Non-training Group Research Articles

Progression and individual differences in children's series completion after dynamic testing.

BackgroundThe need to focus more on children's abilities to change requires new assessment technologies in education. Process‐oriented assessment can be useful in this regard. Dynamic testing has the potential to provide in‐depth information about children's learning processes and cognitive abilities.AimThis study implemented a process‐oriented dynamic testing procedure to obtain information regarding children's changes in series‐completion skills in a computerised test setting. We studied whether children who received a graduated prompts training would show more progression in series‐completion than children who received no training, and whether trained children would use more advanced explanations of their solutions than their untrained peers.SampleParticipants were 164 second‐grade children with a mean age of 7;11 years. Children were split into an unguided practice or a dynamic testing condition.MethodsThe study employed a pre‐test‐training‐post‐test design. Half of the children were trained in series‐completion, and the other half did not receive any feedback on their problem solving. Using item response theory analysis, we inspected the progression paths of the children in the two conditions.Results and conclusionsChildren who received training showed more progression in their series‐completion skills than the children who received no training. In addition, the trained children explained their solutions in a more advanced manner, when compared with the non‐trained control group. This information is valuable for educational practice as it provides a better understanding of how learning occurs and which factors contribute to cognitive changes.

Bench stepping with incremental heights improves muscle volume, strength and functional performance in older women.

Task-specific exercises such as bench stepping can improve functional ability and reduce falling incidents in older adults. However, such exercises are often not optimized to improve muscle volume and force-velocity characteristics. This study determined the effects of a 12-week stepping program using incremental step heights (STEEP), on muscle volume, strength, power, functional ability and balance performance in older women. Forty-five community-dwelling women (69y ± 4) were randomly assigned to the STEEP group or a non-training CONTROL group. Training intensity was primarily determined by step height, while training volume remained equal. Thigh muscle volume (CT-scan), force-velocity characteristics of the knee extensors (Biodex dynamometer) and functional ability (Short Physical Performance Battery, timed stair ascent, 10-m walk test and countermovement jump height) were determined pre- and post-intervention. In addition, 3D trunk accelerations were recorded at the lower back to assess balance during the Short Physical Performance Battery balance tests. Two-way ANOVA showed that the STEEP program increased thigh muscle volume, knee extensor isometric peak torque, dynamic peak power, unloaded rate of velocity development and improved performance on all functional tests to a greater extent than CONTROL (p < .05), except the countermovement jump. No improvements were found for peak velocity and balance performance (p > .05). Our results indicate that bench step training with incremental step heights simultaneously improves functional ability, thigh muscle volume and force-velocity characteristics of the knee extensors in older women.

Effects of Physical Rehabilitation in Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7.

Today, neurorehabilitation has become in a widely used therapeutic approach in spinocerebellar ataxias; however, there are scarce powerful clinical studies supporting this notion, and these studies require extension to other specific SCA subtypes in order to be able to form conclusions concerning its beneficial effects. Therefore, in this study, we perform for the first time a case-control pilot randomized, single-blinded, cross-sectional, and observational study to evaluate the effects of physical neurorehabilitation on the clinical and biochemical features of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) in 18 patients diagnosed with SCA7. In agreement with the exercise regimen, the participants were assigned to groups as follows: (a) the intensive training group, (b) the moderate training group, and (c) the non-training group (control group).We found that both moderate and intensive training groups showed a reduction in SARA scores but not INAS scores, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, trained patients exhibited improvement in the SARA sub-scores in stance, gait, dysarthria, dysmetria, and tremor, as compared with the control group (p < 0.05). No significant improvements were found in daily living activities, as revealed by Barthel and Lawton scales (p > 0.05). Patients under physical training exhibited significantly decreased levels in lipid-damage biomarkers and malondialdehyde, as well as a significant increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzyme PON-1, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Physical exercise improved some cerebellar characteristics and the oxidative state of patients with SCA7, which suggest a beneficial effect on the general health condition of patients.

Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in lasting deficits that include both mobility and a multitude of autonomic-related dysfunctions. Locomotor training (LT) on a treadmill is widely used as a rehabilitation tool in the SCI population with many benefits and improvements to daily life. We utilize this method of activity-based task-specific training (ABT) in rodents after SCI to both elucidate the mechanisms behind such improvements and to enhance and improve upon existing clinical rehabilitation protocols. Our current goal is to determine the mechanisms underlying ABT-induced improvements in urinary, bowel, and sexual function in SCI rats after a moderate to severe level of contusion. After securing each individual animal in a custom-made adjustable vest, they are secured to a versatile body weight support mechanism, lowered to a modified three-lane treadmill and assisted in step-training for 58 minutes, once a day for 10 weeks. This setup allows for the training of both quadrupedal and forelimb-only animals, alongside two different non-trained groups. Quadrupedal-trained animals with body weight support are aided by a technician present to assist in stepping with proper hind limb placement as necessary, while forelimb-only trained animals are raised at the caudal end to ensure no hind limb contact with the treadmill and no weight-bearing. One non-trained SCI group of animals is placed in a harness and rests next to the treadmill, while the other control SCI group remains in its home cage in the training room nearby. This paradigm allows for the training of multiple SCI animals at once, thus making it more time-efficient in addition to ensuring that our pre-clinical animal model mimics the clinical representation as close as possible, particularly with respect to the body weight support with manual assistance.

Do stair climbing exercise “snacks” improve cardiorespiratory fitness?

We investigated the effect of stair climbing exercise "snacks" on peak oxygen uptake. Sedentary young adults were randomly assigned to perform 3 bouts/day of vigorously ascending a 3-flight stairwell (60 steps), separated by 1-4 h of recovery, 3 days/week for 6 weeks, or a nontraining control group (n = 12 each). Peak oxygen uptake was higher in the climbers after the intervention (P = 0.003), suggesting that stair climbing "snacks" are effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness, although the absolute increase was modest.

The Depression, anxiety and quality of life in middle-aged women : Comparison of Yoga trained group and non-trained group

The Depression, anxiety and quality of life in middle-aged women : Comparison of Yoga trained group and non-trained group

Getting to grips with endoscopy - Learning endoscopic surgical skills induces bi-hemispheric plasticity of the grasping network

Endoscopic surgery requires skilled bimanual use of complex instruments that extend the peri-personal workspace. To delineate brain structures involved in learning such surgical skills, 48 medical students without surgical experience were randomly assigned to five training sessions on a virtual-reality endoscopy simulator or to a non-training group. Brain activity was probed with functional MRI while participants performed endoscopic tasks. Repeated task performance in the scanner was sufficient to enhance task-related activity in left ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and the anterior Intraparietal Sulcus (aIPS). Simulator training induced additional increases in task-related activation in right PMv and aIPS and reduced effective connectivity from left to right PMv. Skill improvement after training scaled with stronger task-related activation of the lateral left primary motor hand area (M1-HAND). The results suggest that a bilateral fronto-parietal grasping network and left M1-HAND are engaged in bimanual learning of tool-based manipulations in an extended peri-personal space.

