Increase In Muscular Strength Research Articles

Postoperative Development of Bone Mineral Density and Muscle Strength in the Lower Limb After Cemented and Uncemented Total Hip Replacement

Background : Numerous studies have shown reduction of periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) after hip replacement. The effect on the whole limb, however, is still unexplored. This study’s objective was to analyse the postoperative development of BMD and muscle strength of the limb after total hip replacement (THR) and to determine links between these parameters.Methods : 55 patients, who underwent THR, were included. Depending on therapeutic indication, either an uncemented stem (Group A, n=30) or a cemented stem (Group B, n=25) has been implanted. In the limbs, the measurement of BMD using DEXA and the maximum isometric muscle strength, detected by a leg press, were undertaken preoperatively and after 3, 6 and 12 months.Results : A total of 12 patients (Group A: n = 6, Group B: n = 6) were excluded due to reasons which were not relevant to the study. So, the results refer to the data of 43 patients. In Group A (uncemented, n = 24), a significant decrease of BMD on the operated extremity was seen after 3, 6 and 12 months compared with preoperative values. Isometric muscle strength on the affected extremity increased significantly after 6 and 12 months. In Group B (cemented, n = 19), with a lower baseline compared to group A, an increase in BMD of the affected limb was seen postoperatively. This rise was significant after 12 months. With regard to the isometric muscle strength, a significant increase could be observed in this group after 6 and 12 months.Conclusion : Analogous to postoperative reduction of periprosthetic bone density, a decrease of the entire limb BMD on the operated leg occurred after implantation of uncemented hip stems. In contrast, an increase in BMD was recorded for cemented stems. Regardless of the type of anchoring, a substantial increase in muscular strength could be observed postoperatively in both groups.

The efficacy of shock wave therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis and popliteal cyamella

This randomized, controlled study was performed to compare the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and ultrasound on the rehabilitation of knee osteoarthritis with popliteal cyamella. One hundred and twenty patients with bilateral moderate knee osteoarthritis (Altman III) and popliteal cyamella were selected and randomly assigned to four groups (GI–GIV). Patients in Groups I–III received isokinetic muscular strengthening exercises three times weekly for 8 weeks. Group II received pulse ultrasound treatment for popliteal cyamella three times weekly for 8 weeks, Group III received weekly shock wave therapy for popliteal cyamella for the first 6 weeks, and Group IV acted as controls. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by changes in the arthritic knees range of motion (ROM), visual analogue scale, Lequesne's index, and muscle peak torques after treatment and at follow-up 6 months later. Each treated group exhibited increased muscle peak torques and significantly reduced pain and disability after treatment and at follow-ups. However, only patients in Groups II and III showed significant improvements in ROM after treatment, and only participants in Group III showed immediate improvement in ROM after each treatment. Patients in Group III also showed the greatest increase in muscular strength and the greatest decrease in disability after treatment and at the follow-ups. ESWT is better than pulse ultrasound in rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis and popliteal cyamella results in more functional improvements.

Effect of Progressive Resistance Training on Measures of Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy, Muscular Strength and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Skeletal muscle wasting resulting in reduced muscular strength and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may be reversed with progressive resistance training (PRT). Therefore, we systematically assessed the effect of PRT on measures of skeletal muscle hypertrophy, muscular strength and HR-QOL in this cohort to inform clinical practice and guidelines. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the independent effect of PRT (>6 weeks) on measures of skeletal muscle hypertrophy [muscle mass or cross-sectional area (CSA)], muscular strength and/or HR-QOL in adults with CKD. The standardised mean difference (SMD) from each study was pooled to produce an overall estimate of effect and associated 95% confidence interval (95% CI) between treatment and control groups on primary outcomes. Seven RCTs in 271 patients with Stage 3-5 CKD yielded seven studies on muscular strength (N = 249), six studies on total body muscle mass (N = 200) and six studies on HR-QOL (N = 223). PRT significantly improved standardised muscular strength [SMD 1.15 (95% CI 0.80-1.49)] and HR-QOL [SMD 0.83 (95% CI 0.51-1.16)], but not total body muscle mass [SMD 0.29 (95% CI -0.27 to 0.86)] in our primary analysis. However, secondary analysis of six studies showed that PRT induced significant muscle hypertrophy of the lower extremities (leg mass, or mid-thigh or quadriceps CSA) [SMD 0.43 (95% CI 0.11-0.76)], a pertinent analysis given that most studies implemented lower-body PRT only. Robust evidence from RCTs indicates that PRT can induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy and increase muscular strength and HR-QOL outcomes in men and women with CKD. Therefore, clinical practice guidelines should be updated to inform clinicians on the benefits of PRT in this cohort.

