Microdosing: A Conceptual Framework for use as Programming Strategy for Resistance Training in Team Sports (2023)
Journal Article
Cuthbert, M., Haff, G. G., McMahon, J. J., Evans, M., & Comfort, P. (2023). Microdosing: A Conceptual Framework for use as Programming Strategy for Resistance Training in Team Sports. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 46(2), 180-201. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0000000000000786

Microdosing, in the context of resistance training, has increased in popularity within sporting environments where it is frequently used among strength and conditioning professionals. Although there is a clear definition for the concept within the li... Read More about Microdosing: A Conceptual Framework for use as Programming Strategy for Resistance Training in Team Sports.

National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Weightlifting for Sports Performance (2023)
Journal Article
Comfort, P., Haff, G. G., Suchomel, T. J., Soriano, M. A., Pierce, K. C., Hornsby, W. G., …Stone, M. H. (in press). National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Weightlifting for Sports Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 37(6), 1163-1190. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004476

The origins of weightlifting and feats of strength span back to ancient Egypt, China, and Greece, with the introduction of weightlifting into the Olympic Games in 1896. However, it was not until the 1950s that training based on weightlifting was adop... Read More about National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Weightlifting for Sports Performance.

A systematic review of the different calculation methods for measuring jump height during the countermovement and drop jump tests (2023)
Journal Article
Xu, J., Turner, A., Comfort, P., Harry, J., McMahon, J., Chavda, S., & Bishop, C. (in press). A systematic review of the different calculation methods for measuring jump height during the countermovement and drop jump tests. Sports Medicine, 11, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01828-x

Background The height obtained during the countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) tests have been measured by numerous studies using different calculation methods and pieces of equipment. However, the differences in calculation methods and e... Read More about A systematic review of the different calculation methods for measuring jump height during the countermovement and drop jump tests.

The Effect of Rest Redistribution on Kinetic and Kinematic Variables During the Countermovement Shrug. (2022)
Journal Article
Meechan, D., McMahon, J. J., Suchomel, T. J., & Comfort, P. (in press). The Effect of Rest Redistribution on Kinetic and Kinematic Variables During the Countermovement Shrug. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 37(7), 1358-1366. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004238

This study compared the effects of rest redistribution (RR) on kinetic and kinematic variables during the countermovement shrug (CMS). Twenty-one male subjects (age 27.2 ± 3.3. years, height 1.78 ± 0.07 m, body mass 77.2 ±10.6 kg, relative one repeti... Read More about The Effect of Rest Redistribution on Kinetic and Kinematic Variables During the Countermovement Shrug..

Force plate-derived countermovement jump normative data and benchmarks for professional Rugby League players (2022)
Journal Article
McMahon, J., Ripley, N., & Comfort, P. (2022). Force plate-derived countermovement jump normative data and benchmarks for professional Rugby League players. Sensors, 22(22), 8669. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22228669

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is an important test in rugby league (RL), and the force plate is the recommended assessment device, as it permits the calculation of several variables that explain jump strategy, alongside jump height. The purpose of t... Read More about Force plate-derived countermovement jump normative data and benchmarks for professional Rugby League players.

Comparing biomechanical time series data across countermovement shrug load (2022)
Journal Article
Meechan, D., McErlain-Naylor, S., McMahon, J., Suchomel, T., & Comfort, P. (2022). Comparing biomechanical time series data across countermovement shrug load. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(15), 1658-1667. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2091351

The effect of load on time series data has yet to be investigated during weightlifting derivatives. This study compared the effect of load on the force-time and velocity-time curves during the countermovement shrug (CMS). Twenty-nine males performed... Read More about Comparing biomechanical time series data across countermovement shrug load.

Comparison between methods to estimate bicep femoris fascicle length from three estimation equations using a 10 cm ultrasound probe (2022)
Journal Article
Ripley, N., Comfort, P., & McMahon, J. (2022). Comparison between methods to estimate bicep femoris fascicle length from three estimation equations using a 10 cm ultrasound probe. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 27(1), 43-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2022.2063689

The aim of the present study was to determine the reliability and differences between three fascicle length (FL) estimation methods when utilizing a 10-cm ultrasound (US) probe. Thirteen males (24.1 ± 3.8 years, 79.3 ± 14 kg, 179 ± 6.6 cm) participat... Read More about Comparison between methods to estimate bicep femoris fascicle length from three estimation equations using a 10 cm ultrasound probe.

