Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1980. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 168-173).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-163).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2004. / Advisor: James Dowling. Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-66). Also available via World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The primary objective of the present study was to examine the effects of three resistance training programs that varied in either inter-set rest interval length or volume of training on the development of strength and muscle fiber size. Male subjects with a minimum of 1- year of regular resistance training experience were randomly assigned to one of three, 8- week training groups. The first set of all three programs was similar in that 10 repetitions to failure were performed. In program A (n=5) the load (78% 1-RM) remained constant for all subsequent sets. Program B (n=7) also used a constant load (80% 1-RM), however the rest interval was reduced from 3 minutes (as in Program A) to 1 minute. Subjects in this group performed additional sets to equate training volume with Program A. The training load for Program C (n=7) was progressively reduced (80% to 70% 1-RM) before each subsequent set to ensure the completion of 10 repetitions. Therefore, the volume performed was greater than that of Programs A and B. Single arm elbow flexion 1-RM increased by 12.3 +/- 3.5% in Program A, 16.5 +/-3.5% in Program B, and 14.1 +/- 4.7% in Program C. Gains in 10-RM equaled 16.3 +/-4.1%, 18.0 +/- 5.0% and 13.9 +/- 3.1% for Programs A, B and C, respectively. Although these increases in strength were significant (p<.05), there were no differences in the magnitude of change between the three groups. Increases in the cross-sectional area of type I and type II muscle fibers were similar after all three training programs. The second objective of this investigation was to measure the acute neuromuscular fatigue produced during a single session of each of the training protocols incorporated in the longitudinal part of this study. Force and IEMG during maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MVIC) along with blood lactate were assessed prior to and upon the completion of each protocol. Subjects performed 3 sets of single-arm elbow flexion to failure using a training load of approximately 77.3% 1-RM in Protocol A. During Protocol B, subjects utilized the same constant resistance but the rest-intervals between each set were 1 minute. Protocol C was designed to maintain the repetitions completed per set at 10 while utilizing 3-minute rest interval. During Protocol C, the load used during the first set was equal to that used during Protocol A and was then reduced by about approximately 5% for each of the two subsequent sets. Protocol A and Protocol B resulted in similar reductions in MVIC, whereas Protocol C (24.8 +/- 7.2%) resulted in a significantly (p<.05) greater reduction in MVIC than Protocol A (20.2 +/- 7.7%). Protocols A and B elicited similar reductions in the force-time curve of the MVIC. A significantly greater reduction in the final 300ms of the force-time curve was observed following Protocol C (in comparison to Protocol A) (p<.05). There were no significant changes in IEMG after subjects performed protocols A and B. A significant time effect (with no interaction effect) in IEMG was observed following the comparison of Protocol A with Protocol C. Blood lactate increased significantly in response to all three protocols with no differences between the protocols. The third objective of this study was to compare the magnitude of resistance training-induced acute fatigue before and after the completion of 8 weeks of resistance training specific to the fatigue protocols used. The magnitude of resistance training-induced acute neuromuscular fatigue remained unchanged following the resistance training programs. The results appear to indicate that acute neuromuscular fatigue produced during resistance training may not be associated with the chronic increases in muscle strength and size. / Graduate

Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / Over the years, cricket has progressed into a game of immense physical prowess, and evolved from a traditional and conservative game into a professional sport requiring very high levels of fitness and skill. The ability to throw a ball at high velocity and with great accuracy is critical for successful performance in many ball sports, including cricket. The aim of this study focussed on examining the relationship between isokinetic strength of the shoulder complex and throwing velocity amongst club cricketers in the age group of 18-32 years. The study used a quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional research design. A convenient sample of 40 male cricketers from the University of the Western Cape was tested. Isokinetic strength of external rotators (ER), internal rotators (IR) and ratios were measured using the Biodex Pro System 4 isokinetic dynamometer at two speeds, namely, 60º•sec-¹ and 90º•sec-¹. Throwing velocity was measured using a calibrated Cordless Speed/Radar Gun. The major findings of this study were the significant correlations between IR at 60º•sec-¹ and throwing velocity for the first team (r = 0.72; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.67; p = 0.03), third team (r = 0.73; p = 0.01) and fourth team (r = 0.69; p = 0.02). The correlation between the strength ratio at 60º•sec-¹ and throwing velocity was significant for the first team (r = 0.76; p = 0.01), second team (r = 0.83; p = 0.002), third team (r = 0.70; p = 0.02) and fourth team (r = 0.94; p = 0.0001). In conclusion, shoulder strength plays a significant role in the throwing velocity amongst club cricketers. Specifically, the shoulder internal rotators were found to be a major influence in throwing velocity. Furthermore, the shoulder strength ratio is a strong predictor of shoulder strength performance.

