Purpose To determine the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation, in the form of red spinach extract (RSE), on adaptations to offseason training in collegiate athletes. Methods: Sixteen Division I male baseball athletes (20.5 +/- 1.7y, 90.4 +/- 0.5 kg) enrolled in this study and were randomized into a RSE (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8; PL) group. Athletes completed an 11-week resistance training program during the offseason, which consisted of 2-3 workouts per week of upper and lower-body exercises and baseball-specific training. Athletes consumed a RSE (2 g; 180 mg nitrate) or PL supplement daily for the entire offseason training program. Pre and post-training, all athletes underwent one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength testing for the bench press and completed a Wingate anaerobic cycle test (WAnT). Body composition analysis was completed via a 4-compartment model, as well as muscle thickness (MT) measurement of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) via ultrasonography. Resting heart rate and blood pressure (BP) were also obtained. Separate repeated measures analyses of variance were used to analyze all data. Results: Significant (p <= 0.05) main effects for time were observed for improved bench 1RM, fat-free mass, body fat percentage, RF MT, and VL MT. No significant group x time interactions (p > 0.05) were found for any measure of performance, body composition, or cardiovascular health. However, a trend for improved peak power in the WAnT was observed (p = 0.095; eta(2)=0.200). Conclusions: These data suggest that daily RSE supplementation had no effect on performance, body composition, or cardiovascular measures in male Division I baseball players following offseason training.

Dietary nitrates have been shown to increase vasodilation, mitochondrial efficiency, muscle contractility, and reduce ATP turnover which has led to improvements in measures of athletic performance in previous work. PURPOSE: To observe the effects of dietary nitrates in the form of red spinach extract (RSE) on Division I collegiate baseball players following off-season training on health and performance measures. METHODS: Division I male baseball athletes (N = 16; 20.5 ± 1.7y; 90.4 ± 10.5 kg; 1.82 ± 0.61 m) participated in this doClinuble-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Before and after 11-weeks of offseason training, athletes were tested for body composition via dual x-ray absorptiometry, muscle thickness (MT) of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) via muscle ultrasonography, resting heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) in addition to a one-repetition maximum (1RM) on bench press and a maximal Wingate anaerobic cycle test (WAnT) to evaluate physical performance. After random assignment, participants consumed 2 g of RSE, or a placebo (PL) (n = 8) daily for 12 weeks. Training consisted of 2-3 days per week of a triphasic undulating resistance training program in addition to sport specific activities. Changes were analyzed using a two factor (Time x Group) between-subjects repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: There were no significant time x group interactions observed for any measure of body composition, physical performance, or health (all p > 0.05). However, a trend for increased peak power in the WAnT was found for the RSE group (p = 0.095; η2 = 0.200). A main effect for time was observed for training improvements in bench press 1RM (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.688), increased fat-free mass (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.737) and MT for the RF and VL (p < 0.001), as well as a decrease in fat mass (p = 0.005; η2 = 0.449) and body fat percentage (p = 0.002; η2 = 0.512). Systolic BP exhibited an increase with both groups combined (p = 0.044; η2 = 0.258) with no other significant changes in HR or BP were found. Compliance for supplement intake averaged 94.9% and no significant differences between groups were observed for macronutrient or calorie intake. CONCLUSION: Chronic dietary nitrate supplementation in the form of RSE may not improve indices of health, performance, or body composition in collegiate baseball athletes.

We sought to determine if 28 days of probiotic supplementation influenced the plasma amino acid (AA) response to acute whey protein feeding. METHODS: Twenty-two recreationally active men (n = 11; 24.3 ± 3.2 yrs; 89.3 ± 7.2 kg) and women (n = 11; 23.0 ± 2.8 yrs; 70.2 ± 15.2 kg) participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Before (PRE) and after 28 days of supplementation (POST), participants reported to the lab following a 10-hr fast and provided a resting blood draw (0 min), then subsequently consumed 25 g of whey protein. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 2 h post-consumption (15–120 min) and later analyzed for plasma leucine, branched-chain AA (BCAA), essential AA (EAA), and total AA (TAA). Participants received a probiotic (PROB) consisting of 1 x10-9 colony forming units (CFU) Bacillus subtilis DE111 (n = 11) or a maltodextrin placebo (PL) (n = 11) for 28 days. Plasma AA response and area under the curve (AUC) values were analyzed via repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Our analysis indicated no significant (p < 0.05) differential responses for plasma leucine, BCAA, EAA, or TAA between PROB and PL from PRE to POST. AUC analysis revealed no group × time interaction for plasma leucine (p = 0.524), BCAA (p = 0.345), EAA (p = 0.512), and TAA (p = 0.712). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that 28 days of Bacillus subtilis DE111 does not affect plasma AA appearance following acute whey protein ingestion.

