Thesis (PH.D.)--Michigan State University. Animal Science, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Aug. 11, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-211). Also issued in print.

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect that strength level had upon fatigue and recuperation under the two conditions of five- and thirty-second interval duration periods. Another purpose was to compare the results of this study to similar studies using male subjects in order to determine if women's response patterns to tests of strength were similar to those of men.

Thesis (MPH)--University of Limpopo, 2010. / Physical Ability Analysis (PAA) is a physical work capacity indicator for the health and wellbeing of the organisational workforce. Employees doing powerline work and similarly physically demanding positions are assessed using a battery of tests called the physical ability analysis (PAA), inclusive of a cardiovascular test component, a strength component for upper body and lower body, the endurance component, and a record of health problems. The results are classified into five categories that are indicative of their physical work ability. It is therefore crucial that a high level of physical capacity is maintained to ensure a sustainable workforce. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the physical ability and common health problems among powerline electricians in Eskom Distribution over time, and determine the extent to which variations, if any exist, could be explained by the socio-demographic characteristics, health problems or lifestyle habits. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of Eskom Distribution’s powerline electricians was done using occupational medical records found in the institutional database for the period of 2003, 2005 and 2008. Results: A total of 50 records meeting the selection criteria were analyzed. At the time of the study, the power line electricians were old as 94% of them were over 50 years old, overweight (46%), and suffering from chronic conditions such as hypertension (22%), diabetes (8%). In addition, 19% suffered from back injuries, 2% from knee injuries, while 32% smoked cigarettes. Given their health profile, they became sicker for longer periods as reflected by the increasing number of sick leave days (95% of the cases that took leave had hypertension). The physical ability levels improved from baseline (46%) to 62% in 2008. A shift of PAA2 participants in the 47 – 51year age group was the reason for the increase and the youngest group of electricians remained in PAA category 1 throughout the study period. Muscle function was a strong predictor for meeting the required physical ability level, most measurements that were significantly associated with physical ability score, leg strength, noted as the strongest predictor among them (OR 123.00; p = 0.00, 95% CI, 9.22-1573.00), followed by abdominal endurance (OR 43.49; p = 0.01, 95% CI, 2.49-786.13) and grip strength of the right hands, with similar odds to the abdominal strength (OR 41.00; p = 0.00, 95% CI, 3.65-461.04) with back strength at (OR 28.50; p = 0.01, 95% CI, 2.37-342.61). Conclusion: With regard to physical ability, the study concludes that age is a strong predictor for physical ability as the youngest group ( 49years old) of electricians remained in PAA1 throughout the study period, and were approximately four times likely to meet the required 12 physical ability standard than their older counterparts and that regular physical assessment and rehabilitation have been effective in maintaining the physical ability of electricians.

Research has shown conflicting results involving interference of strength development with combined resistance and endurance training. Purpose: To examine if endurance training and resistance training performed concurrently would produce different performance and physiological results when compared to each type of training alone. Methods: Forty-five untrained males were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three 12 wk training groups. An endurance training (ET, N=12) group trained by running (2-3 days/week, 20-40 min, 65- 80% HRR), a resistance training (RT, N=13) group performed a resistance training program (2-3 days/week, 3 sets/8 exercises, 6-10 reps, 75-85% 1RM), and a concurrent training (CT, N=16) group performed both the endurance and resistance training programs (5 days/week, even # week 3 endurance/2 resistance workouts, odd # week 3 resistance/2 endurance workouts). All groups were tested for all the following variables prior to and following training: percent body fat, VO2max, isokinetic-maximal torque and avg. power at two speeds, 1RM leg press, 1 RM bench press, vertical jump, lower body power (as calculated by the Lewis formula) and 40-yard dash time. Results: Percent body fat was significantly (p≤.05) decreased in both the ET and CT groups. Only the ET group significantly improved VO2max (+8.24%). Minimal changes were found for any of the isokinetic measurements. The ET, RT, and CT groups demonstrated significant improvements in leg press (20.4, 40.8, and 39.4%) and bench press (7.5, 30.5 and 21.2%) 1 RM. RT and CT 1 RM improvements were similar and significantly greater than the ET group. Only the RT group significantly increased power. No group showed a significant change in vertical jump or 40-yard dash time. Conclusions: Findings indicate that endurance training does not interfere with strength development, but resistance training appears to hinder development of maximal aerobic capacity.

Research has shown conflicting results involving interference of strength development with combined resistance and endurance training. Purpose: To examine if endurance training and resistance training performed concurrently would produce different performance and physiological results when compared to each type of training alone. Methods: Forty-five untrained males were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three 12 wk training groups. An endurance training (ET, N=12) group trained by running (2-3 days/week, 20-40 min, 65- 80% HRR), a resistance training (RT, N=13) group performed a resistance training program (2-3 days/week, 3 sets/8 exercises, 6-10 reps, 75-85% 1RM), and a concurrent training (CT, N=16) group performed both the endurance and resistance training programs (5 days/week, even # week 3 endurance/2 resistance workouts, odd # week 3 resistance/2 endurance workouts). All groups were tested for all the following variables prior to and following training: percent body fat, VO2max, isokinetic-maximal torque and avg. power at two speeds, 1RM leg press, 1 RM bench press, vertical jump, lower body power (as calculated by the Lewis formula) and 40-yard dash time. Results: Percent body fat was significantly (p≤.05) decreased in both the ET and CT groups. Only the ET group significantly improved VO2max (+8.24%). Minimal changes were found for any of the isokinetic measurements. The ET, RT, and CT groups demonstrated significant improvements in leg press (20.4, 40.8, and 39.4%) and bench press (7.5, 30.5 and 21.2%) 1 RM. RT and CT 1 RM improvements were similar and significantly greater than the ET group. Only the RT group significantly increased power. No group showed a significant change in vertical jump or 40-yard dash time. Conclusions: Findings indicate that endurance training does not interfere with strength development, but resistance training appears to hinder development of maximal aerobic capacity.

Background: Strenuous exercise is associated with tissue damage. This activates the innate immune system and local inflammation. Interaction between innate and adaptive immunity is essential for maintaining health, suggesting that the adaptive immune system may also be altered by exercise. Objectives: To determine exercise induced changes in the adaptive immune system by measuring the immunoglobulin isotype and subclass response to an ultra-marathon. Methods: Venepuncture was performed on 11 experienced volunteers (six men, five women; mean (SD) age 43 (9.8) years) 24 hours before the projected finishing time and immediately after and 3, 24, and 72 hours after an ultra-marathon (90 km). Serum was stored at 280˚C. IgM, IgD, IgA, IgG, IgG1, 2, 3, and 4, and total IgE were measured. Results: The following immunoglobulins were significantly (p(0.05) altered after the race: IgD, immediately (251%) and 24 hours (241%) after; IgM 24 hours after (223%); total IgG immediately after (+12%). There were no reports of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections after the ultra-marathon. Conclusions: In experienced ultra-endurance runners, alterations in immunoglobulin concentrations after a race suggest an enhanced immune response, including isotype switching, interactions with the innate immune system, and a secondary antibody response. These alterations may have a role in the maintenance of subject health after an ultra-marathon.

No description available.

Thesis (PhD) -- AUT, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (156 leaves ; 30 cm.) in City Campus Theses Collection (T 613.711 BON)

Thesis (M.A.)--San Francisco State University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 27-29).

Thesis (D. Phil.(Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Summary in English and Afrikaans. Includes bibliographical references.