@misc{KuemmelBergmannPrieskeetal.2018,
  author    = {K{\"u}mmel, Jakob and Bergmann, Julian and Prieske, Olaf and Kramer, Andreas and Granacher, Urs and Gruber, Markus},
  title     = {Effects of conditioning hops on drop jump and sprint performance},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {439},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-407236},
  pages     = {8},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Background: It has previously been shown that conditioning activities consisting of repetitive hops have the potential to induce better drop jump (DJ) performance in recreationally active individuals. In the present pilot study, we investigated whether repetitive conditioning hops can also increase reactive jump and sprint performance in sprint-trained elite athletes competing at an international level. Methods: Jump and sprint performances of 5 athletes were randomly assessed under 2 conditions. The control condition (CON) comprised 8 DJs and 4 trials of 30-m sprints. The intervention condition (HOP) consisted of 10 maximal repetitive two-legged hops that were conducted 10 s prior to each single DJ and sprint trial. DJ performance was analyzed using a one-dimensional ground reaction force plate. Step length (SL), contact time (CT), and sprint time (ST) during the 30-m sprints were recorded using an opto-electronic measurement system. Results: Following the conditioning activity, DJ height and external DJ peak power were both significantly increased by 11 \% compared to the control condition. All other variables did not show any significant differences between HOP and CON. Conclusions: In the present pilot study, we were able to demonstrate large improvements in DJ performance even in sprint-trained elite athletes following a conditioning activity consisting of maximal two-legged repetitive hops. This strengthens the hypothesis that plyometric conditioning exercises can induce performance enhancements in elite athletes that are even greater than those observed in recreationally active athletes.. In addition, it appears that the transfer of these effects to other stretch-shortening cycle activities is limited, as we did not observe any changes in sprint performance following the plyometric conditioning activity.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GranacherKissLueder2018,
  author    = {Granacher, Urs and Kiss, Rainer and L{\"u}der, Benjamin},
  title     = {Single- and Dual-Task Balance Training Are Equally Effective in Youth},
  series = {Frontiers in Psychology},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Psychology},
  publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {1664-1078},
  doi       = {10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00912},
  pages     = {1 -- 12},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Due to maturation of the postural control system and secular declines in motor performance, adolescents experience deficits in postural control during standing and walking while concurrently performing cognitive interference tasks. Thus, adequately designed balance training programs may help to counteract these deficits. While the general effectiveness of youth balance training is well-documented, there is hardly any information available on the specific effects of single-task (ST) versus dual-task (DT) balance training. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (i) to examine static/dynamic balance performance under ST and DT conditions in adolescents and (ii) to study the effects of ST versus DT balance training on static/dynamic balance under ST and DT conditions in adolescents. Twenty-eight healthy girls and boys aged 12-13 years were randomly assigned to either 8 weeks of ST or DT balance training. Before and after training, postural sway and spatio-temporal gait parameters were registered under ST (standing/walking only) and DT conditions (standing/walking while concurrently performing an arithmetic task). At baseline, significantly slower gait speed (p < 0.001, d = 5.1), shorter stride length (p < 0.001, d = 4.8), and longer stride time (p < 0.001, d = 3.8) were found for DT compared to ST walking but not standing. Training resulted in significant pre-post decreases in DT costs for gait velocity (p < 0.001, d = 3.1), stride length (-45\%, p < 0.001, d = 2.4), and stride time (-44\%, p < 0.01, d = 1.9). Training did not induce any significant changes (p > 0.05, d = 0-0.1) in DT costs for all parameters of secondary task performance during standing and walking. Training produced significant pre-post increases (p = 0.001; d = 1.47) in secondary task performance while sitting. The observed increase was significantly greater for the ST training group (p = 0.04; d = 0.81). For standing, no significant changes were found over time irrespective of the experimental group. We conclude that adolescents showed impaired DT compared to ST walking but not standing. ST and DT balance training resulted in significant and similar changes in DT costs during walking. Thus, there appears to be no preference for either ST or DT balance training in adolescents.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PeitzBehringerGranacher2018,
  author    = {Peitz, Matti and Behringer, Michael and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {A systematic review on the effects of resistance and plyometric training on physical fitness in youth},
