Episode 97 - Alyssa Parten PhD - The Powerlifting PhD: From Competition Platform to Research Lab

Alyssa Parten, PhD, CSCS, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at The University of Alabama. Her research centers on resistance training and female physiology, with a focus on strategies to enhance female exercise performance and how resistance training may impact female long-term health. Dr. Alyssa Parten shares her expertise on female physiology and resistance training, challenging conventional wisdom about menstrual cycle-based training while advocating for personalized, auto-regulated approaches instead.

• Clinical assistant professor of kinesiology researching resistance training in female physiology
• Competitive powerlifter with a 292.5 lb squat, 187.5 lb bench press, and 375 lb deadlift at 138 lbs bodyweight
• Research found no significant metabolic differences between follicular and luteal phases
• Auto-regulation through RPE is more effective than strict cycle-based training programs
• Normal menstrual cycle length ranges from 24-39 days, with significant individual variation
• Traditional powerlifting and bodybuilding training are both effective for female physiology
• Leading FEMPOWER research team studying women-specific training adaptations
• Current projects examine post-activation performance enhancement protocols for women
• Future research will explore resistance training benefits during perimenopause and menopause