No description available.

The purposes of this study were to investigate effects of partial block periodized strength training on physical performance and to examine relationships between initial muscle strength measured with isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and performance changes after 7 weeks of strength training. Seventeen collegiate male soccer players participated. Initial muscle strength was determined using IMTP while physical performance included 10 m and 20 m sprints and static vertical jump with a polyvinyl chloride pipe (SJ0), 20 kg barbell (SJ20), and barbell loaded to 40 kg bar (SJ40). Performance testing was performed at three points: before first week (baseline), fourth week (T1), and seventh week (T2). Statistically small to moderate changes were found from baseline to T2 in peak power (PP; < 0.001, ES = 0.49), net impulse (NI; < 0.001, ES = 0.49), peak velocity (PV; < 0.001, ES = 0.62), allometrically scaled PP (PPa; < 0.001, ES = 0.62) in SJ20 and jump height (JH) in SJ40 ( < 0.001, ES = 0.36). Moderate to large correlations were found between isometric peak force and the changes from baseline to T2 in SJ20 PP ( = 0.04, = -0.49), SJ20 PF ( = 0.03, = -0.52), PPa ( = 0.04, = -0.50), and SJ20 allometrically scaled peak force ( = 0.04, = -0.49). Properly structured strength training maximizes task-specific physical performance. Initial muscle strength negatively affects the magnitudes of adaptations to physical performance.

No description available.

Bakgrund: Spänningshuvudvärk är den vanligaste formen av huvudvärk och förekommer hos ungefär 40 % av världens vuxna befolkning. Fysioterapeuten kan bidra med flera olika smärtlindrande metoder där muskelstärkande fysisk aktivitet kan vara ett alternativ. I dagsläget saknas en systematisk översikt som sammanställt forskning inom området. Syfte: Sammanställa det nuvarande vetenskapliga underlaget gällande effekterna av muskelstärkande fysisk aktivitet i nacke och axlar på huvudvärkens frekvens, duration och intensitet samt jämföra det med ingen behandling eller med annan behandling som ges till vuxna individer med spänningshuvudvärk. Metod: En systematisk översikt. Systematiska sökningar genomfördes i databasen PubMed och granskades utifrån urvalskriterierna. De inkluderade artiklarna bedömdes för risk för snedvridning utifrån granskningsmallen PEDro och den sammanvägda tillförlitligheten utvärderades med hjälp av en modifierad version av GRADE. Resultat: 7 randomiserade kontrollerade studier inkluderades efter urvalsprocessen. Samtliga artiklar bedömdes ha hög kvalitet och därmed låg risk för snedvridning. 4 av 7 studier påvisade en signifikant förbättring av muskelstärkande fysisk aktivitet på antingen frekvens, duration eller intensitet jämfört med annan behandling. Vid bedömning av artiklarnas sammanvägda tillförlitlighet delades artiklarna in i två undergrupper utefter intervention. Tre studier med styrketräning för nacke och axlar bedömdes ha låg tillförlitlighet och fyra studier med styrketräning för djupa nackmuskler ansågs ha mycket låg tillförlitlighet. Konklusion: Det går inte att dra några slutsatser om effekterna av muskelstärkande fysisk aktivitet vid spänningshuvudvärk. Det behövs flera randomiserade kontrollerade studier inom området för att säkerställa evidens kring muskelstärkande fysisk aktivitet vid spänningshuvudvärk. / Background: Tension type headache is the most common type of headache and occurs in approximately 40 % of the world's adult population. The physiotherapist can contribute with several pain-relieving methods where muscle-strengthening physical activity can be an alternative. As of today, there is no systematic review that has compiled research in this field. Aim: To compile the current scientific evidence regarding muscle-strengthening physical activity in the neck and shoulders on the frequency, duration and intensity of headaches and compare it with other treatments given to adults with tension-type headaches. Method: A systematic review. A systematic search was carried out in the database PubMed and reviewed according to the selection criteria. The included articles were assessed for risk of bias based on the PEDro review template and the overall reliability was evaluated using a modified version of GRADE. Results: 7 randomized controlled trials were included after the selection process. All articles were judged to be of high quality and thus have a low risk of bias. 4 of 7 studies showed a significant improvement in muscle-strengthening physical activity on either frequency, duration or intensity compared to other treatments. When assessing the overall reliability of the articles, the articles were divided into two subgroups according to intervention. Three studies with strength training for the neck and shoulders were considered to be of low quality, and four studies with strength training of deep neck muscles were considered to be of very low quality. Conclusion: It is not possible to draw any conclusions about the effects of muscle-strengthening physical activity on tension type headache. Several randomized controlled trials are needed in the field to ensure evidence of muscle-strengthening physical activity in tension type headache.