Toohey, JC, Townsend, JR, Johnson, SB, Toy, AM, Vantrease, WC, Bender, D, Crimi, CC, Stowers, KL, Ruiz, MD, VanDusseldorp, TA, Feito, Y, and Mangine, GT. Effects of probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) supplementation during offseason resistance training in female Division I athletes. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3173-3181, 2020-We examined the effects of probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) supplementation during offseason training in collegiate athletes. Twenty-three Division I female athletes (19.6 ± 1.0 years, 67.5 ± 7.4 kg, and 170.6 ± 6.8 cm) participated in this study and were randomized into either a probiotic (n = 11; DE111) or placebo (n = 12; PL) group while counterbalancing groups for sport. Athletes completed a 10-week resistance training program during the offseason, which consisted of 3-4 workouts per week of upper- and lower-body exercises and sport-specific training. Athletes consumed DE111 (DE111; 5 billion CFU/day) or PL supplement daily for the entire 10-week program. Before and after training, all athletes underwent 1 repetition maximum (1RM) strength testing (squat, deadlift, and bench press), performance testing (vertical jump and pro-agility), and isometric midthigh pull testing. Body composition (body fat [BF]%) was completed using BODPOD and bioelectrical impedance analysis, as well as muscle thickness (MT) measurement of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis using ultrasonography. Separate repeated-measures analyses of variance were used to analyze all data. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) main effects for time were observed for improved squat 1RM, deadlift 1RM, bench press 1RM, vertical jump, RF MT, and BF%. Of these, a significant group × time interaction was noted for BF% (p = 0.015), where greater reductions were observed in DE111 (-2.05 ± 1.38%) compared with PL (-0.2 ± 1.6%). No other group differences were observed. These data suggest that probiotic consumption in conjunction with post-workout nutrition had no effect on physical performance but may improve body composition in female Division I soccer and volleyball players after offseason training.

Vantrease, WC, Townsend, JR, Sapp, PA, Henry, RN, and Johnson, KD. Maximal strength, muscle activation, and bar velocity comparisons between squatting with a traditional or safety squat bar. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-The purpose of this study was to compare strength, muscle activation, and bar velocity between the traditional (TRAD) and safety squat bar (SSB) back squat. Thirty-two men (21.94 ± 3.1 years, 1.78 ± 0.8 m, 81.7 ± 10.1 kg) volunteered to complete this randomized, crossover-design study. Subjects completed 2 separate 1 repetition maximum (1RM) sessions using either the TRAD or SSB. Subsequently, subjects completed 1 session of 3 repetitions at 65 and 85% of their 1RM for each squat condition (SSB & TRAD). Peak muscle activation of 7 muscles from the lower body and trunk was recorded through surface electromyography (EMG), and mean velocity (MV) was recorded by a linear transducer. Electromyography and MV were analyzed by a 2 × 2 (bar × load) repeated-measures analysis of variance. A Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship of 1RM load between bars. Squat 1RM was significantly higher (p < 0.001; 11.6%) for TRAD (144.7 kg) compared with SSB (128.8 kg), and a strong correlation (r = 0.94) was observed between 1RM values of each bar. A significant main effect was seen in EMG (p < 0.001) and MV for load (p < 0.001). No significant bar × load interaction was observed between conditions for any EMG or bar velocity measure (p > 0.05). The SSB produces similar muscle activation and bar velocities compared with the TRAD at relative intensities. However, absolute loads should be adjusted when changing squat bars during a training cycle.

