Bret Contreras
Bret Contreras, PhD, CSCS, is a strength and conditioning specialist and researcher in exercise science. His published research focuses on resistance training biomechanics, muscle hypertrophy, and strength adaptations, with specific emphasis on exercise comparisons such as hip thrusts and squats, training volume, and muscle activation.
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Publications
- Does longer-muscle length resistance training cause greater longitudinal growth in humans? A systematic review.
- Hip thrust and back squat training elicit similar gluteus muscle hypertrophy and transfer similarly to the deadlift.
- Hip thrust and back squat training elicit similar gluteus muscle hypertrophy and transfer similarly to the deadlift.
- Force-velocity-power profiling of maximal effort sprinting, jumping and hip thrusting: Exploring the importance of force orientation specificity for assessing neuromuscular function.
- Do the anatomical and physiological properties of a muscle determine its adaptive response to different loading protocols?
- Biomechanical, Anthropometric, and Psychological Determinants of Barbell Back Squat Strength.
- Resistance Training Volume Enhances Muscle Hypertrophy but Not Strength in Trained Men.
- Response.
- To Flex or Rest: Does Adding No-Load Isometric Actions to the Inter-Set Rest Period in Resistance Training Enhance Muscular Adaptations? A Randomized-Controlled Trial.
- Strength, body composition, and functional outcomes in the squat versus leg press exercises.
- Differential effects of attentional focus strategies during long-term resistance training.
- Vertically and horizontally directed muscle power exercises: Relationships with top-level sprint performance.
- Greater electromyographic responses do not imply greater motor unit recruitment and 'hypertrophic potential' cannot be inferred.
- Effects of a Six-Week Hip Thrust vs. Front Squat Resistance Training Program on Performance in Adolescent Males: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
- A Comparison of Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, and Vastus Lateralis Electromyography Amplitude in the Parallel, Full, and Front Squat Variations in Resistance-Trained Females.
- A Comparison of Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, and Vastus Lateralis Electromyography Amplitude for the Barbell, Band, and American Hip Thrust Variations.
- The modified Thomas test is not a valid measure of hip extension unless pelvic tilt is controlled.
- A Comparison of Increases in Volume Load Over 8 Weeks of Low-Versus High-Load Resistance Training.
- Differential Effects of Heavy Versus Moderate Loads on Measures of Strength and Hypertrophy in Resistance-Trained Men.
- Regional differences in muscle activation during hamstrings exercise.
- Effects of load on good morning kinematics and EMG activity.
- Effects of Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy in Well-Trained Men.
- Influence of Resistance Training Frequency on Muscular Adaptations in Well-Trained Men.
- A Comparison of Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris, and Vastus Lateralis Electromyographic Activity in the Back Squat and Barbell Hip Thrust Exercises.
- A comparison of two gluteus maximus EMG maximum voluntary isometric contraction positions.
- Acute effects of anterior thigh foam rolling on hip angle, knee angle, and rectus femoris length in the modified Thomas test.
- AN EXAMINATION OF THE GLUTEAL MUSCLE ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH DYNAMIC HIP ABDUCTION AND HIP EXTERNAL ROTATION EXERCISE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.
- Biomechanical implications of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy: a musculoskeletal model.
- Effects of different volume-equated resistance training loading strategies on muscular adaptations in well-trained men.
- Muscle activation during low- versus high-load resistance training in well-trained men.
- An electromyographic comparison of a modified version of the plank with a long lever and posterior tilt versus the traditional plank exercise.
- Effect of hand position on EMG activity of the posterior shoulder musculature during a horizontal abduction exercise.
- Nonuniform changes in MRI measurements of the thigh muscles after two hamstring strengthening exercises.