Multi-modal physiotherapy and high tibial osteotomy can mitigate risk factors for disease progression in patients with varus gonarthrosis

Multi-modal physiotherapy and high tibial osteotomy can mitigate risk factors for disease progression in patients with varus gonarthrosis

Effects of combined exercise on cardiovascular risk factors and serum BDNF level in mid-aged women.

[Purpose]The purposes of this study is first to examine a positive effect of long term combined exercise including aerobic and resistance exercise on increasing level of serum BDNF, and investigate how aerobic exercise is related to improving BDNF circulation and resistance exercise improves fat oxidation in mid-aged women.[Methods]Initially, 30 mid-aged women, according to their exercise preference, was randomly assigned as a non-exercise group (n=7, control group; CG) and exercise group (n=23). Then, 23 exercise participants were divided by aerobic exercise group (n=15, AEG) and combination of aerobic and resistance exercise group (n=8, CEG). Prior to the experiment, all participants’maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), body composition, and blood factors were measured. Changes (Δ delta value) in body composition, fitness level, and serum BDNF level of the different groups were tested through one way ANOVA.[Results]For AEG and CG after 24 weeks, VO2max and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly increased. During this period, CEG had significant increase in muscular strength and decrease in triglyceride (TG) total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C (p=0.013). Continuously, serum BDNF concentration of both AEG and CEG was significantly increased (F=6.328, p=0.001) compared to CG. There, however, was no significant between-group difference.[Conclusion]Although there was no difference in serum BDNF level between AEG and CEG, we confirmed that CEG may have a possibility of positive changes in increase of serum BDNF level in mid-aged women.

윌리엄 & 멕켄지 운동을 이용한 스위스 볼 운동이 요부유연성, 근력과 균형감각에 미치는 영향

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was comparing and analyzing the exercise effect for the public who was not suffering back pain exercise in improving the waist flexibility, the waist muscular strength and the waist sense of equilibrium after grafted in William & McKenzie exercise with swiss ball. METHODS: 16 people who were not in progress of the chronic low-back pain were recruited. They were grouped into 8 for each experiment(GSBE=Group which play swiss ball exercise, GWME=Group which William & McKenzie exercise). RESULTS: The following result was obtained through measurement of three items in both pre and post examination. CONCLUSION: Comparing the average result of flexibility improvements of each group after 12-week exercise program, the result showed that GSBE was more effective than GWME with increase of muscular strength. Comparing the average result of muscular strength of each group after 12-week exercise program, the result showed that GSBE was more effective than GWME with increase of flexibility improvements. Comparing the average result of sense equilibrium of each group after 12-week exercise program, the result showed that GSBE was more effective than GWME with increase of sense equilibrium.