A 1:1 exercise-to-rest period ratio needed by animals to restore energy sources and replenish anti-oxidative status after exercise.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESSuccessful recovery of an animal from exercise is essential, especially prior to the next exercise session. This study was conducted to find an effective exercise-to-rest period ratio for the restoration of energy sources and replenishment of anti-oxidative status in tissue after exercise.MATERIALS/METHODSThirty-two rats were assigned to either non-training or training exercise groups for 5 weeks. After that period, the two groups were subdivided into four smaller groups: non-exercise (NE), exercise 0.5 hour and rest 1 hour (ER0.5:1), exercise 1 hour and rest 1 hour (ER1:1), exercise 2 hours and rest 1 hour (ER2:1).RESULTSIn the training group animals and compared to the NE group, the levels of plasma glucose after the rest period were significantly high in all ER groups but highest in the ER2:1 group. Similarly, the liver glycogen level was highest in the ER2:1 group. The plasma FFA level reached the highest level in the ER2:1 group but was similarly high in the ER0.5:1 group. Liver TG level was unchanged in the ER2:1 and ER1:1 groups but was significantly high in the ER0.5:1 group. Muscle TG levels were decreased in all three ER groups. Plasma protein levels were significantly high in the ER2:1 and ER0.5:1 groups. In both training animal and non-training animals, the liver protein levels did not change significantly between the NE and ER groups, irrespective of the exercise-to-rest ratio. In the training animal group, muscle protein level was significantly low in the ER2:1 and ER0.5:1 groups. The activity levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as the malondialdehyde concentration, were not significantly different between NE and ER groups, irrespective of the exercise-to-rest period ratio.CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that animals provided with a 0.5:1 to 1:1 exercise-to-rest period ratio can restore their muscle energy sources and recover their anti-oxidative defense system.

Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Aerobic Training and Common Sport-Related Concussion Outcomes in Healthy Participants.

Aerobic exercise interventions are increasingly being prescribed for concussion rehabilitation, but whether aerobic training protocols influence clinical concussion diagnosis and management assessments is unknown. To investigate the effects of a brief aerobic exercise intervention on clinical concussion outcomes in healthy, active participants. Randomized controlled clinical trial. Laboratory. Healthy (uninjured) participants (n = 40) who exercised ≥3 times/week. Participants were randomized into the acute concussion therapy intervention (ACTIVE) training or nontraining group. All participants completed symptom, cognitive, balance, and vision assessments during 2 test sessions approximately 14 days apart. Participants randomized to ACTIVE training completed six 30-minute exercise sessions that progressed from 60% to 80% of individualized maximal oxygen consumption (V˙o2max) across test sessions, while the nontraining group received no intervention. The CNS Vital Signs standardized scores, Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening near-point convergence distance (cm), and Graded Symptom Checklist, Balance Error Scoring System, and Standardized Assessment of Concussion total scores. An interaction effect was found for total symptom score ( P = .01); the intervention group had improved symptom scores between sessions (session 1: 5.1 ± 5.8; session 2: 1.9 ± 3.6). Cognitive flexibility, executive functioning, reasoning, and total symptom score outcomes were better but composite memory, verbal memory, and near-point convergence distance scores were worse at the second session (all P values < .05). However, few changes exceeded the 80% reliable change indices calculated for this study, and effect sizes were generally small to negligible. A brief aerobic training protocol had few meaningful effects on clinical concussion assessment in healthy participants, suggesting that current concussion-diagnostic and -assessment tools remain clinically stable in response to aerobic exercise training. This provides normative data for future researchers, who should further evaluate the effect of ACTIVE training on clinical outcomes among concussed populations. ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT02872480.

The Structure of Motor Fitness of Young Footballers in a Three-Year Sports Period

In the continuous research, conducted in the sports school in Tarnów (Poland) with a football profi le, the authors attempted to fi nd out whether the changes of hidden predispositions and motor abilities appear during the training process which constitute the foundation for the development of technical and tactic fi tness against the background of the similar research results carried out in the comparative groups of non-training individuals. In the research the measurements of the basic somatic traits, anthropometric indexes, VO 2 max × kg –1 and motor skills were taken into consideration. The observations were made every six months for three years. The comparative group consisted of the peers with attending randomly chosen schools (comparative group). The conducted factor analysis revealed the fact that there are minor quantitative differences of the motor structure between training and non-training groups during a three-year observation period. In both the sportsmen’s and less physically active boys’ groups the number of separated factors did not increase as well as the set of variables taken into account. It can be concluded then, that the applied way of sports selection as well as the process of their adaptation to a specifi c training ballast might have been the causative factor of the structure effi ciency specifi cation among children from sports schools. In this connection, they cannot deny the thesis that a talented sports master can be recognized already as a child. Still, the ways of such a selection seem controversial.Keywords: the structure of motor fitness of young footballers, continuous research, factor analysis.