  series = {PlOS ONE},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {PlOS ONE},
  number    = {10},
  publisher = {Public Library of Science},
  address   = {San Francisco},
  issn      = {1932-6203},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0205525},
  pages     = {44},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Introduction To date, several meta-analyses clearly demonstrated that resistance and plyometric training are effective to improve physical fitness in children and adolescents. However, a methodological limitation of meta-analyses is that they synthesize results from different studies and hence ignore important differences across studies (i.e., mixing apples and oranges). Therefore, we aimed at examining comparative intervention studies that assessed the effects of age, sex, maturation, and resistance or plyometric training descriptors (e.g., training intensity, volume etc.) on measures of physical fitness while holding other variables constant. Methods To identify relevant studies, we systematically searched multiple electronic databases (e.g., PubMed) from inception to March 2018. We included resistance and plyometric training studies in healthy young athletes and non-athletes aged 6 to 18 years that investigated the effects of moderator variables (e.g., age, maturity, sex, etc.) on components of physical fitness (i.e., muscle strength and power). Results Our systematic literature search revealed a total of 75 eligible resistance and plyometric training studies, including 5,138 participants. Mean duration of resistance and plyometric training programs amounted to 8.9 ± 3.6 weeks and 7.1±1.4 weeks, respectively. Our findings showed that maturation affects plyometric and resistance training outcomes differently, with the former eliciting greater adaptations pre-peak height velocity (PHV) and the latter around- and post-PHV. Sex has no major impact on resistance training related outcomes (e.g., maximal strength, 10 repetition maximum). In terms of plyometric training, around-PHV boys appear to respond with larger performance improvements (e.g., jump height, jump distance) compared with girls. Different types of resistance training (e.g., body weight, free weights) are effective in improving measures of muscle strength (e.g., maximum voluntary contraction) in untrained children and adolescents. Effects of plyometric training in untrained youth primarily follow the principle of training specificity. Despite the fact that only 6 out of 75 comparative studies investigated resistance or plyometric training in trained individuals, positive effects were reported in all 6 studies (e.g., maximum strength and vertical jump height, respectively). Conclusions The present review article identified research gaps (e.g., training descriptors, modern alternative training modalities) that should be addressed in future comparative studies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ZghalColsonBlainetal.2019,
  author    = {Zghal, Firas and Colson, Serge S. and Blain, Gr{\´e}gory and Behm, David George and Granacher, Urs and Chaouachi, Anis},
  title     = {Combined Resistance and Plyometric Training Is More Effective Than Plyometric Training Alone for Improving Physical Fitness of Pubertal Soccer Players},
  series = {frontiers in Physiology},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {frontiers in Physiology},
  number    = {August 2019},
  publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation},
  address   = {Lausanne},
  issn      = {1664-042X},
  doi       = {10.3389/fphys.2019.01026},
  pages     = {11},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of combined resistance and plyometric/sprint training with plyometric/sprint training or typical soccer training alone on muscle strength and power, speed, change-of-direction ability in young soccer players. Thirty-one young (14.5 ± 0.52 years; tanner stage 3-4) soccer players were randomly assigned to either a combined- (COMB, n = 14), plyometric-training (PLYO, n = 9) or an active control group (CONT, n = 8). Two training sessions were added to the regular soccer training consisting of one session of light-load high-velocity resistance exercises combined with one session of plyometric/sprint training (COMB), two sessions of plyometric/sprint training (PLYO) or two soccer training sessions (CONT). Training volume was similar between the experimental groups. Before and after 7-weeks of training, peak torque, as well as absolute and relative (normalized to torque; RTDr) rate of torque development (RTD) during maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the knee extensors (KE) were monitored at time intervals from the onset of contraction to 200 ms. Jump height, sprinting speed at 5, 10, 20-m and change-of-direction ability performances were also assessed. There were no significant between-group baseline differences. Both COMB and PLYO significantly increased their jump height (Δ14.3\%; ES = 0.94; Δ12.1\%; ES = 0.54, respectively) and RTD at mid to late phases but with greater within effect sizes in COMB in comparison with PLYO. However, significant increases in peak torque (Δ16.9\%; p < 0.001; ES = 0.58), RTD (Δ44.3\%; ES = 0.71), RTDr (Δ27.3\%; ES = 0.62) and sprint performance at 5-m (Δ-4.7\%; p < 0.001; ES = 0.73) were found in COMB without any significant pre-to-post change in PLYO and CONT groups. Our results suggest that COMB is more effective than PLYO or CONT for enhancing strength, sprint and jump performances.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{PrieskeMaffiulettiGranacher2018,