For collegiate football players, an outstanding performance at the NFL scouting combine or an athlete’s college pro-day may increase the likelihood of being drafted or signed to an NFL team. In recent years, it has become common for players to decline playing in bowl games to allow for additional preparation for combine and pro-day performance. PURPOSE: To determine if the duration of combine preparation training influences NFL Combine or Pro Day performance. METHODS: 23 college football players (22.6±0.51 y, 108.8±18.2 kg 1.88±0.07 m) completed a preparation training program leading up to the 2018 NFL combine and college pro-days. Prior to training, all players were assessed in the 40yd dash, 225 bench press test, 3-cone drill, pro-agility test, broad jump and vertical jump. Post-training values were obtained from the players combine or pro-day performances and athlete data were then allocated to two groups: (1) athletes who completed 9-10 weeks of training (n=11) and (2) athletes who completed 6-8 weeks of the same training program (n=12). Combine training consisted of 4 resistance training sessions per week with position and test specific training occurring 6 days a week for the duration of the program. An analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to assess differences in training outcomes for each variable. RESULTS: Significant (p < 0.05) main effects for time were observed for improvements in 40-yard dash times (p = 0.046), 3-cone drill time (p = 0.002), along with 225 bench press repetitions, vertical jump height, broad jump distance, and pro-agility drill time (p < 0.001). There were no significant group by time interactions for any of the physical performance tests. Out of the 23 participants, 3 players were drafted and were on active rosters for the 2018 NFL season, one participant was drafted and signed a practice squad contract, while 5 other participants signed undrafted free agent contracts with various NFL teams. CONCLUSION: It appears that length of combine preparation did not produce significant differences in pro day performance between the two groups. Therefore, NFL hopefuls can improve their combine performance even with a short duration combine training program.

This study examined the effects of whey and pea protein supplementation on physiological adaptations following 8-weeks of high-intensity functional training (HIFT). Fifteen HIFT men (n = 8; 38.6 ± 12.7 y, 1.8 ± 0.1 m, 87.7 ± 15.8 kg) and women (n = 7; 38.9 ± 10.9 y, 1.7 ± 0.10 m, 73.3 ± 10.5 kg) participated in this study. Participants completed an 8-week HIFT program consisting of 4 training sessions per week. Participants consumed 24 g of either whey (n = 8) or pea (n = 7) protein before and after exercise on training days, and in-between meals on non-training days. Before and after training, participants underwent ultrasonography muscle thickness measurement, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), two benchmark WODs (workout of the day), 1-Repetition Maximum (1RM) squat and deadlift testing, and Isometric Mid-thigh Pull (IMTP) performance. Separate analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed on all measures collected at POST. Both groups experienced increased strength for 1RM back squat (p = 0.006) and deadlift (p = 0.008). No training effect (p > 0.05) was found for body composition, muscle thickness, IMTP peak force, IMTP rate of force development, or performance in either WOD. Using PRE values as the covariate, there were no group differences for any measured variable. We conclude that ingestion of whey and pea protein produce similar outcomes in measurements of body composition, muscle thickness, force production, WOD performance and strength following 8-weeks of HIFT.

The NFL scouting combine and college pro-days implement a battery of anthropometric and performance tests to assess college football players attempting to play in the NFL. As such, athletes commonly undergo specific training and nutrition regimens to optimize combine performance to increase their chances of signing with an NFL team. PURPOSE: To observe body composition changes following a training program of different lengths designed to prepare athletes for NFL combine and pro-day performance. METHODS: Seventeen male collegiate football players (21.9±0.43 y, 1.89±0.06 m, 106.7±15.3 kg) participated in a NFL combine preparation program. The combine preparation training consisted of 4 resistance training sessions per week and 6 days per week of position and combine test-specific training. Athletes participating in this program were also provided dietary counseling by a nutritionist to improve dietary habits. Pre- and Post- training, body mass (BM), body fat percentage (BF%), fat mass (FM), total body water (TBW), and lean body mass (LBM) were assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Since all athletes did not join the program on the same date we divided athlete data into two groups: (1) those that completed 7-8 weeks of training (n=10) and, (2) those than completed 4-6 weeks of training (n=7). Data were analyzed by separate repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for each variable. RESULTS: Regardless of group, the combine preparation training program produced significant increases in body mass (p=0.004; ∆ +1.14±1.36 kg), TBW (p=0.045, ∆ +1.24±2.31 kg), and LBM (p=0.041, ∆ +1.67±2.97 kg). No significant (p>0.05) main effect of time was observed for BF% or FM. Additionally, there were no significant differences between groups for variable. Of the 17 participants, 3 players were drafted and were on active rosters for the 2018 NFL season, 1 participant was drafted and signed a practice squad contract, with 5 other participants signing undrafted free agent contracts with various NFL teams. CONCLUSION: Data suggests that significant changes in body mass, TBW, and LBM can be achieved as a result of NFL combine training even when the training program is of short duration. Furthermore, in these highly trained athletes, even 8 weeks of training may be too short to observe significant improvements in FM or BF%.

