Measures Of Muscular Endurance Research Articles

Physical Fitness Evaluation of School Children in Southern Italy: A Cross Sectional Evaluation

The aim of this work was to evaluate the fitness levels of different physical components in schoolchildren in southern Italy and identify age-related effects of physical performance. One hundred and fifty-four schoolchildren with ages ranging between 6 and 10 years (age 8.1 ± 1.45 years; 33.70 ± 10.25 kg; 131.50 ± 13.60 cm) were recruited for the investigation. Each scholar underwent a fitness-test battery composed of five elements. A Hand-Grip Strength Test to assess the strength of the hand muscles, a Standing Broad Jump Test to assess lower body explosive strength, a Sit-Up Test to exhaustion to evaluate abdominal muscular endurance, a 4 × 10-m Shuttle Run Test to assess agility, and a 20-m sprint test to assess speed. Cross-sectional analysis revealed that boys perform better than girls and that age affects performance. Lower limb measures show a significant increase after 8 years of age, whereas upper limb measures show a significant increase at 7 and 10 years of age. No age-related differences were found in muscular endurance measures. It is possible to consider age-related performance measures to program exercise interventions that follow the growth characteristics of schoolchildren.

Systematic Review of the Association Between Physical Fitness and Musculoskeletal Injury Risk: Part 2-Muscular Endurance and Muscular Strength.

de la Motte, SJ, Gribbin, TC, Lisman, P, Murphy, K, and Deuster, PA. A systematic review of the association between physical fitness and musculoskeletal injury risk: part 2-muscular endurance and muscular strength. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 3218-3234, 2017-This is a systematic review and evaluation of the current evidence on the association between both muscular endurance (ME) and muscular strength (MS) and musculoskeletal injury (MSK-I) risk in military and civilian populations. MEDLINE, EBSCO, EMBASE, and the Defense Technical Information Center were searched for original studies published from 1970 through 2015 which examined associations between physical fitness (ME and MS) and MSK-I in military or civilian populations. Methodological quality and strength of the evidence were determined following criteria adapted from previously published systematic reviews. Forty-five of 4,229 citations met our inclusion criteria. Although results for some tests did vary by sex, taken together, our primary findings indicate there is (a) a strong evidence that poor performance in a push-up test is associated with MSK-I risk; (b) moderate evidence that poor performance in sit-up test is associated with MSK-I risk; (c) moderate evidence that isokinetic ankle and knee flexion strength, and isometric strength assessments at the back, elbow, or knee are associated with MSK-I risk; and (d) limited evidence that poor performance in a pull-up test and isotonic assessments of muscular strength are associated with MSK-I. Several measures of ME/MS are moderately or strongly associated with risk of MSK-I, but additional research is needed to identify and recommend specific assessments of ME/MS that predict MSK-I in both men and women. Future studies should also consider measures of ME and MS as a function of upper body, lower body, and core strength, and their potential association with specific, rather than general, MSK-I.

Changes in Health and Fitness in Firefighter Recruits: An Observational Cohort Study.

To observe longitudinal changes in health and fitness among firefighter recruits. Body composition, aerobic capacity, muscular power, muscular strength, and muscular endurance measures were longitudinally collected among 27 male firefighter recruits (mean ± SD, age = 29.9 ± 4.1 yr; height, 179.8 ± 4.6 cm; body mass, 87.2 ± 9.7 kg) at the beginning (W1) and end (W14) of their firefighter training academy, as well as at the end of their probationary period (W38). Repeated-measures multivariate analyses of variance (RM MANOVA) identified significant changes across time among measures of body composition (F10,17 = 30.390, Λ = 0.053, P < 0.001), aerobic capacity (F6,21 = 55.111, Λ = 0.060, P < 0.001), muscular power (F8,17 = 2.785, Λ = 0.433, P = 0.036), muscular strength (F6,20 = 34.908, Λ = 0.087, P < 0.001), and muscular endurance (F4,23 = 25.983, Λ = 0.181, P < 0.001). Follow-up post hoc analyses indicated that all measures, except muscular power, significantly improved from W1 to W14 (P < 0.05). However, significant decrements in many of these measures were also observed from W14 to W38 (P < 0.05). The results of the current study suggest that measures of health and fitness among firefighter recruits significantly improved throughout the firefighter training academy (W1 to W14). However, many of these positive physiological adaptations are lost before these recruits finish their probationary period as active-duty firefighters (W14 to W38). These results highlight the importance of developing exercise programming that is designed for the active-duty firefighter cohort population to maintain the beneficial adaptations in health and fitness previously created during the firefighter training academy.

