Strength- and power-related assessments
repetition failure
For measurement of variables related to muscular strength and power, subjects were instructed to avoid vigorous exercise for 48 h before the tests in both the pre- and post-study periods. Participants performed a general warm-up consisting of light stretching and stationary cycling for 7–10 min prior to testing.The countermovement jump (CMJ) test was performed on a jump mat (Smart Jump; Fusion Sport, Coopers Plains, Australia). Subjects initiated movement by reaching 90º of knee flexion while keeping their hands at the waist and their trunk erect, and then jumped vertically as high as possible. Instructions emphasized that the movement should be performed without interruption from the beginning to the end of the jump. Subjects performed 3–5 practice attempts for familiarization. Thereafter, two jumps were provided with a rest interval of 1 min between each trial; the highest value was used for analysis.Pre- and post-study RM was assessed in the squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) performed on a Smith machine (Gervasport, Madrid, Spain). A specific warm-up set of the given exercise was performed for 12–15 repetitions at ~ 40% of subjects self-estimated 1-RM followed by two to three sets of two to three repetitions at a load corresponding to approximately 60–80% 1-RM. Participants then performed sets of one repetition of increasing weight for 1-RM determination. A 3- to 5-min rest interval was provided between each successive attempt. Participants were required to reach parallel in the 1-RM SQ; confirmation of squat depth was obtained by a research assistant positioned laterally to the subject to ensure accuracy. Successful 1-RM BP was achieved if the subject displayed a five-point body contact position (head, upper back, and buttocks firmly on the bench with both feet flat on the floor) and executed full-elbow extension. 1-RM SQ testing was conducted before 1-RM BP with a 7-min rest period separating tests. Participants then performed as many attempts as necessary until repetition failure, using the protocol described by McGuigan (