Gøran Paulsen

• Andersen, Vidar; Petushek, Erich J.; Sæterbakken, Atle Hole; Paulsen, Gøran & Krosshaug, Tron (2026). Squat Performance in Elite Powerlifters: Biomechanical Analyses of Maximal and Near Maximal Lifts. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. ISSN 1064-8011. p. 1–9. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005532. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The aim of this study was to investigate lifting technique and joint loading near maximal and maximal loads in elite powerlifters and to investigate their strategies to maximize performance. Eight elite national powerlifters volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects lifted single repetitions at 3 different loads (90, 95, and 100% of 1-RM). The ascending movement was divided into presticking, sticking, and poststicking regions and analyzed for hip torque, knee torque, and hip/knee torque ratio in addition to barbell displacement, barbell velocity, lifting time, and joint angles. The results indicated a significantly higher hip torque than knee torque across all phases, particularly during the sticking region, where a hip-to-knee torque ratio exceeding 3:1 was observed. This ratio indicates a much larger contribution from the hip extensors in powerlifters than what has previously been reported in recreational lifters. Based on ANOVA and equivalence testing (equivalence bounds: d = ±0.51), the increased barbell loading increased the knee joint torque in the presticking region (8% between 90 and 95% of 1-RM), increased the forward lean toward the end of the sticking region and reduced lifting velocity in the sticking and poststicking region. In conclusion, top-level powerlifters were able to maintain their load distribution across the knee and hip when increasing the loading in the barbell back squat, while increasing the initial thrust from the bottom position with higher knee torques during the heaviest lifts. The high proportion of the load distributed to the hip joint indicates that a powerlifting squat requires substantial hip extensor strength.

• Sæterbakken, Atle Hole; Henriksen, Terese Berger; Gideonsen, Benedikte Søviknes; Andersen, Vidar; Stien, Nicolay & Paulsen, Gøran [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Comparison of Unilateral, Asymmetric and Traditional Bilateral Resistance Training in Untrained Women: A Pilot and Proof-of-Concept Study. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 11(2), p. 1–15. doi: 10.3390/jfmk11020232. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Both unilateral and asymmetric loading have been used to increase training specificity and create over-load in a target limb to reduce inter-limb asymmetries. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of conducting either unilateral- or asymmetric-loaded resistance training with traditional bilateral resistance training on maximal dynamic and isometric strength in untrained women. Methods: Thirty-four women not conducting regular resistance training were randomized into unilateral (UNI), bilateral (BIL) or asymmetric (ASY) upper-body resistance training (2–3·wk−1, 10 wk, 24 sessions in total). UNI conducted all exercises unilaterally (one arm at a time), BIL conducted all exercises bilaterally (both arms), and ASY added 10% of the total load to the non-dominant side. Maximal strength was tested in chest press, seated row (1-RM and MVC in both), and pallof press (only MVC). Results: At post-test, BIL demonstrated greater bilateral 1 RM strength than ASY (p = 0.017, d = 1.25) in chest press, while UNI demonstrated greater 1 RM strength in the dominant side than ASY (p = 0.006, d = 1.45). For the other strength tests, no differences were found between groups in chest press (p = 0.068–0.481), seated row (p = 0.091–0.591) or MVC peak force for both chest press and seated row (p > 0.05). All groups demonstrated pre–post improvements for all measurements in chest press (p < 0.05) and seated row (p < 0.05), but only ASY demonstrated improvements in pallof press on the non-dominant side. Conclusions: Compared to traditional bilateral training, unilateral resistance training did not result in similar effects on dynamic or isometric strength. Asymmetric resistance training demonstrated a lower change in chest press strength on the bilateral and dominant sides compared to the other groups.

• Andersen, Vidar; Hermans, Espen; Hansen, Kristoffer Günther; Solstad, Tom Erik Jorung; Sæterbakken, Atle Hole & Balas, Jiri [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). Comparison of low load blood flow restriction and high load resistance training of the finger flexors in advanced level climbers: a pilot study. Frontiers in Physiology. 17. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2026.1807492. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: The aim of the present pilot study was to compare the effects of low load blood flow restriction (LL-BFR) with high load resistance training (HL) in advanced level climbers.Methods: Twenty-two climbers were randomly allocated to LL-BFR or HL performing training twice per week for five weeks. Before and after the intervention the participants were tested in isometric pull-up (peak- and average force), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) in a finger flexor exercise, finger endurance, forearm circumference, and climbing performance.Results: There were no group differences in any of the tests (p=0.346-0.891), however, both groups increased their average force in the pull-up (LL-BFR; 52 N, p=0.012, HL; 56 N, p=0.024), MVC (LL-BFR; 15 kg, p=0.008, HL; 17 kg, p=0.002), forearm circumference (LL-BFR; 0.8 cm, p=0.012, HL; 0.6, p=0.038) and climbing performance (LL-BFR; 13.5 moves, p=0.012, HL; 10 moves, p=0.003). No pre-post differences were observed for the peak force in the pull-up (p=0.132-0.376) or the endurance test (p=0.752-1.000).Discussion: In conclusion, resistance training of the finger flexors with HL or LL-BFR resulted in no between-group differences, with both interventions improving maximal strength, hypertrophy, and climbing performance, but not endurance.

