The fitness device market is young and rapidly growing. More people than ever before take count of how many steps they walk, how many calories they burn, their heart rate over time, and even their quality of sleep. New, and as of yet, unreleased fitness devices have promised the next evolution of functionality with exercise technique analysis. These next generation of fitness devices have wrist and armband style form factors, which may not be optimal for barbell exercises such as back squat, bench press, and overhead press where a sensor on one arm may not provide the most relevant data about a lift. Barbell path analysis is a well-known visual tool to help diagnose weightlifting technique deficiencies, but requires a camera pointed at the athlete that is integrated with motion-tracking software. This camera set up is not available at most gyms, so this motivates the use of a small, unobtrusive sensor to obtain data about an athlete's weightlifting technique. Researchers have shown that an accelerometer attached to a barbell while the athlete is lifting yields just as accurate acceleration information as a camera. The LIFT (Leveraging Information For Training) automated weight lifting coach attempts to implement a simple, unobtrusive system for analyzing and providing feedback on barbell weight lifting technique.

Manufacturers of amino acid supplements claim that they can act as natural stercoids. Eighteen experienced male weight lifters were studied to test this hypothesis for the amino acid arginine. / Master of Science

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Research has reported that increased levels of plasma TC are directly related, while low levels of plasma HDL-C are inversely related, to coronary heart disease. Regular physical exercise has been suggested as a method for reducing plasma TC and increasing plasma HDL-C. Thirty-one healthy, sedentary women (ages 18-30) were studied to determine the effects of a jogging, weight training, or a combined jogging and weight training program on plasma total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, body composition. Experimental subjects were randomly assigned to the treatment conditions. The subjects trained three days a week for nine weeks. The R group ran for 30 minutes a session at 75% predicted maximum HR. The W group trained with weights utilizing exercises to strengthen all major muscle groups for one hour at 60% one repetition maximum the first 3 weeks and 75% one repetition maximum weeks 4 - 9. The RW group ran for 25 minutes a session at 75% predicted maximum HR, then lifted weights using the leg-strengthening exercises for 30 minutes, similar to the W group. Preceding and following the treatment period, plasma TC, HDL-C, body weight, and percent body fat was assessed for all four groups. Plasma TC was not significantly altered, although a downward trend was observed for all three treatment groups. Plasma HDL-C did not change over the treatment period for any group. The plasma TC/HDL-C ratio changed significantly among groups over the treatment period, with the R group decreasing their ratio from 3.5 to 2.9 (p < .05). No changes were noted In percent body fat, fat-free mass, or body weight for any of the groups. The Pearson product-moment correlations performed between the changes in blood lipids and the changes in body composition found no significant relationships. The results of this study indicate that an exercise program consisting of endurance training for 30 minutes, 3 times per week, or weight training for one hour, 3 times per week, or a combination aerobic/weight training program 3 times per week is not adequate to significantly improve plasma TC or HDL-C in young females over a nine week period. However, significant improvements may be made in the plasma TC/HDL-C ratio which may decrease the risk for CHD. / Master of Science

Twelve male weight lifters were used to study the effect of oral arginine consumption on growth hormone (hGH) , arginine (Arg), and somatomedin (IGF-1) concentrations. Subjects were randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups. Following a week of controlled exercise and diet, fasted subjects took either an acute dose of arginine hydrochloride or casein (placebo), at 0.1 g/kg BW. Blood samples were drawn every 15 min, for 90 min after ingestion. All samples were analyzed for hGH and Arg, and IGF-1 was measured in the baseline sample. Subjects then underwent 10 days of caloric restriction, consuming a liquid diet of 22 kcal/kg BW/d. Subjects took either arginine or casein supplements in two doses of 0.1 g/kg BW twice daily, for a total dose of 0.2 g/kg BW/d. The weight lifting protocol remained unchanged. On day 17, subjects were again tested for the acute response to a single dose of 0.1 g/kg BW supplement (arginine or placebo) over 90 min. Blood was collected and analyzed as before. No change in hGH and Arg occurred 90 min after consumption of the arginine supplement, regardless of dietary condition. However, arginine supplementation caused overall higher hGH and Arg levels (2.64 ng/ml and 0.87 mmol/l) compared to placebo (1.36 ng/ml and 0.71 mmol/l) during caloric restriction. IGF-1 did not change in either group under either diet. Thus, oral arginine supplementation at 0.1 g/kg BW did not produce a rise in hGH or Arg after 90 min, and did not affect overall hGH status, as measured by IGF-1, during energy restriction and supplementation. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to examine the self-concepts and body cathexis of both males and females engaged in an eleven week weight training course and to examine if differences in gender role would influence the relationship of strength to self-concept and body cathexis. Each group (weight trainers versus controls) was administered the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, Bem Sex-Role Inventory, Eysenck Personality Inventory, and the Body Cathexis Scale. Strength measures were obtained. Group by gender ANOVA and ANCOVA examined differences between and among the groups and genders. Gender role by gender ANOVA and ANCOVA examined differences between and among the androgynous and masculine typed males and females. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship of strength to body cathexis and self-concept. Results indicated pre- and post differences between and among the groups and genders and the genders and the gender roles.

