The aim of this research was to develop a novel multi-function exercise system for use in a broad range of applications. Market research indicates that the demand for aerobic and anaerobic exercise devices will continue to grow with the introduction of government physical activity guidelines and increased social pressure regarding health related issues. A detailed investigation of the basic exercise science fundamentals and training methodologies was conducted in order to develop a system which would provide efficient and effective training related stimuli for improving fitness. The generation, storage and utilisation of actual and virtual load and velocity profiles for use in the development of original training modes was identified as an important area of the research. The proposed solution utilises an electromechanical programmable motion control system which provides all of the necessary exercise modalities defined in the system specification. This system combines existing industrial servo drive technology with proprietary software and database facilities to provide a step change in functionality, ease of use and safety for all users. Development of these hardware and software elements was supported by the creation of a series of system models at the initial stages of the research using the computer integrated manufacturing open systems architecture (CIMOSA) modelling approach. These diagrams were an invaluable resource during the concept generation and refinement processes and have clearly demonstrated the cross-discipline applications of such formalised modelling techniques. Validation and reliability data collected during prototype testing indicated that the exercise motion generation capabilities and performance measurement facilities were comparable to existing isokinetic dynamometer equipment. Additional subject testing produced results with peak output values and parameter trends which correlated closely to those determined during clinical and academic research. These experimental results suggest that the modular exercise system could be a valuable tool for the collection of research data to be used in support of current and future training theories.

Aim Aerobic exercise may interfere with subsequent responses to strength training. The aim of this research was to examine the acute effects of cycling or running on subsequent leg strength performance. It was hypothesized that eccentric contractions induced by running would impair strength performance more than the cycling mode of exercise, which consist mainly of concentric muscle actions. Method In order to investigate if continuous running or cycling affected following strength performance, 6 healthy individuals (5 males, 1 female) were subjected to a randomized cross-over design. Subject characteristics were age (year) 25,5 ± 2,1, height (cm) 180,5 ± 6,4, and body weight (kg) 83 ± 3,4. The experimental sessions included three protocols: strength protocol (S) which included 3 repetitions measuring peak power followed by 3 sets to muscular failure at 80% of 1RM in the squat exercise; and continuous running (RS) and cycling (CS) conditions (40 minutes at 80% of maximal heart rate), followed by the S protocol. Peak power performance and total work volume was measured. Results Average peak power attained between the three protocols were CS = 1639± 444Watts (W), RS = 1633± 422 and S = 1565 ± 349. No significant differences were observed between the three conditions (P = 0,817). No differences across the three protocols was observed for highest peak power attained by each subject (P = 0,619). Total work volume performed (main effect P = 0,027) revealed a significant difference between CS = 2559 kg and S = 3715 kg (P=0,037), and CS and RS = 3345 kg (P=0,037) due to the lower loads lifted in CS.  Conclusions There were no differences observed between the three training protocols regarding peak power performance. When cycling exercise was performed prior to the strength session, the total volume lifted was lower than when performing the strength test alone. Thus, it is concluded that cycling exercise, but not running, interferes with subsequent strength training performance. / Syfte och frågeställningar Uthållighetsträning kan leda till försämrad styrkeprestation. Syftet med denna forskning var att undersöka de akuta effekterna från cykling eller löpning på efterföljande benstyrka. Hypotesen var att löpning, som omfattar excentriska muskelaktioner, skulle leda till en större försämring av efterföljande styrkeprestation jämfört med cyking, som främst omfattar koncentriska muskelaktioner. Metod För att undersöka om kontinuerlig cykling och löpning påverkade efterföljande benprestation, undersöktes 6 deltagare (5 män, 1 kvinna) i en randomiserad cross-over design. Försökspersonernas karakteristika var ålder (år) 25,5 ± 2,1, längd (cm) 180,5 ± 6,4, vikt (kg) 83 ± 3,4. Försökspersonerna utförde tre experimentella protokoll: styrka (S), vilket bestod av 3 repetitioner av maximal kraftutveckling efterföljt av 3 set till muskulär utmattning på 80% av 1RM i benböj; och löpning (RS) samt cykling (CS) protokoll (40-minuter på 80% av maximal hjärtfrekvens), efterföljt av S protokollet. Data för maximal kraftutveckling och total arbetsvolym samlades in.  