• Viken, Julian Seiler; Nettum, Vebjørn; Paulsen, Gøran & Seynnes, Olivier R. (2025). Influence of passive, diet-based, hydration on muscle quantity assessment. Frontiers in Physiology. 16. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1724047. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background This study investigated the impact of passive changes in hydration level on measurements of lean tissue mass (LTM) and muscle morphology. Methods Sixteen healthy participants (13 males, 3 females) completed two testing sessions 24 h apart, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), 3D ultrasound imaging of the vastus lateralis (VL), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Participants fasted for 12 h before each session. Hydration was manipulated by assigning participants randomly to either a non-hydrated state, abstaining from fluids until testing, or a hydrated state, consuming water equal to 1.5% of body mass 2 hours prior. Results Total body water, measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), was lower in the non-hydrated condition (48.6 ± 9.7 kg) than in the hydrated condition (49.0 ± 9.8 kg, p = 0.015). In the hydrated condition, total LTM, measured using DXA, was higher for the full body (60.8 ± 11.8 kg vs. 60.0 ± 11.9 kg, p &lt; 0.001) and the trunk (29.2 ± 5.3 kg vs. 28.6 ± 5.4 kg, p &lt; 0.001). Hydration did not significantly affect LTM in the upper (p = 0.251) or lower limbs (p = 0.298), or the thigh (p = 0.051). Volume (p = 0.105) and cross-sectional area (CSA; p = 0.114) of the VL were also unaffected. Conclusion Small changes in hydration levels induced passively under temperate conditions may not significantly affect measurements of muscle morphology or limb measurements of LTM. However, monitoring changes in muscle quantity with total LTM may be biased by water intake and trunk hydration if these factors are not controlled. Caution is warranted (e.g., standardisation) when using total LTM to monitor changes in muscle quantity.

• Holm, Mia Røkke; Holtvedt, Hågen; Hansen, Mette; Paulsen, Gøran & Seynnes, Olivier (2025). Second‐Generation Oral Contraceptive Use Is Associated With Greater Muscle Hypertrophy Following Resistance Training. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 35(12). doi: 10.1111/sms.70189. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine whether second‐generation oral contraceptive (OC) users exhibit greater muscle hypertrophy following resistance training compared to non‐users across various targeted muscle groups. Fourteen young, untrained women using OCs (aged 28 ± 4 years) and 12 eumenorrheic non‐users (NOC, aged 30 ± 4 years) underwent a 12‐week resistance training programme. The thickness of seven muscles in the upper‐ and lower‐limbs was measured using ultrasound, while body composition was assessed with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, and the maximal torque of all relevant joints was tested before and after the intervention. Our results demonstrated a greater increase in arm lean tissue mass (LTM) in OC users (10.5%) compared to non‐users (6.6%, time × group interaction p  < 0.002). Additionally, greater hypertrophic gains were observed in three specific muscle groups in OC users (4.5%–7.9%) compared to non‐users (1.5%–3.1%, time × group interaction, p  ≤ 0.036). Despite these group differences in muscle growth, no group differences in strength gains were observed. This study indicates that second‐generation OC users exhibit greater hypertrophic gains in specific muscle groups and a greater accretion of arm LTM compared to eumenorrheic non‐users of OC. Further research is warranted to explore the physiological mechanisms behind the differences in muscle growth during resistance training between users and non‐users of OC.

• Paulsen, Gøran; Myrholt, Roger Behrman; Mentzoni, Fredrik & Solberg, Paul Andre (2025). Exercise type, training load, velocity loss threshold, and sets affect the relationship between lifting velocity and perceived repetitions in reserve in strength-trained individuals. PeerJ. 13. doi: 10.7717/peerj.19797. Full text in Research Archive
• Solberg, Paul Andre; Hopkins, Will G.; Andersen, Vidar; Lindberg, Kolbjørn Andreas; Bjørnsen, Thomas & Sæterbakken, Atle Hole [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Force-velocity profile based training to improve vertical jump performance a systematic review and meta analysis. Scientific Reports. 15(1). doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-00870-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of training optimized to correct deficits in vertical force–velocity (FV) profiles compared to non-optimized training. Outcomes included changes in the FV profile, vertical jump height, and maximal power. Searches followed PRISMA guidelines and were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus. Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. As of March 2025, ten studies were identified; four were eligible for meta-analysis. Individually optimized FV-based training partially corrected a force deficit, fully corrected a velocity deficit, and had little effect on an already optimum FV profile. Effects on maximal power were small to trivial and often unclear when compared with non-optimized training. There were small-moderate improvements in jump height with optimized training, but these gains were comparable to non-optimized training. Heterogeneity was small to moderate, and methodological shortcomings were noted in all studies, including those excluded from the meta-analysis. Overall, it remains unclear if FV-profile-based training outperforms standard approaches. Labeling training “optimized” or “non-optimized” may induce placebo or nocebo effects, underscoring the need for blinded, randomized controlled trials.

