https://www.healio.com/psychiatry/journals/psycann/1976-12-6-12/{806b8887-c02e-40c8-a228-57f1cdb2bdba}/the-stress-of-life.pdf

The stress of life

Linear loading, the two-for-two rule, percent of one repetition maximum (1RM), RM zones, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), repetitions in reserve, set-repetition best, autoregulatory progressive resistance exercise (APRE), and velocity-based training (VBT) are all methods of adjusting resistance training intensity. Each method has advantages and disadvantages that strength and conditioning practitioners should be aware of when measuring and monitoring strength characteristics. The linear loading and 2-for-2 methods may be beneficial for novice athletes; however, they may be limited in their capacity to provide athletes with variation and detrimental if used exclusively for long periods of time. The percent of 1RM and RM zone methods may provide athletes with more variation and greater potential for strength-power adaptations; however, they fail to account for daily changes in athlete's performance capabilities. An athlete's daily readiness can be addressed to various extents by both subjective (e.g., RPE, repetitions in reserve, set-repetition best, and APRE) and objective (e.g., VBT) load adjustment methods. Future resistance training monitoring may aim to include a combination of measures that quantify outcome (e.g., velocity, load, time, etc.) with process (e.g., variability, coordination, efficiency, etc.) relevant to the stage of learning or the task being performed. Load adjustment and monitoring methods should be used to supplement and guide the practitioner, quantify what the practitioner 'sees', and provide longitudinal data to assist in reviewing athlete development and providing baselines for the rate of expected development in resistance training when an athlete returns to sport from injury or large training load reductions.

Training for Muscular Strength: Methods for Monitoring and Adjusting Training Intensity.

The mental health of student-athletes: a systematic scoping review

ABSTRACT We estimated the effectiveness of using velocity feedback to regulate resistance training load on changes in muscle strength, power, and linear sprint speed in apparently healthy participants. Academic and grey literature databases were systematically searched to identify randomised trials that compared a velocity-based training intervention to a ‘traditional' resistance training intervention that did not use velocity feedback. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) were pooled using a random effects model. Risk of bias was assessed with the Risk of Bias 2 tool and the quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Four trials met the eligibility criteria, comprising 27 effect estimates and 88 participants. The main analyses showed trivial differences and imprecise interval estimates for effects on muscle strength (SMD 0.06, 95% CI −0.51–0.63; I2 = 42.9%; 10 effects from 4 studies; low-quality evidence), power (SMD 0.11, 95% CI −0.28–0.49; I2 = 13.5%; 10 effects from 3 studies; low-quality evidence), and sprint speed (SMD −0.10, 95% CI −0.72–0.53; I2 = 30.0%; 7 effects from 2 studies; very low-quality evidence). The results were robust to various sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, there is currently no evidence that VBT and traditional resistance training methods lead to different alterations in muscle strength, power, or linear sprint speed.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02640414.2022.2059320?needAccess=true

Comparison of the effects of velocity-based vs. traditional resistance training methods on adaptations in strength, power, and sprint speed: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and quality of evidence appraisal

The immense pressure faced by college student-athletes to balance participation in sports with other responsibilities can contribute to unhealthy coping behaviors including alcohol and drug use. We administered online surveys to 188 college student-athletes to examine stress, athletics-related anxiety, and perceived control of stress as predictors of binge drinking, substance use, and associated risk behaviors. Participants rated athletics as the second greatest source of stress in their lives, trailing only academics. Athletics-related anxiety was a significant predictor of cannabis use and substance-related risk behaviors, and represents an understudied area in the literature. Reports of alcohol and drug use in our sample were comparable to national surveys of student-athletes, but opioid misuse was troublingly high. Participants over the age of 21 and males were more likely to report substance use and risk behaviors. Athletes are susceptible to orthopedic injury and associated pain, which may lead to early exposure to opioids with high potential for abuse. Interventions for this population must target social contributors to substance use among student-athletes, opioid prescription and misuse as a gateway to opioid use disorders, and untreated anxiety as a potential driver of substance use, including anxiety associated with athletic performance.

/pdf/stress-anxiety-binge-drinking-and-substance-use-among-trh46w9x6e.pdf

Stress, Anxiety, Binge Drinking, and Substance Use Among College Student-Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

College students are required to manage a variety of stressors related to academic, social, and financial commitments. In addition to the burdens facing most college students, collegiate athletes must devote a substantial amount of time to improving their sporting abilities. The strength and conditioning professional sees the athlete on nearly a daily basis and is able to recognize the changes in performance and behavior an athlete may exhibit as a result of these stressors. As such, the strength and conditioning professional may serve an integral role in the monitoring of these stressors and may be able to alter training programs to improve both performance and wellness. The purpose of this paper is to discuss stressors experienced by collegiate athletes, developing an early detection system through monitoring techniques that identify the detrimental effects of stress, and discuss appropriate stress management strategies for this population.