Research in the area of body image has shown that females have more dissatisfaction with their bodies than males, but that males also have concerns with some aspects of body image. Instructors in wellness courses designed for college freshmen have the opportunity to address these challenges. PURPOSE: to determine which components of body image display gender differences, and whether gender differences in certain aspects of body image are related to BMI. METHODS: The Body Self-Image Questionnaire was administered to students in a freshman Wellness course as a part of their physical fitness assessment which included BMI (N=130 F, 50 M). Data were analyzed with a 2 x 2 factorial ANOVA to evaluate both effects of BMI and Gender and their interactions. All nine subscales of the BSIQ were included: Overall Appearance Evaluation (OAE), Fatness Evaluation (FE), Health/Fitness Evaluation (HFE), Health/Fitness Influence (HFI), Attention to Grooming (AG), Social Dependence (SD), Height Dissatisfaction (HD), Negative Affect (NA), and Investment in Ideals (II). For the analysis, BMI values <25.0 kg/m2 were classified as “normal” (NW); values ≥25 kg/m2 were categorized as “overweight” (OW). RESULTS: In SD, there was a significant main effect for gender, with females scoring higher in the factor of social dependence (p=.0138). There was a main effect for gender in HD, with males being more dissatisfied with their height than females (p=.0103). An interaction existed between gender and BMI for height dissatisfaction, with a greater gender disparity in HD in normal weight students (M>F) than in OW students, where differences almost disappeared. The main effect for gender in FE indicated that females view themselves as fatter than males (p=.0015); not surprisingly, there was also a main effect in FE for BMI (p<.0001; OW>Nor). A main effect for BMI existed in OAE (p<.0001; Nor>OW); II (p=.0373; Nor>OW); HFE (p<.0001; Nor>OW); and NA (p=.0003, OW>Nor). A gender-BMI interaction existed in HFI (p=.0098) indicating that OW males felt that health and fitness influenced feelings about their bodies more so than OW females; in Nor students, gender differences were very small. CONCLUSION: The belief that females have more body image concerns than males is valid in some components of body image, and BMI attenuates some gender differences.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute beetroot juice (BR) administration on repeated sprint performance and isometric force production in adolescent males. Twelve male adolescents (age, 16.8 ± 1.0 years; height, 178.8 ± 9.2 cm; mass, 74.8 ± 12.5 kg; peak height velocity, 2.53 ± 1.2 years) participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover designed study. Participants consumed 2 × 70 mL of BR (∼12.9 mmol NO3-; Beet It Sport) or a nitrate-depleted placebo (PL) at 2.5 h prior to performing isometric mid-thigh pulls (IMTP) and 4 repeated 20-s Wingate sprints interspersed with 4 min of rest. Sprint data were analyzed by a 2 × 4 (group × time) repeated-measures ANOVA while a dependent t test was used to compare conditions for IMTP peak force. A significant main effect for time (p < 0.05) was observed for peak power (PP), average power (Pavg), and fatigue index (FI) across sprints. Compared with sprint 1, sprint 4 resulted in significant decreases in PP (p < 0.000; -16.6%) and Pavg (p = 0.000; -21.8%) and FI was significantly elevated (p < 0.000; 15.2%). No significant group × time interactions were observed between conditions for PP (p = 0.402), Pavg (p = 0.479), or FI (p = 0.37). IMTP peak force was significantly higher (p = 0.004; 13.9%) following BR consumption compared with PL. The repeated sprint protocol resulted in significant fatigue while BR did not influence sprint performance. However, it appears BR administration may improve peak force production in adolescent males.

Introduction: This pilot study examined the effects of carbohydrate loading (CHO) and oral creatine monohydrate loading (Cr) on ultrasound measurements of the lower limbs. Methods: Twelve recreationally-active males (25.5 ± 6.2 y, 81.5 ± 9.6 kg, 180.9 ± 8.8 cm) completed baseline (BL) bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and muscle ultrasound imaging of the rectus femoris (RF) and the vastus lateralis (VL). Following baseline measurements, participants completed one day of CHO loading (10g CHO/kg), and five days of Cr loading (20g/day). Following each treatment, participants reported to the lab after an overnight fast for BIA and ultrasound testing in which muscle thickness (MT), cross-sectional area (CSA) and echo intensity (EI) were assessed on the RF and VL. A repeated measures analyses of variance were used for each variable to assess differences between dietary conditions. Results: Significant main effects (p<0.05) were observed for RF and VL MT, RF CSA. RF MT increased from BL-Cr (p<0.00, +6.85%) and CHO-Cr (p=0.002, +4.59%). VL MT increased from BL- Cr (p=0.008, +6.46%) and CHO-Cr (p=0.006, +3.71%). RF CSA increased between CHO-Cr (p=0.034, +3.58%). No significant differences were seen for EI. Conclusions: These data show that acute dietary manipulations may influence muscular ultrasound measurements of MT and CSA.