<p>The purpose of the current study was to determine whether implementing EMST through telepractice is feasible and effective for providing better respiratory support to improve or maintain communication and cough production in ALS. In a nine-week multiple baseline design, twelve participants with mild ALS completed six weeks of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) at a moderate intensity level. Descriptive data revealed that it is feasible for speech-language pathologists to implement EMST through telepractice with individuals who have ALS, as minimal time and caregiver involvement was required to implement EMST successfully and adherence and attendance rates were high. EMST implemented through telepractice resulted in a significant increase in maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) at the group level. At the individual level, nine participants had significant increases in MEP, two participants MEP remained stable, and one participant’s MEP decreased Post-Training, most likely due to poor adherence. These overall improvements to MEP did not result in significant improvements to respiratory-dependent speech outcome measures such as pause frequencies and pause durations at the group level. A lack of significant changes to the respiratory-dependent speech outcome measures, but a significant declination in the control variable of articulation rate that is not dependent on the respiratory system suggests that EMST had a maintenance effect for most participants. At the individual level, EMST appears to impact neural control of speech as it alters the pause patterns uniquely for each participant, with some participants demonstrating improvements and others demonstrating maintenance or declination. Maintenance at the group level was also observed for cough strength following EMST. In conclusion, EMST can be implemented via telepractice with people who have mild ALS and may help people with ALS maintain speech and cough production by altering respiratory support. </p>

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of a progressive strength training program on quiet postural sway and stability limits in healthy males (n=8) and females (n=12) aged 60-80 years. The ability of the subjects to utilize visual information (eyes open vs. eyes closed) to improve quiet postural sway and stability limits was also examined. Vision, was found to significantly improve quiet postural sway (lat and a-p) and stability limits (a-p). Vision improved stability limits (lat) for the male subjects but not for the female subjects. The strength training did not significantly improve any of the balance measures but a gender by training interaction was found for quiet postural sway (normalized to stability limits) in the a-p direction. The male subjects quiet postural sway decreased after the strength training and their stability limits increased, The greatest improvements in balance were noted for the subjects who had substantially higher baseline levels to begin with. Exercise was found to improve muscle strength and this increase may have contributed to the improvements in balance noted. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. However, in comparison to other mainstream sports such as soccer and rugby, there is limited literature using scientific principles and theory to examine the most appropriate ways to monitor the sport. This serves as a barrier to American football practitioners in their development and implementation of evidence-based sport preparation programs. Therefore, the primary aim of this line of research (i.e., dissertation) is to illustrate the efficacy of commonly used athlete monitoring tools within the sport of American collegiate football, while proposing a systematic framework to guide the development of an athlete monitoring program. This aim was achieved through a series of studies with the following objectives: 1) to quantify the physical demands of American collegiate football practice by creating physiological movement profiles through the use of integrated microtechnology metrics and heart rate indices, 2) to determine the positional differences in the physical practice demands of American collegiate football athletes, 3) to examine which integrated microtechnology metrics might be used to most efficiently monitor the training load of American collegiate football athletes, 4) to demonstrate the suitability of using the countermovement jump (CMJ) to assess training adaptations in American collegiate football athletes through examining weekly changes in CMJ performance over the course of two 4-week periodized training blocks (8 weeks total), and 5) to examine the effect of acute fatigue on CMJ performance in American football athletes. The first study from this line of research quantified the physical demands of American collegiate football by position groups and found significant differences in both running based and non-running based training load metrics. In addition, the first study utilized a principal component analysis to determine 5 'principal' components that explain approximately 81% of the variance within the data. The second study utilized a univariate analysis and found significant changes in CMJ performance due the effect of time with significant improvements in CMJ 'strategy' variables over the training period. Finally, the third study used effects sizes to illustrate a larger magnitude of change in CMJ 'strategy' variables than CMJ 'output' variables due to effect of acute fatigue. Results from studies 2 and 3 suggest the importance of monitoring CMJ strategy variables when monitoring training adaptations and fatigue in American collegiate football athletes. This line of research provides practitioners with a systematic framework through which they can develop and implement evidence-based sport preparation programs within their own organizational context. In addition, this line of research provides practitioners with recommendations for which metrics to monitor when tracking training load in American collegiate football using integrated microtechnology. Finally, this line of research demonstrates how to assess training adaptations and fatigue using the CMJ within the sport of American collegiate football, while providing an empirical base through which the selection of CMJ variables can take place. Collectively, this line of research uses scientific principles and theory to extend the current literature in American collegiate football, while providing practitioners with a guide to athlete monitoring within the sport. / Doctor of Philosophy / American football is one the most popular sports in the United States. Despite its popularity, there is limited research using scientific principles and theories to examine ways to most effectively monitor the sport. Broadly, athlete monitoring refers to the process of providing informational feedback from the athlete to practitioners. This allows practitioners to make decisions informed by data. Therefore, this line of research (i.e. dissertation) aimed to use a variety of commonly used athlete monitoring tools to monitor American collegiate football athletes, while proposing a framework to guide in the development of an athlete monitoring program. This line of research consisted of a series of 3 studies. In study #1, it was found that integrated microtechnology units and heart rate sensors could be used to determine the physical demands of American collegiate football practice, as well as differences in the physical demands of practice by position group. In addition, a set of 5 training load constructs were found through which training load in American collegiate football athletes may be appropriately monitored. In study #2, it was found that countermovement jump (CMJ) strategy variables indicating how the jump occurred may provide more insight into strength and power training adaptations than CMJ output variables that indicate what occurred as a result of the jump in this highly trained athletic population. Finally, in study #3, it was found that CMJ strategy variables may be more sensitive to acute fatigue from a football-specific training session than CMJ output variables in American collegiate football athletes. Collectively, this research suggest that integrated microtechnology units, heart rate sensors, and the CMJ using a force testing platform may be used to monitor American collegiate football athletes. Moreover, this research suggests which variables to utilize when monitoring this population using these tools through the proposed athlete monitoring framework.

