Nowadays, the evaluation of physiological characteristics and training load quantification in road cycling is frequently performed through power meter data analyses, but the scientific evidence behind this tool is scarce and often contradictory. The aim of this paper is to review the literature related to power profiling, functional threshold testing, and performance assessment based on power meter data. A literature search was conducted following preferred reporting items for review statement (PRISMA) on the topic of {“cyclist” OR “cycling” AND “functional threshold” OR “power meter”}. The reviewed evidence provided important insights regarding power meter-based training: (a) functional threshold testing is closely related to laboratory markers of steady state; (b) the 20-min protocol represents the most researched option for functional threshold testing, although shorter durations may be used if verified on an individual basis; (c) power profiling obtained through the recovery of recorded power outputs allows the categorization and assessment of the cyclist’s fitness level; and (d) power meters represent an alternative to laboratory tests for the assessment of the relationship between power output and cadence. This review elucidates the increasing amount of studies related to power profiling, functional threshold testing, and performance assessment based on power meter data, highlighting the opportunity for the expanding knowledge that power meters have brought in the road cycling field.

López-Laval, I, Sitko, S, Muñiz-Pardos, B, Cirer-Sastre, R, and Calleja-González, J. Relationship between bench press strength and punch performance in male professional boxers. J Strength Cond Res 34(2): 308–312, 2020—This study investigated the relationship between punching performance and the velocity at which different loads were lifted during the bench press (BP) exercise in 12 professional boxers (age = 22.6 ± 4 years; height = 177.7 ± 5 cm; body mass 70.6 ± 6.43 kg; years of boxing experience = 6.5 ± 3.5 years; weight class = from light to super welterweight). To determine the maximal punching velocity (PVmax) during both rear arm (RA) and lead arm (LA) punching, an accelerometer (Crossbow; Willow Technologies, Sussex, United Kingdom) was placed inside the boxing glove while executing 3 jabs at a maximal velocity with each arm. Upper-body strength was assessed through the direct 1-repetition maximum (1RM) BP test, and the maximum velocity at different percentages of 1RM was obtained with a linear encoder. The main finding was that RA PVmax was correlated with the BP velocity at all submaximal intensities (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, LA PVmax did not correlate with BP velocity at any intensity. When the correlated BP submaximal intensities were introduced in linear regression models, the velocity at 80% 1RM was the only predictor of RA PVmax (r 2 = 0.75; p < 0.01) in professional boxers. Additional body mass adjustment to the regression model significantly affected the predictive value (r 2 = 0.65; p < 0.005). Results encourage coaches and trainers to use BP exercise with high loads (i.e., 80% of 1RM) because this could be a reliable predictor of performance during the specific boxing action. Future research is needed to determine exercises and intensities that could explain LA PVmax because significant associations were not found.

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Osgood-Schlatter disease is the most common osteochondritis of the lower limb in sport-practicing children and adolescents. Its manifestation usually coincides with the appearance of the secondary ossification center of the tibia and is linked to the practice of sports with an explosive component. In the present study, a review of the factors related to its appearance, diagnosis and treatment was carried out. Its appearance seems to be multifactorial and related to multiple morphological, functional, mechanical and environmental factors. Given all the above, risk factor reduction and prevention seem the most logical strategies to effectively prevent the appearance of the condition. In addition, it is essential to create prevention programs that can be objectively assessed and would allow to stop the progress of the pathology, particularly in those sports where high forces are generated on the insertion zone of the patellar tendon at sensitive ages. More studies are needed to clarify which type of treatment is the most appropriate—specific exercises or the usual care treatment.

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