Community development (CD) is viewed as a way to improve the social, physical, organizational and economic outcomes of a community. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of a strength training facility on CD and provide an insight into its impact on the community. Qualitative research was conducted by two data collection exercises. The first was a 12-week period, while the second was one week long. A segmented thematic analysis was used to explore the data provided by three target groups and participants’ observations. The findings provided insight into the facility’s contribution to CD in particular, noting that a strength training facility can influence personal, economic, social, environmental and organizational outcomes within a community. The research contributes to the existing literature in leisure by providing evidence of CD from a remote First Nations community. The research reveals how arrangements for physical activities can improve the welfare of a community.

Aim The aim of the study was to identify the difference between unilateral and bilateral training and their effect on female handball players sprint acceleration and change of direction (COD) ability. The research question was “What differences are there between the effect of combined training performed unilaterally and training performed bilaterally on female handball players’ sprint acceleration ability and COD ability?” Method 60 female (age: 20 ± 5yr) handball players participated in the study, 30 in each group. A loss of 30 subjects occurred, leaving total of 30 subjects finished the study, 15 in each group. The subjects performed two tests before initiating a combined training protocol, inducing strength and plyometric exercises. The first test consisted of a 10-meter straight sprint that was also divided into a 5-meter split, which measured their sprint acceleration by using Ivar Run System. The second test was a modified version of Spasic’s (2015) handball specific COD assessor. After the baseline-test, the subjects participated in a six-week long training protocol, one plyometric workout a week and one strength workout a week. Once the six weeks were completed, the same tests were performed. The data was recorded in Microsoft Excel (2016, Seattle, USA) and analyzed in IBM SPSS (2013, version 22.0, New York, USA).  Results Statistically, unilateral training has proven to be a more effective training method to improve the first 5-meters (p=0,013) of the 10-meter sprint acceleration test and not the other areas. Whilst bilateral training has proven to be more effective training method to improve the total time of the 10-meter sprint acceleration test (p=0,035). Both groups have statistically shown no significant difference in the COD-ability test. Conclusion Crucial standardization errors were made during this study, which in turn could have impaired the results greatly. A cautious approach to a solid conclusion should be considered, due to the standardization errors and the fact, that the subjects were not used to a training protocol being systematically structured. More research with a similar perspective has to be brought about, focusing on the long-term effect and maybe even on elite players. / Syfte och frågeställningar Studiens syfte var att ta reda på om unilateralt baserat träning eller om bilateralt baserat träning var effektivast för att förbättra sprint acceleration och riktningsförändringsförmåga (COD). Frågeställningen lyder; Skiljer sig effekten av kombinerat träning som utförs unilateralt från bilateralt på kvinnliga handbollsspelare som tävlar på amatörnivå. Metod 60 kvinnliga handbollsspelare (age: 20 ± 5yr) deltog i studien. Totalt genomförde 30 stycken deltagare hela studien, 15 per grupp, vilket innebär ett bortfall på 30 stycken. Innan träningsperioden började fick deltagarna genomföra två förtester. Första testet var ett 10-meters sprint accelerationstest, som hade splittider på 5-meter, andra testet var en modifierad Spasics (2015), som är ett riktningsförändringsförmågatest. De testades tider mättes med IVAR Run system. Efter testerna, genomförde deltagarna ett sex-veckors långt träningsprogram, varje vecka genomfördes ett styrkepass och ett plyometriskt träningpass. Eftertester genomfördes efter träningsperioden, resultatet från testerna antecknades i Microsoft Excell (2016, Seattle, USA) och analyserades i IBM SPSS (2013, version 22.0, New York, USA). Resultat Resultatet visar att unilateral träning är en mer effektive träningsmetod för att förbättra de första 5-meterna (p=0,013) i 10-meter sprint accelerationstestet, men inte i de andra delarna. Däremot visar det sig att bilateral träning har en statistiskskillnad (p=0,035) på hela 10-meters sprint accelerationstestet, men inte de första eller sista 5-meterna var för sig. Både grupperna visade ingen statistiskskillnad i riktningsförändringstestet. Slutsats Standardiseringsmisstag gjordes under studiens gång, som kan ha haft direkt påverkan på resultatet. Innan en slutsatsen dras, bör man ta hänsyn till misstagen som begåtts ur ett standardiseringsperspektiv och att deltagarna var ej vana att genomföra ett träningsprogram som var systematiskt strukturerat. Mer forskning inom samma område, utifrån samma perspektiv behövs göras, särskilt långsiktiga studier och kanske även på elitspelare.