Fysisk träning för barn har alltid varit ett kontroversiellt ämne som berör såväl etiska och fysiologiska som medicinska frågor. Styrketräning är den form av träning som ställer dessa frågor på sin spets. De svenska officiella organen Idrottens Forskningsråd (IFR) och Riksidrottsförbundet (RF) har genom åren lagt fram rekommendationer och riktlinjer som ska fungera som underlag vid utformning av den träningsverksamhet som bedrivs i idrottens föreningsliv. Eftersom forskningsrön har förändrats i takt med forskningsframsteg har också rekommendationer och riktlinjer från officiellt håll varierat över tid. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka om fotbollsledare har kännedom om de senaste rekommendationerna vad gäller styrketräning för barn. I studien inkluderades fotbollsledare (n=39) som tränade pojkar i årskullarna 1998-2002. Med utgångspunkt i nya svenska rekommendationer om styrketräning för barn formulerades påståenden i en enkät. Med hjälp av enkäten samlades data in som kodades om till siffror och analyserades. I resultatet identifierades två variabler som hade betydelse för de åsikter som fördes fram i enkäten. Dessa variabler innebar att det för resultatet spelade roll i vilken division som fotbollsledarens fotbollsförening spelade i samt hur många år denne varit aktiv som fotbollsledare. Resultatet visade att fotbollsledare inte hade kännedom om de senaste rekommendationerna vad gäller styrketräning för barn. / Physical training for children has always been a controversial topic that raises ethical, physiological and medical issues. Although the recently revealed scientific evidence indicates that strength training can lead to a number of positive effects on children, there has always been a problem associated with weight training impact on child development. For several years the Swedish Sports Research Counsil (Idrottens Forskningsråd) and the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet) has presented recommendations and guidelines that will serve as the basis for the design of training activities in sport clubs. Since research findings have changed over the past years, recommendations and guidelines from the Swedish Sports Research Counsil and the Swedish Sports Confederation has varied over time as well. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether football[1]leaders are aware of the latest recommendations regarding strength training for children. This study includes football leaders (n=39) who trains boys in age groups from 1998 to 2002. By using a questionnaire data was collected, coded and analyzed. The results of this study indicate that football leaders are not aware of the latest recommendations regarding strength training for children. [1]In US it is referred to as soccer.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Muscle weakness is a problem for many young people with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Many studies have reported that selective strength-training programs can improve muscle strength. However, most of these studies are of single group design and do not adequately control for confounding variables. Objective: To determine the impact of a comprehensive strength training program targeting multiple muscle groups on adolescents with CP, using basic inexpensive free weights and resistance devices. Method: A randomised clinical trial evaluated the effects of an eight-week strength-training program on 31 independently ambulant adolescents with spastic CP, with or without walking aids, from Eros School (19 males, 12 females; mean age 16 years 1 month; range 13 - 18 years). The Kin-Com dynamometer, 3-D gait analysis, the Economy of Movement test and a questionnaire was used to evaluate selected muscle strength, the degree of crouch gait, free walking velocity and stride length, energy consumption during walking and perceptions of body image and functional competence. Twenty one subjects took part in the strength-training program and were compared with 10 control subjects. Results were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and bootstrap analysis. Results: Compared with the control, significant improvement in the degree of crouch as measured by the sum of the ankle, knee and hip angles at midstance (p=0.05) and perceptions of body image (p=0.01) were noted for the experimental group. Significant trends were also noted for isometric knee extension muscle strength at 30° as well as for hip abduction at 10° and 20°. Walking efficiency, -velocity and stride length remained unchanged as well as perceptions of functional ability. Conclusion: A strength-training program targeting multiple muscle groups including upper and lower limbs as well as the trunk, can lead to changes in muscle strength and improve the degree of crouch gait with improved perception of body image. Successful participation in such a program at school may motivate children with CP to continue with home-based basic strength training. Strength training alone did not decrease oxygen consumption during walking and inclusion of aerobic exercise is recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Spierswakheid is 'n probleem vir baie jong mense met serebrale verlamming (SV). Navorsing het getoon dat selektiewe versterkende oefenprogramme selektiewe spiere kan versterk, maar die meeste studies bestaan uit 'n enkel groep met onvoldoende beheer oor verstrengelde veranderlikes. Doel: Om die impak van 'n omvattende versterkende oefenprogram met basiese, goedkoop gewigte en weerstandsaparaat wat vele spiergroepe teiken, op adolesente met spastiese SV te evalueer. Metodologie: Die effekte van 'n agt weke lang versterkende oefenprogram is op 31 onafhanklik mobiel adolesente met spastiese SV, met of sonder loophulpmiddel, van Eros Skool deur middel van 'n ewekansige kliniese proef geevalueer (19 manlike, 12 vroulike deelnemers; gemiddelde ouderdom 16 jaar 1 maand; omvang 13 - 18 jaar). Die Kin-Com dinamometer, "3-D gait analysis", die "Economy of Movement" toets en 'n vraelys is gebruik om geselekteerde spiersterkte, die hoeveelheid knie fleksie gesien in die onderste ledemaat tydens loop, loopspoed en treelengte, energieverbruik tydens loop asook persepsies van liggaamsbeeld en funksionelevermoë te evalueer. Een en twintig het in die versterkende oefenprogram deelgeneem en is met 10 kontrole deelnemers vergelyk. Resultate is met behulp van herhaalde metings "ANOVA" en "bootstrap analysis" geanaliseer. Resultate: In vergelyking met die kontrole groep, het die experimentele groep betekenisvolle verbetering getoon in die hoeveelheid fleksie gesien in die ondersteledemaat (p=0.05) soos bereken deur die som van die enkel-, knie- en heuphoek in midstaan fase tydens loop, asook in liggaamspersepsie (p=0.01). Beduidenisvolle tendense is ook gesien by die experimentele groep vir isometriese knie ekstensie spiersterkte by 30° asook vir heup abduksie by 10° en 20°. Energieverbruik tydens loop asook loopspoed en treelengte was onveranderd asook persepsie van funksionele vermoë. Gevolgtrekking: 'n Versterkende oefenprogram wat verskeie spiergroepe teiken, insluitende die onderste en boonste ledemate asook die romp, kan lei tot In verbetering in spiersterkte, minder fleksie in die onderste ledemate tydens loop asook 'n verbetering in ligaamspersepsie. Suksesvolle deelname aan so 'n program op skool, mag kinders dalk motiveer om In basiese versterkende oefenprogram tuis voort te sit. Versterkende oefening alleen het geen vermindering in suurstofverbruik tydens loop veroorsaak en die insluit van aerobiese oefening word aanbeveel.