/pdf/stress-in-academic-and-athletic-performance-in-collegiate-163hd6pm1j.pdf

Stress in Academic and Athletic Performance in Collegiate Athletes: A Narrative Review of Sources and Monitoring Strategies.

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are often called upon to perform physically demanding tasks as part of their normal job duties. Physical ability tests (PATs) are frequently used by employers within physically demanding occupations to determine an individual’s ability to perform essential occupational tasks. Trainees and qualified officers need to understand the physical fitness demands associated with successful performance in each component in order to be physically prepared to perform PATs and related occupational tasks. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences existed between high, average, and low performers on an occupationally specific PAT based on fitness, sex, and anthropometric characteristics among state patrol officers. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 275 LEOs (age = 38.0 ± 7.6 yr; females, n = 19; males, n = 256; body mass = 91.1 ± 15.0 kg). Physical fitness measures, included: body fat % (BF), vertical jump (VJ), sit-and-reach test (SR), 1-minute sit-up (SU), 1-minute push-up (PU), and 2.4 km run time (2.4R). The PAT consisted of several tasks, such as a simulated pursuit, victim drag, vehicle push, traversing an embankment, low crawl, and barrier jump. A principal component analysis was utilized to determine differences in performance between high, moderate and low performers on the PAT. Where possible, the data were also analyzed by sex. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed that lower dynamic fitness and BF explained 50% of the variance in PAT performance between groups, with flexibility explaining an additional 15% of the variance. PAT performance was also predicted by 2.4R in both sexes, and by 2.4R, SR, SU, and age in men. CONCLUSION: Physical fitness relates to several occupational demands in law enforcement. When designing programs to assist LEO with improving their performance on PAT and occupational tasks, strength and conditioning professionals should focus on developing aerobic capacity, trunk muscular endurance, and whole-body anaerobic power. Introduction Methods Physical ability tests (PATs) are frequently used by organizations with physically demanding occupations to determine the level of an individual’s ability to perform essential occupational tasks (Arvey et al. 1992; Stanish, 1996; Dawes et al., 2015; Dawes et al., 2017). Many agencies have developed their own PATs to evaluate job performance of sworn officers. Understanding the physical fitness components associated with successful performance in each component is vital if trainees and qualified officers are to be physically prepared to perform these PATs and the related occupational tasks. Although several studies have investigated the relationship between physical fitness and PAT performance among LEOs (Stanish, 1996; Dawes et al., 2015; Dawes et al., 2017), differences in the physical fitness and anthropometric characteristics between high, average and low performers by sex in a PAT has not been specifically investigated in LEO. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences existed between high, average, and low performers on an occupationally specific PAT based on fitness, sex, and anthropometric characteristics among patrol officers. Results

/pdf/fitness-levels-explain-differences-in-performance-on-a-2di04bunm3.pdf

Fitness levels explain differences in performance on a patrol officer specific physical ability test

Firefighters are required to perform a wide array of physically demanding job tasks, such as forcible entry, charged hose advances and victim extractions. An adequate level of muscular strength and power are required to successfully perform these tasks. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in stronger and weaker firefighters in measures of power. Archived data for twenty-seven (age = 34.3 ± 7.9 yr, body height = 176.3 ± 7.2 cm, body mass = 89.4 ± 15.7 kg) full-time firefighters were analyzed. Participants were placed into one of two groups [i.e., stronger (HIGH) (n = 13) and weaker (LOW) (n = 14)], based on their relative isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTPr) performance. Power measures included counter-movement jump (CMJ) height, and peak anaerobic power in watts (PAPW). Significant mean score differences were not discovered between HIGH and LOW IMTPr groups on any measures of lower-body power. Moderate positive correlations were observed between IMTP and CMJ (r = .519; p = .01). This study identified significant differences in absolute and relative strength between firefighters who were able to lift at least 2.0× their bodyweight versus those who were not. Additionally, absolute strength (as assessed by the IMTP) was significantly and positively correlated to CMJ height when compared to their weaker counterparts. These findings may provide insight into approaches for improving occupational performance and durability through the physical development of firefighters via strength and conditioning programs which focus on developing absolute strength, relative strength, and power.

Melissa Uftring

Papers

Stress in Academic and Athletic Performance in Collegiate Athletes: A Narrative Review of Sources and Monitoring Strategies.

Fitness levels explain differences in performance on a patrol officer specific physical ability test

Differences in Stronger Versus Weaker Firefighters in Selected Measures of Power.