Should we replace the beta-alanine in our pre-workout supplements?
More studies are investigating a new supplementation strategy: combining carnosine and anserine.
Research Spotlight
Research Spotlight articles share quick breakdowns of interesting studies.
Browse the archive of Research Spotlight posts below, and sign up to get new posts in your inbox here.
Is your split jerk limited by upper body or lower body strength?
A recent study by Soriano et al assessed 1RM split jerk, strict overhead press, and back squat strength in 33 competitive weightlifters (20 males and 13 females).
The effects of Vitamin D on sleep
A recent study sought to quantify the effects of vitamin D supplementation on sleep outcomes.
Can stretching directly cause muscle growth?
A recent study by Warneke et al is the first great proof-of-concept study investigating the direct impact of stretching on muscle growth.
Even mild dehydration may increase subjective pain and fatigue during exercise
A recent study by Tan et al investigated the impact of mild hypohydration on pain sensitivity in a crossover trial with 17 healthy, eumenorrheic women.
Attentional focus may influence strength development
A recent meta-analysis sought to analyze the research investigating the impact of attentional focus on both acute strength performance and longitudinal strength development.
Harder foods for an easier diet
A new study by Teo et al provides some simple and practical guidance regarding the influence of food texture on energy intake.
When does training volume reach the point of diminishing returns?
A recent meta analysis investigated the impact of training volume on muscle growth, comparing the effects of 12-20 versus 20+ sets per muscle group per week on quad growth, biceps growth, and triceps growth.
Is the 5:2 fasting diet a viable option for lifters?
This article breaks down the first study to investigate the 5:2 fasting diet within the context of resistance training.
What is the optimal dose of resistance training for longevity?
How much resistance training is required to reap the maximal health benefits? What does the dose-response relationship between resistance training volume and mortality look like? A recent meta-analysis addressed these very questions.
Continuous glucose monitors: What are they good for?
There’s not much evidence to support a beneficial effect of using continuous glucose monitors for healthy individuals, and there are some potential downsides when we burden ourselves with the task of micromanaging glucose fluctuations that are well within normal ranges.
A heuristic for estimating energy expenditure during resistance training
Research Spotlight articles share concise breakdowns of interesting studies. The study reviewed is “Acute Behavior of Oxygen Consumption, Lactate Concentrations, and Energy Expenditure During Resistance Training: Comparisons Among Three Intensities.”