Paul Goods

Maximal peak power (MPP) is strongly associated with 2000 m rowing performance and is likely to become a critical predictor of success with the shift to 1500 m racing at the 2028 Olympic Games. However, no consensus exists on a standardized protocol for assessing MPP in rowing. This study examined the reliability of a 10-stroke ergometer-based MPP test in elite under-23 rowers, assessing its association with time-trial performance. Thirty-three athletes (10 females) completed 10 MPP tests across five sessions. The protocol included five lead-in strokes followed by five maximal strokes at 40 strokes per minute. As greatest MPP values were consistently obtained during the first test, the second test of each session was excluded from analyses. Mean (+/- SD) bias between the three experimental sessions was 1.0 (+/- 0.4)% for males and 0.9 (+/- 0.7)% for females. The test demonstrated near perfect between-session reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.92 to 0.99. A near perfect relationship was found between MPP and 2000 m (r = 0.93) and 1500 m (r = 0.94) ergometer performance. This protocol provides a reliable, valid, and practical tool for assessing true MPP improvements and profiling athletes within a stroke rate that mirrors contemporary on-water racing demands.

Objectives
This scoping review considers the experiences of aspiring high school-aged athletes as they navigate the complexities of managing sport, education, social, and family life. The review synthesises existing literature on the decisions, barriers, facilitators, and support systems that influence aspiring athletes' pathways.

Design
Systematic scoping review.

Methods
Following the PRISMA-ScR framework, four databases were searched (SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, CINAHL), and studies involving aspiring high school aged athletes were uploaded to Covidence.

Results
Across the four databases 1781 studies were identified through abstract screening and 61 of these studies were used for the final review. Despite the significant commitment that many young athletes devote to their sporting endeavours, the transition from aspiring to elite athlete remains challenging, with only a small percentage achieving elite status. Key findings indicate that aspiring athletes often prioritise their athletic identity over academic and social pursuits, leading to potential risks in personal development. The reviewed literature also highlights the importance of personal skills, the role of key influencers such as parents and coaches, and systemic support from educational and sport organisations.

Conclusions
In this review we highlight the need for a clearer definition of an aspiring athlete to enhance the comparability and synthesis of future research, and to facilitate a more systematic understanding of this population. Addressing these gaps will support the development of targeted support systems and interventions, whereas direct improvements in athlete wellbeing will require comprehensive approaches that address developmental pathways, systemic support, and individual needs.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of a linear critical-speed model for predicting maximal rowing-ergometer performance. Methods: Twenty (5 female) highly trained rowers completed 5 ergometer time trials (TTs). The linear distance–time relationship between the 2000-m and the fastest of two 500-m TTs was used to predict 1500-m performance. Two time-to-exhaustion (TTE) trials, with intensity targets set to the predicted 1500-m performance capacity, were subsequently performed. The accuracy of the critical-speed model was assessed by comparing predicted and actual distances in each athlete’s longest TTE trial, using absolute and percentage differences, standard error of estimate, and coefficient of variation. Results: The mean difference in 500-m TT completion time was 1.2 (1.0) seconds (1.3% [1.1%]). Athletes maintained 98.6% (0.9%) of target power output during the TTE trials, covering an average distance of 1587 (169) m. The predicted distance was 1589 (162) m. The mean difference between predicted and actual distances covered was 7.6 (6.6) m (0.4% [0.4%]), with a near-perfect association (R2 = .99). The standard error of estimate was 8.3 m, and the coefficient of variation was 0.3% between the modeled and actual TTE trial distances. Conclusions: The linear critical-speed model, based on 2 familiar and reliable performance tests, accurately predicts maximum rowing performance. These outcomes allow continued focus on 2000-m performance preparation while indirectly tracking 1500-m performance progression. In addition, this model allows for understanding of the influence that improvement in either 2000- or 500-m TT times has on predicted 1500-m performance.

