Resistance training is widely prescribed for rehabilitation of injuries and as a method to improve athletic performance. It is accepted that resistance training increases the maximal force production of whole muscle and it has been suggested that the velocity of shortening can increase as well. However, little is known about the effects of resistance training at the cellular level. Therefore, we investigated morphology, force production, velocity, and force-velocity-power relationships of single chemically skinned muscle fibers from chronically resistance trained humans, including cross sectional area (CSA), peak Ca²⁺ -activated force production (P₀), specific tension (P₀/CSA), unloaded shortening velocity (V₀), and isotonic contractions. The untrained group (NT) group consisted of sedentary males (n=6, age =27 ± 2 yrs) while the chronically trained group (CHRT) group consisted of males with 7.7 ± 0.4 yrs resistance training experience (n=6, 22 ± 1 yrs). Maximum voluntary isometric and isokinetic knee extensor strength were measured along with 6 repetition maximum (6RM) free weight bench press and leg press. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis. Chemically skinned single muscle fibers were mounted between a force transducer and servo-controlled motor and subjected to slack tests to determine peak Ca²⁺ -activated force (P₀) and unloaded shortening velocity (V₀). Isotonic load clamps were used to determine the force-velocity-power relationship. All fiber experiments were performed at 15°C. Fiber myosin heavy chain (MHC) content was determined by gel electrophoresis. The CHRT group was 119% and 81% stronger for 6RM leg press and bench press respectively. Peak isometric torque was 28% greater for the CHRT subjects and was significantly higher at all isokinetic speeds tested. No differences were seen in strength or isokinetic power between groups after normalization for lean body mass. CHRT fibers (n=213) expressing type I, IIa, and I₀a/IIx MHC were significantly greater in CSA (+41%, +51%, and +33%, respectively) and produced significantly greater P₀ (+37%, +48%, and +34%, respectively) than NT fibers (n=236). However, P₀/CSA was not different between CHRT and NT groups. Fibers expressing type IIa/IIx fibers produced greater P₀/CSA than IIa which produced greater P₀/CSA than type I. The P₀/CSA relationship between fibers within groups was type IIa/IIx>IIa>I and was significant for both groups. Fiber V₀ was not different between groups. Absolute power was significantly greater in the CHRT for all fiber types whereas power normalized for fiber volume was not different between groups. This resulted in a significantly greater force at peak power for all but type IIa/IIx fibers and trends for greater velocity at peak power. Single-cell contractile function in terms of V₀ and P₀/CSA, measured under standardized conditions, appears to be unaltered as a result of long term CHRT in young adult males. Group differences in absolute P₀ can be attributed solely to the greater CSA of the CHRT fibers. Long-term CHRT is not associated with a difference in fiber V₀. Therefore, the greater power was due entirely to the greater force. These data suggest that differences in whole muscle strength and power between NT and CHRT groups are primarily due to differences in fiber CSA rather than differences in cross-bridge mechanisms of contraction. Supported by National Institute of Health grant R3AR46392A. / Graduation date: 2002

The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences exist in the level of coverage of resistance exercise in select four-year college and university undergraduate physical education programs. The study also examined whether differences exist between content suggested for training resistance exercise specialists and the curriculum being offered. A final dimension of the study was to identify existing program options with an emphasis on resistance exercise. The objective was to identify information that might be applied by college and university-level curriculum specialists for the development of resistance exercise related courses. The survey instrument (a mailed questionnaire) was developed by integrating the NSCA role delineation study (1988) and a study of the literature related to resistance exercise. A panel of specialists was employed to expand, modify, and validate the instrument. Twelve categories and 91 content areas were identified. The study population was comprised of 76 National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) members who were listed under undergraduate physical education programs in the Physical Education Gold Book. Of the 76 members contacted, 63 (83%) completed and returned the questionnaire. The findings of the study showed that differences do exist in the level of coverage of resistance exercise in the curriculum of four-year undergraduate physical education programs. The three categories with the most consistently high coverage were Muscle Physiology, Biomechanics, and Testing and Evaluation. The three categories with the most consistently low level of coverage were Administration/Organizational Concerns, Special Populations, and Methods Used to Develop Strength. The content areas with the most consistently high level of coverage were Dynamics of Contraction, Movement Terminology, Body Mechanics, Lactic Acid Metabolism, and Modes of Strength Training. The content areas receiving the most consistently low level of coverage were Legal Issues, and Functional Isometrics. / Graduation date: 1992

This study was desined to measure the effect of various intensities of leg-press exercise and squat exercise on hGH release. Young, 24 ± .7 yrs of age, male lifters (n=3) served as subjects for this study. After a 1 RM was established on the weight sled and squat rack they completed a 3 RM, 10 RM, or 25 RM workout using a 3 set protocol. Each workout (3, 10, squat exercises were separated by 2 weeks. Blood was taken from an antecubital vein prior to exercise (pre-exercise, after warm-up, and post-exercise 4, 8, 16 MIN). The serum was measured for hGH levels. The results indicate that 1) High intensity exercise of a short duration will not elicit a hGH response indicating that exercise duration is more important than exercise intensity, 2) The hGH output, in part, depends on exercise intensity when exercise duration is sufficient to elicit hGH response, and 3) The increased lactic acid during resistance exercise did not relate to hGH levels. / School of Physical Education

This purpose of this study was to determine the effects of vitamin E and/or resistance exercise on insulin resistance and glucose uptake. Nine subjects, who were currently active but not strength training, were assigned to either the vitamin E or placebo group based on their prescreening measurements. Subjects underwent a 3-week vitamin E washout period before testing. At baseline testing subjects were given a 75-gram glucose load and blood was drawn every 15-minutes for 2-hours to analyze insulin and glucose response. Another oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed 45minutes after a 50-minute full body progressive resistance training session to determine insulin and glucose response to exercise. Subjects ingested either the placebo (3 capsules of olive oil) or 1200 IU vitamin E (3 capsules) for 9-weeks. After 3-weeks of supplementation the subjects returned for another exercising OGTT. After this session the subjects began a 6-week progressive resistance exercise program, in which they performed another OGTT after the last session. Both groups showed a significant increase in strength gains pre and post resistance training. The statistical analysis failed to demonstrate any differences between groups in insulin or glucose response in any of the four OGTT trials, but there were multiple trends present. Combining vitamin E supplementation with resistance training increased insulin sensitivity and the disposal of glucose. Both groups also had significant strength gains from pre to post study. Future research is needed for verification of these trends. / School of Physical Education

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Edith Cowan University, 2006. / Submitted to the Faculty of Communications, Health and Science. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Kinesiology and Health Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-80). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR19737

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-69). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Purdue University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-52). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 21-22). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Slippery Rock University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-37). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.