Aim: The purpose of this study was: 1) to investigate the alterations and relationships among training variables, performance variables, and physiological variables and 2) investigate the effects of strength training on potentiation complexes. Methods: The study enrolled nine D-1 collegiate throwers and four control subjects. The throwers participated in an 11-week resistance training and throws program. Resistance training volume load and throwing volume were recorded for 11 weeks. Measurements of maximal strength (isometric mid-thigh pulls) and dynamic mid-thigh pulls (DMTP) across a spectrum of loads: Males- 60kg, 140kg, 180kg, 220kg, 140kg, 30% isometric peak force (IPF), Females- 60kg, 80kg, 100kg, 120kg, 80kg, 30% IPF), were measured at weeks 1, 7, and 11. The control group was tested for isometric maximum strength at T1 (week 1) and T3 (week 11) Results: The throwers increased at each time point in isometric peak force (IPF), allometrically scaled IPF (IPFa), and isometric impulse. The throwers strength (IPF and IPFa) was significantly greater than the controls and the throwers experienced statistically significant changes in maximum strength from T1 to T3 when compared to the controls. The throwers demonstrated statistically significant changes in total load variables (variable for load 1+ load 2 + load 3 etc.) for DMTPs. Conclusion: As a whole these data suggest a potential for increased performance capabilities specific to throwing. Some data trends indicate that potentiation can occur as a result of performing a heavy pull before a lighter one. However, increasing maximum strength as a result of focusing on strength training did not enhance this potentiation effect.

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<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> A complex interaction between muscles, tendons, bones, joints and nerves are required for optimal function of the human hand. It is known that an individual’s grip strength is vital for performance of physical demanding tasks such as strength training with free weights. Strength training including a thicker grip around the bar may enhance the strength of the grip in the athlete without other special routines for grip strength development. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the difference in performance in multiple repetitions in two strength training exercises using two different sizes on the bar, to look for correlations between grip strength of the subjects hand and the amount of repetitions executed with two different size of the bar and finally the correlation of hand size and the amount of repetitions executed with two different size of the bar.</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> 15 strength training men (23,9 ± 4,1 years), underwent measurements of hand size, maximum grip strength, 1 repetition maximum (1RM), a 80 % of 1RM weight strength test with two different  bar sizes.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The results from the present investigation indicates a 21,1 % reduction of 80 % of 1 RM weight performance in repetitions executed in the bench press with the thicker diameter of the bar and a 66,2 % reduction in repetitions executed with a 80 % of 1 RM weight in the lying bench row with the thicker diameter of the bar. The size of the hand or the maximum grip strength does not influences the performance in the 80 % of 1 RM strength test.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>With support of the results from this present investigation the size of the bar diameter significant influences the performance in maximum repetitions executed in a set in strength training with free weights, in a rowing exercise the repetitions executed reduced with 66,2 % and in the bench press the reduction of executed repetitions were 21,1 % with the thicker diameter of the bar. The size of the hand do not influences the performance of maximal executed repetitions with the thicker bar diameter. Maximal grip strength has no influence of the performance according to the findings of this investigation.</p>

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate a 10-week Taiji intervention to a 10-week strength training intervention in terms of their ability to relieve osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms, alter gait, and improve mobility in seniors with knee OA. Methods. Men and women between the ages of 60 and 85 years who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for knee OA were recruited to participate in either a simplified Taiji program (n=12), an open-chain strength training program (n=13), or a control group (n=6). All participants completed the Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), three physical performance tests, and a 3-D gait analysis at baseline and again after the 10-week intervention. Results. The strength training group significantly improved on the time up-and-go test (p = 0.001), the WOMAC pain sub-score (p=0.006), WOMAC stiffness sub-score (p<0.001), and WOMAC physical function sub-score (p=0.011). The Taiji group significantly improved on the timed up-and-go (p<0.001), but there was no change in their WOMAC scores. Neither group showed any significant changes in either kinematic or kinetic gait variables. Conclusion. Strength training was effective for improving mobility and improving the symptoms of knee OA. Taiji was also effective for improving mobility, but did not improve the participants‟ knee OA symptoms. Neither intervention had an effect the participants walking gait.