Chronic Effect of Static Stretching on Strength Performance and Basal Serum IGF-1 Levels

Improving the process of how physical performance is enhanced is one of the main topics evaluated by physiologists. This process often involves athletes and nonathletic populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the chronic response to 10 weeks of static stretching exercises carried out before and during a strength training program for 8 exercises on an 8 repetition maximum (8RM) test performance, and basal serum insulinlike growth factor (IGF-1) levels. Thirty recreationally trained volunteers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 training groups: (a) SBST (performed a warm-up with a static stretching protocol before each strength training session); (b) SDST (before each training set, a static stretching exercise was performed); and (c) OST (entire session was performed without any type of stretching exercise). Strength and IGF-1 levels were collected at the beginning (pretest) and end (posttest) of the entire experimental procedure. All the exercises showed a significant increase in muscle strength for the OST group. However, the results revealed a significant increase in the muscle strength for only a few exercises in the SBST (LP, LE) and SDST (LP) experimental conditions. Significant statistical differences were found between SBST and SDST for all the exercises in the OST experimental condition. Furthermore, the IGF-1 expression showed no significant differences in the intragroup analysis. However, the OST group showed higher values (p < 0.05) in the posttest when compared with those of the other groups (increased significantly only in the OST experimental condition). It has been concluded that, although all the groups showed an increase in muscular strength, the strength training performed without any type of stretching exercise, regardless of whether the stretching is performed before or during the lifting session, can more effectively increase muscle strength and basal serum IGF-1 levels. It was concluded that strength training, with or without the use of stretching exercises, increased muscular strength in the studied groups, and can induce an increase in IGF-1 levels.

How Young Is Too Young to Start Training?

In Brief LEARNING OBJECTIVES To introduce an integrative neuromuscular training model that can be used to enhance the health, fitness, and wellness of all children and adolescents. To understand the potential benefits associated with strength and conditioning programs implemented with youth to reduce injury risk and enhance motor skill development that will support a physically active lifestyle. To comprehend the concept of “training age” and the implications associated with systematic training beginning during early childhood. As more children and adolescents participate in organized sports and physical conditioning activities in schools, fi tness centers, and private clubs, it is important to establish age-appropriate training guidelines for the safe and effective initiation of integrative training activities that are purposely designed to enhance neuromuscular function, increase muscular strength, and improve a child’s capacity to participate regularly in sports and recreational activities

Cross-over Muscular Adaptation to Blood Flow–Restricted Exercise

Dear Editor-in-Chief: We read with interest the article published by Weatherholt et al. (7). The authors performed a well-controlled study that adds to our knowledge about blood flow–restricted exercise. With their within-subject design, the authors observed similar increases in upper arm muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) and strength after 8 wk of low load unilateral elbow flexion and extension training with and without blood flow restriction (BFR). The authors suggest that the adaptations for both muscle strength and hypertrophy observed in the limb trained without BFR are attributable to a cross-education effect. Although unilateral training with a high load can increase muscular strength in the untrained, contralateral limb (6), we feel it is likely that the training adaptations observed in the limb trained without BFR are due to the local training stimulus itself. The authors’ reason for suggesting a neural cross-education effect is that training with a low load “is generally accepted as being too low to cause strength increases” (7). Although evidence suggests that high-load training does produce greater increases in strength compared with low-load training, it is clear that low-load training will increase maximal strength to an extent (1). Moreover, other studies using a within-subject design have shown greater increases in muscular strength in a limb trained under BFR compared with the contralateral limb trained without BFR (5). This suggests that increases in strength in one limb are not always equivalent in the contralateral limb. The similar increases in muscular strength observed in both the BFR- and non–BFR-trained limb in the present study are likely attributable to similar increases in mCSA (7). With respect to the author’s second conclusion, a systemic effect of BFR resistance training causing anabolic hormone-induced hypertrophy of the contralateral limb, we suggest that the increase in mCSA of the non–BFR-trained limb is likely due to the local training stimulus itself. Although BFR knee extensor and flexor exercise has been shown to enhance training-induced hypertrophy of the elbow flexors (3), the acute anabolic hormonal response causing such adaptation is questionable. In contrast to the aforementioned study, West et al. (8) have shown that exercise-induced increases in anabolic hormones do not enhance training-induced hypertrophy of the elbow flexors. Furthermore, elbow flexor exercise alone is unable to cause an acute rise in such hormones (8). In the present investigation (7), it is unlikely that such a low volume of unilateral elbow flexor and extensor exercise, even with BFR, would be able to increase such hormones. It is likely that 8 wk of low-load training without BFR was capable of inducing muscle hypertrophy because low-load training without BFR has been shown previously to induce muscle hypertrophy (2,4). This commentary should not be taken as criticism of the study; we offer another possible explanation for the muscular adaptations observed with low-load training without BFR. Similar training adaptations to different unilateral training protocols should not necessarily be attributed to a cross-over effect. C.A. Fahs has received a grant from the American College of Sports Medicine for doctoral research in Kaatsu methodology (#012012).

