We tested a novel control strategy for robotic rehabilitation devices used by individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis. Symmetry-based resistance increases resistance when limb forces become more asymmetric during bilateral exercise. The underlying rationales for the control mode are that it will guide patients to increase paretic limb activation while teaching them ...

Persons with lower extremity weakness following stroke often demonstrate difficulty with weight transfer and paretic lower extremity loading. These deficits, in turn, can lead to problems with lateral stability, or the ability to control movement of the center of mass in the frontal plane. The primary aim of this study ...

The purpose of the current study was to determine the acute neuroendocrine response to hypertrophy (H), strength (S), and power (P) type resistance exercise (RE) equated for total volume. Ten male subjects completed three RE protocols and a rest day (R) using a randomized cross-over design. The protocols included (1) ...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether strength or recreational activities are a useful addition to aerobic training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thirty-three patients with moderate to severe COPD were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of aerobic combined with strength training (AERO+ST) or combined ...

Objective: This comparison study examined strength and functional fitness (FF) outcomes between 2 single-set resistance training (SSRT) studies of differing intensity progressions (rapid progression [RP] versus delayed progression [DP]) among elderly pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) patients to determine if there is a threshold effect for training intensity. Methods: Twenty PR patients ...

This 12-month prospective controlled intervention evaluated the effect of a general school based physical activity program on muscle strength, physical performance and body composition in prepubertal girls. Fifty-three girls aged 7-9 years involved in a school based exercise program [40 min/day of general physical activity per school day (200 min/week)] ...

Closed-kinetic chain resistance training (CKCRT) of the lower body is superior to open-kinetic chain resistance training (OKCRT) to improve performance parameters (e.g., vertical jump), but the effects of upper-body CKCRT on throwing performance remain unknown. This study compared shoulder strength, power, and throwing velocity changes in athletes training the upper ...

Strengthening of the articulators is commonly used to help children improve sound production accuracy, even though the relationship between weakness and speech function remains unclear. Clinicians considering the use of strength training must weigh both the theoretical foundations and the evidence supporting this practice. Widely accepted principles of strength training ...

This study investigated the acute effects of upper-body maximal dynamic contractions on maximal throwing speed with 0.55- and 4-kg medicine balls. It was hypothesized that heavy preloading would transiently improve throwing performance only when overcoming the heavier of the two loads. Twenty-three male volunteers were randomly allocated into experimental (n ...

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a resistance-training program on athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID). DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS: 2-way (2 x 2), repeated-measures analysis of variance on 2 groups (males and females); 30 Special Olympics (SO) athletes, age 16-22 (16 males, 14 females). INTERVENTION/OUTCOME MEASURES: Resistance training, twice per week, for 3 ...

This study examined the effect of volume, technique, and load upon single-repetition and total-repetition kinematics and kinetics during three loading schemes. Eleven recreationally trained males each performed a power (8 sets of 6 repetitions at 45% of one-repetition maximum [1RM], 3-minute rest periods, explosive and ballistic movements), hypertrophy (10 sets ...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a linear relationship between the squat and a variety of quadriceps resistance training exercises for the purpose of creating prediction equations for the determination of quadriceps exercise loads based on the squat load. Six-repetition maximums (RMs) of the squat, ...

The aims of this study were (i) to check whether monitoring of both the rhythm of execution and the perceived effort is a valid tool for reproducing the same intensity of effort in different sets of the same aquatic resistance exercise (ARE) and (ii) to assess whether this method allows ...

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the evidence for dietary recommendations in older adult athletes. DESIGN:: Interpretive review of the literature. RESULTS:: Regarding resistance training, a protein intake of slightly more than 0.8 g/kg/d is required to optimize gains in muscle strength. The early provision of protein and carbohydrate following a weight training ...

Training at a load maximizing power output (Pmax) is an intuitively appealing strategy for enhancement of performance that has received little research attention. In this study we identified each subject's Pmax for an isoinertial resistance training exercise used for testing and training, and then we related the changes in strength ...

A sample of 20 older adults (76 +/- 6 years) participated in a two-session training intervention with the goal of eliciting rapid and functionally meaningful strength gains in the ankle plantarflexors. Tests were conducted on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule with two training sessions after tests one and two. During each test, ...

This study aims to evaluate the acute effects of different stretching exercises on muscular endurance in men, in terms of the number of sets, set duration, and type of stretching. Two experiments were conducted; in the first one (E1), the subjects (n = 19) were evaluated to test the effect ...