Elite coach experiential knowledge may provide valuable insights into athlete preparation and monitoring practices that are otherwise difficult to establish objectively. Accordingly, we explored the perspectives of elite Australian rowing coaches in relation to (1) training philosophy, (2) training prescription methods, and (3) training monitoring and performance assessment. Ten experienced rowing coaches (experience range 15-51 years) were interviewed in a semi-structured format on the three topics established above. Data were analysed using hierarchical content analysis to develop higher and lower order themes. Under training philosophy, three higher order themes were established: (1) building the engine, (2) intensity is periodised and polarised, and (3) progression of on-water speed is key. Two higher order themes were established for training prescription methods: (1) prescription is modality dependent and (2) athlete characteristics are important. Under training monitoring and performance assessment, two higher order themes were identified: (1) assessing on-water performance is difficult and (2) short versus long term monitoring. Coaches acknowledged the complexity of training prescription and quantification in rowing and offered practical methods to overcome challenges with these processes. These findings help to inform coaches and support staff in the training environment as well as inform future research.

In this retrospective cohort study, we examined maximal intensity periods (MIPs) for a broad range of movement characteristics during international field hockey. Further, we examined the intensity of near-peak periods, and whether peak demands for different movement characteristics occurred simultaneously. Player movement data from 28 Australian elite male field hockey players were obtained via wearable tracking devices in four international tournaments over 13 months (n = 393 player-matches). MIPs were identified via the rolling-sum method for mean speed, high-speed distance (> 5 m·s
), accelerations (> 2.5 m·s
), decelerations (< - 2.5 m·s
) and high-speed cuts (45° change of direction and > 5 m·s
) across eight epochs (range: 5 s-5 min). Random effects linear mixed models were used to estimate means for each movement characteristic, with random intercepts fitted for players and matches. Mean speed was ∼80% higher during the 1 min MIP (210 m·min
) than the match average (116 m·min
) and players regularly reached high mean speeds (for instance, the 10th most intense minute was still ∼44% above match average). High-speed distance, accelerations and decelerations accumulated > 5x faster during the 1 min MIP for those variables than the match average and high-speed cuts occurred with ∼10x greater frequency. During the 1 min MIP for total distance, all other movement characteristics were less than 40% of the 1 min MIP for that variable (except high-speed distance: 76%). Match averages substantially underestimate the MIPs of elite field hockey. Practitioners should consider analysing the peak periods of matches, with a focus on high-intensity movements, to inform monitoring and prescription of team sport-specific training.

Gaining insights into experienced coaches' perceptions and understanding of performance and training can enhance knowledge to optimise athlete performance. Ten experienced International Laser Class Association dinghy (ILCA) sailing coaches with world-class and elite ILCA coaching credentials undertook semi-structured interviews to explore three key topic areas: i) determinants of athlete success, ii) physical demands of competition, and iii) training practices and philosophies. Hierarchical content analysis was used to establish general dimensions and higher order themes from the interview transcripts. Three general dimensions were established within the topic area of determinants of athlete success: i) sailing the boat fast, ii) being a knowledgeable athlete, and iii) consistent execution. Within the topic area of physical demands of competition three general dimensions were also developed: i) hiking is the most physically demanding skill, ii) environmental conditions influence athletic demands, and iii) accumulation of fatigue over a regatta. Finally, in the topic area of training practices and philosophies there were two general dimensions: i) periodisation, and ii) specific training. Overall, hiking featured across all three topic areas, highlighting its importance in ILCA sailing. Additionally, 'feel' and 'keeping the joy' were identified as higher order themes that have been under-researched in current literature. Findings suggest coaches should target consistency in both on and off-water training through 'keeping the joy' and sailing in a variety of conditions to improve aspects such as 'feel' and 'pattern recognition'. We provide key insights into components of performance and aspects of the physical demands and training in ILCA sailing to optimise athlete performance.