Blood flow‐restricted resistance exercise: rapidly affecting the myofibre and the myonuclei

Acute blood flow restriction (BFR) by itself or in combination with low-intensity aerobic and/or low-load resistance exercise has been shown to result in favourable effects on skeletal muscle, namely increases in muscle size and strength (Loenneke et al. 2012). These positive muscular adaptations have been observed across a wide range of populations (e.g. athletes, elderly, diseased). Previous research indicates that BFR resistance exercise stimulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS) (Gundermann et al. 2012); however, little is known about the exact cellular mechanisms behind that response on muscle protein synthesis or muscle hypertrophy. Previous research suggests that the muscle hypertrophic effect may, in part, be related to the concomitant decrease in the mRNA gene expression of E3-ligases such as MURF-1 (8 h post-decrease; Manini et al. 2011) and atrogin (Manini et al. 2011). Furthermore, Laurentino et al. (2012) have observed decreased mRNA gene expression of myostatin, with an increased expression of the follistatin isoforms following low-load resistance exercise with BFR. In a recent issue of The Journal of Physiology, Nielsen et al. (2012) presented research that suggests that the proliferation of myogenic stem cells may be an additional mechanism involved in the muscle hypertrophic response to high-frequency low-load resistance exercise with BFR. Briefly, participants performed four sets of knee extensor exercise to failure at 20% of their concentric one repetition maximum. The researchers found that performing 23 sessions of low-load BFR exercise within 19 days resulted in marked increases in muscular strength and muscle fibre cross-sectional area when measured greater than 3 days post-training. It should be mentioned that there were transient increases in muscle fibre cross-sectional area after 5 days of the intervention in both groups; however, this was thought to be due to exercise-induced cell swelling and not a reflection of true muscle hypertrophy. This is supported by the post-training data which indicated increases in muscle size and strength only in the BFR group, while the work-matched control groups’ fibre cross-sectional area was equivalent to baseline levels. These positive muscular adaptations in the BFR group were accompanied by a substantial upregulation in myogenic stem cells, resulting in nuclear additions to the exercised muscle fibre. The data reported in the Nielsen et al. (2012) investigation provides valuable insight into the acute and chronic effects of high-frequency low-load resistance training with BFR. The increased proliferation of myogenic stem cells with BFR resistance training is significant as it is thought that the myonuclear donation is required in order to have substantial increases in human muscle fibre cross-sectional area. Further support of this notion comes from their data which show positive correlations between the change in myonuclei number per fibre and muscle fibre area as well as between the relative change in myogenic stem cells per fibre and muscle fibre area. The exact reason behind the large increase in myogenic stem cell proliferation is not known, but the authors speculated that the activation and proliferation of myogenic stem cells may be acutely stimulated by BFR-induced stretch-, hypoxia-, and/or contraction-induced nitric oxide secretion. In addition, they noted that it was unlikely that the increased proliferation was due to muscle cell membrane damage because the authors did not find any visible signs of damage to the basal lamina from their laminin stainings. This finding is consistent with previous BFR studies, which indicate minimal to no muscle damage with this type of exercise. It would be interesting if future research could expand on these findings and investigate whether or not there is proliferation of myogenic stem cells and a subsequent myonuclear addition in response to low-intensity aerobic exercise in combination with BFR. This type of study would be useful as low-intensity aerobic exercise with BFR has been observed to elicit significant increases in muscle size and strength (Loenneke et al. 2012). Currently it is unknown if the mechanisms behind that effect are different to that observed with low-load resistance training. Additionally, BFR in the absence of exercise has been shown to attenuate atrophy; however, it is unclear as to the exact mechanism involved with BFR in the absence of muscle contraction. Whether or not there is a relationship between the application of BFR in the absence of muscle contraction and myogenic stem cells is unknown but might be an interesting avenue of research to explore in the future.