Maximal strength training: the impact of eccentric overload.

The search for the most potent strength training intervention is continuous. Maximal strength training (MST) yields large improvements in force-generating capacity (FGC), largely attributed to efferent neural drive enhancement. However, it remains elusive whether eccentric overload, before the concentric phase, may augment training-induced neuromuscular adaptations. A total of 53 23 ± 3 (SD)-yr-old untrained males were randomized to either a nontraining control group (CG) or one of two training groups performing leg press strength training with linear progression, three times per week for 8 wk. The first training group carried out MST with four sets of four repetitions at ~90% one-repetition maximum (1RM) in both action phases. The second group performed MST with an augmented eccentric load of 150% 1RM (eMST). Measurements were taken of 1RM and rate of force development (RFD), countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, and evoked potentials recordings [V-wave (V) and H-reflex (H) normalized to M-wave (M) in musculus soleus]. 1RM increased from 133 ± 16 to 157 ± 23 kg and 123 ± 18 to 149 ± 22 kg and CMJ by 2.3 ± 3.6 and 2.2 ± 3.7cm for MST and eMST, respectively (all P < 0.05). Early, late, and maximal RFD increased in both groups [634-1,501 N/s (MST); 644-2,111 N/s (eMST); P < 0.05]. These functional improvements were accompanied by increased V/M-ratio (MST: 0.34 ± 0.11 to 0.42 ± 14; eMST: .36 ± 0.14 to 0.43 ± 13; P < 0.05). Resting H/M-ratio remained unchanged. Training-induced improvements did not differ. All increases, except for CMJ, were different from the CG. MST is an enterprise for large gains in FGC and functional performance. Eccentric overload did not induce additional improvements, suggesting firing frequency and motor unit recruitment during MST may be maximal. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to apply evoked potential recordings to investigate effects on efferent neural drive following high-intensity strength training with and without eccentric overload in a functionally relevant lower extremity exercise. We document that eccentric overload does not augment improvements in efferent neural drive or muscle force-generating capacity, suggesting that high-intensity concentric loads may maximally tax firing frequency and motor unit recruitment.

PO-237 MSTN gene polymorphism influence on WBV-induced changes on body composition in Chinese postmenopausal women

Objective To explore the association between MSTN rs3791783 polymorphism and body composition response to 3-month whole body vibration (WBV) intervention in postmenopausal women and to probe into the molecular regulatory mechanisms behind it.&#x0D; Methods A total of 90 postmenopausal women participated in the study, and 30 of them served as non-trained control group, 60 of them trained on a vibration platform for 3 months. Body composition included FM% (percentage of fat mass) and LM% were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the baseline and 3 months. The rs3791783 polymorphism was genotyped by PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism, and association analysis with the body composition changes induced-by WBV training was performed. The regulatory mechanisms of the rs3791783 polymorphism were explored through the dual-luciferase reporter assay.&#x0D; Results In the WBV group, LM% significant increased through 3-month WBV training (60.87±5.35, 61.63±5.05, P&lt;0.05), meanwhile, FM% significant decreased (35.65±5.47, 34.86±5.16, P&lt;0.05). In the CON group, no significant difference within group was detected in LM% and FM%, and significant group by time interactions were found in LM% and FM% (P &lt;0.05). The subjects with an AA allele had significantly greater increase in LM% (60.27±5.28, 61.42±4.93, P&lt;0.01) and decreases in FM% (36.35±5.35, 35.18±4.99, P&lt;0.01) than those with GA allele (61.97±5.72, 62.13±5.59, P&gt;0.05; 34.38±5.90, 34.19±5.79, P&gt;0.05). The relative luciferase activity of the reporter gene in recombinant vector carrying the A allele was 3.302±1.121, markedly higher than that in recombinant vector carrying the G allele (1.760±0.920, p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions Three-month WBV training is beneficial for body composition among postmenopausal women and the individual with AA genotype of the rs3791783 polymorphism were more sensitive to WBV-induced body composition changes. The A allele can improve reporter gene expression level, indicating the effects of rs3791783 on gene expression.&#x0D;