Strength training is widely used to increase performance in sports with high physical demands. The use of drugs such as anabolic steroids among athletes is a wellknown phenomenon, and the effects of these drugs on physical performance documented. The studies presented in this thesis focused on the mechanisms of muscle fiber hypertrophy in the vastus lateralis and the trapezius muscles of strength trained elite athletes. The main hypothesis was that the muscle adaptations to strength training and anabolic steroids are muscle specific. Biopsies were obtained from the trapezius and the vastus lateralis from three groups of elite power lifters. Nine used drugs, ten did not and seven had previously used drugs. Six sedentary males served as controls. The biopsies were frozen and cut in serial cross sections. Histological and immunohistochemical staining techniques were used to analyze muscle fiber morphology and pathology. Fiber type distribution, fiber area, myonuclei number and distribution, satellite cell number and proportion of split fibers were counted and compared for the two muscles within and between the groups. The main findings were that: a) Muscle fiber hypertrophy by strength training is further increased by anabolic steroids. b) The number of nuclei per muscle fiber is higher in power lifters using anabolic steroids compared to non-steroids using lifters. c) Among power lifters who have withdrawn from anabolic steroid usage and training for several years, the number of myonuclei, both subsarcolemmal and internal, remains high. d) In active power lifters, anabolic steroids have no further effect on the number of satellite cells per fiber. e) Power lifters have a high proportion of split fibers. High intensity resistance training increases muscle strength and banned substances such as testosterone and anabolic steroids can enhance the training effects. The studies on muscle cell morphology presented in this thesis reveals that anabolic steroids and testosterone increases muscle fiber size and adds more nuclei to the muscle cell. Based on the morphological appearance of muscle sections from doped and nondoped power lifters, we conclude that testosterone and anabolic steroids enhances the hypertrophic effects of training without adding new features. The addition of myonuclei by training and doping appears to be longer lasting in some muscles than in others. The high proportion of split fibers in power lifter is probably due to high mechanical stress. The findings and conclusions in this thesis raise questions regarding relevant suspension times for athletes caught with banned substances in the body.

The purpose of this thesis was to determine the combined effects of protein, creatine, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation during resistance training. These nutritional supplements are popular during resistance training and we wanted to determine if they would have additive effects for improving body composition and strength. Forty-four participants (32 males, 12 females, mean age 20y) were randomized into three groups to receive: 1) 36 g/d protein (PRO), 2) protein and 9 g/d creatine (PRO/CR), or 3) protein, creatine and 6 g/d CLA (PRO/CR/CLA) for 5 weeks while resistance training on a four-day cycle (three days of resistance training, followed by one day of rest). Measurements at pre- and post-testing included body composition, muscle thickness of the elbow and knee flexors and extensors, and bench and leg press strength. There were time main effects (p<0.01) for strength, and muscle thickness. The PRO/CR/CLA group had significant increases in knee extensor muscle thickness over time compared to the other groups (p<0.05). There were no other differences between groups over time. The combinations of creatine and protein, or creatine, protein and CLA had no effects on body composition. It is concluded that combining protein, creatine, and CLA has minimal effects on muscular strength, muscle thickness, and body composition.

Introduction:  Aging is related to a gradual decline in skeletal muscle mass, which is associated with morphological modifications such as reduced muscle fiber cross-sectional area and satellite cell content. Data also suggest that a short-term strength training period can be an effective instrument to rejuvenate these morphological parameters and to restore muscle mass. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of one year progressive strength training on fiber type-specific morphological parameters (fiber type composition, fiber area, satellite cell content, myonuclear number and domain) in skeletal muscle of elderly men.   Methods: Thirteen healthy elderly men (age range, 66-77 years) were randomly assigned into training (T) (n=7) and control (C) (n=6) groups. 52 weeks of progressive strength training was performed. Before and after the training, muscles biopsies were collected from the middle part of the vastus lateralis by percutaneous needle biopsy technique. Muscle biopsies were examined for muscle fiber type composition, fiber type-specific hypertrophy and alterations in satellite cell content, myonuclear content and domain using immuno-histochemistry.   Results: At baseline, myonuclear content and mean fiber area was larger in type I fibers compared to type II fibers (p&lt;0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in fiber type composition, mean fiber area, satellite cell content and myonuclear domain between T and C groups at baseline. By the end of the training period, fiber area was increased by 59% (p&lt;0.05) in type I and 71% (p&lt;0.05) in type II. Satellite cell content, myonuclear content and myonuclear domain were increased after training in type I by 58% (p&lt;0.05), 33% (p&lt;0.05), and 20% (p&lt;0.05), respectively. Similar increases in satellite cell content (+65%; p &lt;0.05), myonuclear content (+36%; p &lt;0.05) and myonuclear domain (+25%; p&lt;0.05) were seen in type II fibers. Conclusion: The current study reported that long-term strength training is an excellent tool to prevent sarcopenia. It is demonstrated that skeletal muscle in elderly is capable to enhance satellite cell and myonuclear content, which contributed to muscle hypertrophy. / <p>presentation was made in august 2012 and thesis is approved and got result as well in november 2012</p><p>For an enhanced reading experience go to a later version: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-31017.</p> / This study was a part of a larger research project studying adaptations to strength, endurance and combined training

The purpose of this thesis was to determine the combined effects of protein, creatine, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation during resistance training. These nutritional supplements are popular during resistance training and we wanted to determine if they would have additive effects for improving body composition and strength. Forty-four participants (32 males, 12 females, mean age 20y) were randomized into three groups to receive: 1) 36 g/d protein (PRO), 2) protein and 9 g/d creatine (PRO/CR), or 3) protein, creatine and 6 g/d CLA (PRO/CR/CLA) for 5 weeks while resistance training on a four-day cycle (three days of resistance training, followed by one day of rest). Measurements at pre- and post-testing included body composition, muscle thickness of the elbow and knee flexors and extensors, and bench and leg press strength. There were time main effects (p<0.01) for strength, and muscle thickness. The PRO/CR/CLA group had significant increases in knee extensor muscle thickness over time compared to the other groups (p<0.05). There were no other differences between groups over time. The combinations of creatine and protein, or creatine, protein and CLA had no effects on body composition. It is concluded that combining protein, creatine, and CLA has minimal effects on muscular strength, muscle thickness, and body composition.

