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In previous research, resistance exercise reduced HbA1c primarily in studies of older type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects (age>55), while aerobic exercise reduced HbA1c primarily in studies of relatively younger subjects. We compared changes in HbA1c, fitness and body composition in response to 6 months of exercise training in older (55-70 yrs: n= 53) vs. younger (40-54 yrs: n=44) T2DM participants in a randomized trial. Previously inactive T2DM subjects were randomized to aerobic exercise (A; progressing to 45min at 75% HR max, n=24), resistance exercise (R; 2-3 sets of 8-12 RM, n=23), combination aerobic and resistance training (AR; n=25) or a waiting control-list group (C; n=25). Each exercise group trained 3x/wk for 6 months. Strength testing was done using an 8 repetition maximum (RM) protocol for seated row, leg press and bench press. V02peak was assessed using graded treadmill protocols to volitional fatigue. A single cut CT scan was used to quantitate abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat and mid-thigh muscle cross-section. All tests were performed at baseline and 6-months. The responses of older and younger subjects did not differ significantly on any measure. A1c decreased from 8.0% to 7.1% in younger A, and from 7.4% to 6.7% in older A. In AR decreases were similar: 7.9% to 6.8% in younger AR, 7.8% to 6.8% in older AR. A1c changed little in R: 7.8% to 7.7% in younger R, 7.7 to 7.3% in older R. No significant change in HbA1c occurred in either older or younger subjects in C. Mean increases in VO2peak for A were 6.9% in old and 7.4% in young and for AR were 7.6% in old and 4.9% in young. Strength increased in AR by 47.5%, 51.0% and 37.9% in young and 41.1%, 46.0% and 30.4% in young for bench press, leg press and seated row respectively. The R young group improved by 68.6%, 86.2% and 47.6% and the old by 44.3%, 72.3% and 31.9% for bench press, leg press and seated row respectively. The aerobic only group also improved in strength. Neither VO2peak nor strength changed significantly in C. Therefore, older (55-70 years old) and younger (40-54 year old) T2DM subjects responded similarly to aerobic, resistance or combined exercise in terms of glycemic control, strength, and aerobic fitness.

Elite athletes use mental strategies in a wide variety of sports to enhance performance (Cancio, 1993; Orlick & Partington, 1999; Schomer, 1987; Tammen, 1996). High-level athletes have been found to use mental strategies before, during, and after competition (Orlick, 2000). Little research has been conducted to explore the mental strategies used by high altitude climbers. Elite high altitude climbers are a special population of athletes who perform in extremely adverse situations. The question of how these climbers prepare for the climb and what types of mental strategies they use to overcome obstacles on the mountain has not been addressed in the literature. The objectives of this study on the use of mental strategies by elite Mount Everest climbers were twofold: (a) to explore how elite Mount Everest climbers mentally prepared for the climb and (b) to explore the mental strategies they utilized to overcome obstacles on the mountain to successfully reach the summit. The main areas addressed include detailed planning, mental toughness, imagery, focus, short-term goal setting, drawing on past experiences, feeling support from other climbers, belief in personal capacities, and connecting with one's body. There were commonalities among the participants in terms of the application of these strategies but also uniqueness in the way each participant described the various mental strategies. The findings of this study provide valuable information that could help future high altitude climbers reach their goals, as well as expedition leaders and sport psychologists to work more effectively with climbers to prepare them for the climb and the potential obstacles that can hinder success on the mountain.

The activity of descending stairs increases loading at the joints of the lower extremities (Andriacchi et al., 1980) as compared to walking (McFadyen and Winter, 1988), which may cause certain discomfort and or difficulties in completing the task. This study compared and contrasted the kinematics and kinetics of forward and backward stair descent to Winter's level walking (1991). We compared the support moments and moment powers of the lower limb joints while descending stairs and secondly, performed an analysis of the position of the foot on the step (ground reaction forces) to determine which method was more likely to reduce the risk of slipping. Larger double peak support moments with reduced ankle plantar flexor and increased knee extensor moments were found. The hip moments were relatively small and highly variable. There was a significantly reduced peak knee extensor eccentric power (P = 0.005) with backwards descent. These results demonstrate that stair descent (forward and backward) required higher moments at the knee than level walking but backward descent demanded less peak knee moment and eccentric power than forward descent. Overall, the use of a backward approach, offer an alternative for people unable to access stairs in the forward fashion. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)