Research and Studies

While equations to accurately predict maximal heart rate have improved somewhat since the early days of “220 – Age,” these equations are still pretty unreliable. A new ACE-sponsored study investigates whether the Talk Test, which is easy to implement, provides a suitable alternative to range-based programming and provokes training responses that are comparable to traditional guidelines.

Few muscle groups bring an exerciser less glory and fewer compliments than the hamstrings, but strengthening these muscles can make performing activities of daily living easier and help reduce pain and tightness in the lower back. Because many clients cite lack of time as a main reason for not exercising, ACE enlisted the help of a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to identify the most effective hamstrings exercise.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has repeatedly been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and vascular function in a time-efficient manner. However, there has been a lack of research that looks at resistance training through this same lens. To address this gap in the literature, ACE enlisted the help of a team of researchers at Western State Colorado University to evaluate the effectiveness of applying the HIIT paradigm to resistance training.

We’ve all seen videos of athletes giving post-game interviews from the discomfort of locker room ice baths. Does this recovery strategy really work, and can those benefits be enjoyed by typical gym-goers in addition to competitive athletes? And how do timing and duration factor in? This latest ACE-sponsored research answers these questions and more.

Recovery from exercise training is a vital component of the overall exercise program, and is essential for optimal performance and continued progression. To help determine the best recovery strategy for optimizing the benefits derived from a training program, ACE enlisted a team of researchers at Western State Colorado University to investigate the effects of recovery on performance.