O exercício resistido dinâmico é recomendado para hipertensos, mas a pressão arterial (PA) se eleva muito durante sua execução. Este estudo investigou o efeito do antagonista do canal de cálcio diidropiridínico, anlodipina, sobre a resposta da PA ao exercício resistido de diferentes intensidades. Onze hipertensos essenciais foram estudados após 4 semanas de uso de placebo e anlodipina, num desenho aleatório e duplo cego. Os voluntários realizaram o exercício de extensão de joelhos até a exaustão, seguindo os seguintes protocolos: a) 1 série em 100% de 1RM, b) 3 séries em 80% de 1RM; e c) 3 séries em 40% de 1RM. Antes e durante os exercícios, a PA foi medida diretamente na artéria radial. A anlodipina reduziu os valores absolutos da PA sistólica (225±6 vs 207±6 mmHg em 100%, 289±8 vs 273±10 mmHg em 80% e 289±10 vs 271±11 mmHg em 40%) e da PA diastólica (141± 3 vs 130±6 mmHg em 100%, 178±5 vs 169±6 mmHg em 80% e 176±8 vs 154±6 mmHg em 40%) em todas as intensidades. Ela também minimizou o aumento da PA diastólica que ocorreu na 2ª e 3ª séries do exercício realizado em 40% de 1 RM. Em conclusão, anlodipina é capaz de diminuir os valores máximos da PA atingidos durante a realização de exercícios resistidos de diferentes intensidades e minimizar o aumento progressivo da PA diastólica em exercícios mais prolongados.Estes efeitos podem reduzir o risco cardiovascular durante a execução de esforços resistidos em hipertensos / Dynamic resistance exercise is recommended for hypertensives. However, during its execution blood pressure (BP) presents a huge increase. This study investigated the effects of dyhidropyridine calcium channel antagonist, amlodipine, on BP responses during resistance exercises executed at different intensities. Eleven essential hypertensives were studied after 4 weeks of placebo and amlodipine administered at a random double blinded order. Volunteers were evaluated during the execution of the knee extension exercise performed with three different protocols: a) 1 set at 100% of 1RM (repetition maximum), b) 3 sets at 80% of 1RM, and c) 3 sets at 40% of 1RM. Before and during exercise, BP was directly measured at the radial artery. Amlodipine reduced the absolute values of systolic BP (225±6 vs 207±6 mmHg at 100%, 289±8 vs 273±10 mmHg at 80% e 289±10 vs 271±11 mmHg at 40%) and diastolic BP (141± 3 vs 130±6 mmHg at 100%, 178±5 vs 169±6 mmHg at 80% e 176±8 vs 154±6 mmHg at 40%) during all the exercise intensities. In addition, it mitigated diastolic BP increase that happened at the second and third sets of the exercise at 40% of 1 RM. In conclusion, amlodipine was able to decrease BP maximal values achieved during resistance exercise at different intensities, and minimizes diastolic BP increase in prolonged resistance exercises. These effects may confer some cardiovascular protection for hypertensives during the execution of resistance efforts

Fourteen Ball State University softball players participated in this study to examine the effects of an amino acid supplement, Rebuild II TM, on strength and performance. Rebuild II TM contains high levels of BCAAs and glutamine. Two groups strength trained for ten weeks with the treatment group consuming Rebuild II TM, and the control group consuming a placebo. Subjects were pre and post-tested on the bench press, squat and machine shoulder press for strength, and performed a 90-foot sprint and a vertical jump for performance measures. LBW was calculated from the subjects body weight and percent fat. Pre and post measures were analyzed using a two way Anova variance with repeated measures test with a significant level set at p< 0.05. Both groups showed significant increases in strength and vertical jump performance, but only the Rebuild II TM group had a significant increase in LBW and decrease in percent fat. It was concluded that with a controlled weight training program, softball players will increase strength and vertical jump performance, and by adding an amino acid supplement to an athletes diet, there may be larger increases in LBW and decreases in percent fat while strength training. / School of Physical Education