Resultat Den genomsnittliga maximala effekten som uppnåddes mellan de tre protokollen var: CS = 1639 ± 444 Watt (W), RS = 1633 ± 422W och S = 1565 ± 349W. Inga signifikanta skillnader observerades mellan de tre förhållandena (P=0,817). Högst uppnådda effekten för varje deltagare mellan de tre förhållandena visade ingen skillnad (P=0,619). Totala arbetsvolymen (tidseffekt: P=0,027) visade signifikanta skillnader mellan CS = 2559 kg och S = 3715 kg (P=0,037), och CS och RS = 3345 kg (P=0,037) på grund av lägre vikt lyft vid CS. Slutsats Ingen skillnad observerades mellan de tre förhållandena angående maximal styrkeprestation. Den totala vikt volymen som kunde lyftas var dock lägre när cykling utfördes innan styrketestet. Slutsatsen är därför att cykling, men inte löpning, hindrar maximal träningsprestation vid ett efterföljande styrkepass.

Background: Compression garments are elastic, body-tight pieces of clothing with different pressure gradients used as a recovery method after exercise, such as strength training. Compression garments have increased in popularity within recreational and elite athletes as it is believed that they promote a reduction of muscle soreness and inflammation, which in turn may enhance performance. However, the exact physiological, psychological and performance enhancing effects of compression garments after recovery still remain unknown. Aim: To investigate whether female and male recreational athletes wearing full leg customised compression garments for at least 15 hours following a personalised strength training workout leads to an improvement in anaerobic sprint cycling performance as well as a reduction of perceived muscle soreness. Additionally a sleep quality assessment was conducted to assess the effects of the garments during sleep. Methods: Thirteen male and female subjects took part of a cross-over, randomised, controlled study. Subjects performed the first set of tests including Wingate anaerobic sprint test followed by their personalised strength training workout, after which they recovered with Compression Garments (CGS) or without compression garments (CON). They then returned 24hrs later to perform the second set of tests. Ten days later the same procedure was conducted however the other recovery method was used. Results: No significantdifferences were found between CGS and CON for the Wingate anaerobic test performance. Perceived muscle soreness was lower when subjects wore the garments and they felt better recovered 24hrs post-intervention compared to the CON condition. Some aspects of sleep were affected by wearing the compression garments during sleep however it was unclear whether this had an impact on performance. Conclusion: Recovering with customised full leg compression garments did not promote an improvement of physiological power performance 24 hours after a personalised strength training workout session. However perceived muscle soreness was reduced and the perception of recovery improved. The compression garments caused some sleep disturbances as subjects rated that they were too warm, suggesting a possible drawback of recovering with garments if worn during sleep.

Myten om att styrketräning är fysiskt skadligt för barn och ungdomar har motbevisats i vetenskapliga studier. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur unga män (16-20 år) upplever att deras psykiska hälsa påverkas av styrketräning. Studien bygger på 13 djupintervjuer med styrketränande unga män. Materialet analyserades genom meningskoncentrering. Resultatet visar att hos styrketränande unga män (1) uppstår positiva och negativa känslor, (2) är teknik, kost, sömn och struktur viktigt, (3) påverkas självbilden av strävan efter muskler, (4) påverkas självbilden av strävan efter en bättre version av sig själv, (5) varierar självkänslan, (6) finns medvetenhet om kroppen, (7) finns en strävan efter bättre utseende och (8) uppnås specifika resultat. En strävan efter något bättre genomsyrar studien som i sin tur har effekt på den psykiska hälsan. Ytterligare forskning behövs för att undersöka om långvariga konsekvenser på den psykiska hälsan föreligger.