Does extensive on-water rowing increase muscular strength and endurance?

The purpose of this study was to compare changes in aerobic condition, strength, and muscular endurance following 8 weeks of endurance rowing alone or in combination with weight-training. Twenty-two elite rowers were assigned to (1) rowing (n = 10, 250–270 km · week−1) or (2) rowing (n = 12, 190–210 km · week−1) plus four weight-training sessions each week. Pre and post mean and standardized effect-size (ES) differences in aerobic condition (watts at 4 mmol · L−1) and strength (isometric pull, N), prone bench-pull (6-repetition maximum, 6-RM), 5- and 30-repetition leg-press and 60-repetition seated-arm-pull (J, performed on a dynamometer) normalized by body mass and log-transformed were analysed, after adjusting for gender. The standardized differences between groups were trivial for aerobic condition (ES [±90% CI] = 0.15; ±0.28, P = 0.37) and prone bench-pull (ES = 0.27; ±0.33, P = 0.18), although a moderate positive benefit in favour of rowing only was observed for the seated-arm-pull (ES = 0.42; ±0.4, P = 0.08). Only the weight-training group improved isometric pull (12.4 ± 8.9%, P < 0.01), 5-repetition (4.0 ± 5.7%, P < 0.01) and 30-repetition (2.4 ± 5.4%, P < 0.01) leg-press. In conclusion, while gains in aerobic condition and upper-body strength were comparable to extensive endurance rowing, weight-training led to moderately greater lower-body muscular-endurance and strength gains.

Multiple sets resistance training: Effects of Condensed versus circuit models on muscular strength, endurance and body composition

Arazi H, Asadi A. Multiple sets resistance training: Effects of Condensed versus circuit models on muscular strength, endurance and body composition. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 733-740, 2012. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of condensed multiple-set resistance training and circuit multiple-set resistance training on muscular strength, endurance, body composition and arm and thigh circumference in healthy males. Twenty seven healthy males volunteered to participate in this study and assigned into three groups; according to; condensed multiple-set group (COM; n=9), circuit multiple-set group (CIM; n=8) and control group (CON; n=10). Subjects in the COM performed resistance training exercises for 3 sets continuously; whereas subjects in the CIM performed resistance training program for 1 set of each exercise and come back to the first exercise and this approach was performed 3 times each training session. Pre and post 8 weeks of training, one repetition maximum (1RM) and muscle endurance (60% of 1RM) for leg press and bench press, body weight, arm and thigh circumference and body composition were measured. No significant differences in body mass, arm and thigh circumference and muscular strength for the bench press exercise were observed for any group during the 8 weeks of training period (p > 0.05). A significant increase in muscular strength for the leg press exercise was observed for COM after 8 weeks of training (p < 0.05). Both the COM and CIM groups showed significant improvement compared with pre training and CON in muscular endurance for the bench press and leg press exercises (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it can be recommended that, COM is better for improving muscle strength and both

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of progressive resistance exercise training in lung cancer survivors