Background: Practical blood flow restriction (pBFR) combined with resistance training has been proven to facilitate muscle strength despite training at low intensity. However, research investigating the effects of long-term pBFR-training and its periodization with strength training (ST) at a higher intensity is lacking, as well as the effects of occlusion training on blood lactate levels (BLL) over time. Purpose: To compare the effects of 2 weeks of pBFR training followed by 2 weeks of ST (BFR-ST) with 2 weeks of ST followed by 2 weeks of pBFR training (ST-BFR) on anaerobic performace and BLL. Method: 5 adults (age 23 ± 2 years) with a minimum of 1 year of ST experience were recruited and randomized into BFR-ST (n=2) or ST-BFR (n=3). Anaerobic performance was measured using a 30-s Wingate-test and BLL samples were collected &lt;1 and 5 minutes post-Wingate. Data and samples were collected before the intervention and after the 2 protocols. Results: No differences were seen between groups in anaerobic output or BLL after 4 weeks of training (p&gt;0,1 for all values). A decrease in time to peak power (tPP) were seen in both groups with an advantage for BFR-ST (-37 ± 8 %) over ST-BFR (-27 ± 22 %). BLL decreased after 2 weeks of pBFR (-14 ± 26 % at &lt;1 min and -7 ± 14 % at 5 min) and increased after 2 weeks of ST (+26 ± 45 % at &lt;1 min and +8 ± 20 % at 5 min). Conclusion: The results of this study suggests that occlusion training in conjunction with resistance training can reduce tPP, that BFR-ST has greater impact on this quality compared to ST-BFR and that pBFR-training seems to lower post-Wingate BLL. Thus pBFR-training combined with ST could be an interesting alternative to a traditional periodized resistance training program.

Sammanfattning Syfte och frågeställningar. Syftet med denna studie var att på äldre personer studera olika fysiologiska parametrar före och efter en period på åtta veckor med styrketräning som utförs tre gånger i veckan. Frågeställningarna var: Hur påverkas statisk och dynamisk maximal styrka i främre lårmuskulaturen av styrketräning? Är det någon skillnad i resultat mellan koncentrisk och excentrisk styrka i lårmuskulaturen före och efter styrketräningsperioden? Är det någon skillnad i förändring mellan benstyrka uppmätt med isokinetisk teknik jämfört med uthållighetsstyrka och ett kort funktionellt benstyrketest? Hur påverkas maximal syreupptagningsförmåga registrerad via submaximalt cykeltest respektive vid pyramidtestet av träningsperioden? Metod. I studien deltog 20 generellt ej påtagligt aktiva män och kvinnor i åldrarna 66-79 år. Av dessa var 11 individer slumpvis indelade i en styrketräningsgrupp och övriga nio utgjorde en inaktiv kontrollgrupp. Ett flertal olika fysiologiska tester, som bl.a. prövade testpersonernas styrka samt kondition, utfördes innan och efter träningsperioden. De deltagare som utgjorde träningsgruppen tränades i relativt tung styrketräning i åtta veckor. Resultat. Undersökningen resulterade i en signifikant ökad koncentrisk-, excentrisk- samt statisk momentan benstyrka för träningsgruppen efter de åtta veckorna med relativt tung styrketräning. Vidare kunde även utläsas för dem en signifikant förbättring av uthållighetsstyrka i benen (hastighet vid 50 uppresningar från stol, med 16,9 %) samt vid ett kort funktionellt test (5 uppresningar från stol, med 12,8 %). De träningsgenererade signifikanta ökningarna för träningsgruppen tyder inte på några stora procentuella skillnader mellan statisk (10,4 %) och dynamisk excentrisk (7,8 %) eller koncentrisk maximal styrka (9,5 %). Vid testerna cykelergometertest (kondition), effekt i 5-minuterspyramidtest (ett modifierat steptest) samt distans vid 6-minuters gångtest framkom inga signifikanta förbättringar för träningsgruppen. Ingen i kontrollgruppen visade en signifikant förbättring i någon av de nämnda testerna. Slutsats. Studien visar att interventioner, med åtta veckors intensiv styrketräning, tre gånger per vecka för äldre kvinnor och män, påtagligt kan förbättra resultaten vid styrkemätningar såväl momentant som uthållighetsmässigt och vid ett kort funktionellt test, medan tester av maximal syreupptagningsförmåga (VO2max) inte förbättras. Emellertid framkom i cykelergometertestet en tendens till förbättring för träningsgruppen.