise at 80% of 1RM until failure with a 3-minute rest between sets. Number of repetitions, blood lactate (BL), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and peak and average power were recorded after each set. Surface electromyography (EMG) of the right and left vastus lateralis muscles was also recorded to compare muscle activity between conditions. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05, and values are presented as mean ± SD. No significant differences were observed in the total number of repetitions for all sets (p = 0.3; WS 75.3 ± 33.7, NS 79.8 ± 34.3) and the number of repetitions per set between conditions (p ≤ 0.05) or between men and women. Similarly, no significance differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed for BL, HR, RPE, or EMG per set between conditions or between men and women. These results suggest that wearing compressive neoprene KSs has no effect on improving performance and associated variables during high-load, high-volume lower-body resistance training.

Comparison of muscle activation and kinematics during free-weight back squats with different loads

Although several studies have examined the effects of performing resistance training with different percentages of one-repetition maximum (1-RM), little is known of the neuromuscular effects and kinematics of lifting low to heavy loads with maximal movement velocity. The aim of this study is to compare muscle activation and kinematics in free-weight back squats with different loads. Thirteen resistance-training males (aged 24.2 ± 2.0 years, body mass 81.5 ± 9.1 kg, height 1.78 ± 0.06 m) with 6 ± 3 years of resistance-training experience conducted squats with 30%–100% of 1-RM. Barbell kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and gluteus maximus were measured in the upward phase of each load. With increasing loads, the barbell velocity decreased, the upward phase duration increased, and the peak velocity occurred later. The muscle activation in all muscles increased with increasing loads but was not linear. In general, similar muscle activation in the prime movers was observed for loads between 40% and 60% of 1-RM and between 70% and 90% of 1-RM, with 100% of 1-RM being superior to the other loads when the loads were lifted at maximal intended velocity. However, the timing of maximal muscle activations was not affected by the different loadings for the quadriceps, but the timing was sequential and independent of loading (rectus femoris before vastus medial before vastus lateral). Maximal activation in the gluteus and semitendinosus increased with increasing loads. This means that for muscle activation, maximal lifting velocity may compensate for increased loads, which may allow resistance-trained athletes and individuals in rehabilitation to avoid heavy loads but still get the same muscle activation.

EFFECTS OF ELASTIC WRAP ON MUSCLE ACTIVITY AND ISOMETRIC FORCE OF KNEE EXTENSORS

ABSTRACT Introduction: The elastic knee wrap (EKW) is a device used by powerlifters, weightlifters and subjects undergoing strength training with the aim of stabilizing the knee joint and increasing the development of strength (carryover effect). Objective: To compare the effects of elastic knee wrap use on muscular activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) and on knee extension force during maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) on the knee extensor chair. Methods: The study included 18 healthy male strength trained (>1 year) subjects (age: 25.56 ± 4.84 years, total body mass: 81.83 ± 8.73 kg, height: 176 cm ± 5.17). Three five-second maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) of the knee extensors were performed with a 10-second interval between attempts, for each experimental condition: control (C), with elastic knee wrap (EKW), and with tensor (T). The performance of the knee extensors and VL muscle activity were evaluated. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the dependent variables (carryover, peak force, IEMG and Impulse). Results: For carryover, the use of EKW presented a higher value (74.21%) than the control condition (p <0.001, d = 0.96) and was 79.37% higher than the tensor (p <0.001, d = 0.97). Peak force was 12.2% higher in condition C compared to EKW (p = .018, d = 0.71). For impulse, the control condition presented an increase of 8% compared to EKW use (p = .015, d = 0.62). No significant differences were observed for IEMG. Conclusion: Elastic knee wrap use increased strength production capacity during knee extension. The removal of the mechanical effect originating from carryover during MVIC reduces the strength performance of the knee extensors, but not the muscular activation of the VL. Level of Evidence I; Therapeutic studies - Investigation of treatment results.

ELBOW WRAP IMPROVES BENCH PRESS PERFORMANCE IN TRAINED SUBJECTS

ABSTRACT Introduction: The elastic wrap is widely used by different types of athletes and recreational practitioners of strength training in order to improve weightlifting performance. Objective: The objective was to investigate the acute effects of elbow wrap on strength performance, absolute volume, and rating of perceived exertion/discomfort during the bench press (BP) exercise. Methods: The experimental protocol was divided into three laboratory sessions. At the first session, a bench press familiarization phase was performed with (EW) and without (WEW) elastic elbow wrap. During the second session, the 1RM test was carried out in the bench press exercise under both EW and WEW conditions. At the third session, the repetition maximum (RM) test at 70% of 1RM (EW and WEW) was performed until concentric failure. After each session, subjects were consulted about their rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and discomfort (PSD). A paired student t-test was used to compare the values of 1RM and RMs with and without elastic wraps. Descriptive analysis was used for RPE and PSD. Results: For the 1RM test, there was a significant increase for the EW condition when compared to WEW (p<0.05). In the RMs test and absolute volume calculation, there was a significant increase for the EW condition (p<0.05). RPE did not differ in any of the conditions tested (p>0.05). PSD presented a high degree of discomfort with elastic wraps in all conditions. Conclusion: Elastic elbow wraps increase the load lifted in the 1RM test, and the maximum number of repetitions during the BP exercise, and consequently, the absolute volume. The elastic elbow wrap does not alter the subjective perception of effort, but it increases discomfort during exercise.

Relationship between the rating of perceived exertion scale and the load intensity of resistance training

Studies have reported that the load intensity of Resistance training is related to the rating of perceived exertion scale in healthy subjects. The aim of our column was to evaluate current evidence regarding the relationship between the rating of perceived exertion scale and the load intensity of resistance training.

Efeitos agudos no desempenho do salto vertical após o agachamento com banda elástica de joelho

INTRODUÇÃO: A banda elástica pode afetar o desempenho durante exercícios de alta intensidade, reduzindo a ativação muscular, o que pode influenciar o efeito de potencialização pós-ativação, que depende de alta intensidade para o exercício subsequente que visa potência. Objetivo: Verificar os efeitos agudos no desempenho do salto com contramovimento (SCM) após o agachamento em alta intensidade com e sem o uso da banda elástica de joelhos em sujeitos treinados em força.MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 14 homens (idade: 24 ± 4 anos, estatura: 176 ± 6 cm, massa corporal: 81 ± 11 kg, 1RM: 107 ± 30 kgf), treinados em força (>3 anos). Foram realizados três SCM antes e após três meio-agachamentos a 90% de 1RM nas condições com e sem a banda elástica de joelhos. Durante o SCM foram avaliados ativação muscular (IEMG) do vasto lateral (VL), glúteo máximo (GM), tempo de salto (TS) e impulso (IMP) por meio da força vertical de reação do solo (FRSv).RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que para o TS foi verificada diferença significante entre as condições pós-meio-agachamento (com e sem banda) (P= 0,044, TE = 1,02), sendo que os maiores valores foram observados para a condição sem banda. Para a IEMG de VL foi verificada diferença significante entre as condições pré e pós o meio-agachamento (com banda) (P= 0,029, TE = 1,68), sendo que os maiores valores foram observados para a IEMG com banda. Para a IEMG de GM e para o IMP não foram verificadas diferenças significantes entre as condições.CONCLUSÃO: Após a utilização da banda elástica de joelhos durante o exercício agachamento, ocorreu uma redução na participação do vasto lateral durante o salto com contramovimento, afetando o tempo de contato, mas não a produção de impulso, e consequente desempenho.