Lung cancer survivors exhibit poor functional capacity, physical functioning, and quality of life (QoL). Here, we report the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a progressive resistance exercise training (PRET) intervention in post-treatment lung cancer survivors. Seventeen post-treatment lung cancer survivors (10 female), with a mean age of 67 (range 50–85), mean BMI of 25, and diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (94%) were recruited in Edmonton, Canada between August 2009 and August 2010 to undergo PRET. The primary outcomes focused on feasibility including eligibility and recruitment rate, loss to follow-up, measurement completion, exercise adherence, and program evaluation. Secondary outcomes addressed preliminary efficacy and included changes in muscular strength (1 repetition maximum), muscular endurance (repetitions at 70% of 1 repetition maximum), body composition (DXA scan), physical functioning (6-minute-walk-test, up-and-go, sit-to-stand, arm curls), and patient-reported outcomes including QoL (SF-36, FACT-L), fatigue (FACT-F), dyspnea (MRCD), and patient-rated function (LLFI). Forty of 389 lung cancer survivors were eligible (10%) and 17 of the 40 (43%) were recruited. Over 80% of participants were able to complete all testing; two participants were lost to follow-up, and the median adherence rate was 96% (range: 25–100%). Ratings of testing burden were low (i.e., less than two out of seven for all items), and trial evaluation was high (i.e., greater than six out of seven for all measures). Paired t-tests showed significant increases in muscular strength (p<.001), muscular endurance (p<.001), six-minute walk distance (p<.001), up-and-go time (p<.05), number of arm curls (p<.001), and number of chair stands (p<.001). There were no significant changes in body composition or patient-reported outcomes. PRET is a feasible intervention with potential health benefits for a small proportion of lung cancer survivors in the post-treatment setting.

Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise training on late-onset Pompe disease patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy

Pompe disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the deficiency of acid α-glycosidase resulting in lysosomal accumulation of glycogen. The late-onset disease form is characterized by progressive skeletal and respiratory muscle dysfunction. In addition to the recently introduced enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), treatments such as protein-enriched diet and exercise training have been proposed, although little is known about their effectiveness on the physical condition of such patients. Aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise training on muscular strength and body composition in five patients with late-onset Pompe disease receiving ERT. All subjects followed a 20week lasting program of supervised aerobic and progressive resistance exercise training. Before and after the training period, body composition was determined with dual X-ray absorptiometry and isometric muscular strength was measured with a specialized load transducer. Functional capacity was assessed using the 6-min shuttle walk test. A significant increase in muscular strength (15–50% at various body parts, p<0.05) and 6-minute walking distance (203.8±177m before vs. 248.2±184m after, p<0.01) was observed after training, whereas total and lower extremities lean body mass did not change significantly. These results suggest that exercise training has a positive effect on muscular strength and functional capacity in patients on ERT with late-onset Pompe disease.

Effects of combined whole-body vibration and resistance training on muscular strength and bone metabolism in postmenopausal women

Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been shown to be osteogenic in animal models; however, its application in humans is not clear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-month program involving WBV plus resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism in older postmenopausal women. Fifty-five estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women were assigned to a resistance training group (R, n = 22), a WBV plus resistance training group (WBVR, n = 21), or a control group (CON, n = 12). R and WBVR performed upper and lower body resistance exercises 3 days/week at 80% 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM). WBVR received vibration (30–40 Hz, 2–2.8 g) in three different positions preceding the resistance exercises. Daily calcium intake, bone markers (Bone alkaline phosphatase (Bone ALP); C-terminal telopeptide of Type I collagen (CTX), and BMD of the spine, dual femur, forearm, and total body (DXA) were measured at baseline and after the intervention. At baseline, there were no significant group differences in strength, BMD, or bone marker variables. After 8 months of R or WBVR, there were no significant group or time effects in Bone ALP, CTX, or total body, spine, left hip or right trochanter BMD. However, right total hip and right femoral neck BMD significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased in all groups. A group × time interaction ( p < 0.05) was detected at radius 33% BMD site, with CON slightly increasing, and WBVR slightly decreasing. R and WBVR significantly ( p < 0.05) increased 1RM strength for all exercises, while CON generally maintained strength. WBVR had significantly ( p < 0.05) greater percent increases in muscular strength than R at 4 months for lat pull down, seated row, hip abduction and hip adduction and at 8 months for lat pull down, hip abduction and hip adduction. Bone metabolism in postmenopausal women was not affected by resistance training either with or without WBV. In contrast, the addition of WBV augmented the positive effects of resistance training on muscular strength in these older women.

