All Outputs (233)

Strength and power characteristics in English elite rugby league players (2011)
Journal Article
Comfort, P., Graham-Smith, P., Matthews, M., & Bamber, C. (2011). Strength and power characteristics in English elite rugby league players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(5), 1374-1384. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181d687f5

The aim of this article is to present data on the strength and power characteristics of forwards and backs in a squad of elite English rugby league players and compare these findings to previously published literature from Australia. Participants wer... Read More about Strength and power characteristics in English elite rugby league players.

An electromyographical comparison of trunk muscle activity during isometric trunk and dynamic strengthening exercises (2011)
Journal Article
Comfort, P., Pearson, S., & Mather, D. (2011). An electromyographical comparison of trunk muscle activity during isometric trunk and dynamic strengthening exercises. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(1), 149-154. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181fb412f

The purpose of this study was to compare rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscle activity during isometric (prone bridge [PB] and superman [SM]) and dynamic strengthening exercises (back squat, front squat [FS], and military press). Participants... Read More about An electromyographical comparison of trunk muscle activity during isometric trunk and dynamic strengthening exercises.

Complex training in ice hockey: the effects of a heavy resisted sprint on subsequent ice-hockey sprint performance (2010)
Journal Article
Matthews, M., Comfort, P., & Crebin, R. (2010). Complex training in ice hockey: the effects of a heavy resisted sprint on subsequent ice-hockey sprint performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(11), 2883-2887. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e7253c

The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effect of a heavy resisted sprint when used as a preload exercise to enhance subsequent 25-m on-ice sprint performance. Eleven competitive ice-hockey players (mean 6 SD: Age = 22.09 6 3.05 years; Bo... Read More about Complex training in ice hockey: the effects of a heavy resisted sprint on subsequent ice-hockey sprint performance.

An Introduction to Periodisation (2010)
Book Chapter
Comfort, P., & Matthews, M. (2013). An Introduction to Periodisation. In P. Comfort, & E. Abrahamson (Eds.), Sports Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118685150.ch9

This chapter contains sections titled: Periodisation Training cycles Application to sports performance Application to rehabilitation Summary References

Chapter 11 : musculoskeletal assessment (2010)
Book Chapter
Hatcher, J. (2010). Chapter 11 : musculoskeletal assessment. In P. Comfort, & E. Abrahamson (Eds.), Sports Rehabilitation & Injury Prevention (185-197). Wiley-Blackwell Publications

The acute effects of heavy and light resistances on the flight time of a basketball push-pass during upper body complex training (2009)
Journal Article
Matthews, M., O'Conchuir, C., & Comfort, P. (2009). The acute effects of heavy and light resistances on the flight time of a basketball push-pass during upper body complex training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(7), 1988-1995. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b3e076

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of high-load and low-load complex training on upper-body performance—determined by the flight time of a basketball push-pass. Twelve competitive male athletes (21.8 6 4.5 years, 82.0 6 11.7 k... Read More about The acute effects of heavy and light resistances on the flight time of a basketball push-pass during upper body complex training.

Applying complex training principles to boxing: A practical approach (2008)
Journal Article
Matthews, M., & Comfort, P. (2008). Applying complex training principles to boxing: A practical approach. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 30(5), 12-15. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e318187d31b

This article discusses the application of complex training principles in the development of speed and power in boxing. In it, we illustrate how the addition of external resistance, applied in biomechanically similar ways to traditional boxing skills... Read More about Applying complex training principles to boxing: A practical approach.

Optimizing squat technique (2007)
Journal Article
Comfort, P., & Kasim, P. (2007). Optimizing squat technique. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 29(6), 10-13. https://doi.org/10.1519/00126548-200712000-00001

There are many variations of the squat technique, including stance width, foot positioning, and squat depth. However, research indicates that the optimal squat technique is a wide stance (≥ shoulder width) with natural foot positioning, unrestricted... Read More about Optimizing squat technique.

The affect of grip width on bench press performance and risk of injury (2007)
Journal Article
Green, C., & Comfort, P. (2007). The affect of grip width on bench press performance and risk of injury. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 29(5), 10-14. https://doi.org/10.1519/00126548-200710000-00001

Bodybuilders, athletes, and recreational lifters select a grip width during the bench press that they believe will produce a greater force output. Research has demonstrated that a wide grip (> 1.5 biacromial width) may increase the risk of shoulder i... Read More about The affect of grip width on bench press performance and risk of injury.

Contemporary and novel assessment of biomechanics in plyometric and ballistic exercise and the implications for elite and recreational athletes
Thesis
Jarvis, M. (in press). Contemporary and novel assessment of biomechanics in plyometric and ballistic exercise and the implications for elite and recreational athletes. (Thesis). University of Salford

Jumping exercises, comprising plyometrics and ballistic jumps, are commonly used and important in the development of athletic performance. However, our ability to describe training doses with accurate and meaningful measures lags significantly behind... Read More about Contemporary and novel assessment of biomechanics in plyometric and ballistic exercise and the implications for elite and recreational athletes.

A biomechanical analysis of variations of the power clean and their application for athletic development
Thesis
Comfort, P. A biomechanical analysis of variations of the power clean and their application for athletic development. (Thesis). University of Salford

The aim of this series of studies was to determine the effect of power clean variation (power clean (PC), hang power clean (HPC), mid-thigh power clean (MTPC) and mid-thigh clean pull (MTCP)) and load on force time characteristics, in an attempt to i... Read More about A biomechanical analysis of variations of the power clean and their application for athletic development.

Lower limb stiffness: Considerations for female athletes
Journal Article
McMahon, J., Comfort, P., & Pearson, S. Lower limb stiffness: Considerations for female athletes. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 34(5), 70-73. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e318268131f

Women demonstrate lower limb stiffness recruitment strategies, which may predispose them to greater sustainment of lower limb injuries, particularly to the anterior cruciate ligament. To positively alter such strategies in women, lower limb muscle st... Read More about Lower limb stiffness: Considerations for female athletes.

Training Considerations after hamstring injury in athletes
Journal Article
Comfort, P., Green, C., & Matthews, M. Training Considerations after hamstring injury in athletes. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 31(1), 68-74. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e318195d225

Hamstring strains are compounded by a high recurrence rate of 12-31% within the first year of return to sport. Explanations include reduced tensile strength, reduced strength of muscle and surrounding sites, and reduced flexibility of the muscle tend... Read More about Training Considerations after hamstring injury in athletes.