Improvements In Recruit Fitness During A 6-week Firefighter Training Academy

Firefighting is a unique and dangerous career in that, unlike some sports and careers that primarily focus on one training goal, firefighters (FFs) must train both aerobic and anaerobic systems. The leading cause for death of on-duty FFs is sudden cardiac events. Emphasizing physical training early in a firefighters career (academy training) has the potential to impact fitness and perceptions of the importance of fitness, and hence to decrease the risk of sudden cardiac events. PURPOSE: Examine physical fitness parameters, assessed during the first and last week of a 6-wk firefighter (FF) training academy, in male recruit FFs from 2004 through 2016 to establish the effectiveness of the training regimen employed by the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI). METHODS: Participants were male FF recruits (N = 383; 26.2 ± 4.2 yrs, M ± SD) from the IFSI who completed baseline fitness measures including measures of weight, estimated VO2max (1.5-mi run), muscular endurance (60-s sit-ups, 60-s push-ups, bench press), and flexibility (sit and reach). Following the 6-wk fire academy, which included daily physical training, recruit FFs repeated the fitness test battery. RESULTS: Results indicated significant improvements (Mdiff± SE; all Ps < 0.001) for weight (1.12 ± 0.14 kg, Cohen’s d = 0.08), 1.5-mile run (0.92 ± 0.04 min, d = 0.57), 60-s sit-ups (5.11 ± 0.25 reps, d = 0.60), 60-s push-ups (13.21 ± 0.38 reps, d = 1.08), bench press [i.e., 38.6 kg; 2.56 ± 0.26 reps, d = 0.23), and flexibility (2.15 ± 0.19 cm, d = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Following a 6-wk training academy, including daily physical training, recruit FFs made significant improvements in weight, BMI, estimated VO2max, three measures of muscular endurance, and flexibility. Since the majority of on-duty deaths can be attributed to stress or overexertion-related cardiac events, it is important to recognize the importance of a varied fitness regimen for FFs’ health as well as performance. All areas of fitness need to be examined with training modalities and performance goals that are consistent with the physical demands of firefighting.

Sport-Specific Training Targeting the Proximal Segments and Throwing Velocity in Collegiate Throwing Athletes.

The ability to generate, absorb, and transmit forces through the proximal segments of the pelvis, spine, and trunk has been proposed to influence sport performance, yet traditional training techniques targeting the proximal segments have had limited success improving sport-specific performance. To investigate the effects of a traditional endurance-training program and a sport-specific power-training program targeting the muscles that support the proximal segments and throwing velocity. Randomized controlled clinical trial. University research laboratory and gymnasium. A total of 46 (age = 20 ± 1.3 years, height = 175.7 ± 8.7 cm) healthy National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III female softball (n = 17) and male baseball (n = 29) players. Blocked stratification for sex and position was used to randomly assign participants to 1 of 2 training groups for 7 weeks: a traditional endurance-training group (ET group; n = 21) or a power-stability-training group (PS group; n = 25). Mean Outcome Measure(s) : The change score in peak throwing velocity (km/h) normalized for body weight (BW; kilograms) and change score in tests that challenge the muscles of the proximal segments normalized for BW (kilograms). We used 2-tailed independent-samples t tests to compare differences between the change scores. The peak throwing velocity (ET group = 0.01 ± 0.1 km/h/kg of BW, PS group = 0.08 ± 0.03 km/h/kg of BW; P < .001) and muscle power outputs for the chop (ET group = 0.22 ± 0.91 W/kg of BW, PS group = 1.3 ± 0.91 W/kg of BW; P < .001) and lift (ET group = 0.59 ± 0.67 W/kg of BW, PS group = 1.4 ± 0.87 W/kg of BW; P < .001) tests were higher at postintervention in the PT than in the ET group. An improvement in throwing velocity occurred simultaneously with measures of muscular endurance and power after a sport-specific training regimen targeting the proximal segments.

