Lower Body Muscle Endurance Research Articles

The relationship between blood pressure and functional fitness of older adults in Korea.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure (BP), is a critical health issue that can cause cardiovascular disease. It is observed more frequently in older adults. Thus, this study aimed to identify the functional fitness and body composition factors that significantly influence both systolic and diastolic BPs in older adults. Data from 155,266 older adults (51,751 men [33.3%] and 103,505 women [66.7%]) who underwent functional fitness tests between 2013 and 2018 were analyzed. The following seven functional fitness tests were conducted: (a) aerobic endurance (2-min step), (b) upper body muscle strength (hand grip strength), (c) lower body muscle endurance (chair sit-and-stand), (d) flexibility (sit-and-reach), (e) agility (Timed Up and Go), and (f) body composition (body mass index [BMI] and body fat percentage). Systolic and diastolic BPs were used as outcome variables. In examining the proposed relationships, the regression analysis revealed that BMI, body fat percentage, sit-and-reach, 2-min step, hand grip, chair sit-and-stand, and Timed Up and Go were significantly associated with reduced systolic and diastolic body pressures.

Effect of Online Vinyasa Training on Housewives’ Lower and Upper Body Endurance: A Randomized Post-Pandemic Covid-19 Trial

Study purpose. The COVID-19 pandemic has a considerable impact on social and financial factors in addition to health outcomes. There is, however, still little information available as to how Covid-19 actually impacted housewives. Consequently, this paper aims to provide a new dimension to the study of how vinyasa could support mothers’ fitness throughout the pandemic. This study sought to determine whether an online vinyasa programme for 8 weeks during Covid-19 pandemic could significantly influence housewives’ upper and lower body muscle endurance. Materials and methods. 24 housewives (between the ages of 26 and 36) from the NCR region of Delhi participated in the study. The participants were divided at random and put either into the experimental group (vinyasa) or the control group. Both upper and lower body muscular endurance was found to be the health-related variable. The longest-lasting bent knee push-ups were used to gauge upper body muscular endurance, while the longest-lasting bodyweight squat holds over a 90-degree angle were used to gauge lower body muscle endurance. Results. To analyse the findings, tests were run both prior to and following the training. A substantial difference between the experimental group and control group was found using ANCOVA to compare them to the baseline after 8 weeks. Conclusions. Thus, it was determined that the online/virtual vinyasa training programme was a successful way for housewives to increase their body muscular endurance (health-related fitness).

A Cross-Sectional Study of Physical Fitness and Risk of Hypertension in Korean Adults Aged 20-59.

Intervention for hypertension in young age groups is very important. Adults in their 30s and 40s in Korea are the main producers of economic activity. Stress in work life, frequent drinking and smoking, an unhealthy diet, and a lack of physical activity are the biggest factors that increase the risk of high blood pressure. This study analyzed obesity-related body composition, physical fitness, and risk according to age and sex by analyzing population-based hypertension and physical fitness trends in individuals aged 20-59 years in 360,321 Korean adults via National Physical Award Project (NFAP) data points collected from 2012 to 2019. The functional fitness test battery for adults was composed of seven components: (a) aerobic endurance (2-min step), (b) upper body muscle strength (hand grip strength), (c) lower body muscle endurance (sit-ups), (d) flexibility (sit and reach), (e) cardiopulmonary endurance (progressive aerobic capacity endurance run), (f) body compositions (body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC]), and (g) blood pressure. For all items, there was a significant difference in blood pressure according to people's physical fitness levels. Specifically, for obesity-related BMI and WC, the higher the obesity, the higher the blood pressure (post hoc, obesity > overweight > normal > underweight). It was also confirmed that the lower the grade, that is, the weaker the grip, the higher the blood pressure (post hoc, 4 > 3 > 2 > 1). Subsequently, in identifying the risk factors for high blood pressure, the physical fitness level (Model 1) and obesity-related indicator (Model 2) differed by 1.024 and 1.335 times, respectively. Finally, it was confirmed that the risk of high blood pressure in the age and gender model (Model 3) increased by 1.388 times. In addition to the recommendation for changes in blood pressure, significant differences in blood pressure according to physical fitness and significant effects on blood pressure risk in terms of age, obesity-related body composition, and physical fitness were confirmed.