Our previous study showed that relatively low-intensity (approximately 50% one-repetition maximum [1RM]) resistance training (knee extension) with slow movement and tonic force generation (LST) caused as significant an increase in muscular size and strength as high-intensity (approximately 80% 1RM) resistance training with normal speed (HN). However, that study examined only ...

BACKGROUND: Since available studies have provided conflicting results, this study investigated respiratory muscle function and its relationship with exercise capacity, degree of dyspnoea and leg discomfort, and quality of life in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 27 clinically stable adolescent and adult patients (f/m: 14/13, ...

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of finger strength training (ST) on finger strength, independence, force control, and adaptations in multifinger coordination. Thirty-three healthy, young (23.0+/-2.9 years) subjects were randomly assigned into 4 groups. Group 1 (G1) trained all fingers together, Group 2 (G2) trained ...

OBJECTIVE: Zirconia ceramics for frameworks of fixed partial dentures can be color shaded to better match the shade of veneering porcelain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of color shading the green-stage zirconia ceramic on some mechanical properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Zirconia disks (diameter 19 mm, ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of training intensity on the contributions of force and velocity to improvements in peak power (PP) after explosive resistance training in older adults. METHODS: 112 healthy older adults (69 +/- 6 yr) were randomized to explosive resistance training at 20% (G20), 50% (G50), or 80% ...

Objective: The purpose of this investigation is to examine the association of genetic variations in 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AKT1 gene and 3 SNPs of the AMPKá2 gene with percent change in lean muscle mass, arm mass-adjusted strength, and leg mass-adjusted strength following a resistance exercise training ...

This study was designed to determine whether different effects on functional capacity and body composition were produced by using different devices (elastic bands (EBs) versus weight machines (WMs)) with the same resistance training program. Forty-five healthy sedentary middle-aged women volunteers were chosen and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: ...

The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute effects of a caffeine-containing supplement (SUPP) on one-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press strength and time to running exhaustion (TRE) at a velocity that corresponded to 85% of the peak oxygen uptake ([latin capital V with dot above]O2peak). The study ...

Repetitions to fatigue (RTF) using less than a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) load (RepWt) have been shown to be a good predictor of 1RM strength in men, but such information is scarce in women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of current prediction equations to estimate ...

Exercise training programs can increase strength and improve submaximal force control, but the effects of yoga as an alternative form of steadiness training are not well described. The purpose was to explore the effect of a popular type of yoga (Bikram) on strength, steadiness, and balance. Young adults performed yoga ...

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare resistance training (RT) (one set vs three sets) combined with aerobic training (AT) versus AT alone in persons with coronary artery disease. METHODS: Subjects (n = 72) were randomized to AT (5 d x wk(-1)) or combined AT (3 d x ...

The aim of this study was to test the effect of an intensive hand exercise programme in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Designed as a clinical controlled trial, the first 30 participants received a conservative exercise programme (CEP), while the next 30 received an intensive exercise programme (IEP). Outcomes were ...

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of isometric neck strength exercises on upper cervical stability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Twenty patients with a mean (SD) age of 58 (9) years and duration of RA of 27 (10) years volunteered for the study. Lateral radiographs of the cervical spine ...

This study examined the effects of slow-speed resistance training involving concentric (CON, n = 10) versus eccentric (ECC, n = 11) single-joint muscle contractions on contractile rate of force development (RFD) and neuromuscular activity (EMG), and its maintenance through detraining. Isokinetic knee extension training was performed 3 x week(-1) for ...

We evaluated the effects of concurrent strength and aerobic endurance training on muscle strength and endurance, body composition, and flexibility in female college athletes and compared two concurrent exercise (CE) protocols. Twenty-eight women (mean age, 19.6 years) were divided into two matched groups and evaluated before and after a vigorous, ...

Exhaled breath collection is used to identify and monitor inflammatory or oxidative components in breath. Exhaled breath sample collection is noninvasive and would greatly benefit human pollutant exposure research. We demonstrate the efficacy of exhaled breath collection and analysis in two human exposure studies to ozone (O(3)) and diesel exhaust, ...

Previous research indicates that the Internet, electronic mail (e-mail), and printed materials can be used to deliver interventions to improve physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes. However, no studies have been conducted investigating the effect of e-mail or print delivery of an exercise program on muscular strength and ...