• Nettum, Vebjørn; Mathisen, Therese Fostervold; Slater, Gary; Seynnes, Olivier R. & Paulsen, Gøran (2025). Lean Body Mass and Maximal Strength Changes during Physique Contest Preparation and Recovery: A Case Series. Performance Enhancement & Health. 14. doi: 10.1016/j.peh.2025.100404. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study aimed to investigate changes in lean body mass (LBM) and maximal strength during preparation for a physique contest season and one month post-season. Three drug-free male physique athletes were observed. Laboratory tests were conducted at various intervals: immediately before starting weight loss, 2 months, 1 month, and 1 week before their first contest, 1 week before their last contest, and 1 month post-season. Body composition was assessed using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioimpedance (BIA), and skinfold (SK) measurements. Muscle thickness (MT) of the elbow flexors and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vastus lateralis were evaluated via ultrasound. Strength assessments (isometric and isokinetic peak torque) were measured using a dynamometer. Blood biomarkers and dietary intake were also tracked. During the preparation phase, LBM decreased in all athletes: 1.7-5.3 kg (DXA), 4.3-8.5 kg (BIA), and 7.0-9.5 kg (SK). One month into recovery, LBM rapidly increased: 2.5-3.4 kg (DXA), 4.1-4.6 kg (BIA), and 3.4-5.5 kg (SK). Both MT and CSA decreased during preparation but increased during recovery. Maximal strength performance remained within expected day-to-day variation for isometric peak torque and isokinetic peak torque at 60°/s, but isokinetic peak torque at 240°/s exceeded expected variation, only partially restored post-contest. Testosterone levels decreased and sex-hormone binding globulin increased during preparation, with varying recovery. Reductions in LBM, MT, and CSA during caloric restriction were followed by rapid increases post-contest, resulting in negligible net changes from baseline. This provides evidence that highly trained individuals are able to retain contractile tissue during substantial weight loss following a daily caloric deficit of 500 kcal

• Handegard, Vilde; Lunde, Per Kristian; Frisk, Michael; Seynnes, Olivier R.; Ørtenblad, N. & Louch, William Edward [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2025). Myofiber structure, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ handling, and contractile function after muscle-damaging exercise in humans. Physiological Reports. 13(3). doi: 10.14814/phy2.70204. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is characterized by a severe and prolonged decline in force-generating capacity. However, the precise cellular mechanisms underlying the observed long-lasting decline in force-generating capacity associated with EIMD are still unclear. We investigated in vivo force generation and ex vivo Ca2+-activated force generation, Ca2+ sensitivity, and myofiber Ca2+ handling systems (SR and t-tubules) in human biceps brachii before and 2, 48, and 96 h after eccentrically muscle-damaging contractions and in non-exercised control arm. The force-generating capacity declined by 50 ± 13% 3 h after exercise and was still not recovered after 96 h. The force-Ca relationship of skinned myofibers revealed an impaired maximal Ca2+-activated force in MHC I-fibers, but not MHC II-fibers 48 h after exercise. Further, Ca2+ sensitivity was increased in MHC II-fibers, which was reversed after incubation with a strong reductant. There was a biphasic increase in SERCA sulfonylation, and a parallel reduction in the SR Ca2+ uptake rate, with no effects on SR vesicle leak or SR vesicle Ca2+ release rate. T-tubules showed a progressive increase in the density of longitudinal tubules by 96 h after exercise. In conclusion, MHC II-fiber Ca2+ sensitivity was increased 48 h after exercise, attributed to changes in the REDOX status. 96 h after exercise SR vesicle Ca2+ uptake was impaired, and an increased number of longitudinal tubules were observed. These alterations may contribute to the impaired force generation evident at the late stage of recovery.

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• Solstad, Tom Erik Jorung; Andersen, Vidar; Solberg, Paul Andre; Rønnestad, Bent; Sveen, Ole & Husebye, Birgitte Nordahl [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2025). Neuromuscular Performance Recovery: A Comparison of Pneumatic and Constant Resistance Exercise. Full text in Research Archive

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