Manuel Barba-Ruiz

Introduction: Circuit resistance training is widely used to enhance physical performance. However, the acute-performance- and fatigue-related effects of exercise order and volume in circuit training, particularly between upper and lower limbs, remain unclear. Objectives: This study examined acute velocity-based responses to different exercise orders and volumes during full-body circuit resistance training. Methods: Thirty resistance-trained adults completed four circuit protocols: alternating exercises with maximal repetitions per exercise (A1), grouped exercises with maximal repetitions per exercise (G1), alternating exercises with 50% of maximal repetitions in the first round (A2), and grouped exercises with 50% of maximal repetitions in the first round (G2). Mean propulsive velocity (MPV) in the bench press and squat at 60% 1RM was assessed before and after each circuit. Results: A significant main effect of Time was observed for both bench press and squat MPV (p < 0.001), with no Intervention × Time interactions. Alternating configurations showed larger effect sizes, indicating greater velocity loss. Under equal volume, upper limbs exhibited greater performance decline than lower limbs. Conclusions: Although exercise order did not result in statistically significant differences, alternating configurations induced a greater magnitude of fatigue-related performance decline than grouped configurations, particularly in upper-body exercises.

We investigated the acute physiological responses to circuit strength training performed with different work-to-rest interval durations (10:10, 20:20, and 30:30 s) under a constant 1:1 ratio. Thirty-four trained adults (15 males and 19 females) completed a 14-min circuit protocol consisting of two blocks of 6-min separated by a 2-min rest period. Each session included six alternating upper- and lower-body exercises performed at maximal intended velocity. Heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored during the protocol, while blood lactate concentration, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and 10-m sprint performance were assessed pre-, mid-, and post-circuit session. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used for CMJ height, blood lactate concentration and 10-m sprint performance, and one-way ANOVA for HR data. The 30:30 protocol elicited the highest post-exercise lactate concentrations (p < 0.05) and the largest decrements in CMJ height. In contrast, HR was consistently higher in the 10:10 protocol across several time points (p < 0.01), indicating greater cardiovascular demand. Sprint performance declined from pre- to post-exercise across all protocols, indicating a time-dependent fatigue response. These findings demonstrate that manipulating absolute work-to-rest durations, even under a fixed 1:1 ratio, produces distinct physiological responses, while performance decrements may occur independently of protocol configuration. Longer intervals (30:30) maximize metabolic stress and neuromuscular fatigue, whereas shorter intervals (10:10) enhance cardiovascular load. The 20:20 protocol represents a balanced alternative between both stimuli.

Background: Cancer treatments often reduce quality of life (QoL), and non-pharmacological options are limited. Supervised exercise shows promise, but its effectiveness across exercise types and patient subgroups is unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of supervised exercise on QoL in breast and prostate cancer patients, considering exercise type, duration, and patient characteristics. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and approximately 3500 participants was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, SciELO, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2014 and 2024. Eligible studies involved adults with breast or prostate cancer undergoing supervised exercise versus usual care or unsupervised activity. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, methodological quality with the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Results: Supervised exercise was associated with significant improvements in QoL (SMD = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.22–0.70; p < 0.001), with considerable heterogeneity (I² = 91.5%). Combined programs had the greatest effect (SMD = 0.77), followed by high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (SMD = 0.30). Shorter interventions (≤12 weeks) yielded larger improvements. Effects were more consistent in women with breast cancer. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was low. Conclusions: Supervised therapeutic exercise is associated with significant improvements in QoL in breast and prostate cancer patients. Combined and well-structured programs, particularly of short duration, appear especially beneficial. These findings support the integration of supervised exercise into standard oncological care. Further research should explore long-term sustainability and optimize interventions for specific patient profiles.