  author    = {Prieske, Olaf and Maffiuletti, Nicola A. and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {Postactivation Potentiation of the Plantar Flexors Does Not Directly Translate to Jump Performance in Female Elite Young Soccer Players},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {483},
  issn      = {1866-8364},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-420558},
  pages     = {10},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Background: Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects muscle mass, altering independent activities of people living with HIV (PLWH). Resistance training alone (RT) or combined with aerobic exercise (AE) is linked to improved muscle mass and strength maintenance in PLWH. These exercise benefits have been the focus of different meta-analyses, although only a limited number of studies have been identified up to the year 2013/4. An up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis concerning the effect of RT alone or combined with AE on strength parameters and hormones is of high value, since more and recent studies dealing with these types of exercise in PLWH have been published. Methods: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of RT alone, AE alone or the combination of both (AERT) on PLWH was performed through five web-databases up to December 2017. Risk of bias and study quality was attained using the PEDro scale. Weighted mean difference (WMD) from baseline to post-intervention changes was calculated. The I2 statistics for heterogeneity was calculated. Results: Thirteen studies reported strength outcomes. Eight studies presented a low risk of bias. The overall change in upper body strength was 19.3 Kg (95\% CI: 9.8±28.8, p< 0.001) after AERT and 17.5 Kg (95\% CI: 16±19.1, p< 0.001) for RT. Lower body change was 29.4 Kg (95\% CI: 18.1±40.8, p< 0.001) after RT and 10.2 Kg (95\% CI: 6.7±13.8, p< 0.001) for AERT. Changes were higher after controlling for the risk of bias in upper and lower body strength and for supervised exercise in lower body strength. A significant change towards lower levels of IL-6 was found (-2.4 ng/dl (95\% CI: -2.6, -2.1, p< 0.001). Conclusion: Both resistance training alone and combined with aerobic exercise showed a positive change when studies with low risk of bias and professional supervision were analyzed, improving upper and, more critically, lower body muscle strength. Also, this study found that exercise had a lowering effect on IL-6 levels in PLWH.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{PeitzBehringerGranacher2019,
  author    = {Peitz, Matti and Behringer, Michael and Granacher, Urs},
  title     = {A systematic review on the effects of resistance and plyometric training on physical fitness in youth},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {498},
  issn      = {1866-8364},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-42220},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-422201},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Introduction To date, several meta-analyses clearly demonstrated that resistance and plyometric training are effective to improve physical fitness in children and adolescents. However, a methodological limitation of meta-analyses is that they synthesize results from different studies and hence ignore important differences across studies (i.e., mixing apples and oranges). Therefore, we aimed at examining comparative intervention studies that assessed the effects of age, sex, maturation, and resistance or plyometric training descriptors (e.g., training intensity, volume etc.) on measures of physical fitness while holding other variables constant. Methods To identify relevant studies, we systematically searched multiple electronic databases (e.g., PubMed) from inception to March 2018. We included resistance and plyometric training studies in healthy young athletes and non-athletes aged 6 to 18 years that investigated the effects of moderator variables (e.g., age, maturity, sex, etc.) on components of physical fitness (i.e., muscle strength and power). Results Our systematic literature search revealed a total of 75 eligible resistance and plyometric training studies, including 5,138 participants. Mean duration of resistance and plyometric training programs amounted to 8.9 ± 3.6 weeks and 7.1±1.4 weeks, respectively. Our findings showed that maturation affects plyometric and resistance training outcomes differently, with the former eliciting greater adaptations pre-peak height velocity (PHV) and the latter around- and post-PHV. Sex has no major impact on resistance training related outcomes (e.g., maximal strength, 10 repetition maximum). In terms of plyometric training, around-PHV boys appear to respond with larger performance improvements (e.g., jump height, jump distance) compared with girls. Different types of resistance training (e.g., body weight, free weights) are effective in improving measures of muscle strength (e.g., maximum voluntary contraction) in untrained children and adolescents. Effects of plyometric training in untrained youth primarily follow the principle of training specificity. Despite the fact that only 6 out of 75 comparative studies investigated resistance or plyometric training in trained individuals, positive effects were reported in all 6 studies (e.g., maximum strength and vertical jump height, respectively). Conclusions The present review article identified research gaps (e.g., training descriptors, modern alternative training modalities) that should be addressed in future comparative studies.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{KibeleClassenMuehlbaueretal.2014,