Effects of a daily physical activity intervention on the health-related fitness status of primary school children: A cluster randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT An important barrier for a nationwide implementation of a daily physical activity (PA) at primary schools is the lack of spatial and human resources. Therefore, we developed a PA intervention that can be implemented without additional spatial resources or changes in school curricula. In the intervention group, children received a daily PA unit consisting of physical education lessons and simultaneous academic content over a 9-month period. The control group received conventional (physical education) classes. Body weight, height, waist circumference and health-related fitness parameters were measured. Of 412 children (9.7 ± 0.5 years) included, 228 participated in the intervention group. In regression analysis adjusted for baseline, gender, school location, sports club membership (total only) with standardized outcome variables, the intervention group showed a reduction in waist-to-height ratio (B = 0.30, p < 0.001) and an increase in several fitness parameters (cardiorespiratory endurance: B = 0.20, p = 0.037; lower body muscle strength: B = 0.11, p = 0.041; lower body muscle endurance: B = 0.12, p = 0.027; flexibility: B = 0.19, p = 0.019) compared to the control group. Intervention effects for cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility were more pronounced in the group of children without sports club membership. Thus, especially children with no sport club membership seem to benefit from daily PA in school (Trial registration: DRKS00025515).

Effect of unsupervised Kinect-based mixed reality fitness programs on health-related fitness in men during COVID-19 pandemic: randomized controlled study

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Kinect-based mixed reality (KMR) exercise and unsupervised individual exercise on health-related fitness. A total of 27 participants underwent cardiorespiratory fitness tests for the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to three groups: a KMR group (KMRG), an unsupervised individual group (UIG), or a control group (CG). Pre and post-tests were conducted to measure Maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max), body composition, upper and lower-body (LB) muscle strength, and endurance. KMRG and UIG attended exercise sessions 3 days per week for 8 weeks. KMRG used the KMR device and UIG used an instructive banner for exercise. All groups maintained their daily routines and submitted diet records every 4 weeks. Results showed that VO₂max, upper-body muscle endurance, and LB muscle endurance of knee extension was increased in KMRG and UIG. LB muscle strength in knee flexion was increased in UIG and LB muscle endurance in knee flexion was increased in KMRG. VO₂max, LB muscle strength, and LB muscle endurance were greater in KMRG than in CG. LB muscle strength in knee flexion was greater in KMRG than in UIG. Body fat was increased and skeletal muscle mass was decreased in CG. KMR exercise showed better performance than unsupervised individual (UI) exercise, and the exercise program was effective in both KMR and UI environments. These findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting the use of technology-based exercise interventions as a potential strategy to enhance health-related fitness.

Effects of short-term betaine supplementation on muscle endurance and indices of endocrine function following acute high-intensity resistance exercise in young athletes.