Ergogenic Effect of Acupuncture in Sport and Exercise: A Brief Review

Acupuncture is one of the most popular alternative methods applied in Western medical practice. In addition to its curative properties in various chronic conditions, demonstrated by the number of clinical trials, acupuncture has been recently applied as an enhancer of sports performance. Reviewed studies of published literature on the use of acupuncture in resistance and endurance sports activities demonstrated the association of traditional acupuncture protocol with increase of muscular strength and power. In cases regarding endurance activities, acupuncture treatment improved hemodynamic parameters of participants but not their aerobic performance. Further methodologically strong studies with inclusion of both biomedical and traditional Chinese theories are needed to assess the usefulness of acupuncture in enhancement of sports performance.

The Effect of a Structured Exercise Program on Nutrition and Fitness Outcomes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children

The feasibility and effectiveness of a hospital-based exercise-training program followed by a home-based program for improving fitness, strength, and changes in body composition in children and adolescents with HIV were evaluated. Subjects participated in nonrandomized 24-session, hospital supervised exercise training program followed by an 314 unsupervised home-based maintenance program. Outcome measurements included muscular strength/endurance, flexibility, relative peak VO(2), body composition, and lipids. Seventeen subjects (eight females) with a median age of 15.0 years (range: 6.0-22.6) and BMI z-score of 0.61 (range: -1.70-2.57) at entry completed the intervention. After 24 training sessions, the median increases in muscular strength were between 8% and 50%, depending on muscle group. The median increases in muscle endurance, relative peak VO(2), and lean body mass were 38.7% (95% CI: 12.5-94.7; p = 0.006), 3.0 ml/kg/min (95% CI: 1.5-6.0; p < 0.001), and 4.5% (95% CI: 2.4-6.6; p < 0.001), respectively. Twelve children completed the home-based maintenance program. Median changes in these outcomes between completion of the hospital-based intervention and a follow-up after completion of the home-based program were near zero. No adverse events occurred during the intervention. A supervised hospital-based fitness program is feasible, safe, and effective for improving general fitness and strength as well as lean body mass in children with HIV.

복합운동프로그램이 비만중년여성의 건강관련체력과 혈액성분에 미치는 영향

This study aimed to examine the effects of composite exercise program on health-related physical fitness, blood components and inflammation markers. In order to achieve this purpose, this study conducted a 12-week composite exercise program which mixed aerobic with anaerobic exercises in 30 obese middle-aged women with a body fat of over 30%. Finally the following results were obtained. 1. For the health-related physical fitness, there was no difference between the experiment group and the control group in the pre-test of two groups concerning body composition-related weight, %body fat, LBM, BMI, and WHR, whereas there was an increase or a decrease in the post-test. The experiment group showed an increase or a decrease between the pre-test and the post-test, suggesting the effect of the composite exercise program on body composition in obese middle-aged women. For physical fitness, there was no difference between the experiment group and the control group in the pre-test of two group concerning muscular strength, muscular endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance, whereas the results of the post-test showed a significant increase. There was no difference in flexibility between the pre-test and the posttest. The experiment group showed an increase in muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance between the pre-test and the post-test, suggesting the effect of the composite exercise program on health-related physical fitness in obese middle-aged women. There was no difference in all factors in the control group. 2. For blood components, there was no difference between the experiment group and the control group in the pre-test of two groups concerning TC, LDL-C, TG, hematocrit, leptin, insulin, and FFA, whereas the results of the post-test showed a decrease, which meant a significant difference. There was no a significant difference in HDL-C and glucose between the pre-test and the post-test. The experiment group showed an increase or a decrease in muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance between the pre-test and the post-test, suggesting the positive effect of the composite exercise program on blood components in obese middle-aged women. There was no difference in hematocrit. There was no difference in all factors in the control group.