BACKGROUND: It is well established that muscle strength and exercise capacity are impaired in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Numerous factors have been implicated in this process including nutritional factors, disuse, and corticosteroid use. It is also known that serum testosterone levels are frequently low in adolescent male patients with ...

We investigated the effect of 6 wk of strength training on maximal pressing (MVC) force, indexes of finger individuation (enslaving), and performance in accurate force production tests and in functional hand tests in healthy, physically fit, elderly individuals. Twelve participants (average age 76 yr) exercised with both hands. One of ...

This study investigated whether high-velocity high-power training (POW) improved lower extremity muscle power and quality in functionally-limited elders greater than traditional slow-velocity progressive resistance training (STR). Fifty-seven community-dwelling older adults aged 74.2+/-7 (range 65-94 yrs), Short Physical Performance Battery score 7.7+/-1.4, were randomized to either POW (n=23) (12 females), STR ...

BACKGROUND: No previous studies have fully investigated the exercise training effect on the skeletal muscle strength and volume to improve the exercise capacity in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). The present study was performed based on a hypothesis that the relationship between exercise capacity, skeletal muscle strength and volume might ...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early-phase muscular performance adaptations to 5 weeks of traditional (TRAD) and eccentric-enhanced (ECC+) progressive resistance training and to compare the acute postexercise total testosterone (TT), bioavailable testosterone (BT), growth hormone (GH), and lactate responses in TRAD- and ECC+-trained individuals. Twenty-two previously ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in strength and range of motion (ROM) between participants who exhibit medial knee displacement (MKD) during a squat that is corrected by a heel lift and those who do not. DESIGN: Case control. SETTING: Sports medicine research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven healthy subjects (control, 19; MKD, 18) ...

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the sequence order of high-intensity endurance training and circuit training on changes in muscular strength and anaerobic power. Forty-eight physical education students (ages, 21.4 +/- 1.3 years) were assigned to 1 of 5 groups: no training controls (C, n ...

This research examined the effects of respiratory-muscle (RM) training on RM function and exercise performance in older women. Twenty-six women (60-69 yr of age) were assessed for spirometry, RM strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure), inspiratory-muscle endurance, and walking performance to a perceived exertion rating of "hard." They were randomly ...

To assess unloaded knee extensor temporal strength changes, healthy subjects without asthma performed 40 continuous days of unilateral limb suspension, whereby their left leg refrained from normal weight-bearing and ambulatory activity. During the 40-day period, subjects performed resistance exercise (REX) with their unloaded leg on an inertial resistance ergometer and, ...

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a running-specific, periodized strength training program (performed over the specific period [8 weeks] of a 16-week macrocycle) on endurance-trained runners' capacity to maintain stride length during running bouts at competitive speeds. Eighteen well-trained middle-distance runners completed the study (personal ...

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of moderate-intensity, progressive, upper-body resistance training (RT) on muscle strength and perceived performance of household physical activities (HPA) among women in cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: The 10-week, pretest-posttest, experiment randomized women to either usual care (UC) aerobic exercise or RT. ...

This systematic review examined the effectiveness and safety of progressive resistive exercise (PRE) interventions on immunological/virological, cardiopulmonary, weight, and body composition, strength and psychological outcomes in adults living with HIV. Using Cochrane Collaboration protocol, we included randomized controlled trials from 1980-2006 comparing PRE interventions with no PRE or another intervention. ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether progressive resistance training improves muscle strength, muscle endurance, and physical function in adults with Down syndrome. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=20) with Down syndrome (13 men, 7 women; mean age, 26.8+/-7.8 y) were randomly assigned through a concealed allocation block ...

INTRODUCTION: In-flight ankle extensor (AEXT) strength losses are an impediment to long-term space travel. The current study examines if albuterol helps resistance exercise (RE) abate AEXT strength loss incurred over a 40-d unloading period. METHODS: All subjects (21 men, M; 15 women, W) performed unilateral limb suspension (ULLS) and exercised ...

The constant-RPE tracking model monitors progress over the course of exercise training. During aerobic exercise, prior work using this model has demonstrated similar relative intensities pre- and posttraining, while the absolute workload increases posttraining. However, the prediction equation associated with these changes has not been examined during resistance training. 22 ...

PURPOSE: The present study investigated the effect of maximal strength training on running economy (RE) at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption (V[spacing dot above]O2max) and time to exhaustion at maximal aerobic speed (MAS). Responses in one repetition maximum (1RM) and rate of force development (RFD) in half-squats, maximal oxygen consumption, ...