Levels Of Muscular Strength Research Articles

Recreational Sports Participation is Associated with Enhanced Physical Fitness in Children

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between seasonal participation in recreational sports and its influence on physical fitness measures in children. A total of 44 children (20 boys and 24 girls) all in the fifth grade (11.2 ± 0.3 yr) were tested for flexibility, upper body strength, upper body power, and lower body power. Activity questionnaires examined seasonal participation rates in recreational sports. Spearman rank correlations showed significant correlations between sport participation rates and performance on selected physical fitness tests (p range between 0.34 and 0.55). Subjects participating in recreational sport programs throughout the year (fall, winter, and spring) performed significantly better in tests of upper body strength, upper body power, and lower body power than subjects who did not participate in any sport or subjects who participated in only one sport. These findings suggest that regular participation in recreational sports throughout the year may be associated with higher levels of muscular strength and anaerobic power in children.

CHANGES IN PHYSICAL FITNESS PARAMETERS DURING A COMPETITIVE FIELD HOCKEY SEASON

Competitive field hockey requires a substantial amount of muscular strength, speed, and cardiovascular endurance. It is unknown how these parameters of physical fitness change between preseason conditioning to postseason recovery. Therefore, Division III female field hockey athletes (n = 13) completed tests of muscular strength, body composition, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during each phase of their season. Muscular strength was assessed using 1 repetition maximum (RM) leg and bench press tests. Body composition was assessed by anthropometry (skinfolds [SKF]), circumferences ([CC]), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Incremental treadmill testing was administered to assess VO2max. VO2max was unchanged during the season, although a trend (p > 0.05) was shown for a higher VO2max during and after the season vs. before the season. Upper- (10%) and lower-body strength (14%) decreased (p > 0.05) during the season. Percent body fat (%BF) from BIA, fat mass (FM) from CC, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in-season and postseason vs. preseason. In conclusion, preseason training was effective in decreasing %BF and increasing VO2max, yet muscular strength was lost. Coaches should incorporate more rigorous in-season resistance training to prevent strength decrements. Moreover, these data support the superior levels of muscular strength and leanness in these athletes compared with age-matched peers.

Changes in Physical Fitness Parameters During a Competitive Field Hockey Season

Competitive field hockey requires a substantial amount of muscular strength, speed, and cardiovascular endurance. It is unknown how these parameters of physical fitness change between preseason conditioning to postseason recovery. Therefore, Division III female field hockey athletes (n = 13) completed tests of muscular strength, body composition, and maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2)max) during each phase of their season. Muscular strength was assessed using 1 repetition maximum (RM) leg and bench press tests. Body composition was assessed by anthropometry (skinfolds [SKF]), circumferences ([CC]), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Incremental treadmill testing was administered to assess Vo(2)max. Vo(2)max was unchanged during the season, although a trend (p > 0.05) was shown for a higher Vo(2)max during and after the season vs. before the season. Upper- (10%) and lower-body strength (14%) decreased (p > 0.05) during the season. Percent body fat (%BF) from BIA, fat mass (FM) from CC, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in-season and postseason vs. preseason. In conclusion, preseason training was effective in decreasing %BF and increasing Vo(2)max, yet muscular strength was lost. Coaches should incorporate more rigorous in-season resistance training to prevent strength decrements. Moreover, these data support the superior levels of muscular strength and leanness in these athletes compared with age-matched peers.