Objective. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that a 16-week, individualized, intensive strength training program in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients taking Remicade™ (Infliximab) would improve strength, body composition, disease activity, physical function, pain and quality of life outcomes , as compared to RA patients on Remicade™ with no strength training program. Methods. Twenty-four patients with RA taking Remicade™, participated in a randomized, controlled trial. The exercise group carried out a three time a week strength training program, with the control group continuing standard of care. Assessments were completed at baseline, 8-week, and 16-week time points . Maximal strength, physical function, disease activity, body composition, quality of life, and pain were measured with active tests and via questionnaires. Patients also completed exit evaluations on their satisfaction with the study. Results. Highly significant strength gains were seen in the exercise group according to 3 repetition maximums (3RMs) (p<.01), as well as in all 8 exercises performed in the gym (p<.01). The mean exercise attendance for the 16 weeks was 82.0±10.6%. Compared to the control group, there was a significant increase in right hand grip strength (p<.1), and lean tissue in the trunk (p<.01). Significant improvements were also seen in physical function according to 50-foot walk time (p<.01), the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS2) hand and arm function subscales (p<.05), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36) (p<.1), as compared to controls. The exercise group showed clinically important differences via the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ DI), with a mean change of -0.41±0.42. Significant reductions in pain, as measured by the Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), also occurred (p<.1). The individualization of the strength training program and personal attention received by the patients was critical to the success of the study. Patient satisfaction with the study was high, with limitations due primarily to funding constraints. Conclusion. This 16-week high intensity strength training program led to statistically significant improvements in strength, lean soft tissue, disease activity, function, pain and quality of life in this RA population. No detrimental effects on the disease were seen in this study.