Introduction: Strength training, essential for health and performance, often uses free weights for greater stabilization demands and pulleys for easier load adjustment and progression. Methods: The aim of the study was to analyze the differences in force application using gravitational and pneumatic resistances. Twenty experienced subjects participated in the study (age: 21.9 ± 3.8 years; body mass: 76.3 ± 9.4 kg; height: 177.4 ± 7.5 cm), performing four exercises with each type of resistance: bench press, lat pulldown, chest fly, and single-arm row. The participants performed 8 repetitions per exercise. Peak and mean force were measured with a 100 Hz load cell (SUIFF S2 Pro) during the concentric phase of the lifts. Differences between resistance types were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and paired t-tests. Results: Peak force was higher with gravitational resistance across all exercises (p < 0.001; d = 2.1–4.7). Average force with gravitational resistance was also higher in the bench press and lat pulldown (p < 0.05; d = 0.7–1.4), but not in the chest fly or single-arm row. Conclusions: Gravitational resistance may better enhance peak strength, while pneumatic resistance supports consistent force and neuromuscular control. These results allow us to select the resistance type based on specific mechanical characteristics.

This study aimed to compare the external peak physical demands (PDs) of under-19-year-old (U19) and professional male football players according to playing position. Positional data derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking during 15 matches in the 2023/24 season for both groups were analyzed. The following variables were measured: total distance, high-intensity running distance, sprint distance, acceleration count, and high-intensity actions. A linear mixed-effects model was employed, with category and playing position included as fixed effects to compare these metrics at the player level. The results revealed only a few significant differences in physical demands between the U19 and professional players. Notably, central defenders and central midfielders exhibited lower performance in HSR distance compared to other positions, with the professional players registering higher values than their U19 counterparts. However, no significant differences were observed for total and relative sprint distances, the number of accelerations, high intensity and relative sprint running efforts. These findings highlight the overall similarity in physical demands between U19 players and professional players, suggesting that elite youth athletes may be adequately prepared to meet the physical challenges of professional competition, with the exception of HSR distance. These conclusions have practical implications for coaches and performance staff, supporting the development of position-specific training programs, optimizing workload management through GPS monitoring, improving microcycle planning, and enhancing injury prevention strategies.

Background: One of the most significant challenges for exercise professionals in designing strength training programs is determining the intensity or effort level of each set performed. One of the most studied methodologies has been the use of Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scales. This study aims to analyze the application of the OMNI-RES scale for monitoring training intensity across different relative loads and fatigue levels in various training protocols. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants completed nine exercise sessions, with one week separating each session. The first session involved a one-repetition maximum (1RM) test in the bench press (BP) to identify the load–velocity relationship. Subsequently, each participant randomly performed two maximum repetition (MNR) protocols at 60% and 90% of 1RM, and two protocols with a 30% velocity loss (VL) at 60% of 1RM and a 10% VL at 90% of 1RM. These sessions were repeated one week later. Results: significant differences were found between the four bench press protocols regarding the number of repetitions and the percentage of velocity loss per set (p < 0.001). However, the RPE of the MNR protocol at 60% of 1RM was significantly higher than the other protocols. Moreover, the RPE for the protocol at 60% of 1RM with a 30% VL was similar to that at 90% of 1RM with a 10% VL (p = 1.000). Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations, percentage VL at 1 m·s⁻¹, and the effort index were significantly higher in the MNR protocol at 60% of 1RM compared to all other protocols (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The most important finding of this study is that the OMNI-RES scale may not be a reliable indicator of exercise intensity. This is because the highest values on the scale were observed at the lowest relative intensity (60% 1RM) during the maximum number of repetitions (MNR) protocol, corresponding to the maximum volume.