EFFECTS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING ON CARDIAC REHABILITATION PATIENTS STRATIFIED BY RISK

1876 Developing adequate levels of muscular strength in the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patient is crucial to returning the patient to an active lifestyle. We investigated the effects of 8 weeks of resistance training on 61 phase II CR patients stratified by risk (high risk, n=18, ejection fraction (EF)=23.6±7.8%, age=61.2±9.3yrs; intermediate risk, n=19, EF=40.0±4.6%, age=56.7±12.2yrs; low risk, n=24, EF=58.0±7.7%, age=63.5±10.4yrs). 1RM testing was performed on the horizontal squat, shoulder press, leg extension, lat pulldown, and biceps curl. Patients performed 2 sets of each exercise 2 days per week at an intensity which started at 60% 1RM and progressed to 80% 1RM by week 4. Weeks 4-8 intensity was adjusted individually to maintain 8RM per set. Blood pressure and heart rate/rhythm responses to 1RM testing and training were monitored in high risk patients. Muscle soreness and injury were monitored for all patients immediately post 1RM and days 2 and 7. All patients significantly (p<0.05) improved strength on all exercises (mean increase lower body=15.3%, upper body=16.7%). Similar strength improvements occurred in all 3 risk groups. No abnormal cardiovascular responses were observed in the high risk group. No injuries or significant muscle soreness were reported during 1RM testing or training. Data suggests: 1) resistance training can cause significant strength gains in high, intermediate, and low risk CR patients;2) 1RM testing does not elicit abnormal blood pressure or heart rate/rhythm responses in high risk CR patients; and 3) 1RM testing may be safe in CR patients.

Physical and physiological characteristics of elite ringette players

There is a scarcity of descriptive data on the physiological capabilities that underlie successful performance in the sport of ringette. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine a variety of physical and physiological variables considered important to game performance in nineteen elite female ringette players who comprised Team Canada, the gold‐medal‐winning squad at the 1996 Ringette World Championships. Skinfold thicknesses, selected muscular flexibility, strength and endurance measures, isokinetic knee flexor and extensor strength, anaerobic power, maximal aerobic power and on‐ice performance time were among the physiological variables investigated. The following overall means (SD) were observed: age, 20.6 (3.8) years; height, 165.9 (3.8)cm; weight, 62.3 (5.1)kg; sum of nine skinfolds, 143.3 (29.5)mm; combined grip strength, 63.6 (6.7) kg; total push‐ups, 18.2 (5.5) total curl‐ups, 33.4 (16.7) sit‐and‐reach flexibility, 40.7 (6.1) peak isokinetic knee extensor and flexor torque (l.05 rad‐s−1), 164.8 (22.7) and 109.2 (11.4)N‐m respectively; peak anaerobic power output, 12.4 (1.1)W‐kg−1; maximal aerobic power, 47.0 (3.9) ml−1 min−1 kg−1. There were few differences among positions for the variables measured. The results indicate that elite ringette players possess an enhanced level of muscular strength, endurance and flexibility, relatively low adiposity and well developed anaerobic and aerobic fitness.

Exercise, Age, and Skeletal Muscle Function

Skeletal muscle strength, muscle mass, and psychomotor performance decline with age. These declines are associated with reduced functional capacity and an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury and dependent care. Resistance exercise training is generally safe and effective for improving muscle strength and increasing muscle mass in the elderly. The magnitude of improvement depends on the intensity of training and the initial level of fitness. Because many elderly persons have low levels of muscular strength, they show a greater than average potential for relative improvement. Whether an exercise program can enhance psychomotor performance in the elderly is equivocal. Participating in a well-rounded program of physical activity throughout life may be the best approach to attenuating the decline in skeletal muscle function associated with aging.

Muscular strength and endurance as a function of age and activity level.