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study examined the effects of short-term betaine supplementation on muscle endurance, plasma lactate, testosterone and cortisol levels, and the testosterone to cortisol (T/C) ratio in response to acute resistance exercise (RE).MethodUsing a double-blind, crossover study design, 10 handball players (age ± SD = 16 ± 1 yrs) without prior-structured RE experience performed a high-intensity RE session (leg press followed by bench press; 5 sets to volitional fatigue using 80% baseline 1 repetition maximum (1RM)), before and after 14 days of either placebo (maltodextrin) or betaine (2.5 g·d−1) supplementation. A 30-day washout period separated each treatment. 48 h prior to testing sessions, participants recorded their food intake and did not perform strenuous exercise. Venous blood was sampled before supplementation, and before and after each RE session.ResultsAfter betaine supplementation, participants performed more repetitions (p < 0.001) during the leg press (Betaine: 35.8 ± 4.3; Placebo: 24.8 ± 3.6, Cohen’s d = 2.77) and bench press (Betaine: 36.3 ± 2.6; Placebo: 26.1 ± 3.5, Cohen’s d = 3.34). Betaine resulted in lower post-exercise cortisol (Betaine: 7.6 ± 1.7; Placebo: 13 ± 3.4 µg.dL−1, p = 0.003, generalized eta squared () = 0.49) and lactate (Betaine: 5.2 ± 0.3; Placebo: 6 ± 0.3 mmol.L−1, p < 0.001, = 0.96) and higher total testosterone (Betaine: 15.2 ± 2.2; Placebo: 8.7 ± 1.7 ng.mL−1, p < 0.001, = 0.87) and T/C ratio (Betaine: 0.21 ± 0.05; Placebo: 0.07 ± 0.02, p < 0.001, = 0.82).ConclusionsTwo weeks of betaine supplementation improved upper- and lower-body muscle endurance and influenced indices of endocrine function following an acute session of high-intensity RE in adolescent handball players.

Functional and cognitive responses to caffeine intake in middle-aged women are dose depending

Middle-aged women display many physiological and cognitive alterations resulting from aging and physical inactivity as well as other changes that occur as a function of menopause. Caffeine consumption is highest in this age with women having a particular greater sensitivity to caffeine than men. Its effects on functional and cognitive functions are controversial and seem to depend on the dose intake. This study aimed to assess the effect of low (100mg) and high (400mg) doses of caffeine consumption on cognitive (simple reaction time) and functional (upper and low body muscle endurance, aerobic endurance and functional mobility) performances. These performances were evaluated in 19 healthy middle-aged women by the 30-Second Chair Stand test for lower body muscle endurance, the 30sec Arm Curl Test for upper body muscle endurance, the 2-Minute Step test for aerobic endurance, The Timed Up and Go test for functional mobility and the simple reaction time test for reaction time, 60min after a treatment capsule intake (100mg caffeine/400mg caffeine/placebo). Low caffeine consumption significantly improved (p<.005) cognitive performance, while high caffeine consumption did not. However, the functional performance significantly improved (p<.05) after high caffeine consumption but not after low caffeine consumption. Except, the functional mobility performance significantly improved (p<.05) after both low and high caffeine consumption with better improvement (p<.05) after the high dose. In conclusion, low caffeine consumption improved cognitive performance and high caffeine consumption improved functional performance but the functional mobility improved after both low and high caffeine consumption in middleaged women.

What Dose of Caffeine to Use: Acute Effects of 3 Doses of Caffeine on Muscle Endurance and Strength.

To explore the effects of 3 doses of caffeine on muscle strength and muscle endurance. Twenty-eight resistance-trained men completed the testing sessions under 5 conditions: no-placebo control, placebo control, and with caffeine doses of 2, 4, and 6mg·kg-1. Muscle strength was assessed using the 1-repetition-maximum test; muscle endurance was assessed by having the participants perform a maximal number of repetitions with 60% 1-repetition maximum. In comparison with both control conditions, only a caffeine dose of 2mg·kg-1 enhanced lower-body strength (d = 0.13-0.15). In comparison with the no-placebo control condition, caffeine doses of 4 and 6mg·kg-1 enhanced upper-body strength (d = 0.07-0.09) with a significant linear trend for the effectiveness of different doses of caffeine (P = .020). Compared with both control conditions, all 3 caffeine doses enhanced lower-body muscle endurance (d = 0.46-0.68). For upper-body muscle endurance, this study did not find significant effects of caffeine. This study revealed a linear trend between the dose of caffeine and its effects on upper-body strength. The study found no clear association between the dose of caffeine and the magnitude of its ergogenic effects on lower-body strength and muscle endurance. From a practical standpoint, the magnitude of caffeine's effects on strength is of questionable relevance. A low dose of caffeine (2mg·kg-1)-for an 80-kg individual, the dose of caffeine in 1-2 cups of coffee-may produce substantial improvements in lower-body muscle endurance with the magnitude of the effect being similar to that attained using higher doses of caffeine.