No differences in weightlifting overhead pressing exercises kinetics (2021)
Journal Article
Soriano, M., Lake, J., Comfort, P., Suchomel, T., McMahon, J., Jiménez-Ormeño, E., & Sainz de Baranda, P. (2021). No differences in weightlifting overhead pressing exercises kinetics. Sports Biomechanics, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2021.1993983

This study aimed to compare the kinetics between the push press (PP), push jerk (PJ), and split jerk (SJ). Sixteen resistance-trained participants (12 men and 4 women; age: 23.8 ± 4.4 years; height: 1.7 ± 0.1 m; body mass: 75.7 ± 13.0 kg; weightlifti... Read More about No differences in weightlifting overhead pressing exercises kinetics.

How effective is an evidence-based exercise intervention in individuals with patellofemoral pain? (2021)
Journal Article
Greaves, H., Comfort, P., Liu, A., Herrington, L., & Jones, R. (2021). How effective is an evidence-based exercise intervention in individuals with patellofemoral pain?. Physical Therapy in Sport, 51, 92-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.05.013

Objectives Guidelines for a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for patellofemoral pain (PFP) have been developed by international experts. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of such a rehabilitative exercise programme on pain, funct... Read More about How effective is an evidence-based exercise intervention in individuals with patellofemoral pain?.

Vertical jump testing in rugby league : a rationale for calculating take-off momentum (2020)
Journal Article
McMahon, J., Lake, J., Ripley, N., & Comfort, P. (2020). Vertical jump testing in rugby league : a rationale for calculating take-off momentum. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 36(6), 370-374. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2020-0100

The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of calculating jump take-off momentum in rugby league (RL) by exploring its relationship with sprint momentum, due to the latter being an important attribute of this sport. Twenty-five male RL... Read More about Vertical jump testing in rugby league : a rationale for calculating take-off momentum.

Countermovement jump standards in rugby league : what is a “good” performance? (2020)
Journal Article
McMahon, J., Lake, J., Dos'Santos, T., Jones, P., Thomasson, M., & Comfort, P. (2020). Countermovement jump standards in rugby league : what is a “good” performance?. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(6), 1691-1698. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003697

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is considered an important test in rugby league and the force platform is the recommended tool for assessing CMJ performance in this cohort. Due to inconsistent methods applied across previous studies, there is curren... Read More about Countermovement jump standards in rugby league : what is a “good” performance?.

The benefits of strength training on musculoskeletal system health : practical applications for interdisciplinary care (2020)
Journal Article
Maestroni, L., Read, P., Bishop, C., Papadopoulos, K., Suchomel, T., Comfort, P., & Turner, A. (2020). The benefits of strength training on musculoskeletal system health : practical applications for interdisciplinary care. Sports Medicine, 50, 1431-1450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01309-5

Global health organizations have provided recommendations regarding exercise for the general population. Strength training has been included in several position statements due to its multi-systemic benefits. In this narrative review, we examine the a... Read More about The benefits of strength training on musculoskeletal system health : practical applications for interdisciplinary care.

Training with weightlifting derivatives : the effects of force and velocity overload stimuli (2020)
Journal Article
Suchomel, T., McKeever, S., & Comfort, P. (2020). Training with weightlifting derivatives : the effects of force and velocity overload stimuli. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(7), 1808-1818. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003639

The purposes of this study were to compare the training effects of weightlifting movements performed with (CATCH) or without (PULL) the catch phase of clean derivatives performed at the same relative loads or training without the catch phase using a... Read More about Training with weightlifting derivatives : the effects of force and velocity overload stimuli.

Mechanical power production assessment during weightlifting exercises. A systematic review (2020)
Journal Article
Soriano, M., Kipp, K., Lake, J., Suchomel, T., Marin, P., Sainz De Baranda, M., & Comfort, P. (2020). Mechanical power production assessment during weightlifting exercises. A systematic review. Sports Biomechanics, 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2020.1747529

The assessment of the mechanical power production is of great importance for researchers and practitioners. The purpose of this review was to compare the differences in ground reaction force (GRF), kinematic, and combined (bar velocity x GRF) methods... Read More about Mechanical power production assessment during weightlifting exercises. A systematic review.