Muscular strength, endurance, and rate of fatigue were studied in populations of various ages actively engaged in strength and endurance training, as compared with those not engaged in such activities. The strength and fatigability of the elbow flexor muscles were studied for 62 subjects at the ages of 20 (n = 11 active, 10 inactive), 35 (n = 11 active, 10 inactive), and 50 (n = 10 active, 10 inactive) years, tested within 2 years of the appropriate age. They performed a 6-min bout of maximal rhythmic contractions of the dominant arm at a rate of 30 contractions per min. Force applied to the transducer was converted into electrical activity and transmitted to a recorder, where differences in mean values for initial strength, final strength, absolute endurance, and relative endurance were examined for significance. Rates of fatigue and the fatigue curves were also obtained for each group. Results revealed significantly less muscular strength, absolute endurance, and relative endurance as the age of the subjects increased, but no significant difference for age was found in final strength at the conclusion of the exercise bout. Significant differences were found between active and inactive subjects in initial strength, final strength, and absolute endurance in favor of the active subjects. No significant interaction between activity level and age was found for any of the dependent variables. The rates of fatigue were similar for all ages except for the inactive 20-year-old subjects, whose rate of fatigue was markedly slower than that found for all other groups of subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relative dynamic muscular endurance of patients with neuromuscular disorders and of healthy matched control subjects.

This study was undertaken to determine whether the relative muscular endurance of patients with paresis secondary to neuromuscular disorders was different from that of comparable healthy persons. Using an isokinetic dynamometer, I measured the peak knee extension torque of five patients with neuromuscular disorders and of five matched controls. Torque was measured during an initial and 40 subsequent maximal knee extensions at 180 degrees/sec. Gravity-corrected peak torques of the initial repetition and every fifth subsequent repetition were compared between groups, as were the percentages of decrease in torque (calculated relative to the initial torque) using two-way analysis of variance procedures. The results of these procedures demonstrated that the healthy subjects were significantly stronger than the patients with paresis (p less than .01) but that the patients had significantly better relative muscular endurance (ie, smaller percentages of decrease in torque) than the healthy subjects (p less than .05). These findings suggest that, for the patients tested, the relative muscular endurance of patients with paresis is not compromised. This finding does not preclude patients with paresis being unable to complete multiple repetitions of specific functional tasks requiring some critical level of muscular strength.

Cross transfer effects of conditioning and deconditioning on muscular strength.

Abstract The purpose of the investigation was to study the effects of inactivity periods of 1, 4, 6, and 8 weeks on the retention of recently acquired levels of muscular strength in the ipsilateral and contralateral arms. The aubject8 (80 experimental and 20 control) were right-handed mole volunteers, 18 to 22 yr. The experimental subjects participated three times weekly in a 6-week high-intensity, low-repetition strength conditioning programme. Following training, the trained subjects were randomly divided into four experimental groups and stopped training for 1,4, 6, or 8 weeks. Upon completion of the inactivity periods, a retention test was administered to both arms. The data analysis revealed that all experimental groups enhanced their isometric strength levels significantly in both arms during conditioning, thus demonstrating the phenomenon of cross-transfer of isometric strength. No significant differences were found for the control group. It was also found that all experimental groups retained a si...

Physical fitness programs for adults

The sedentary habits, occupational stresses and high caloric intake of adults have spurred an interest in physical exercise. Participation in some form of physical activity is necessary to maintain acceptable levels of muscular strength, range of motion of the joints, and endurance. Ideally, each person over the age of 35 years should have a progressive exercise test administered by a physician before undertaking an exercise program. An exercise prescription must take into account the type of activity, intensity of training, frequency of participation and duration of each exercise session. Both an understanding of exercise physiology and a knowledge of exercise programs are essential to sound patient counseling and management.

Ability, not disability--the key to rehabilitation.

THE ATTITUDE which focuses on ability rather than disability is not new to members of a rehabilitation team. Usually the first step in the medical treatment of a patient with a physical or emotional handicap is to utilize all medical, surgical, and mechanical means to minimize the disability and to develop maximum independence. This means the prescription of physiatric measures, including physical and occupational therapy to hasten in developing good functional levels of muscular strength, coordination, and skill. The prescription may include certain orthotic or prosthetic devices plus the use of adaptive equipment when indicated. Even before this optimum level of function is realized by the patient, it is wise for the physician in charge to set a focus on the eventual rehabilitation goal. For some individuals this will be optimum self-independence. For others it will be a suitable vocational goal. Establishing a correct prognosis for a large variety of