This study compared bone mineral index (BMI, gm/cm²) of the femur, spine, and radius, measured by photon absorptiometry in various groups of eumenorrheic female athletes. The sample included body builders (11), swimmers (13), runners (5 collegiate, 11 recreational), and inactive controls (18) averaging 25 years of age, ranging from 17 to 38 years. Lumbar vertebral BMI for body builders (1.40 gm/cm²) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater than controls (1.25 gm/cm²). The body builders' femoral neck BMI (1.09 gm/cm²) was significantly greater than swimmers (0.97 gm/cm², recreational runners and controls (0.95 gm/cm²). Years of exercise history and calcium consumption were not significant predictors of BMI. Correlation coefficients between fat-free body and all BMI sites were significant and more closely related to bone mineral than other variables (weight, height, weight/height²). Correlation coefficients for proximal and distal radius BMI and femoral and spine BMI were significant, the distal radius having higher association.

Thirty-eight female Wistar rats were studied to determine the response of citrate synthase (CS) and glycogen (GLY) to two similar programs of endurance training. Animals were randomly assigned to one of three groups: run-trained (RUN), swim-trained (SWIM) or sedentary control (CON). The treadmill trained animals ran at a speed of 27 m/min. up an eight degree incline. The swim-trained animals swam with 2% of body weight attached to their tails. The duration of the exercise protocols was 2 hours/day, the frequency 5 days/week and the length of the training regimen was 10 weeks. Liver GLY content (mmoles/g) for the exercise trained groups was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than CON. There were no significant differences between RUN and SWIM animals in the GLY levels of the hindlimb muscles. The GLY levels of the forelimb muscles were significantly greater (p0.01) in the SWIM animals compared to the RIJN animals, apart from the pectoralis (EEC). The CS activity in the soleus (SOL) and red -vastus (RV) of the RUN animals was significantly larger (p <; 0.01) than SWIM. The plantaris (PLANT) of the SWIM animals had significantly greater CS activity than the RUN animals. In the forelimb muscles, only -the deltoid (DEL) of the SWIM group was higher in CS activity than the RUN groups. The results of this study indicate that the mechanisms responsible for increased GLY storage in skeletal muscle are under independent control to those factors governing the changes in the oxidative enzyme CS. Differences in muscle GLY levels and CS activity between RUN and SWIM rats can be explained by contrasting mechanics in these two (nodes of exercise and the resulting fiber recruitment patterns.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the current CDC/ACSM physical activity recommendation, ("30 minutes or more of accumulated moderate-intensity activity, most if not all, days of the week") would improve women's health through a reduction ofcoronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. Twenty-one sedentary females (ages 49 ± 7 yrs.) with one or more CHD risk factors underwent baseline laboratory including: resting heart rate and blood pressure, resting electrocardiogram, body mass index, bioelectrical impedance, skinfold measures, waist-to-hip, blood lipid profile, and V02max. The VO2 was determined by an exercise treadmill test using the Ball State University Ramp protocol. The subjects were instructed on the CDC/ACSM recommendation, the physical activity survey, and given examples of moderate-intensity activity. The survey data was collected bimonthly over the six month period. The subjects reported participating in >_ 30 min. of moderate-intensity activity an average of 4 f 1 days/week with an average duration of 54 ± 26 min. On the remaining days, the subjects reported doing an average of 14 ± 6 minutes per day. Also, 90% of the women reported doing the activity in continuous bouts. Following the six month study period, the women were retested in the laboratory. Sixteen subjects completed the post-testing. The results of the sixteen women showed a significant improvements in HDL-cholesterol (51 ± 15 vs.56 ± 15 mmHg; p=<.05) and TC/HDL ratio (4.5 ± 1 vs.4.25 ± 1.3; p=<.05). There were no significant changes in the other risk factor variables examined or their V02,„.. It was concluded that the majority of previously sedentary, middle aged women can not meet the CDC/ACSM recommendations for daily activity and total energy expenditure. Additionally, it appears that when given the choice, these women choose to do activity in continuous time blocks versus breaking the daily activities into shorter time periods. / School of Physical Education