Early Maximal Strength Training Is an Efficient Treatment for Patients Operated With Total Hip Arthroplasty

Husby VS, Helgerud J, Bjørgen S, Husby OS, Benum P, Hoff J. Early maximal strength training is an efficient treatment for patients operated with total hip arthroplasty. Objective To compare muscle strength, work efficiency, gait patterns, and quality of life in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) randomly assigned to either maximal strength training or a conventional rehabilitation program. Design A randomized controlled study. Setting Research laboratory, rehabilitation center, and physical therapy clinic. Participants Patients (N=24) with osteoarthritis as the main reason for THA were randomly assigned to perform maximal strength training (n=12) or conventional rehabilitation (n=12). Interventions The maximal strength training group (STG) performed maximal strength training in leg press and abduction with the operated leg only 5 times a week for 4 weeks in addition to the conventional rehabilitation program. The conventional rehabilitation group (CRG) received supervised physical therapy 3 to 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Main Outcome Measures 1-repetition maximum (1RM) leg press strength, 1RM abduction strength, rate of force development (RFD), work efficiency, gait patterns, and quality of life. Results 1RM increased in the bilateral leg press ( P<.002) and in the operated leg separately ( P<.002) in the STG compared with the CRG. 1RM abduction strength in the operated leg ( P<.002) and the healthy leg ( P<.002) increased in the STG compared with the CRG. RFD increased in the STG compared with the CRG ( P g=.030), followed by a trend towards increased peak force in the STG ( P g=.053) ( P g = probability for differences between groups). Work efficiency tended to improve in the STG compared with the CRG ( P=.065). No differences in gait patterns were revealed between the groups after the training intervention. Conclusions Early maximal strength training 1 week postoperatively is feasible and an efficient treatment to regain muscular strength for patients who have undergone THA, demonstrated by a significantly larger increase in muscular strength and a trend towards a better work efficiency in the STG compared with the CRG.

Effects of lactational exposure to benzo[α]pyrene (B[α]P) on postnatal neurodevelopment, neuronal receptor gene expression and behaviour in mice

The harmful effects of exposure to benzo[α]pyrene (B[α]P), which is a neurotoxic pollutant, on mammalian neurodevelopment and/or behaviour as yet remain widely unclear. In the present investigation, we evaluated the impact of the lactational exposure to B[α]P on postnatal development of pups and behaviour of young mice. The neurobiological effects of B[α]P during lactation were also evaluated on pups’ brain. Here, we found that lactational exposure to B[α]P at 2 and 20 mg/kg affects the neuromaturation of pups by significantly decreasing their reflex as highlighted in surface righting reflex and negative geotaxis tests. However, we noted a significant increase in muscular strength of lactationally B[α]P mg/kg-exposed pups, which was probably due to the impact of the exposure to this toxic compound on body weight gain. At the pup stage, lactational exposure to B[α]P also provoked a neurobiological change, which was assessed by determination of neuronal receptor gene expression. Indeed, a significant reduction in gene expression of 5HT 1A receptors in pups exposed to B[α]P through lactation was found in comparison to controls. Additionally, attenuation in the expression of MOR 1 mRNA was observed, but statistically significant only in animals receiving the higher dose. Neither the expression levels of ADRA 1D nor GABA A mRNA were altered. Interestingly, the harmful effects of lactational exposure to B[α]P on behaviour and cognitive function were still found despite a long post-weaning period. Young mice whose mothers were exposed to B[α]P displayed a disinhibition behaviour towards the aversive spaces of the elevated plus maze. Furthermore, a significant increase of spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze was observed, but only in young mice whose mothers were orally exposed to the lower dose of B[α]P. Our results suggest a close link between the neurobiological change highlighted in pups’ brain and the different behavioural disturbances observed during postnatal development period until young adult stage.