Ian Bentley

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Lecturer at University of Central Lancashire

This study examined the efficacy of wide compared to self-selected stance width squats in terms of mediating performance improvements during an 8-week period of pre-season training in elite rugby league players. Participants (N=26) were randomly separated into either wide (N=13) (i.e. self-selected squat stance width increased by 20%) or self-selec...

This two-experiment study aimed to examine the effects of different habitual foot placement angles and also the effects of manipulating the foot placement angle on the kinetics, three-dimensional kinematics and muscle forces of the squat. In experiment 1, seventy lifters completed squats at 70% of their one repetition maximum using a self-preferred...

This two-experiment study aimed to explore habitual and manipulated stance widths on squat biomechanics. In experiment one, 70 lifters completed back squats at 70%, 1 repetition maximum (1RM), and were split into groups (NARROW < 1.06 * greater trochanter width (GTW), MID 1.06–1.18 * GTW and WIDE > 1.37 * GTW) according to their self-selected stanc...

Purpose This two-experiment study aimed to examine (1) the accuracy and reliability of repetitions-in-reserve and (2) using a randomized trial, the efficacy of repetition-in-reserve compared to traditional percentage-based training during a 4-week pre-season strength training block in elite rugby league players. Methods In experiment 1, participan...

The aim of the current study was to examine the efficacy of resisted sled-based training compared to traditional unresisted sprint training in terms of mediating improvements in speed, agility and power during an 8-week period of in-season training in elite rugby league players. Participants were randomly separated into either resisted sled or trad...

Purpose The aim of the current investigation was to comparatively examine the effects of knee wraps/sleeves on kinetics, three-dimensional kinematics and muscle forces during the barbell back squat. Methods Fifteen male lifters completed squats at 70% of their 1 repetition maximum, in four different conditions (nothing, competition knee wrap, trai...

The current study aimed to explore the effects of different footwear on kinetics, kinematics and muscle forces during the barbell back squat in both male and female lifters using Bayesian modelling. Twelve male and twelve female lifters completed squats at 70% of their 1 repetition maximum, in four different footwear conditions (Adidas weightliftin...

Bentley, I, Sinclair, JK, Atkins, SJ, Metcalfe, J, and Edmundson, CJ. Effect of velocity-based loading on acceleration kinetics and kinematics during sled towing. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-Sled towing (ST) provides an external load in the form of a sled towed using a shoulder or waist harness and cord behind the athlete. Loading stra...

Place kicking occurs many times during a rugby union game with more than half of all points scored coming from place kicking. Ball velocity is an important biomechanical indicator of kicking success, but it also evident that the ball must be kicked accurately to pass between the posts. This study aimed to identify biomechanical differences in rugby...

The aims of this study were to analyse the optimal cadence for peak power production and time to peak power in bicycle motocross (BMX) riders. Six male elite BMX riders volunteered for the study. Each rider completed 3 maximal sprints at a cadence of 80, 100, 120 and 140 revs · min−1 on a laboratory Schoberer Rad Messtechnik (SRM) cycle ergometer i...

Resisted sprint training is performed in a horizontal direction, and involves similar muscles, velocities and ranges of motion (ROM) to those of normal sprinting. Generally, sleds are attached to the athletes via a lead (3m) and harness; the most common attachment points are the shoulder or waist. At present, it is not known how the different harne...

Abstract: Atkins, SJ, Bentley, I, Brooks, D, Burrows, MP, Hurst, HT, and Sinclair, JK. Electromyographic response of global abdominal stabilizers in response to stable- and unstable-base isometric exercise. J Strength Cond Res 29(6): 1609–1615, 2015—Core stability training traditionally uses stable-base techniques. Less is known as to the use of un...

The barbell squat is fundamental in strength and conditioning. Unfortunately, the propensity for injury is high particularly at the knee. The aim of the current investigation was examine the influence four different relative squat loads (40, 50, 60 and 70 % 1 repetition maximum) on the forces experienced by the patellofemoral joint and patellar ten...

Abstract The barbell back squat is commonly used by athletes participating in resistance training. The barbell squat is typically performed using standard athletic shoes, or specially designed weightlifting footwear, although there are now a large number of athletes who prefer to squat barefoot or in barefoot-inspired footwear. This study aimed to...

There has yet to be a combined analysis of the kinetics and three-dimensional kinematics of running at various degrees of inclination. The aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of treadmill running at various inclines (flat, 5, 10 and 15 degrees) on three-dimensional kinematics of the lower extremities and accelerations measured...