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to determine what effect a bilateral strength training regimen has on isometric force production symmetry and if changes in force production symmetry can be accounted for by differences in pre-intervention strength levels. Design: Sixteen recreationally trained males (1-RM squat: 146.8 ± 23.0 kg.) were assigned to two groups for the 7-week training intervention: strong (S) and weak (W) based on pre-training squat isometric peak force allometrically scaled (IPFa) at 120° knee angle. Methods: Subjects completed a 7-week training intervention following a block-periodized model and were tested on measures of dynamic (1RM squat) and isometric (isometric squat at 90° and 120° knee angle) strength pre- and post-intervention. The degree of bilateral lower limb asymmetry was calculated as a percentage where 0% symmetry index (SI) indicates perfect symmetry on the isometric squat.Results: ANCOVA results showed no statistical difference between groups for all dependent variables when pre-intervention IPFa 120° scores were used as the covariate. Paired t-tests results showed both groups statistically improved 1RM squat and IPFa 120° (p < 0.05). IPFa 120° SI decreased statistically from pre-training in the W group (p = 0.03). Independent t-test results showed the W group had statistically larger pre-intervention SI scores for IPFa 90° (p = 0.045) and IPFa 120° (p = 0.007); however this difference was no longer present following strength training. There was a strong inverse relationship between pooled IPFa 120° and IPFa 120° SI (r = -0.64, p = 0.004). Conclusions: The findings of the current study support the notion that weaker individuals can augment lower limb symmetry with strength training. The same does not seem to be true for stronger individuals who already have a low symmetry index score. These findings indicate that strength training improves force production symmetry in relatively weak males, which may be important for bilateral tasks and injury potential reduction.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine whether variability of practice enhances neuromuscular adaptations when compared to traditional strength training. The secondary purpose was to investigate whether there was a difference in perception of exertion between the two strength programs. Forty one subjects (23 women and 18 men) were assigned to either the control group or one of two treatment groups by a blocked-random method. Subject's one repetition maximum (1RM) for the kettlebell press and leg press were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks of training, and after 8 weeks of training. The treatment groups completed 8 weeks of training consisting of 3 days a week with at least one recovery day in between each session. In weeks 1 through 3, subjects undergoing the traditional treatment completed 3 sets of 8 repetitions at 70% of their 1RM for each exercise. Weeks 4 through 6 were composed of 3 sets of 6 repetitions at 77% 1RM. In weeks 7 and 8, 3 sets of 4 repetitions at 85% 1RM were performed. Over the course of the eight weeks, the variable treatment was comprised of 5 sets of the kettlebell and leg press. A set of 4 repetitions at 77% of the subject's 1RM, one of 5 repetitions at 70% 1RM, another of 3 repetitions at 85% 1RM, one of 6 repetitions at 65% 1RM, and finally a set of 2 repetitions at 93% 1RM were performed every session. The order of these sets were changed every 3 weeks, altering where in the session the highest intensity set was in relation to the lower intensity sets. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded following treatment to determine subject's perception of intensity during each set. Analysis of variance with repeated measures did not reveal significantly different strength gains between treatment groups in either lift, although variable treatment resulted in greater mean strength gains over almost every time interval. Analyses of RPE data revealed significantly lower reported RPE values for the variable treatment compared to the traditional treatment in both lifts. The greater mean strength gains and significantly lower RPEs of the variable treatment program compel us to conclude it is a superior training method for increasing strength compared to the traditional program.