The Effect of Body Fat Percentage on Firefighter's Job Performance and Fitness Level

Despite the National Fire Protection Association guidelines for periodic medical surveillance and the intense physical requirements of firefighting firefighters are not required to maintain minimum physical capacities or follow any fitness exercise program. Inactivity can lead to accumulation of body fat (BF) which can affect firefighter's job performance and fitness level. PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to identify the relationships between %BF and various parameters such us fitness variables and job performance. METHODS: Thirty five experienced firefighters participated in the study. The fitness parameters were obtained as follow: Bioelectrical impedance was used to calculate %BF. The number of push-ups, and sit-ups to exhaustion were used as measures of muscular endurance. Forestry step test was used to evaluate the aerobic fitness (VO2 max). Upper and lower strength was measured using the one maximum repetition test (1-RM) for bench press and squat tests respectively. A Job task was simulated through a previously validated timed ability test consisting of firefighting related tasks. RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficients were used to identify the relationships between %BF and the rest of the variables. A significant positive correlation (r= 0.48, p= 0.0035) was observed between the time to complete the simulated job tasks and %BF. Body weight was also positively correlated (r= 0.64, p > 0.0001) with %BF. Body Fat percentage was negatively correlated with VO2 max, (r=-0.36, p= 0.0315), push-ups to exhaustion (r=-0.62, p > 0.0001) and 1-RM bench press test (r=-0.32, p= 0.05). A marginal negative correlation (r=-0.30, p= 0.08) was observed between sit-ups to exhaustion and %BF. CONCLUSIONS: Increased %BF was associated with poor performance on most of the fitness parameters that are crucial to firefighting. Poor job performance was also associated with increased %BF. It is hoped that the results of this study would encourage administrators to mandate a physical fitness program that will help firefighters improve body composition and consecutively job performance.

Fitness-Related Changes Resulting from a 6-Week Fire Academy Course for Recruit Firefighters

Because firefighting often requires heavy physical work under adverse, potentially dangerous conditions, fitness is an important factor in effective job performance. Perceptions of fitness may impact the extent to which firefighters initiate or maintain a regular program of physical activity. PURPOSE: To describe the relationships between perceived and actual measures of fitness before and following a 6-week Certified Firefighter II (Academy) course which included a physical training regimen. METHODS: During the Academy course recruit firefighters (N=68, 27.1 yrs) performed 30 min of progressively challenging physical training 4 d·wk-1 for 6 wks. During Weeks 1 & 6, measures of muscular endurance (modified YMCA bench press test, push-up test, sit-up test), cardiovascular endurance (1.5 mi run time) and body composition [% body fat (%BF) determined from skinfolds, waist to hip ratio] were obtained along with perceptions of fitness [Perceived Physical Fitness Scale (PPFS); Abadie, 1988]. RESULTS: Significant (Ps ≤ 0.001) changes were seen for: (a) muscular endurance (30% increase), cardiovascular endurance (14% increase), and body composition (12% decrease in body fat); (b) resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, and hip/waist measures; and (c) perceptions of fitness (15% improvement). Correlations between perceived fitness and muscular endurance (bench press, push-up, sit-up), cardiorespiratory endurance, and %BF were (0.36, 0.54, 0.27), −0.42, and −0.24, respectively at Week 1, and (0.22 ns, 0.42, 0.21 ns), −0.36, and −0.28 during Week 6 (Ps ≤ 0.05 unless indicated by ns). CONCLUSIONS: A relatively brief Academy course that contained a physical training program resulted in significant improvements in performance related fitness parameters in recruit firefighters. There was a concomitant change in the perception of fitness levels, although the correlations between the perceived and actual fitness parameters were low-to-moderate.

The Relationships Between Local Muscular Endurance and Kinematic Changes During a Run to Exhaustion at v&amp;Vdot;o2max

The relationships between local muscular endurance and kinematic changes during a run to exhaustion at vVo2max. J Strength Cond. Res. 18(4):000-000. 2004.-A recent study suggested that runners who maintain a stable running style are able to run for longer at vVo2max velocity (vVo2max). This may be because of the capacity of various muscle groups to maintain their functions despite the onset of fatigue. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between local muscular endurance of both the hip and knee extensor and flexor muscle groups and the kinematic changes during a run to exhaustion at vVo2max. Six subelite runners (age 24.2 + 4.2) participated in this study;they were considered as a homogeneous group based upon theirvVo2max scores (coefficient of variation = 3.9%). They performed an incremental protocol to determine vVo2max, a series of isokinetic tests to determine the local muscular endurance of both knee and hip flexors and extensors, and a run to exhaustion at vVo2max. The change in kinematic variables between the beginning and the end of the run were correlated with the measures of muscular endurance. Several statistically significant negative correlations emerged between the change in stride length and concentric hip extension (HE(con)), r = -0.934; eccentric hip extension (HE(ecc)), r = -0.818; eccentric knee flexion(KF(ecc)), r = -0.957; and change in maximum hip extension (Delta max HE), r - -0.857; and Delta max HE with HE(con), r = -0.846.We concluded that the local muscular endurance of both HE(con) and KF(ecc) are important in maintaining a stable running style.