In order to have a complete understanding of the relationship between physical activity (PA) and health, it is essential to be able to accurately assess PA in free-living situations. The purpose of this study was to use three accelerometers located on the dominant ankle, hip, and wrist and a heart rate (HR) monitor to estimate energy expenditure (EE) compared to measured EE while completing activities of daily living (ADL). The regression equation developed showed a significant relationship (P < 0.05) with EE. Together, HR and the hip-worn accelerometer explained 73.4% of the variance in EE with HR accounting for 59.3% (P < 0.05). Type of activity, the wrist-, and ankle-worn accelerometer each explained an additional 5%, 3% and 3% of the variance in EE, respectively (P < 0.05). The regression equation developed is a good predictor of EE during selected ADL, and allows researchers to more accurately quantify free-living PA. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

This study was to clarify strength factors using 12 selected exercises on the Universal Gym, and to determine what measures present a valid method of assessing strength of college-aged males, Eighty-eight males enrolled in beginning weight-training classes used the Universal Gym for twelve weeks, Subjects were tested for maximum strength on 12 exercises, Alpha and canonical factor analyses were performed on raw scores of all measures, and on scores when body weight and standing height variances were removed. A three-factor structure of upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk strength was revealed when weight, and weight and height combined were statistically controlled. Results showed that residualized scores of weight can be used to evaluate strength on the Universal.Gym,

This study investigates the effects of isotonic and isometric exercises on heart rate and blood pressure and seeks to determine the relationship of these effects to physical work capacity.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of fatigue on force application and resulting movement patterns during the performance of consecutive chin-ups. Special attention was directed toward relating any fatigue effects to upper limb strength dominance. Twenty male adult subjects each performed one trial. Each trial consisted of consecutive chin-ups. Fatigue caused changes in the movement patterns, duration of movement and force applied through the supporting hands. Throughout the performance greater vertical forces were applied through the dominant upper limb segment with the application of these forces resulting in horizontal displacement of the total body center of gravity toward the dominant hand.

Investigators have suggested that opiate peptide hormones released during exercise stress may play an important role in athletic performance or perceived effort. Their enzymatic inactivation in the periphery is of considerable interest since the opiate peptides may be regulated by enkephalin hydrolyzing enzyme (EHA). In this study, the relationship between maximal aerobic capacity (VO_2max) and EHA activity was examined in two distinct fitness groups. When the metabolic capacity was evaluated in whole blood, the unfit subjects metabolized the peptides significantly faster than their fit counterparts. Since the total enzyme activity of the two groups is similar, the difference in metabolism must result from circulating factors in the trained athletes, which slow the rate of peptide inactivation.

This study compares the effectiveness of three selected exercises (curl-up, conventional hook sit-up and modified hook sit-up) in building abdominal strength and endurance in upper elementary school girls. Ninety-nine subjects were randomly divided into four groups. The study was designed to determine (1) whether an eight week exercise program can increase abdominal strength and endurance; (2) the most effective exercise; (3) if muscle action intensity affects the results. A cable tensiometer measured abdominal strength and a timed sit-up measured abdominal endurance. An analysis of covariance determined significance. Significant gains in abdominal strength and endurance were shown by the conventional hook sit-up. Further study on the relationship between muscle development and maturation in young children is recommended.

The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effect of the tonic neck posture upon fatigue induced by exhaustive exercise of the knee extensor muscles of college women. The subjects were college females enrolled in physical education activity classes at North Texas State University. The F ratio was used to determine significance of the difference in fatigue measures in the three head positions. The results of the present investigation revealed no statistically significant difference between the three head positions with respect to their influence on endurance of the leg extensors. Conclusions were that the tonic neck reflex does not facilitate or inhibit leg extensor endurance.