Bakgrund: Sveriges befolkning blir allt äldre eftersom levnadsvillkoren har blivit bättre, det påverkar de äldres hälsa och andelen äldre ökar. Vid ökad ålder sker det fysiologiska förändringar i kroppen som påverkar hälsan vilket kan innebära minskad kraft, långsamma rörelser och försämrad koordination som ger funktionella begränsningar för individen i vardagen. Många av de åldersrelaterade hälsoriskerna kan förebyggas med fysisk aktivitet   Syfte: Syftet med den här studien var att undersöka om Örnsköldsviks kommun erbjuder fysisk aktivitet på de särskilda boendena som finns i kommunen och om kommunen har några riktlinjer eller rekommendationer runt det. Vidare undersöktes vilken form av fysisk aktivitet som erbjuds och vilka som har ansvaret för denna.   Metod: Samtliga särskilda boenden inom Örnsköldsviks kommun kontaktades för att genomföra en kvantitativ intervjustudie. Intervjuerna gjordes genom telefonsamtal utifrån en strukturerad intervjuguide. informationen från intervjuerna sammanställdes och redovisades på gruppnivå för att inga av de enskilda boendena skulle kunna utskiljas i studien.   Resultat: Av 19 boenden så svarade 11 stycken. totalt deltog 58%. Studien visade att verksamhetscheferna på de särskilda boendena inte känner till om kommunen har några fastställda riktlinjer eller rekommendationer när det gäller den fysiska aktiviteten. De mest förekomna fysiska aktiviteter som erbjudes på boendena var sittgymnastik och promenader. I resultatet framkom också att det finns ett stort behov hos personalen av utbildning för att kunna hålla i den fysiska aktiviteten. Det framkom också att avsaknad av personal och tidsbrist påverkade utförandet av fysisk aktivitet.   Slutsats: Det saknas tydliga riktlinjer inom kommunen för att utbudet av de fysiska aktiviteterna ska vara likvärdiga på de särskilda boendena. Brist på utbildning, personalresurser och tid lyftes fram som begränsade faktorer för att individerna på boendena ska erbjudas mer fysiska aktiviteter. / Background: Sweden’s populations is getting older because of living conditions has become better, this effect the elderly’s health and the proportion of older people is increasing. With increasing age physiological changes occur in the body which can affect the health. For instance reduced power, slower movement and deteriorating coordination that can give functional limitations for the individual in a everyday life. Many of the age-related diseases can be prevented by physical activity.   Objective: The purpose of this study is was to investigate if Ornskoldsvik’s municipality offer physical activity on the sheltered housing in the municipality and if the municipality have any guidelines or recommendations for it. It was also examined what kind of physical activity that was offered and which one was responsible holding it.   Method: A quantitative interview study was conducted at all of the housings in the municipality of Ornskoldsvik. The interviews were conducted through telephone. The information from the interviews was compiled and reported at a group level so that none of the individual housings could be tract.   Results: Of 19 housings answered 11. A total of 58%. The study showed that the people responsible for the housing did not know if the municipality have any determined guidelines or recommendations when it comes to physical activity. The most frequent physical activity that was offered in the housing was gymnastic while sitting on a chair and walks. In the results it emerged that it was a big need of education to hold physical activity. It also emerged that staff shortages and time shortages also affects the performance of physical activity.   Conclusion: Clear guidelines are missing from the municipality for physical activity for it to be equal on all the sheltered housings. Lack of education, staff resources and time was factors that limits the ability to offer more physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to compare core muscle activity during resistance exercises performed on stable ground versus an unstable surface and to examine whether lifting at different relative intensities affects core muscle activity levels. Twelve trained men performed four different movements including the deadlift, back squat, military press, and curl. Surface electromyography (EMG) was utilized to assess the activity of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, transversus abdominis, and erector spinae muscles. Participants performed each movement under three separate conditions including standing on stable ground with 50% of their one repetition maximum (1-RM), standing on a BOSU balance trainer with 50% of their 1-RM and, standing on stable ground with 75% of their 1-RM. The following muscles exhibited greater activity during the 75% 1-RM condition than all other conditions: the transversus abdominis (TA) and external oblique (EO) muscles during the deadlift; the rectus abdominis (RA) during the squat; the TA, RA, and EO during the press, and TA and erector spinae (ES) during the curl. The ES muscle during the press movement and EO during the squat movement were more active during the BOSU 50% 1-RM condition than the stable 50% 1-RM condition. Healthy individuals might consider performing the military press, curl, squat and deadlift movements with higher intensity resistances while standing on stable ground to incur higher widespread muscle activity of the core region.