Grant, WM, Goods, PSR, Wall, BA, Davids, CJ, Narang, BJ, Debevec, T, and Scott, BR. Validity and test-retest reliability of repetitions-in-reserve across different low-loads in the barbell bench press with blood flow restriction. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-Repetitions-in-reserve (RIR) allows the standardization of effort between individuals during resistance training. This study investigated the validity and reliability of predicting RIR during low-load resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR). Twenty subjects were assessed for bench press one-repetition maximum (1RM), before 4 experimental trials (20, 30, 30, 40% 1RM) comprising 4 sets (30, 15, 15, 15 repetitions; 30 seconds rest) with continuous BFR at 60% arterial occlusion pressure. After 15 repetitions in the final set, subjects estimated RIR before continuing the set to failure. Differences between estimated RIR and actual repetitions to failure were calculated (RIRerror). Test-retest reliability of RIRerror was determined from repeated 30% 1RM trials using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficients of variation (CV). Differences and associations were assessed by repeated measures ANOVA and correlational analyses. The fewest fourth set repetitions were performed at 40% 1RM (median [interquartile range] = 8 [5-16] repetitions), followed by 30% 1RM (30 [19-37]) and 20% 1RM (90 [53-114]). RIRerror was significantly higher with 20% 1RM (52 [23-76]) than 30% 1RM (9 [2-15]; p < 0.001) but was not analyzed at 40% 1RM (because 14/20 subjects completed ≤15 repetitions). Repetitions-in-reserve predictions were moderately reliable (ICC: 0.980, CV: 13.6%), but with wide limits of agreement (-7 to 7 repetitions). Number of fourth set repetitions was almost perfectly correlated with RIRerror (R2 = 0.90-0.94). Repetitions-in-reserve should not replace 1RM training prescriptions for low-load BFR. Results suggest that 30% 1RM is an appropriate load to begin with for trained individuals using a 75-repetition BFR scheme.

To investigate the acute effects of hypoxia applied during discrete work and recovery phases of a perceptually regulated, high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on external and internal loads in inactive overweight individuals. On separate days, 18 inactive overweight (28.7 ± 3.3 kg m−2; 31 ± 8 years) men and women completed a cycling HIIE protocol (6 × 1 min intervals with 4 min active recovery, maintaining a perceived rating of exertion of 16 and 10 during work and recovery, respectively, on the 6–20 Borg scale) in randomized conditions: normoxia (NN), normobaric hypoxia (inspired O2 fraction ∼0.14) during both work and recovery (HH), hypoxia during recovery (NH) and hypoxia during work only (HN). Markers of external (relative mean power output, MPO) and internal load (blood lactate concentration, heart rate and tissue saturation index (TSI)) were measured. MPO was lower in HH compared to NN, NH and HN (all P < 0.001), with HN also being lower than NN (P < 0.001) and NH (P < 0.023). Heart rate was higher in HN than NN, HH and NH (all P < 0.001). Blood lactate response was higher in NN than HH (P = 0.003) and NH (P = 0.008). Changes in the TSI area above the curve were greater in HN relative to NN, HH and NH (all P < 0.001). Hypoxia applied intermittently during the work or recovery phases may mitigate the declines in mechanical output observed when exercise is performed in continuous hypoxia, although hypoxia implemented during the work phase resulted in elevated heart rate and lactate response. Specifically, exercise performance largely comparable to that in normoxia can be achieved when hypoxia is implemented exclusively during recovery.

Strong relationships exist between sprint cycling torque and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) force production at one timepoint; however, the relationships between the changes in these measures following a training period are not well understood. Accordingly, this study examined the relationships in the changes of sprint cycling torque and IMTP force following six-weeks of sprint cycling and resistance training performed by strength-trained novice cyclists (n = 14). Cycling power, cadence, torque and IMTP force (Peak force [PF]/torque, average and peak rate of force/torque development [RFD/RTD], and RFD/RTD from 0 to 100 ms and 0-200 ms) were assessed before and after training. Training consisted of three resistance and three sprint cycling sessions per week. Training resulted in improvements in IMTP PF (13.1%) and RFD measures (23.7%-32.5%), cycling absolute (10.7%) and relative (10.5%) peak power, peak torque (11.7%) and RTD measures (27.9%-56.7%). Strong-to-very strong relationships were observed between cycling torque and IMTP force measures pre- (r = 0.57-0.84; p < 0.05) and post-training (r = 0.63-0.87; p < 0.05), but no relationship (p > 0.05) existed between training-induced changes in cycling torque and IMTP force. Divergent training-induced changes in sprint cycling torque and IMTP force indicate that these measures assess distinct neuromuscular attributes. Training-induced changes in IMTP force are not indicative of training-induced changes in sprint cycling torque.