Title: Hormonal changes in strength training Objectives: Perform a systematic review of literature dealing with hormonal changes in strength training. Based on the informations from aforementioned literature, describe wheather acute hormonal response after a bout of strength training significantly influence the proces of hypertrophy or not. Hormone testosterone and changes of its concentrations is for this thesis the most important. Methods: Method of traditional review was used in this thesis. Results: The presence of acute hormonal changes occurred in strength training was confirmed in numerous studies. Role of this hormonal response is because of variability in results not very clear yet. Chronicle changes of resting hormonal levels in strength training are not observed according to results of studies. For better understanding of hormonal strength in strength training, another studies have to be executed. Keywords: endocrinal system, strength training, hormonal response, testosterone, hypertrophy.

The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the changes in preparedness over the course of training for a marathon in two well-trained runners. The athletes completed periodized strength training or a periodized concurrent training. This dissertation consisted of two separate investigations: Study 1 – The purpose of this study was to monitor changes in force production ability and running performance in one sub-elite marathon runner before, during, and after undertaking a short-term block periodized strength training program. The athlete ceased strength training during the off-seasons and resumed testing after 10. The athlete experienced likely true, meaningful changes in force production characteristics during the taper after the training program. Improvements in force production characteristics coincided with improvements in running economy. Both force production characteristics and running economy reversed after the withdraw from strength training. However, both measures remained improved from initial baseline. The improvement in running economy and force production likely coincided with a cardiovascular de-training period, due to a reduction in aerobic training during the off-season. Therefore, strength training may have independent effects on running economy and running performance. These results indicate that endurance runners may better optimize performance by improving force production characteristics via periodized strength training program, and should avoid prolonged periods without strength training. Study 2 – The purpose of this study was to monitor the concurrent and divergent changes in athlete preparedness and performance over a competitive training cycle in two marathon athletes. One athlete added a block periodized strength training program to a non-periodized endurance training program (NBP Athlete). The other athlete (BP Athlete) completed an integrated, concurrent block periodized program using HIT over-reach endurance training. Both athlete displayed improvements in running performance and running economy over the duration of the monitoring program. The BP Athlete displayed earlier and greater magnitudes of performance improvements. These results indicate that strength training can enhance running economy in marathon athletes, performance may be better optimized through periodized integration of strength and endurance training, and the use of HIT over-reach blocks may improve marathon relevant fitness characteristic within the ecologically valid context of an athlete’s training cycle.

Introdução: dor é um fenômeno complexo que envolve simultaneamente aspectos sensoriais/discriminativos, emocionais/afetivos e avaliativo/cognitivo e está frequentemente associado a desordens musculoesqueléticas e declínio de força muscular. Estudos mostram que na presença de dor a capacidade de gerar força é de 15% a 60% menor se comparada a geração de força em condições normais, sem a presença de dor. Este fenômeno pode afetar negativamente os resultados obtidos durante o treinamento de força. Objetivo: verificar a influência da dor muscular aguda no desempenho de força muscular após a aplicação de um protocolo de treinamento de força no qual dor muscular aguda esteve presente em todas as sessões do treinamento. Métodos: nove indivíduos saudáveis do sexo masculino, destreinados, foram alocados em dois grupos, experimental ou controle. Os grupos realizaram treinamento de força para os músculos flexores da articulação do cotovelo do membro superior dominante com pesos livres ao longo de oito semanas, com frequência de três vezes por semana. O grupo experimental foi