The conventional push-up is a common method for assessing a person’s muscular endurance or as an exercise to improve muscle performance in the upper extremities or trunk. Many organizations encourage using the push-up as a test to assess muscular endurance (including the American College of Sports Medicine). A relatively new device called the Spyder 360 ™ is being promoted as a method to maximize muscle activation during a push-up due to its unstable platform on wheels. PURPOSE: To compare muscle activation in select muscle groups during a standard push-up activity with and without the Spyder 360 ™. METHODOLOGY: Twelve healthy male subjects volunteered for the study (age=26.67±5.74yrs; WT=85.58±9.40kg; HT=182.14±6.04cm; Percent Fat=13.78±5.40; BMI=25.87±3.28). Volunteers reported to the laboratory and were randomly assigned to test first using either stable push-up handles (PUH) or Spyder 360 ™ (PU360). EMG electrodes were placed over the following muscles to determine muscle activation: 1) clavicular fibers of the pectoralis major (PM); 2) middle triceps (TR); 3) middle latissimus dorsi (LD); 4) middle portion of the rectus abdominus (RA); and 5) anterior deltoid (AD). Subjects were asked to perform 5 push-ups each using the PUH and PU360. The maximal one push-up EMG data was used for comparison between the two interventions (PUH or PU360). RESULTS: Results indicate that the PU360 elicits significantly more muscle activation during a push-up activity in the pectoralis major (29%; p<0.001); triceps brachii (42%; p=.0086); latissimus dorsi (26%; p=0.0157); and rectus abdominus (32%; p=0.0054). There was no significant difference in the anterior deltoid (8%; p=.1653). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the PU360 elicits more muscle activation in the PM, TR, LD and RA compared with PUH for the subjects in this study.

We sought to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation (Bacillus subtilis DE111; 1 billion CFU∙d−1) on markers of immune and hormonal status in collegiate male athletes following 12 weeks of offseason training. Twenty-five Division I male baseball athletes (20.1 ± 1.5 years, 85.5 ± 10.5 kg, 184.7 ± 6.3 cm) participated in this double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. Participants were randomly assigned to a probiotic (PRO; n = 13) or placebo (PL; n = 12) group. Pre- and post-training, all athletes provided resting blood and saliva samples. Circulating concentrations of testosterone, cortisol, TNF-α, IL-10, and zonulin were examined in the blood, while salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and SIgM were assayed as indicators of mucosal immunity. Separate analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed on all measures collected post intervention. No differences in measures of body composition or physical performance were seen between groups. TNF-α concentrations were significantly (p = 0.024) lower in PRO compared to PL, while there were no significant group differences in any other biochemical markers examined. A main effect for time was observed (p < 0.05) for increased testosterone (p = 0.045), IL-10 (p = 0.048), SIgA rate (p = 0.031), and SIgM rate (p = 0.002) following offseason training. These data indicate that probiotic supplementation had no effect on body composition, performance, hormonal status, or gut permeability, while it may attenuate circulating TNF-α in athletes.

The relationships between isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) force, athletic performance measures, and sprint kinetics in Division I men's and women's basketball players were investigated. Twenty-three (male = 8, female = 15) Division 1 basketball players completed a maximal 20-m sprint trial while tethered to a device that provided kinetic feedback (peak and average sprinting power, velocity and force). Additionally, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) front squat, 1RM hang clean, vertical jump height, and agility (proagility and lane agility) tests were performed. Rate of force development (RFD) at 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 milliseconds of IMTP and peak force (PF) were also collected. Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between these measures. Significant (p <= 0.05) relationships were observed between IMTP PF and sprint time over all distances (5-20 m; r = -0.62 to 0.69), average sprint velocity (r = 0.50-0.70), peak sprint velocity (r = 0.50-0.54), average sprint force (r = 0.480.69), and average sprint power (r = 0.62-0.73). Sprinting kinetic measures (average force and power) over the first 5 m were also significantly (p <= 0.05) related to IMTP RFD (50-250 ms; r = 0.42-0.62). Results indicate that IMTP variables are significantly associated with 20-m sprint kinetics. Specifically, IMTP RFD appears to be related to the initial acceleration kinetics of a sprint. Strength and conditioning professionals can possibly implement the IMTP for improved assessment and monitoring of athletic performance and training.