Let's Get Physical

Introduction: Pediatric heart transplant recipients (pHTx) often appear to have lower physical fitness than healthy children (HC). This study assesses the aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and muscle endurance of pHTx in order to create a fitness profile for these children, and investigate clinical and lifestyle factors that may affect their fitness. Methods: pHTx (n=3) and a control group of HC and healthy siblings (n=6) are being recruited for this study. Healthy, non-related children are selected based on age, height, and sex to reduce variability among groups. Age-specific questionnaires assess quality of life (PedsQL 4.0) and physical activity (PAQ). Anthropometry and body composition (BodPod) are measured. Aerobic capacity is assessed by six-minute walk test (6MWT). Muscle strength is measured by hand-held dynamometry of upper (deltoid), core (abdominal), and lower (quadriceps) body muscle groups. Muscle endurance of upper (push-ups), core (curl-ups), and lower (wall sit) body muscle groups is measured. Clinical data regarding transplant course, medications, physical therapy, underlying diagnosis, onset of disease, number of pre-transplant surgeries, extra-cardiac organ impairment, and cerebrovascular events is collected from patient charts. Results: The pHTx group is age-matched with controls (pHTx=9.8±6.5 y, HC=11.4±1.4 y, p=0.72), and 6.4±7.6 y post-transplant. Preliminary data suggest that, despite comparable levels of physical activity (p=0.88), quality of life (p=0.68), and fat-free mass (p=0.63), some fitness measures are reduced in pHTx vs HC. Wall sit time is the only parameter that is significantly impaired in pHTx (p=0.02). However, the impairment in 6MWT among pHTx and HC approaches significance (p=0.08). Underlying diagnoses in pHTx include congenital heart disease (n=2) and cardiomyopathy (n=1). pHTx were receiving tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, but not prednisone at the time of the study. The length of pre- and post-transplant physical therapy varied among pHTx, ranging from 0–12 weeks pre-transplant, and 0–52 weeks post-transplant. Conclusion: Lower body muscle endurance is impaired in pHTx versus HC. Since physical activity, quality of life, and fat-free mass are matched in the study sample, muscle function is likely impaired by other factor(s). Ongoing recruitment will allow further investigation of the effect of pediatric heart transplantation on fitness, and to analyze the effects of clinical factors on fitness outcomes. Canadian National Transplant Research Program. Astellas Pharma Canada, Inc. Women and Children's Health Research Institute. Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Effect of Hypohydration on Muscle Endurance, Strength, Anaerobic Power and Capacity and Vertical Jumping Ability: A Meta-Analysis.

How hypohydration impacts non-bodyweight (BW)-dependent muscle performance and vertical jumping ability remains to be determined using meta-analytic procedures. Our objective was to determine the impact of hypohydration on muscle endurance, strength, anaerobic power and capacity and vertical jumping ability using a meta-analytic approach. Studies were located using database searches and cross-referencing. Effect summaries were obtained using random-effects models; method of moments mixed-effects analysis-of-variance-like procedures were used to determine differences between groups; and restricted maximum likelihood random-effects meta-regressions were performed to determine relationships between variables, impact of confounders, and interaction effects. A total of 28 manuscripts met the inclusion criteria, producing six (upper body muscle endurance), ten (lower body muscle endurance), 14 (upper body muscle strength), 25 (lower body muscle strength), nine (muscle anaerobic power), nine (muscle anaerobic capacity), and 12 (vertical jumping ability) effect estimates. Hypohydration impaired overall muscle endurance by 8.3 ± 2.3% (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between upper body (-8.4 ± 3.3%) and lower body (-8.2 ± 3.2%). As a whole, muscle strength fell by 5.5 ± 1.0% (P < 0.05) with hypohydration; the difference between lower (-3.7 ± 1.8%) and upper (-6.2 ± 1.1%) body was non-significant. Anaerobic power (-5.8 ± 2.3%) was significantly altered with hypohydration, but anaerobic capacity (-3.5 ± 2.3%) and vertical jumping ability (0.9 ± 0.7%) were not. No significant correlations were observed between the changes in any of the muscle performance variables or vertical jumping ability and the changes in hypohydration level. Using an active procedure to dehydrate participants decreased muscle performance by an additional 5.4 ± 1.9% (2.76-fold) (P = 0.02) compared with using a passive dehydration procedure. Trained individuals demonstrated a 3.3 ± 1.7% (1.76-fold) (P = 0.06) lesser decrease in muscle performance with hypohydration than did untrained individuals. Hypohydration, or factors associated with dehydration, are likely to be associated with practically important decrements in muscle endurance, strength, and anaerobic power and capacity. However, their impact on non-BW-dependent muscle performance is substantially mitigated in trained individuals or when hypohydration is induced passively. Conversely, it is possible that body water loss (~3% BW) may improve performance in BW-dependent tasks such as vertical jumping ability.

