The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the effects of nutritional supplementation following resistance exercise on protein metabolism, muscle glycogen resynthesis rate, hormonal responses and training status through two unique investigations. The purpose of the first investigation was to determine the effect of post-resistance exercise glucose supplementation upon skeletal muscle fractional synthetic rate (FSR), urinary urea excretion, and whole body and myofibrillar protein degradation (WBPD and MPD, respectively). Eight healthy young males performed unilateral knee extensor resistance exercise(8sets/~1 0reps/~85% 1 RM) such that the non-exercised limb served as a control. They received a carbohydrate (CHO) supplement (1g/kg) or placebo (PL) immediately (t=Oh) and 1 h (t=+1 h) following exercise. FSR was determined for both exercised (EX) and control (CON) limbs by incremental L-[1-13C]leucine enrichment of biopsy samples of vastus lateralis over -10 hours post-exercise. Plasma insulin and glucose were determined at t= -1.5, 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, -10, and -10.5h post-exercise. MPD and WBPD were estimated from 24 hr urinary 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) and L-[1-13C]leucine flux, respectively, and whole body net protein balance was estimated from 24 hr urinary urea excretion. Plasma insulin concentration was greater (p<0.01) at 0.5, 0.75, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and 2 h in the CHO compared to PL condition, as was plasma glucose at 0.5 and 0. 75 h (p<0.05). FSR was 36.1% greater in the CHO/EX leg than in the CHO/CON leg (p=N.S.) and 6.3% greater in the PUEX leg than in the PUCON leg(p=N.S.). 3-MH excretion was lower in the CHO (110.43 ± 3.62 J μmol/g creatinine) than PL condition (120.14 ± 5.82)(p<0.05) as was urinary urea nitrogen(8.60 ± 0.66 g/g creat vs. 12.28 ± 1.84)(p<0.05). These findings suggest that CHO supplementation (1g/kg) immediately and 1h following resistance exercise can significantly decrease myofibrillar protein breakdown and urinary urea excretion, thus resulting in a more positive muscle and whole body protein balance. The purpose of the second investigation was to determine the effect of various nutritional supplements upon whole body protein synthesis, urinary urea excretion, and whole body and myofibrillar protein degradation (WBPD and MPD respectively). Ten healthy young male resistance athletes performed a whole body circuit set workout (9 exercises/3 sets/80% 1 Repitition Maximum). Exercises for the legs were performed unilaterally so that the non-exercised leg served as a control They received a carbohydrate (CHO) supplement (1g/kg), a mixed CHO/PRO/FAT supplement (isoenergetic to CHO supplement)(68% CHO, 22% PRO, 10% FAT) or placebo (PL) immediately (t=Oh) and 1 h (t=+1h) following exercise. Immediately following exercise muscle glycogen was significantly lower (p<0.05) in vastus lateralis of the exercised leg than in the control leg immediately post-exercise in all three conditions. Both the CHO and CHO/PRO/FAT supplements resulted in significantly greater increases (p<0.05) in plasma insulin and glucose post-exercise than PL. The CHO and CHO/PRO/FAT also resulted in significantly greater(p<0.05) rates of muscle glycogen resynthesis vs. Placebo. No significant differences were observed between the three conditions for plasma testosterone and cortisol concentration post-exercise. Similarly, no differences were observed between the three conditions for urinary creatinine, and 3-MH and urea nitrogen excretion. Thus, nutritional supplements do not appear to decrease myofibrillar protein degradation as indicated by 3-MH and urea nitrogen excretion in highly trained resistance athletes. Taken together, the two studies suggest that highly trained resistance athletes and untrained individuals both benefit from nutritional supplementation following resistance exercise, but may do so through different mechanisms. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

Ten subjects were randomly assigned to train one arm with ballistic movements (BT), whereas the other arm trained with ballistic and heavy resistance movements (BT+HRT). The training program consisted of three training sessions per week, over a ten week period. The BT arm executed ten sets of six maximal ballistic elbow extension actions (10% MVC), whereas the BT+HRT arm executed five sets of six repetitions of maximal ballistic actions followed by five sets of five to eight repetitions of heavy resistance elbow extension actions. After training, evoked twitch contractile properties, ballistic, 1 RM, and isometric MVC measures were analyzed. Incorporated with all performance measures were EMG recordings of the agonist (AG) triceps and antagonist (ANT) biceps. Muscle biopsies of triceps were also taken to determine muscle fibre type composition, and fibre area. The BT+HRT arm demonstrated a significant decrease in the percent population of type IIb fibres (22% to 18. 8%). Furthermore, the BT+HRT arm produced hypertrophy, type IIa (6184 to 7086 μm²) and IIb (5714 to 6734 μm²) fibre areas increased, whereas type I fibre areas (3503 to 3828 μm²) did not significantly increase, after training. In contrast, the BT arm and control arm did not display fibre transformation or hypertrophy after training. Triceps evoked twitch peak torque increased for only the BT+HRT arm (12.5 to 13.8 N·m). Furthermore, the 1 RM increased significantly in the BT+HRT arm (~24%) but did not change significantly in the BT arm. However, ballistic and isometric MVC PT values increased similarly in both the BT (19.6 to 23.5 N·m; 45.4 to 52.6 N·m) and the BT+HRT (19.6 to 23.6 N·m; 49.6 to 56.0 N·m) arms. The EMG results corresponded to the performance results in that triceps AEMG in the 1 RM test tended to increased more after HRT (0.71 to 1.01 mV) than only BT (0.72 to 0.81 mV), but in the ballistic (HRT= 0.63 to 0.79 mV; BT= 0. 62 to 0. 73 mV) and isometric MVC performance measures (HRT= 0.80 to 0.84 mV; BT= 0.80 to 0.87 mV), the AEMG results were similar. Supplementary HRT caused muscle hypertrophy, particularly of the type II fibres, but did not promote improvement in ballistic performance with loads equal to or less than 10% of maximal isometric force. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

The population of the United States is aging quickly, and thus it would seem that one of the major priorities for the elderly is to achieve and maintain improved physical and mental health. Previous research has shown that regular exercise activity is one of the factors that can contribute to better health. This study examined a number of variables believed to be conducive to exercise participation. Specifically, sixty-five people, 65 years of age or older, completed questionnaires measuring the relationship between exercise habits, perceived barriers to exercise, and motives for exercise. Significant positive correlations were found between exercise and self-efficacy, late life exercise habits, and motives for exercise. A significant negative correlation emerged between exercise activity and effort barriers. In addition, a multiple regression analysis was able to account for 48% of the variance in exercise activity. The implications of these data and directions for future research are discussed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 1998. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves : 103-112). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains v, 95 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-90).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2007.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1993.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on August 7, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 224-235). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M.S.)-- Brigham Young University. Dept. of Physical Education-Sports.