PO-207 Effect of exercise intensity and diet on Glucose Metabolic factors in T2DM rat skeletal muscle

Objective This study was to examine the effect of different exercise intensity and diet on the expression of the metabolism related factors in T2DM rat skeletal muscles.&#x0D; Methods Diet induced T2DM rat by a combination of low dose streptozotocin (STZ: 40mg/kg) and feeding of a high fat diet used as experimental animals. The rats trained on the treadmill for 8 weeks with low (40% max）and high (80% max) intensities of exercise on the treadmill for 8 weeks. The soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were excised. The western blotting was performed for the expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, PGC-1α，and GLUT-4 proteins.&#x0D; Results The expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, PGC-1α，and GLUT-4 proteins in SOL and EDL muscles were higher in both training groups compared to the non-training groups. The AMPK was differently expressed to the recruitment pattern of muscle group during exercise; expressed higher in SOL during low intensity of exercise and also highly expressed in EDL during high intensity of exercise, whereas the PGC-1a was expressed a contrast phenomenon to AMPK expression in both muscle groups. The expression of p-AMPK in both muscle groups was higher in low intensity of exercise and normal diet groups than in high intensity of exercise and high fat groups. The AMPK, p-AMPK, PGC-1α，and GLUT-4 protein expression demonstrated significantly higher in normal diet with endurance training group than in high fat diet with endurance training group. &#x0D; Conclusions In summary, the expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, PGC-1α，and GLUT-4 proteins was differed with exercise intensities, diet and the type of muscles. These results indicated that the endurance training improved the insulin sensitivity according to the exercise intensity and diet in T2DM rats.

Effect of Exercise on Metabolic Disorders Associated with Obesity

AbstractBackground: The epidemic of obesity has contributed to the rapid rise in comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.Aim of Study: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exercise on metabolic disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction associated with obesity.Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 60 male albino rats divided randomly into four equal groups: Group I: Control non-trained group; Group II: Obese non-trained group; Group II: Control trained group and Group IV: Obese trained group. Obesity was induced by hydrating rats with 70% fructose solution for 5 weeks. Following induction of obesity and after 8 consecutive weeks of swimming exercise, citrate synthase enzyme activity was measured by a kinetic spectrophotometric assay. Plasma insulin level was measured by ELISA and insulin resistance was assessed using (HOMA-IR index), while plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were determined by colorimetric assay.Results: The levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglyc-erides and insulin resistance were significantly increased in obese non-trained group but significantly decreased in obese trained group compared to control groups. Also citrate synthase activity was significantly increased in obese trained group compared to obese non-trained group.Conclusion: Endurance exercise results in improvement of obesity and glucose homeostasis.

Comparison of the Time-Dependent Changes in Immediate Early Gene Labeling and Spine Density Following Abstinence From Contingent or Non-contingent Chocolate Pellet Delivery.