The effects of 8 weeks of heavy resistance training and branched-chain amino acid supplementation on body composition and muscle performance

Purpose: This study determined the effects of 8 weeks of heavy resistance training combined with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on body composition and muscle performance. Methods: Resistance training was performed by 19 non-resistance-trained males (three sets of 8–10 repetitions) four times/week, for 8 weeks, while also ingesting 9 g/day of BCAA or 9 g/day of placebo (PLAC) on the exercise days only (one-half of total dose 30 min before and after exercise). Data were analyzed with separate 2 × 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p < 0.05). Results: For total body mass, neither group significantly increased with training (p = 0.593) and also, there were no significant changes in total body water (p = 0.517). In addition, no training- or supplement-induced (p = 0.783) changes occurred with fat mass or fat-free mass (p = 0.907). Upper-body (p = 0.047) and lower-body strength (p = 0.044) and upper- (p = 0.001) and lower-body muscle endurance (p = 0.013) increased with training; however, these ...

The effects of 8 weeks of heavy resistance training and branched-chain amino acid supplementation on body composition and muscle performance

This study determined the effects of 8 weeks of heavy resistance training combined with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on body composition and muscle performance. Resistance training was performed by 19 non-resistance-trained males (three sets of 8-10 repetitions) four times/week, for 8 weeks, while also ingesting 9 g/day of BCAA or 9 g/day of placebo (PLAC) on the exercise days only (one-half of total dose 30 min before and after exercise). Data were analyzed with separate 2 × 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p < 0.05). For total body mass, neither group significantly increased with training (p = 0.593) and also, there were no significant changes in total body water (p = 0.517). In addition, no training- or supplement-induced (p = 0.783) changes occurred with fat mass or fat-free mass (p = 0.907). Upper-body (p = 0.047) and lower-body strength (p = 0.044) and upper- (p = 0.001) and lower-body muscle endurance (p = 0.013) increased with training; however, these increases were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). When combined with heavy resistance training for 8 weeks, supplementation with 9 g/day of BCAA 30 min before and after exercise had no preferential effects on body composition and muscle performance.

Assessment of the Benefit of Powered Exercises for Muscular Endurance and Functional Capacity in Elderly Participants

Aging is accompanied by a significant loss of strength which further contributes to loss of functional ability and a propensity for injury. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of power assisted exercises on muscle endurance and functional capacity of elderly participants following 12 weeks of supervised training. Elderly subjects (N = 53) were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. The experimental group trained for 12 weeks using powered exercise machines incorporating only concentric contractions while attempting to accelerate the preset, moving levers. Training involved 6 separate machines and using both upper- and lower-body musculature. Pre- and posttests consisted of Timed Chair Stand, Up and Go Test, arm curl, bench press, leg extension, triceps extension, and the Berg Balance Scale Assessment. Analysis yielded significant improvements (P < .05) by the experimental group over the control group in all measures of muscle endurance, balance, and functional capacity. An improvement in balance paralleled muscle endurance improvements. Powered exercise equipment when used actively, will generate both upper- and lower-body muscle endurance in elderly participants in a safe exercise environment and such improvement also generated improvement in balance.