submetido à infusão intramuscular de 2,5 ml de solução salina hipertônica (6% de cloreto de sódio) no músculo bíceps braquial previamente ao treinamento e o grupo controle não foi submetido a qualquer tipo de infusão. A partir da terceira semana de treinamento, os voluntários do grupo experimental foram submetidos a uma infusão adicional de solução salina hipertônica após a última repetição da terceira série de treinamento. Previamente ao treinamento, após a quarta e oitava semana os voluntários realizaram testes de uma repetição máxima e contração isométrica e concêntrica voluntária máxima no equipamento de dinamometria isocinética. Durante as avaliações dinamométricas foram adquiridos sinais elétricos dos músculos bíceps e tríceps braquial. Percepção subjetiva de esforço e dor foram mensuradas durante todo o experimento. Depois de identificar que os dados têm distribuição normal, análise de variância ANOVA (3 x 2), considerando-se os fatores tempo (sessão 1, 12 e 24) e condição (controle e dor aguda), para dados pareados, foi aplicada. O teste estatístico post hoc de Tukey foi utilizado para comparações múltiplas. O índice de significância de 0,05 foi adotado. Teste-t de student foi utilizado para se comparar o volume total de treinamento entre os grupos. Resultados: o aumento da capacidade de gerar força dos músculos flexores da articulação do cotovelo, medida pela avaliação de 1 RM, foi de 26% para o grupo controle e 64% para o grupo com dor aguda, entretanto os dados obtidos nas avaliações isocinéticas e eletromiográficas não mostraram alterações significantes. Conclusão: ambos os grupos, experimental e controle, mostraram aumento na capacidade de gerar força máxima dinâmica dos músculos flexores da articulação do cotovelo ao final do estudo, no entanto, este aumento foi considerado maior no grupo submetido a dor aguda. Este estudo sugere que mais investigações sejam realizadas com o objetivo de analisar este fenômeno e quais protocolos podem ser efetivos nestas condições / Introduction: pain is a complex set involving sensory/discriminative, emotional/affective and cognitive/evaluator aspects and is frequently associated with musculoskeletal disorders and declining muscle strength. Studies show that the ability to generate force from 15% to 60% is less than a force generation under normal conditions without a presence of pain. This phenomenon may negatively affect the results obtained during strength training. Objective: to verify the intensity of muscular pain without muscle movement force after applying an unskilled muscle training protocol present in all training sessions. Methods: nine untrained male-based groups were allocated to two groups, experimental or control. The groups performed strength training for flexors of the elbow joint flexion with free weights for weeks, three times a week, the experimental group was submitted to intramuscular infusion of 2.5 ml hypertonic saline solution (6 % sodium) in the brachial muscle prior to training and control group was not submitted to any type of infusion. From the third week of training, volunteers from the experimental group underwent an additional infusion of saline after a last repetition of the third training series. Prev. After training, after one week and eighth week, the volunteers performed maximum isometric and concentric maximal pressure and power tests on isokinetic dynamometry equipment. During the dynamometric evaluations, electrical signals were obtained from the biceps and triceps brachii muscles. Perceived subjective performance and measurement throughout the experiment. After analyzing the data, the normal distribution, analysis of variance ANOVA (3 x 2), considering the time factors (session 1, 12 and 24) and the condition (control and acute pain), for paired data, was applied. Tukey\'s post hoc statistical test was used for multiple comparisons. The significance level of 0.05 was adopted. Student test was used to compare the total volume of training between groups. Results: the increase in the production capacity had strength in the flexors of the elbow joint, by the evaluation of 1 RM, it was 26% for the control group and 64% for the group with sharp, so the results obtained in the isokinetic and electromyographic not significant end changes. Conclusion: both groups, experimental and control, were added in the developmental capacity according to the elbow joint flexion strategy at the end of the study, however, the increase was higher in the group submitted to acute pain. This study was investigated with the objective of investigating and analyzing the issues that can be applied in different conditions

