COMPARISONS OF ACUTE NEUROMUSCULAR FATIGUE IN MAXIMAL EFFORT STRENGTH TRAINING USING POWERLIFTS. N. T. Theilen, B. I. Campbell, M. C. Zourdos2, J. M. Oliver3, J. O'Halloran1, N. Asher1, J. M. Wilson4 1University of South Florida, Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory, Tampa, FL 2Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 3Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX 4University of Tampa, Tampa, FL Neuromuscular fatigue is associated with a decrease in velocity. Following powerlift training, the extent to which fatigue affects the performance velocity of each lift after a specified recovery interval has not yet been investigated. Purpose To assess the level of acute neuromuscular fatigue, as measured by a decrease in peak velocity, as a result of maximal effort strength training sessions with each powerlift. Methods Twelve resistance trained males (22.8 ± 2.6 yrs; 177.1 ± 6.7 cm; 83.0 ± 12.6 kgs) participated in a randomized crossover design with three conditions: Squat (SQ), Bench Press (BP), and Deadlift (DL). Subjects' relative strength included the ability to successfully complete at least 1.5x their bodyweight in the squat exercise. Initially, baseline peak velocity (PV) was measured for each lift at 60% 1RM via a TENDO unit. One training session occurred each Monday for 3 consecutive weeks (1 week for each lift). Each training session consisted of a 1RM of the designated lift followed by 4 sets of 2 repetitions at 92.5% and 4 sets of 3 repetitions at 87.5%. Following training sessions, each lift PV was measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-training to compare with baseline measures and determine recovery. Data was analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA (p<.05). Results SQ: No significant differences in PV of the SQ and DL following SQ training at each time point compared to baseline. Bench press PV significantly declined following squat training (Baseline = 1.069 m/s; 24 hours = 0.974 m/s [p = 0.019]; 48 hours = 1.015 m/s [p = 0.034]; 72 hours = 0.970 m/s [p = 0.004]. BP: No significant differences in PV of the SQ and DL following BP training at each time point compared to baseline. Bench press PV significantly declined only at 24 hours following BP training (Baseline = 1.069 m/s; 24 hours = 0.988 m/s [p = 0.004]). DL: No significant differences in PV of the DL following DL training as compared to baseline. Squat PV significantly declined at 24 hours following the DL training (Baseline = 1.384 m/s; 24 hours = 1.315 m/s [p = 0.032]. Similar to SQ, PV of the BP significantly declined only at 24 hours following DL training (Baseline = 1.069 m/s; 24 hours = 0.979 m/s [p < 0.001]). Conclusions Bench press PV was significantly decreased 24-hours following each of the three powerlifts as compared to baseline values. Interestingly, there were no changes in squat and deadlift PV following training of that specific lift. Practical Applications Regardless of the powerlift trained, bench press PV at 60% was compromised 24-hours later. Therefore, following training of any powerlift, more than 24-hours may be needed to optimize performance in the BP at submaximal intensities.

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Preliminary normative standards are a tool clinical exercise specialists and health fitness instructors can use when interpreting muscular strength testing results. However, a challenge for professionals is evaluating an individual's one-repetition maximum (IRM) and relating that to others of the same age and gender, because there are no preliminary normative standards for 1RMs available when testing via free-weights and machines.This study conducted at Ball State University, Adult Physical Fitness Laboratory, examined results of muscular strength testing in order to obtain the normative muscular strength of adults. The purpose was to develop preliminary normative standards for strength of adults and to compare the 1RM weight an individual lifts between free-weights, Paramount, and Cybex machines. Seventy-nine healthy men and women between 18 and 79 years of age participated in the study. Subjects were tested on free weights, Paramount, and Cybex machines.Test results revealed preliminary normative standards for 1RM on free weights. Individuals were categorized in three age groups for the free-weight bench press and the Cybex (free-weight) Leg Press. The 18-23 year olds obtained a IRM mean (± Standard Deviation (SD)) of 200.6 + 32.8 lbs and 83.6 ± 18.5 lbs for men and women, respectively, for the free-weight bench press. The 43-59 year olds obtained a 1RM mean of 149.2 ± 41.8 lbs and 71.3 ± 8.6 lbs and the 60-79 year olds had a 1RM mean of 119.5 + 30.0 Ibs and 61.6 ± 15.6 lbs for men and women, respectively, for the free-weight bench press. The 18-23 year olds obtained a 1RM Cybex (free-weight) leg press mean of 484.9 + 58.0 lbs and 234.3 ± 67.5 lbs for men and women, respectively. The 43-59 year olds were able to obtain 1RM means of 444.4 + 84.9 lbs and 254.5 ± 51.7 lbs and the older subjects (60-79 years old) were able to obtain 1RM mean of 390.7 ± 98.6 lbs and 230.3 ± 76.6 lbs for men and women, respectively. Results were also documented in relative values by the amount of weight pushed divided by body weight for better comparison of individuals. Subjects generally lifted more weight on the Cybex (free-weight) leg press compared to the Cybex (machine) leg press. All subjects (N=79) had a mean and standard deviation of 294.9 + 87.7 lbs for the Cybex (machine) leg press (1RMs) and 343.4 ± 123.4 lbs on the Cybex (free-weight) leg press (1RMs). There was a significant difference between the Cybex (free-weight) leg press and the Cybex leg press (p<.001). The correlation for these two types of lifts was r=0.88. There was a significant difference between the free-weight bench press and the Paramount seated chest press (p<.001). The correlation for between the two types of lifts was r=0.93. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