Kung Fu Training Improves Physical Fitness Measures in Overweight/Obese Adolescents: The “Martial Fitness” Study

Aim. To examine the efficacy of a six-month Kung Fu (KF) program on physical fitness in overweight/obese adolescents. Methods. Subjects were randomly assigned to the KF or sham exercise (Tai Chi, TC) control group. Physical measurements in cardiovascular fitness and muscle fitness occurred at baseline and after 6 months of training thrice weekly. Results. Twenty subjects were recruited. One subject was lost to follow-up, although overall compliance to the training sessions was 46.7 ± 27.8%. At follow-up, the cohort improved in absolute upper (P = .002) and lower (P = .04) body strength, and upper body muscle endurance (P = .02), without group differences. KF training resulted in significantly greater improvements in submaximal cardiovascular fitness (P = .03), lower body muscle endurance (P = .28; significant 95% CI: 0.37–2.49), and upper body muscle velocity (P = .03) relative to TC training. Conclusions. This short-term KF program improved submaximal cardiovascular fitness, lower body muscle endurance, and muscle velocity, in overweight/obese adolescents with very low baseline fitness.

Physical Benefits of Dancing for Healthy Older Adults: A Review

Dancing is a mode of physical activity that may allow older adults to improve their physical function, health, and well-being. However, no reviews on the physical benefits of dancing for healthy older adults have been published in the scientific literature. Using relevant databases and keywords, 15 training and 3 cross-sectional studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Grade B-level evidence indicated that older adults can significantly improve their aerobic power, lower body muscle endurance, strength and flexibility, balance, agility, and gait through dancing. Grade C evidence suggested that dancing might improve older adults' lower body bone-mineral content and muscle power, as well as reduce the prevalence of falls and cardiovascular health risks. Further research is, however, needed to determine the efficacy of different forms of dance, the relative effectiveness of these forms of dance compared with other exercise modes, and how best to engage older adults in dance participation.

Concurrent Training Enhances Athletes' Strength, Muscle Endurance, and Other Measures

We evaluated the effects of concurrent strength and aerobic endurance training on muscle strength and endurance, body composition, and flexibility in female college athletes and compared two concurrent exercise (CE) protocols. Twenty-eight women (mean age, 19.6 years) were divided into two matched groups and evaluated before and after a vigorous, 11-week, 3-days per week CE training program. One group did serial CE consisting of a warm-up, resistance exercises at low heart rate (HR), aerobics, and a range of motion cool down. The other group did integrated CE consisting of aerobics, the same resistance exercises at high HR achieved by cardioacceleration before each set, and the same range of motion cool down. The two protocols were balanced, differing only in the timing and sequence of exercises. Serial CE produced discernible (p < 0.05) increases in lower- (17.2%) and upper- (19.0%) body muscle strength and fat-free mass (FFM) (1.8%) and trends toward greater lower-body muscle endurance (18.2%) and reduced upper-body flexibility (-160.4%). Integrated CE produced discernible increases in lower- (23.3%) and upper- (17.8%) body muscle strength, lower-body muscle endurance (27.8%), FFM (3.3%), and lower-body flexibility (8.4%) and a decline in fat mass (-4.5%) and percent body fat (-5.7%). Integrated CE produced discernibly larger gains than serial CE for six of nine training adaptations. Effect sizes were generally moderate (44.4% of discernible differences) to large (33.3%). We conclude that serial CE produces adaptations greater than those reported in the literature for single-mode (strength) training in athletes, whereas integrated CE produces discernibly greater gains than serial CE. The results suggest synergy rather than interference between concurrent strength and aerobic endurance training, support prescription of CE under defined conditions, establish the importance of exercise timing and sequence for CE program outcomes, and document a highly effective athletic training protocol.