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar os efeitos do treinamento pliométrico com restrição do fluxo sanguíneo (TP-RFS) ou sem (TP) sobre a performance musculoesquelética, variáveis antropométricas e os indicadores indiretos de dano muscular. Objetivos secundários foram comparar os percentuais de mudanças de todas as variáveis entre os grupos e correlacionar os percentuais de mudanças da performance da velocidade cíclica com o da força. 20 homens jovens (18-30 anos) desempenharam exercícios de saltos (hurdle jumps e drop jumps) duas vezes por semana durante oito semanas usando esfignamômetros específicos para a restrição do fluxo sanguíneo (RFS) ou sem a sua utilização. Durante as sessões com RFS, os participantes ficaram inflados de modo total e intermitente na região proximal em ambas as pernas. A velocidade de deslocamento cíclico foi mensurada pelos testes de velocidade de 10m e de 30m e o teste T-40 para avaliar o desempenho da velocidade de deslocamento cíclico-acíclico. A performance de salto foi quantificada pelos saltos horizontais (SHs) unilaterais e bilaterais saindo da posição parada e os saltos verticais (SVs) [squat jump (SJ) e countermovement jump (CMJ)]. A força muscular dinâmica foi avaliada por meio de uma repetição máxima (1-RM) no agachamento com barra guiada. A antropometria foi mensurada pela porcentagem de gordura, massa magra e pelo volume muscular dos membros inferiores. Os marcadores indiretos de dano muscular foram recordados pela atividade plasmática das enzimas creatina quinase (CK) e lactato desidrogenase (LDH). Estas avaliações foram obtidas pré, durante e pós o programa de treinamento. Os resultados demonstraram que o grupo TP-RFS apresentou ganhos significativos nos testes de velocidade de 30m, teste T-40, SH direita, SH esquerda, SH bilateral, SJ e 1-RM. O grupo TP mostrou melhoras em relação aos testes de velocidade de 10m, SH direita, SH bilateral, SJ e CMJ, assim como, o grupo TP demonstrou incrementos superiores significativos quando comparado com o grupo TP-RFS sobre os percentuais de mudanças dos testes de velocidade de 10m, SJ e CMJ. Verificou-se correlação entre os percentuais de mudanças da velocidade de 30m e o teste de CMJ no grupo TP. Foi observada diminuição da porcentagem de gordura entre os diferentes momentos em ambos os grupos. Entretanto, não foram verificadas nenhuma mudança em relação a massa magra e as medidas de circunferência de coxa tanto no grupo TP-RFS quanto no grupo TP. Para análise da atividade plasmática das enzimas CK e LDH, não foram demonstradas nenhuma alteração quando comparados os diferentes momentos de coletas em ambos os grupos e o percentual de mudança entre os grupos. Conclui-se que a RFS em combinação com o TP não aumenta a performance musculoesquelética e as variáveis relacionadas com a antropometria quando comparado o TP aplicado de maneira independente. No que diz respeito a CK e LDH, ambas as condições com ou sem RFS não suportam a hipótese de haver dano muscular para o protocolo de treinamento realizado / The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of plyometric training with blood flow restriction (PT-BFS) or without (PT) on the musculoskeletal performance, anthropometric variables and indirect indicators of muscle damage. Secondary objectives were to compare the changes in percentage of all variables between the groups and to correlate the percentage changes of the cyclical speed performance with strength. 20 young men (18-30 years) played jumping exercises (jumps hurdle and drop jumps) twice a week for eight weeks using specific cuffs for blood flow restriction (BFR) or without their use. During the sessions with RFS, participants were inflated fully and intermittently in the proximal region in both legs. The cyclic shift speed was measured by the speed tests 10m and 30m and T-40 test to evaluate the performance of the cyclic-acyclic speed. The jump performance was measured by horizontal jumps (HJs) unilateral and bilateral leaving the stop position and the vertical jumps (VJs) [squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ)]. The dynamic muscle strength was evaluated by one repetition maximum (1-RM) squat with guided bar. Anthropometry was measured by the percentage of fat, lean mass and the muscular volume of the lower limbs. The indirect markers of muscle damage were recalled by plasma activity of the enzymes creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). These datas were obtained before, during and after the training program. The results showed that PT-BFR group showed significant gains in speed tests 30m, T-40 test, right HJ, HJ left bilateral HJ, SJ and 1-RM. PT group showed improvements regarding speed testing 10m, right HJ, bilateral HJ, SJ and CMJ, as well as the PT group demonstrated significant higher increases compared with the PT-BFR group on percentage change of the test speed 10m, SJ and CMJ. There was correlation between the percentage changes of 30m speed and CMJ test the PT group. It was observed decrease in fat percentage between different moments in both groups. However, it was not observed any change in relation to lean body mass and thigh circumference measurements both in PT-BFR group as in the PT group. For analysis of plasma activity of CK and LDH were not substantiated any changes when comparing the different times of collections in both groups and the percentage of change between groups. It follows that RFS in combination with the PT does not increase the performance musculoskeletal and no change the variables anthropometry when compared PT applied independently. As regards CK and LDH, both with or without BFR conditions do not support the hypothesis of muscle damage done to the training protocol

O treinamento de força (TF) tem sido recomendado no combate à perda de força e massa muscular comuns ao envelhecimento por promover melhoras nessas variáveis. Entretanto, essas adaptações nem sempre são revertidas em aumento da funcionalidade. Nesse sentido, o treinamento de força com instabilidade (TFI) caracteriza-se pela alta demanda de controle motor e maior sobrecarga sobre mecanismos neurais, que podem ter mais influência sobre adaptações neuromusculares que, por sua vez, tem o potencial de melhorar escores de funcionalidade e qualidade de vida (QV). Contudo, poucos estudos abordaram o tema em idosos, e esses não empregaram métodos capazes de elucidar mecanismos responsáveis pelas adaptações neuromusculares observadas. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos do TF e TFI nas adaptações neuromusculares, nos mecanismos inibitórios medulares, na funcionalidade e na qualidade de vida de idosos. Para tanto, 29 indivíduos (±69,8 anos) foram balanceada e aleatoriamente alocados em três grupos, controle (GC, n=10), TF tradicional, (GF, n=10) e TF com instabilidade (GFI, n=9). GF e GFI participaram de 12 semanas de TF progressivo, duas vezes por semana, iniciando com duas séries de 10 a 12 repetições, progredindo para 4 séries de 6 a 8 repetições, realizando os exercícios agachamento, puxada pela frente, leg press, chest press e flexão plantar. O GFI realizou os mesmos exercícios com a adição de acessórios de instabilidade entre a principal base de suporte do indivíduo e o aparelho, ou o solo. O grau de instabilidade foi ajustado utilizando-se acessórios cada vez mais instáveis. Os resultados apontaram menor volume total para GFI nos exercícios agachamento (22%), leg press (24,8%) e flexão plantar (8,5%). Aumentos significantes na força dinâmica máxima, para GF e GFI respectivamente, em membros superiores (14,46% e 10,57%), e inferiores (15,8% e 17,6%). Aumentos no pico de torque extensor de joelho (32,7% e 30,9%), e flexor plantar (40,7% e 78,3%%) para GF e GFI, respectivamente. Aumentos da taxa de desenvolvimento de torque extensor de joelho (34,42% e 48,13%,) e flexor plantar (47,66% e 81,33%,) para GF e GFI respectivamente. Redução do retardo eletromecânico, para GF e GFI respectivamente, no VM (-0,7% e -18,39%), VL (-8,97% e -16,92%), e gastrocnêmio (-9,4% e -24,21%). Aumento da RMS, para GF e GFI respectivamente, no VM (43,84% e 50,27%), VL (43,39% e 55,51%) e gastrocnêmio (68,95% e 80,56%). A funcionalidade melhorou no teste de sentar e levantar (9,44% e 24,21%) e flexão de cotovelo (12,7% e 24,5%), para GF e GFI respectivamente. Os mecanismos inibitórios medulares, o equilíbrio e QV não apresentaram aumentos significantes e isso foi atribuído a alta variabilidade intra-sujeitos, aos fatos de os indivíduos não apresentarem déficit no equilíbrio, e de a variável ser multifatorial, respectivamente. O teste de tamanho do efeito apontou vantagem para GFI no REM do VM, do gastrocnêmio, e no T1/2R dos flexores plantares. Concluímos que o TFI pode ser uma alternativa ao TF, por questões motivacionais ou de variação de exercícios, ou em substituição ao TF quando se deseja melhorar as variáveis que apresentaram vantagem ou treinar com menor VT / Strength training (ST) is widely recommended for improving strength and muscle mass that accompany normal aging. However, these neuromuscular adaptations do not always result in functional capacity improvement. Thereby, instability strength training (IST) can be an option due to its high motor control requirement and possible higher stress on motor control mechanisms and neural adaptations. Thus IST has the potential to affect more functionality and quality of life (QL) than ST. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of traditional ST and IST on neuromuscular adaptations, on spinal inhibitory mechanisms, on functionality and on quality of life of elderly. Thus 29 subjects (±69,8 years) were randomly allocated into a ST group (STG n=10), an instability ST group (ISTG n=9), and a control group (CG n=10). STG and ISTG underwent a 12 week progressive ST, twice a week, starting with 2 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions and progressing to 4 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions. The exercises performed included squats, lat pulldown, leg press, chest press and plantar flexion. On IST instability devices were positioned between the subject\'s main base of support and the ground or the machine\'s base of support. The instability degree was gradually increased using more unstable devices. The results showed significantly lower total volume (TV) values for ISTG on squat, leg press and plantar flexors exercises (22%, 24,8% and 8,5%, respectively). Increases on maximal dynamic strength, both for upper limbs (14,46% and 10,57%), and lower limbs (15,8% and 17,6%) for STG and ISTG, respectively. Increases on knee extensors (32,7% and 30,9%) and plantar flexors (40,7% e 78,3%) peak torques, for STG and ISTG, respectively. Increases on knee extensors (34,42% and 48,13%), and plantar flexors (47,66% and 81,33%) rate of torque development, for STG and ISTG, respectively. Significant reductions on vastus medialis (18,39% for ISTG), vastus lateralis (8,97% and 16,92%), and gastrocnemius (24,21% for ISTG) electromechanical delay, for STG and ISTG, respectively. Furthermore, RMS significantly increased on vastus medialis (43,84% and 50,27%), vastus lateralis (43,39% and 55,51%), and gastrocnemius (68,95% and 80,56%) for STG and ISTG, respectively. Additionally, sit to stand test showed significant improvement (9,44% and 24,21% for STG and ISTG, respectively), as well as elbow flexors test (12,7% e 24,5% for STG and ISTG, respectively). Spinal inhibitory mechanisms, balance and quality of life did not change from pre to post test. This was attributed to high intrasubjects variability and to the facts that the subjects didn\'t show deficts on this variable and that the variable is multifactorial, respectively. Effect size showed better results for VM and gastrocnemius REM, and for plantar flexors half relaxation time. Thus, we conclude that IST is an alternative for ST for motivational purposes or to vary the exercises, or it can substitute ST when it is important to improve the variables that showed advantage on IST or to train with less TV. Furthermore, no study has discussed the effects o IST on neuromuscular adaptations. This way, this study shows innovative results

A terapia antirretroviral (TARV) modificou a aids de uma doença letal para crônica. Contudo, efeitos adversos surgiram, entre eles, a síndrome da lipodistrofia, má distribuição da gordura corporal e alterações metabólicas. Potencializando o estigma da doença e pode levar ao abandono do uso da TARV, devido à \"desarmonia\" corporal causada pela infecção. Não existe tratamento para a síndrome da lipodistrofia. Porém, a literatura descreve que o treinamento de força (TF) ajuda no controle das alterações. Com isso, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto do treinamento de força na síndrome da lipodistrofia em pessoas vivendo com HIV. Foram selecionados 40 pacientes, atendidos na Unidade Especial de Terapia de Doenças Infecto-contagiosas (UETDI) do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMRP/USP). Desses, 20 formaram o grupo treinado (praticaram o TF) e 20 o grupo caso (não praticaram o TF). Todos os pacientes selecionados para participar do estudo foram submetidos a 36 sessões de TF. Antes e após o período de treinamento, os pacientes foram submetidos à analise da composição corporal (absorciometria radiológica de dupla energia - DXA e perimetria), dosagens bioquímicas (níveis séricos de glicose, triglicerídeos, colesterol total e frações) e testes imunológicos (carga viral do HIV e contagem de linfócitos TCD4+). Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva expressado por valores de média e desvio padrão, com significância previamente estabelecido (p<0,05). Os resultados mostraram que, no grupo treinado houve um aumento significante da contagem de linfócitos TCD4+ (p=0,009) com redução da carga viral (p=0,010). Sobre as alterações metabólicas, no grupo treinado observou-se diminuição dos níveis séricos de glicose, triglicerídeos, colesterol total, fração LDL, e aumento da fração HDL, resultados positivos comparados aos valores do grupo caso. Na composição corporal, o DXA evidenciou redução significantemente da massa gorda nos membros superiores (MMSS, p=0,049). Fato que pode enfatizar lipoatrofia. Contudo, no tronco, a massa gorda mostrou redução maior no grupo treinado, igualmente ocorrendo com a circunferência abdominal e da cintura, o que pode evidenciar a redução da lipohipertrofia. Por outro lado, a massa magra aumentou de maneira significante nos MMSS (p=0,000), tronco (p=0,007) e total (p=0,007). Melhorando a composição corporal e, consequentemente, a harmonia corporal. Evidenciando a melhora da composição corporal, a circunferência nos braços (p=0,024) e nas coxas (p=0,012) aumentou de maneira significante. A densidade mineral óssea (DMO) aumentou significantemente no grupo treinado em todas as variáveis medidas: coluna lombar (p=0,001), colo do fêmur direito (p=0,003) e antebraço esquerdo (p=0,001). Já o grupo controle não obteve variações na coluna lombar e apresentou redução significante de colo do fêmur direito (p=0,020) e antebraço esquerdo (p=0,015). Assim, o estudo mostrou que o TF tem impacto na síndrome da lipodistrofia, favorecendo o sistema imunológico, controlando as alterações metabólicas, aumentando a DMO, ampliando a harmonia corporal e, possivelmente, melhorando a qualidade de vida e aumentando a sobrevida de pessoas que vivem com HIV. / Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has changed the AIDS from lethal to chronic disease. However, adverse effects have emerged, like the lipodystrophy syndrome, poor body fat distribution and metabolic changes. It encreases the stigma of this disease and can lead to the abandonment of the use of ART, due the body \"disharmony\" caused by the infection. There is no treatment for lipodystrophy syndrome. Although, the literature indicates that the strength training (ST) helps to control the changes. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of strength training in the lipodystrophy syndrome in people living with HIV. There were selected 40 patients from Special Care Unit of Infectious Diseases (UETDI), Clinicas\'s Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (HCFMRP/USP). Among this, 20 has composed the trained group (practiced ST) and 20 has been for the case group (did not practice ST). All selected patients had practice 36 sessions of ST. Before and after the training period, the patients were submitted to analysis of body composition (circumference and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry - DXA), biochemical dosages (serum glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and fractions) and immunological tests (viral load of HIV and CD4+ T lymphocytes count). The data were analyzed by use of descriptive statistics expressed by mean and standard deviation, with significance predetermined (p <0,05). The results show significant increase of T CD4+ cell count in trained group (p = 0.009) and reduction of viral load (p = 0.010). About metabolic changes, in the trained group was observed reduction of serum glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL fraction, and increased HDL fraction, what is positive when compared with the case group. In body composition, DXA has evidenced significantly reduced fat mass in the upper limbs (UL, p = 0.049). It can emphasize the lipoatrophy. However, in the trunk, the fat mass showed a larger decrease in the trained group, what was also seen for the abdominal circumference and the waist, which can evidence the reduced lipohypertrophy. On the other hand, the lean mass increased significantly in the upper limbs (p = 0.000), trunk (p = 0.007) and overall (p = 0.007). This data indicates a better body composition and harmony of the body. Furthermore, the circumference arms (p = 0.024) and thighs (p = 0.012) has been significantly augmented. Bone mineral density (BMD) has increased significantly in the trained group in all measured variables: lumbar spine (p = 0.001), right femoral neck (p = 0.003) and left forearm (p = 0.001). Already the control group did not obtain variations in lumbar spine and had a significant reduction of the right femoral neck (p = 0.020) and left forearm (p = 0.015). Thus, the study has demonstrated that the ST presents an impact on the lipodystrophy syndrome, what is important for favoring the immune system, controlling the metabolic changes, increasing BMD, expanding body harmony and, possibly, improving the quality of life and increasing survival of people living with HIV.