Power and strength training, using conventional techniques, has been studied by several researchers. Investigations into the use of different training methods and their effect on power and strength development are continually being studied and re-assessed. Recently, the use of faradic or electrical stimulation has become an interesting alternative method, although much controversy surrounds this technique. It has been reported by Johnson et al. (1977) and Kots (1977) that faradic stimulation is used with success as part of a strengthening program by elite Soviet athletes. The combined effects of a program consisting of exercise as well as electrical stimulation was undertaken to determine the muscular power and strength potentials. The main objective of this study was to compare power and strength changes between equated groups employing the following training techniques: electrical stimulation plus isokinetic exercise, isokinetic exercise and electrical stimulation, respectively. Twenty-seven, moderately trained, female subjects, nine per group, were tested on three separate occasions. During the first session, height, weight, left and right quadriceps power evaluation, time to peak tension of the muscle contraction at the four velocities :(30, 100, 180 and 0 degrees per second) and two thigh girth measurements were determined. The three groups were equated for power after the pretest was conducted. The second and third testing sessions assessed the power and time to peak tension of the non-dominant leg at the four velocities and patellar and gluteal thigh girths. A significant difference for power was found between the pre and post tests and the pre and mid tests for the combined groups during the six week period of training. Although no difference was found between each of the three groups, the results indicated that programs involving electrical stimulation and isokinetic exercise, isokinetic exercise and electrical stimulation only, are potentially effective in improving muscular power and strength in normal subjects. The study revealed that one method was not superior to another after six weeks of training. There was significant power differences between the pre and post tests and pre and mid tests at the slow isokinetic speeds of 30° and 0° per second. Since the training was conducted at the speeds of 30° and 0° (isometric) per second, the slow testing speeds reflected neural adaptation and muscular recruitment when the specificity of training theory is considered. These findings imply that power and strength training benefits are limited to speeds used during training. During the six week training period, time to peak maximal torque and hypertrophy of the quadriceps muscle group did not alter significantly when examining the means of all three groups. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

After knee surgery, the development of leg strength and size to its original levels are important requirements in the recovery. The major aim in the rehabilitation of a meniscectomy is to return the injured limb to its original size by a program of active exercises. Failure to do this may result in limited activity and re-injury to the knee joint A program of electrical stimulation has been found to be effective in controlling muscle atrophy during the time of denervation in animals and humans (in animals - Schimrizk et a 1976; Herbison et al, 1973, 1971; Stillwell et al, 1962 and Guttman and Guttman, 1942; in humans - Osbourne, 1951 and Jackson and Seddon, 1945). At the present time no studies have been done to determine if electrical stimulation will be effective in controlling muscle atrophy in normally innervated muscles during the period of immobilization. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a 10-12 day program of electrical stimulation on the control of muscle atrophy and strength loss during the period of immobilization. A subproblem of this investigation was to determine the relationship between muscle atrophy and strength loss. The subjects for this study were eighteen patients undergoing a meniscectomy operation (mean age 22.7 yrs.). Subjects were rated according to strength per body weight and assigned to a control or an experimental group. The experimental group participated in a five session program of electrical stimulation in addition to a standard physiotherapy program. The control group participated only in the standard physiotherapy program. The electrical stimulation consisted of five sessions each lasting ten minutes. Ninety muscle contractions were made during the ten minute session. The sessions were held on weekdays within a 10-12 day period of the operation. The first session was held 48 hours after the operation. In the first two sessions the leg was stimulated at the immobilized angle and in the remaining three sessions the leg was stimulated at 115 degrees of extention. All subjects were tested one day prior to the operation and at the end of the 10-12 day period for thigh volume and maximal isometric leg strength. The following hypotheses were tested for significance at the .05 level. 1. The use of electrical stimulation in addition to the standard physiotherapy program will show less muscle atrophy as compared to the standard physiotherapy program. 2. The use of electrical stimulation in addition to the standard physiotherapy program will maintain a higher level of original isometric strength as compared to the standard physiotherapy program. 3. There is a positive linear relationship between muscle atrophy and strength loss. Analysis of variance revealed that hypothesis #1 is supported at the .01 level and hypothesis #2 is not supported at the .05 level of significance. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation showed that hypothesis #3 is supported when the two groups were combined and for the control group only at the .01 level of significance, but not for the treatment group only, at the .05 level. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

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