The purpose of this study was to investigate whole muscle and single muscle fiber adaptations in old men (OM) and old women (OW) over 80 years of age in response to progressive resistance training (PRT). Six OM (82±1 y, 74±4 kg, BMI 25±1 kg•m-2) and six OW (85±1 y, 67±3 kg, BMI 27±1 kg•m-2) resistance trained the knee extensors (3 sets, 10 repetitions) at 70% one repetition maximum 3 d•wk-1 for 12 wks. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained before and after the PRT program. Isolated muscle fibers were studied in vitro at 15°C for diameter (Dia), peak tension (Po), unloaded shortening velocity (Vo), and absolute peak power (Abs Pwr). With PRT, OM increased whole muscle strength (40±6%, p<0.05), with no change in whole muscle size. OW also increased whole muscle strength (26±6%, p<0.05) without a change in whole muscle size. No differences were observed in any of the single muscle fiber parameters among MHC I or MHC IIa muscle fibers from OM or OW. The novel finding of this study was that despite an increase in whole muscle strength there was no change in whole muscle size, single fiber diameter, or single fiber contractile function. Given that there was no change in muscle size or cellular function with PRT, the improvement in whole muscle strength point to neurological changes. These data suggest that the hypertrophic mechanisms that are typically apparent in humans with PRT are attenuated in individuals over 80 y. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Despite pharmacological advances, exercise remains a cost effective preventative for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by acutely and chronically lowering systolic blood pressure (SBP). Although numerous studies have investigated aerobic and resistance training’s role in eliciting an acute SBP response termed post-exercise hypotension (PEH), few researchers have investigated how performing both cardiovascular and weight training in a single session (concurrent training) or how different prescriptions for order of exercise modality will elicit this PEH response; no known studies have attempted altering the order of exercise types within each session. This study seeks to determine if the order of exercise type will affect a PEH response following concurrent exercise. Participants (n=13), considered low risk for cardiovascular disease participated in a control session, graded exercise test (GXT) and two concurrent sessions, with concurrent sessions counterbalanced for order of exercise mode. Recovery SBP was analyzed in the laboratory for sixty minutes and for twenty-four hours thereafter using an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. All exercise conditions elicited a depression in SBP; however, only the cardiovascular-weight training (CVWT) concurrent session elicited PEH (p = 0.05). However, there were no differences in SBP attenuation between conditions. There was no main effect for PEH between conditions during twenty-four hour assessment. With no statistically significant differences in the magnitude of PEH twenty-four hours after exercise, it may be determined that the order of exercise does not vi affect the preventative attributes of aerobic and resistance exercise in regards to acute SBP response. Furthermore, only exercise involving resistance training (CVWT) provoked PEH during the first 60 minutes; therefore it may be argued that individuals should pair cardiovascular exercise with weight training in order to elicit the greatest cardiovascular benefits. Future studies should consider evaluating the effect of time of day and PEH following concurrent exercise to determine if pairing exercise modalities will at different times will affect the blood pressure response.

The short-term enhancement of physical performance known as post-activation potentiation could be exploited in the design of sport-specific training sessions. The purpose of this study was to compare the potentiation of softball throwing velocity following two kinds of resistance-training session: a control session consisting of traditional heavy-load sets, and an experimental "Pmax" session consisting of sets of loads selected to maximise the mean power output during explosive bench presses. Both sessions included plyometric medicine ball chest passes. Eight male softball players of premier grade, with at least 2 yr experience of resistance training, performed the two sessions in a crossover fashion, with 30 min recovery between sessions. Softball throwing velocity was measured with a radar gun immediately before and at 2-min intervals 4-10 min after each session. Percent effects on throwing speed were analyzed via log transformation, and t statistics were used to make magnitude-based inferences with respect to the smallest important change of 2%. The average throwing velocity increased between pre and post tests for both treatments; the average increase was a substantial 2.3% (0.5 to 4.1%). Throwing velocity after Pmax training was a trivial 0.4% slower relative to that after heavy-load training (90% confidence limits -1.2 to 1.9%). There was a greater change in throwing velocity by 10 min post treatment than by 4 min post treatment; the change by 10 min was 5.0% (3.2 to 6.7%) for the Pmax training session and 5.3% (2.1 to 8.6%) for the heavy-load session. These effects were almost certainly beneficial for throwing speed, but the difference between them was unclear (-0.3%; -3.7 to 3.1%). The mean change between 4 and 10 min for both treatments combined was 5.1% (90% confidence limits 3.6 to 6.7%). The short-term enhancement of throwing performance following heavy-load and Pmax training sets has implications for the design of softball warm-up routines. There is also the potential for softball players to use such training to improve their throwing velocity during games.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2004. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-143). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Kinetics and Ergonomics)) - Rhodes University, 2009.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of West Florida, 2008. / Title from title page of source document. Document formatted into pages; contains 70 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Exercise Sciences, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.