Abstract Background: Using a weight lifting belt when performing a variety of resistance exercises is becoming more and more common. The purpose of using a weight lifting belt is its supposed ability to reduce compressive forces on the lumbar spine and enhancement of athletic performance. Although the weight lifting belt has been proven to increase the intra abdominal pressure that helps reduces the shear forces during a squat, little is known about the weight lifting belts effect on the performance. Studies have suggested that wearing a weight lifting belt during a squat can increase the vertical velocity and range of motion. Few studies have focused on the power output, but improvements have been seen while wearing a weight lifting belt when performing a deadlift. Variables such as power, velocity and range of motion are of importance for an athlete when making individual training plans as well as measuring the progress. Therefore more research is needed to identify the actual influence of the weight lifting belt on the performance. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine if weight lifting belts have an impact on an athletes ability to develop power, velocity or improve range of motion in a squat. Methods: Fifteen healthy men and women familiar with the squat exercise participated in the study. During the study they performed six repetitions of the squat divided into two sets, one set without a weight lifting belt and one with a weight lifting belt. Power and velocity were measured during every squat with a linear encoder and videotapes were made to later calculate the angles in the hip- and knee joints at the lowest position of the exercise. Results: No significant differences were found in power (p = 0.25) or concentric and eccentric velocity (p = 0.61, p = 0.16) with or without a weight lifting belt. Range of motion in the knee joint was greater when not wearing a weight lifting belt (p = 0.03), but no differences in the hip angles were found (p = 0.70). Conclusion: The result from the current study shows that when performing a squat the weight lifting belt has little to no effect on power, velocity or range of motion. Although a noticeable change in range of motion of the knee joint were observed, further studies on larger populations are needed to determine if it is of clinical value.

O exercício resistido dinâmico é recomendado para hipertensos, mas a pressão arterial (PA) se eleva muito durante sua execução. Este estudo investigou o efeito do antagonista do canal de cálcio diidropiridínico, anlodipina, sobre a resposta da PA ao exercício resistido de diferentes intensidades. Onze hipertensos essenciais foram estudados após 4 semanas de uso de placebo e anlodipina, num desenho aleatório e duplo cego. Os voluntários realizaram o exercício de extensão de joelhos até a exaustão, seguindo os seguintes protocolos: a) 1 série em 100% de 1RM, b) 3 séries em 80% de 1RM; e c) 3 séries em 40% de 1RM. Antes e durante os exercícios, a PA foi medida diretamente na artéria radial. A anlodipina reduziu os valores absolutos da PA sistólica (225±6 vs 207±6 mmHg em 100%, 289±8 vs 273±10 mmHg em 80% e 289±10 vs 271±11 mmHg em 40%) e da PA diastólica (141± 3 vs 130±6 mmHg em 100%, 178±5 vs 169±6 mmHg em 80% e 176±8 vs 154±6 mmHg em 40%) em todas as intensidades. Ela também minimizou o aumento da PA diastólica que ocorreu na 2ª e 3ª séries do exercício realizado em 40% de 1 RM. Em conclusão, anlodipina é capaz de diminuir os valores máximos da PA atingidos durante a realização de exercícios resistidos de diferentes intensidades e minimizar o aumento progressivo da PA diastólica em exercícios mais prolongados.Estes efeitos podem reduzir o risco cardiovascular durante a execução de esforços resistidos em hipertensos / Dynamic resistance exercise is recommended for hypertensives. However, during its execution blood pressure (BP) presents a huge increase. This study investigated the effects of dyhidropyridine calcium channel antagonist, amlodipine, on BP responses during resistance exercises executed at different intensities. Eleven essential hypertensives were studied after 4 weeks of placebo and amlodipine administered at a random double blinded order. Volunteers were evaluated during the execution of the knee extension exercise performed with three different protocols: a) 1 set at 100% of 1RM (repetition maximum), b) 3 sets at 80% of 1RM, and c) 3 sets at 40% of 1RM. Before and during exercise, BP was directly measured at the radial artery. Amlodipine reduced the absolute values of systolic BP (225±6 vs 207±6 mmHg at 100%, 289±8 vs 273±10 mmHg at 80% e 289±10 vs 271±11 mmHg at 40%) and diastolic BP (141± 3 vs 130±6 mmHg at 100%, 178±5 vs 169±6 mmHg at 80% e 176±8 vs 154±6 mmHg at 40%) during all the exercise intensities. In addition, it mitigated diastolic BP increase that happened at the second and third sets of the exercise at 40% of 1 RM. In conclusion, amlodipine was able to decrease BP maximal values achieved during resistance exercise at different intensities, and minimizes diastolic BP increase in prolonged resistance exercises. These effects may confer some cardiovascular protection for hypertensives during the execution of resistance efforts