Bakgrund: Den äldre populationen i världen ökar i stor omfattning och globalt sett har medellivslängden ökat. I takt med att befolkningen ökar sker det effekter på folkhälsan i stort som är korrelerat med ålder. Det innebär att fler äldre personer drabbas av demens, psykisk ohälsa samt andra kroniska sjukdomar. Muskelförlust, även kallat sarkopeni, betraktas vanligtvis som en konsekvens av själva ålderdomen. Skelettmusklerna är inte bara viktiga för den fysiska prestationsförmågan utan också en bidragande faktor för att bibehålla en bra hälsa hela livet. Den explosiva styrkan som har förmågan att utveckla hög kraft snabbt, är viktigt för äldres dagliga vanor som att gå, resa sig från en stol och gå i trappor. Fysisk aktivitet är ett effektivt verktyg för att förbättra hälsan och funktionalitet hos en fysiskt svag befolkning. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka vad som motiverar redan fysisk aktiva äldre 65+ att styrketräna samt hur styrketräning påverkar äldres upplevda sociala hälsa och livskvalitet. Metod: I denna studie användes en kvalitativ metod där semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes. Intervjuerna utgick från en intervjuguide som därefter transkriberades. Totalt 18 redan fysiskt aktiva seniorer med erfarenhet av styrketräning deltog i studien, elva män och sju kvinnor. Resultat: Resultatet visade på fyra återkommande teman: social samhörighet, hälsovinster, aktiv hela livet och motstånd till att styrketräna. Hälsovinsterna av styrketräning ansågs lika viktigt både med den sociala och fysiska aktiviteten. Deltagarna hade varit aktiva hela livet och därför var det enkelt att fortsätta styrketräna. Resultatet visade även att motståndet till att styrketräna beror på att det finns en rädsla, okunskap och att en del är drabbade av skador som hindrar dem från att styrketräna. Slutsats: Från intervjuerna är det tydligt att de flesta av deltagarna började träna i tidig ålder och att de hade gjort det i en större del av sina liv. Att träna hade därför blivit en självklarhet och en stor del av livet. En slutsats från detta är att om en person börjar träna i tidig ålder finns det större sannolikhet att personen fortsätter träna även i senare ålder. / Background: The elderly population of the world is increasing significantly and globally, life expectancy is on the rise. As the population grows, it has an impact on public health that is correlated with age. This means that more elderly individuals are affected by conditions such as dementia, mental illness and other chronic diseases. Muscle loss, also known as sarcopenia, is usually considered a consequence of aging. Skeletal muscles are not only important for physical performance but also a contributing factor to maintaining good health throughout life. Explosive strength, which is the ability to generate high force quickly, is important for the daily activities of the elderly, such as walking, rising from a chair and climbing stairs. Physical activity is an effective tool for improving the health and functionality of a physically weak population. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate what motivates physically active older adults aged 65 + to engage in strength training and how strength training affects their perceived social health and quality of life. Method: In this study, a qualitative method was used in the form of semi-structured interviews with a pre-structured interview guide. The interviews were based on an interview guide that was subsequently transcribed. A total of 18 physically active seniors with experience in strength training participated in the study, eleven men and seven women. Results: The result showed four recurring themes: social belonging, health benefits, active throughout life and resistance to strength training. The health benefits of strength training were equally important with both the social and physical activity. The participants have been active their whole life and therefore it was easy to continue strength training. The result also showed the resistance to strength training depends on fear, ignorance and some suffer from injuries.  Conclusion:  Based on the interviews, it is evident that the majority of the participants began exercising at a young age and continued to do so for a significant portion of their lives. Exercising became a natural part of their routine and a significant aspect of their lives. One possible conclusion is that if a person starts exercising at a young age, there is a higher likelihood that they will continue to exercise in later stages of life.