Background: The aims of this study were to analyse the effect of creatine supplementation on the performance improvement in a bench pressing (BP) strength test of muscle failure and to evaluate muscle fatigue and metabolic stress 20 min after the exercise. Methods: Fifty young and healthy individuals were randomly assigned to a creatine group (n = 25) or a placebo group (n = 25). Three exercise sessions were carried out, with one week of rest between them. In the first week, a progressive load BP test was performed until the individuals reached the one repetition maximum (1RM) in order to for us obtain the load-to-velocity ratio of each participant. In the second week, the participants conducted a three-set BP exercise protocol against 70% 1RM, where they performed the maximum number of repetitions (MNR) until muscle failure occurred, with two minutes of rest between the sets. After one week, and following a supplementation period of 7 days, where half of the participants consumed 0.3 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of creatine monohydrate (CR) and the other half consumed 0.3 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of placebo (PLA, maltodextrin), the protocol from the second week was repeated. After each set, and up to 20 min after finishing the exercise, the blood lactate concentrations and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) at 1 m·s⁻¹ were measured. Results: The CR group performed a significantly higher number of repetitions in Set 1 (CR = 14.8 repetitions, PLA = 13.6 repetitions, p = 0.006) and Set 2 (CR = 8 repetitions, PLA = 6.7 repetitions, p = 0.006) after supplementation, whereas no significant differences were seen in Set 3 (CR = 5.3 repetitions, PLA = 4.7 repetitions, p = 0.176). However, there was a significant increase in blood lactate at minute 10 (p = 0.003), minute 15 (p = 0.020), and minute 20 (p = 0.015) after the exercise in the post-supplementation period. Similarly, a significant increase was observed in the MPV at 1 m·s⁻¹ in the CR group with respect to the PLA group at 10, 15, and 20 min after the exercise. Conclusions: Although the creatine supplementation improved the performance in the strength test of muscle failure, the metabolic stress and muscle fatigue values were greater during the 20 min of recovery.

Background: the aim of this study was to analyse muscle fatigue and metabolic stress at 15 min of recovery after performing two independent sessions of functional fitness training (FFT): a session of strength functional fitness training (FFTstrength) and a session of endurance functional fitness training (FFTendurance). Methods: eighteen well-trained men conducted two protocols, separated by one week of rest: FFTstrength (3 sets of 21, 15 and 9 repetitions of Thruster with bar + Pull ups) and FFTendurance (3 sets × (30 kcal rowing + 15 kcal assault air bike)). Neuromuscular fatigue and metabolic stress were measured right before, right after and at 10 and 15 min after completing the FFT workout, as well as the mean heart rate (HRmean) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at the end of the FFT. Results: FFTendurance recovered the velocity loss values after 15 min of recovery. On the other hand, FFTstrength only recovered velocity in the 1 m·s⁻¹ Tests in squat (SQ), since the velocity levels were 7% lower in the 1 m·s⁻¹ Tests in military press exercise (MP) after 15 min. Conclusions: These data indicate that there are specific recovery patterns not only as a function of the exercise and the body regions involved, but also regarding the recovery of neuromuscular and metabolic factors, since both FFT workouts obtained high blood lactate concentrations.

Diathermy techniques embody an oscillating electrical current passaging through the body tissues generating therapeutic heat; use of this technique in the physiotherapy field has been introduced recently, and because there is scarce information, the following review is proposed, aiming to explore the available evidence on applying CRET in physiotherapy clinical practice and sports. A systematic search was led through a keyword search on PubMed, MedLine, DialNet, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science and Clinicaltrials databases. Including randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies, which applied radiofrequency diathermy in sports and physiotherapy fields, without any restrictions on dates, published in Spanish, English, Portuguese or Italian. Data extraction was conducted through the Cochrane data extraction form and presented in tabular format; 30 articles were included for analysis, and assessment of methodological quality was made through the PEDro scale with a “Good/Fair” general quality score. The nature of existing articles does not allow a quantitative analysis. Conclusion: identified fields of applications were musculoskeletal physiotherapy, treatment of pelvic floor and sexual dysfunctions, as well as dermato-functional physiotherapy and sports, evidencing an increase of skin temperature, enhanced skin and muscle blood perfusion, as well as reporting an increase in oxyhaemoglobin. Further research is needed. Prospero registration number: CRD42020215592.