  author    = {Kibele, Armin and Classen, Claudia and M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Granacher, Urs and Behm, David George},
  title     = {Metastability in plyometric training on unstable surfaces},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {606},
  issn      = {1866-8364},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-42901},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-429013},
  pages     = {13},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Background In the past, plyometric training (PT) has been predominantly performed on stable surfaces. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine effects of a 7-week lower body PT on stable vs. unstable surfaces. This type of exercise condition may be denoted as metastable equilibrium. Methods Thirty-three physically active male sport science students (age: 24.1 ± 3.8 years) were randomly assigned to a PT group (n = 13) exercising on stable (STAB) and a PT group (n = 20) on unstable surfaces (INST). Both groups trained countermovement jumps, drop jumps, and practiced a hurdle jump course. In addition, high bar squats were performed. Physical fitness tests on stable surfaces (hexagonal obstacle test, countermovement jump, hurdle drop jump, left-right hop, dynamic and static balance tests, and leg extension strength) were used to examine the training effects. Results Significant main effects of time (ANOVA) were found for the countermovement jump, hurdle drop jump, hexagonal test, dynamic balance, and leg extension strength. A significant interaction of time and training mode was detected for the countermovement jump in favor of the INST group. No significant improvements were evident for either group in the left-right hop and in the static balance test. Conclusions These results show that lower body PT on unstable surfaces is a safe and efficient way to improve physical performance on stable surfaces.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{GranacherKissLueder2018,
  author    = {Granacher, Urs and Kiss, Rainer and L{\"u}der, Benjamin},
  title     = {Single- and Dual-Task Balance Training Are Equally Effective in Youth},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Humanwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {432},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-411679},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Due to maturation of the postural control system and secular declines in motor performance, adolescents experience deficits in postural control during standing and walking while concurrently performing cognitive interference tasks. Thus, adequately designed balance training programs may help to counteract these deficits. While the general effectiveness of youth balance training is well-documented, there is hardly any information available on the specific effects of single-task (ST) versus dual-task (DT) balance training. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (i) to examine static/dynamic balance performance under ST and DT conditions in adolescents and (ii) to study the effects of ST versus DT balance training on static/dynamic balance under ST and DT conditions in adolescents. Twenty-eight healthy girls and boys aged 12-13 years were randomly assigned to either 8 weeks of ST or DT balance training. Before and after training, postural sway and spatio-temporal gait parameters were registered under ST (standing/walking only) and DT conditions (standing/walking while concurrently performing an arithmetic task). At baseline, significantly slower gait speed (p < 0.001, d = 5.1), shorter stride length (p < 0.001, d = 4.8), and longer stride time (p < 0.001, d = 3.8) were found for DT compared to ST walking but not standing. Training resulted in significant pre-post decreases in DT costs for gait velocity (p < 0.001, d = 3.1), stride length (-45\%, p < 0.001, d = 2.4), and stride time (-44\%, p < 0.01, d = 1.9). Training did not induce any significant changes (p > 0.05, d = 0-0.1) in DT costs for all parameters of secondary task performance during standing and walking. Training produced significant pre-post increases (p = 0.001; d = 1.47) in secondary task performance while sitting. The observed increase was significantly greater for the ST training group (p = 0.04; d = 0.81). For standing, no significant changes were found over time irrespective of the experimental group. We conclude that adolescents showed impaired DT compared to ST walking but not standing. ST and DT balance training resulted in significant and similar changes in DT costs during walking. Thus, there appears to be no preference for either ST or DT balance training in adolescents.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{GranacherLacroixMuehlbaueretal.2017,