Comparison of 1-repetition-maximum performance across 3 weightlifting overhead pressing exercises and sport groups (2020)
Journal Article
Soriano, M., García-Ramos, A., Torres-González, A., Castillo-Palencia, J., Marín, P., de Baranda, P., & Comfort, P. (2020). Comparison of 1-repetition-maximum performance across 3 weightlifting overhead pressing exercises and sport groups. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(6), 862-867. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0582

Objective: This study aimed to (I) compare the one repetition maximum (1RM) performance between the push press (PP), push jerk (PJ) and split jerk (SJ), and (II) explore these differences between weightlifters, CrossFit® athletes and a mixed group of... Read More about Comparison of 1-repetition-maximum performance across 3 weightlifting overhead pressing exercises and sport groups.

Comparison of countermovement jump–derived reactive strength index modified and underpinning force-time variables between super league and championship rugby league players (2019)
Journal Article
McMahon, J., Jones, P., & Comfort, P. (2019). Comparison of countermovement jump–derived reactive strength index modified and underpinning force-time variables between super league and championship rugby league players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003380

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is regularly tested in rugby league (RL), with recent work reporting reactive strength index modified (RSImod) to distinguish between levels of play. Differences in CMJ-derived RSImod and underpinning force-time variabl... Read More about Comparison of countermovement jump–derived reactive strength index modified and underpinning force-time variables between super league and championship rugby league players.

Normalization of early isometric force production as a percentage of peak force during multijoint isometric assessment (2019)
Journal Article
Comfort, P., Dos’Santos, T., Jones, P., McMahon, J., Suchomel, T., Bazyler, C., & Stone, M. (2020). Normalization of early isometric force production as a percentage of peak force during multijoint isometric assessment. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(4), 478-482. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0217

Purpose: To determine the reliability of early force production (50-, 100-, 150-, 200-, 250 ms) relative to peak force (PF) during an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and assess the relationships between these variables. Methods: Male collegiate athle... Read More about Normalization of early isometric force production as a percentage of peak force during multijoint isometric assessment.

The effect of load placement on the power production characteristics of three lower extremity jumping exercises (2019)
Journal Article
Suchomel, T. J., McKeever, S. M., Sijuwade, O., Carpenter, L., McMahon, J., Loturco, I., & Comfort, P. (2019). The effect of load placement on the power production characteristics of three lower extremity jumping exercises. Journal of Human Kinetics, 68(1), 109-122. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2019-0060

The purpose of this study was to compare the power production characteristics of the jump squat (JS), hexagonal barbell jump (HEXJ), and jump shrug (JShrug) across a spectrum of relative loads. Fifteen resistance-trained men completed three testing s... Read More about The effect of load placement on the power production characteristics of three lower extremity jumping exercises.

Changes in performance markers and wellbeing in elite senior professional rugby union players during a pre-season period : analysis of the differences across training phases (2019)
Journal Article
Grainger, A., Neville, R., Ditroilo, M., & Comfort, P. (2020). Changes in performance markers and wellbeing in elite senior professional rugby union players during a pre-season period : analysis of the differences across training phases. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(1), 20-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.012

Objectives: To assess the magnitude of change and association with variation in training load of two performance markers and wellbeing, over three pre-season training blocks, in elite rugby union athletes. Design: Observational. Methods: Twenty-tw... Read More about Changes in performance markers and wellbeing in elite senior professional rugby union players during a pre-season period : analysis of the differences across training phases.

The reliability and validity of the bar-mounted PUSH BandTM 2.0 during bench press with moderate and heavy loads (2019)
Journal Article
Lake, J., Augustus, S., Austin, K., Comfort, P., McMahon, J., Mundy, P., & Haff, G. (2019). The reliability and validity of the bar-mounted PUSH BandTM 2.0 during bench press with moderate and heavy loads. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(23), 2685-2690. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1656703

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the bar-mounted PUSH BandTM 2.0 to determine peak and mean velocity during the bench press exercise with a moderate (60% one repetition maximum [1RM]) and heavy (90% 1RM) load. We di... Read More about The reliability and validity of the bar-mounted PUSH BandTM 2.0 during bench press with moderate and heavy loads.