The effects of short-term resistance training on performance and health variables associated with prolonged sedentary lifestyle and metabolic syndrome (MS) were investigated. Resistance training may alter a number of health-related, physiological, and performance variables. As a result, resistance training can be used as a valuable tool in ameliorating the effects of a sedentary lifestyle including those associated with MS. Nineteen previously sedentary subjects (10 with MS and 9 with nonmetabolic syndrome [NMS]) underwent 8 weeks of supervised resistance training. Maximum strength was measured using an isometric midthigh pull and resulting force-time curve. Vertical jump height (JH) and power were measured using a force plate. The muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and type were examined using muscle biopsy and standard analysis techniques. Aerobic power was measured on a cycle ergometer using a ParvoMedics 2400 Metabolic system. Endurance was measured as time to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. After training, maximum isometric strength, JH, jump power, and V_ O2peak increased by approximately 10% (or more) in both the metabolic and NMS groups (both male and female subjects). Over 8 weeks of training, body mass did not change statistically, but percent body fat decreased in subjects with the MS and in women, and lean body mass increased in all groups (p # 0.05). Few alterations were noted in the fiber type. Men had larger CSAs compared those of with women, and there was a fiber-specific trend toward hypertrophy over time. In summary, 8 weeks of semiblock free-weight resistance training improved several performance variables and some cardiovascular factors associated with MS

Introduction: Alpine skiing has changed since the 1990s and it is unclear what sport specific strength is within modern alpine elite skiing. Purpose: The aim of this study was to create a strength profile and to investigate what sport specific strength is within alpine elite skiers. Method: A total number of 24 participant took part in this cross-sectional study, where eleven alpine elite skiers were compared with thirteen well-trained strength athletes with different sports background. The participants were tested in squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) as well as isometric, isokinetic concentric and isokinetic eccentric strength with different dynamic velocities. In addition to these tests, reaction strength index (RSI) and eccentric utilization ratio (EUR) were calculated. Correlation analyses were performed to investigate if there were any relationships between the jump test variables and the isometric and eccentric strength tests. Results: The SKI group jumped higher in relation to their bodyweight (BW) in SJ (P&gt;0,01), CMJ (P&gt;0,05) and DJ (P&gt;0,01). The SKI group also showed significantly higher RSI values (P&gt;0,05). For the strength tests, the SKI group performed significantly better in all the eccentric velocities (P&gt;0,05), the isometric test (P&gt;0,01) and in the slowest concentric velocity (P&gt;0,01). The SKI group showed significantly higher strength values (P&gt;0,05) in relative isometric strength with knee angles between 20°-60°, where the largest significant difference appeared at 25° (P&gt;0,001). No significant differences were found in the absolute values in either the jump or the strength tests. Only moderate (r=0,30-0,49) significant (P&gt;0,05) correlations were found between the fastest eccentric tests and the SJ and DJ within all athletes. No significant correlations were found within the SKI group alone. Conclusion: This study presented evidence that sport specific strength for alpine elite skiers may primarily consist of isometric strength, training in slow concentric velocities and general eccentric training. The results indicate that the sport specific strength for alpine elite skiers does not include concentric training in moderate and fast concentric movements.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ingestion on muscle damage and inflammation during the first two weeks of a novice resistance training (RT) program. Methods: This study was a placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Forty-one healthy untrained males between the ages of 18 and 28 years consumed 2,000 mg/d of either DHA or corn oil (PCB) for 44 days including a 28 day loading period. Serum fatty acids were analyzed to determine treatment efficacy. During the 17 day training period, an acute eccentric exercise bout was implemented followed by a full-body RT regimen thrice weekly. Six fasted blood draws (days 1, 2, 4, 7, 12, and 17) during this exercise period were analyzed for creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Maximum isometric strength (ISO) of the elbow flexors, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and range of motion (ROM) were measured on day 1 prior to exercise and also on days 2, 3, 4, 7, 12, and 17. Results: The CK response and the area under the curve (AUC) analysis for DOMS trended to decrease in the DHA group in comparison to placebo (p=0.0925 and p=0.0536, respectively). Treatment showed no effect on CRP levels. DHA supplementation significantly increased serum DHA by 380% as a proportion of total fatty acids (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study does not demonstrate convincing benefits of DHA ingestion to recovery from a new resistance exercise program but does suggest a need for further investigation. / Master of Science