  author    = {Granacher, Urs and Lacroix, Andre and M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Roettger, Katrin and Gollhofer, Albert},
  title     = {Effects of core instability strength training on trunk muscle strength, spinal mobility, dynamic balance and functional mobility in older adults},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-399994},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: Age-related postural misalignment, balance deficits and strength/power losses are associated with impaired functional mobility and an increased risk of falling in seniors. Core instability strength training (CIT) involves exercises that are challenging for both trunk muscles and postural control and may thus have the potential to induce benefits in trunk muscle strength, spinal mobility and balance performance. Objective: The objective was to investigate the effects of CIT on measures of trunk muscle strength, spinal mobility, dynamic balance and functional mobility in seniors. Methods: Thirty-two older adults were randomly assigned to an intervention group (INT; n = 16, aged 70.8 +/- 4.1 years) that conducted a 9-week progressive CIT or to a control group (n = 16, aged 70.2 +/- 4.5 years). Maximal isometric strength of the trunk flexors/extensors/lateral flexors (right, left)/rotators (right, left) as well as of spinal mobility in the sagittal and the coronal plane was measured before and after the intervention program. Dynamic balance (i.e. walking 10 m on an optoelectric walkway, the Functional Reach test) and functional mobility (Timed Up and Go test) were additionally tested. Results: Program compliance was excellent with participants of the INT group completing 92\% of the training sessions. Significant group x test interactions were found for the maximal isometric strength of the trunk flexors (34\%, p < 0.001), extensors (21\%, p < 0.001), lateral flexors (right: 48\%, p < 0.001; left: 53\%, p < 0.001) and left rotators (42\%, p < 0.001) in favor of the INT group. Further, training-related improvements were found for spinal mobility in the sagittal (11\%, p < 0.001) and coronal plane (11\%, p = 0.06) directions, for stride velocity (9\%, p < 0.05), the coefficient of variation in stride velocity (31\%, p < 0.05), the Functional Reach test (20\%, p < 0.05) and the Timed Up and Go test (4\%, p < 0.05) in favor of the INT group. Conclusion: CIT proved to be a feasible exercise program for seniors with a high adherence rate. Age-related deficits in measures of trunk muscle strength, spinal mobility, dynamic balance and functional mobility can be mitigated by CIT. This training regimen could be used as an adjunct or even alternative to traditional balance and/or resistance training.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{GranacherMuehlbauerBridenbaughetal.2017,
  author    = {Granacher, Urs and M{\"u}hlbauer, Thomas and Bridenbaugh, Stephanie A. and Wolf, Madeleine and Roth, Ralf and Gschwind, Yves and Wolf, Irene and Mata, Rui and Kressig, Reto W.},
  title     = {Effects of a salsa dance training on balance and strength performance in older adults},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-399962},
  pages     = {8},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: Deficits in static and particularly dynamic postural control and force production have frequently been associated with an increased risk of falling in older adults. Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of salsa dancing on measures of static/dynamic postural control and leg extensor power in seniors. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy older adults were randomly assigned to an intervention group (INT, n = 14, age 71.6 +/- 5.3 years) to conduct an 8-week progressive salsa dancing programme or a control group (CON, n = 14, age 68.9 +/- 4.7 years). Static postural control was measured during one-legged stance on a balance platform and dynamic postural control was obtained while walking on an instrumented walkway. Leg extensor power was assessed during a countermovement jump on a force plate. Results: Programme compliance was excellent with participants of the INT group completing 92.5\% of the dancing sessions. A tendency towards an improvement in the selected measures of static postural control was observed in the INT group as compared to the CON group. Significant group X test interactions were found for stride velocity, length and time. Post hoc analyses revealed significant increases in stride velocity and length, and concomitant decreases in stride time. However, salsa dancing did not have significant effects on various measures of gait variability and leg extensor power. Conclusion: Salsa proved to be a safe and feasible exercise programme for older adults accompanied with a high adherence rate. Age-related deficits in measures of static and particularly dynamic postural control can be mitigated by salsa dancing in older adults. High physical activity and fitness/mobility levels of our participants could be responsible for the nonsignificant findings in gait variability and leg extensor power.},
  language  = {en}
}