THE IMPACT OF AN EXERCISE AND NUTRITONAL INTERVENTION ON PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTION IN MANUAL EMPLOYEES

Sedentary lifestyles have been shown to result in increased absenteeism and medical costs as well as reduced productivity. PURPOSE To evaluate the impact of a 20-week exercise and nutritional intervention on the functionality of manual employees. METHODS Sixty subjects from the same company volunteered to participate and gave their written informed consent. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Diet and Exercise, Exercise Only, Diet Only, and Control. Health, physical fitness and functionality indices were measured before and after 20 weeks of intervention. The physical activity undertaken by the exercise groups comprised of individually tailored strength and endurance training three days per week. The diet groups were provided with individualised nutritional guidelines. Intervention differences were examined using the paired t-test. RESULTS All variables except spinal extension improved significantly in the Diet and Exercise group. Measures of muscular endurance and strength improved in the Exercise Only group and though sub-max exercise heart rate was lower it was not significant. With the exception of shoulder 3 rep max no changes occurred in Diet Only or Control groups. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that a 20-week exercise and diet intervention can significantly improve physical fitness and functionality of manual employees. A combination of dietary and physical activity modifications have more positive effects than either one alone. The adoption of positive action policies may enhance functionality and improve the productivity of manual workers.Table: No Caption Available

Effectiveness of a Navy Remedial Exercise Intervention

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Navy remedial exercise program (REP) in improving the physical fitness levels of its participants. Subjects were 27 Navy personnel assigned to a Northeast naval air station who had failed to pass either the body composition (circumference measures) or aerobic fitness (1.5-mile run/walk) portion of the semiannual physical readiness test. The REP consisted of three 1-hour supervised exercise sessions per week for 16 weeks, with primary emphasis on running and walking. Paired t tests revealed that the REP was effective in reducing body weight (-3.1%) and body fat (mean absolute loss of 2.7%) and in improving 1.5-mile run/walk time (-6.2%). No changes were seen in muscular endurance measures (2-minute push-ups, 2-minute curl-ups). Findings from this study indicate that improvements in PF can be attained through a 16-week Navy remedial exercise program.

Reliability and precision of isokinetic strength and muscular endurance for the quadriceps and hamstrings.

The importance of accurately reproducing isokinetic strength values is critical for the assessment of training induced changes in muscle function. The purpose of this study was to determine the test re-test reliability of the Biodex System 2 Isokinetic Dynamometer for concentric quadricep and hamstring strength and muscular endurance. Twenty-one healthy volunteers underwent isokinetic testing on 2 occasions separated by 7 days. Each subject performed 5 repetitions at 60 degrees/ second followed by a muscular endurance test which consisted of 30 repetitions at 180 degrees/second. The results demonstrated high ICC values ranging from r = 0.88 to r = 0.97 and r = 0.82 to r = 0.96 for variables measured at 60 degrees/second and 180 degrees/second, respectively, SEM values were found to range from low to moderate, 4.8% to 11.6% and 5.6% to 10.8%, at 60 and 180 degrees/second, respectively. ICC coefficients were found to be low, r = 0.52 to r = 0.74, and SEM values were found to be high, 9.8% to 20.8%, for the work fatigue index at 180 degrees/second. The results demonstrate that isokinetic values obtained at 60 and 180 degrees/second are highly reproducible with the Biodex System 2 Dynamometer provided that adequate calibration, gravity correction and patient positioning is recorded and standardized. However, the work fatigue index as a measure of muscular endurance has not been shown to be reliable or precise. Changes in muscular strength over time should be considered valid if these differences lie beyond the SEM values reported in this study.

Relation of Maturity, Structural, and Strength Measures to the Somatotypes of Boys 9 Through 15 Years of Age

Abstract The purpose of this study was to relate the somatotypes of boys to their skeletal maturity, structural characteristics, and muscular strength. Five somatotype categories were formed: endomorphs, mesomorphs, endomesomorphs, ectomorphs, and mid-types. The subjects were 259 boys, 37 boys at each age 9 to 15 years inclusive. In general, the endomorphs and endomesomorphs were largest in such body measures as body weight, chest girth, upper arm girth, calf girth, and hip width. The mesomorphs showed general superiority in both gross and relative muscular strength and muscular endurance measures. The ectomorphs and mid-types followed somewhat the same pattern, although some differences between these two categories did exist. The only tests where no difference between means was found were sitting height, leg length, Classification Index I, and lung capacity. A significantly greater percentage of endomesomorphs were advanced than were retarded; the reverse was true for the mid-type boys.