Rationale: Incubation of craving is a phenomenon whereby responding for cues associated with a reward increases over extended periods of abstinence. Both contingent and non-contingent behavioral designs have been used to study the incubation of craving phenomenon with differing results. The present study directly compares behavioral and neural changes following contingent or non-contingent administration of chocolate flavored pellets.Objective: The current study examined whether an incubation of craving response would be observed at the behavioral and neural levels following delays of abstinence from chocolate pellets in a contingent or non-contingent reinforcement design.Methods: Rats were trained for 10 days to bar press for chocolate pellets (contingent) or received chocolate pellets in a non-contingent design (classical conditioning). Groups were then subjected to abstinence from the reward for 24 h, 7, 14 or 28 days at which point they were tested for responding for reward associated cues. Following the test, brains from all rats were processed and assessed for c-Fos and FosB labeling as well as dendritic spine density in the nucleus accumbens (NAc).Results: Behavioral measures during the test (lever presses, food hopper entries and locomotor activity) revealed similar behavioral outcomes across all delays indicating the lack of an incubation of craving response on both the contingent and non-contingent designs. Overall, labeling of c-Fos in the NAc was lower for the non-contingent group compared to the operant-trained and food restricted control. Compared to the operant-trained and non-trained control groups, a significantly reduced FosB labeling was noted in the NAc of the classically conditioned groups across all abstinence periods. Spine density in the NAc was elevated in both the classically and operant conditioned compared to the food-restricted, non-trained controls.Conclusions: Chocolate pellet reward did not result in incubation of craving but did produce behavioral learning that was associated with increased spine density. This suggests that chocolate pellet administration results in long-term structural and functional changes that are present for at least 28 days following abstinence. Contingent and non-contingent administration resulted in differential immediate early gene labeling in the NAc, but the functional significance of this has yet to be elucidated.

EFFICACY OF PHYSICAL TRAININGS AS CARDIOPROTECTION METHOD FOR CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY

Aim. To assess efficacy and safety of inclusion of physical trainings to the program of patients prehabilitation before coronary bypass (CBG) on-pump, from the perspective of cardioprotection. Material and methods. Totally, 38 patients included, randomized to 2 group depending on prehabilitation program. Group 1 patients (n=20, mean age 57,9±7,2 y. o.) at the stage of prehabilitation, underwent serial physical trainings of high intensity; in group 2 (n=18, mean age 60,4±7,01 y. o.) there were none. Evaluation of the target parameters of myocardial perfusion was done before the training and in post-operation period with single photon emission tomography (SPECT). Results. In the group with included exercises, during post-surgery period there was significantly higher level of radiopharmacological marker capture comparing to nontrained group in some basal segments (74,9±3,98% and 70,3±7,40%, respectively, р=0,04), middle (86,7±5,24% and 79,6±10,43%, resp., р=0,03) and apical (85,8±5,03% and 79,0±8,67%, resp., р=0,02) portions of myocardium, by SPECT. Integral value of the stress-induced temporary ischemia (SDS) after CBG in training group was significantly lower than in non-training group (0 and 0,9±0,53 pts., resp., р=0,04). Dynamics analysis of the parameters of myocardial perfusion demonstrated significant decrease of the parameter characterizing perfusion defect with adenosin load (SSS) (р=0,013), and SDS (р=0,018) in the group of exercises after operation comparing to pre-operational values. In non-training group the dynamics was nonsignificant. Conclusion. According to the data obtained, inclusion of physical trainings of high intensity to the program of prehabilitation of patients before CBG leads to improvement of myocardial perfusion parameters in post-operation period, that possibly optimizes the outcomes of surgery.

A private home-based training program – The effect on improvement of the activities of patients with stroke

A private home-based training program was developed by the specialized team of rehabilitation in Elderly Welfare Department of the Shinagawa Ward in Tokyo. We used this program to increase the physical activity of the daily living in patients with stroke. To evaluate the program, we measured the amount of physical activity in daily living for one year in these patients using a Lifecorder EX (Suzuken Co. Ltd, Nagoya, Japan) and compared the changes in patients in whom the private home-based training program was used with the changes in a control group. Subjects of this study included 16 patients with stroke that lived at home (average age 61.6 years old, men: 8, women: 8). We randomized the patients to two groups of the training group: 8 (average age 62.5 years old) and the non-training group: 8 (average age 60.8 years old). We measured the activity level (a value that is average activity level divided with activity time) by Lifecorder EX. We compared the change of the activity level between both groups. In the training group, mean activity level gradually increased with 11% in the fall season, 14% in the winter season, 30% in the spring season, 38% in the summer season comparison with three months before initiation. On the other hand, in the non-training group, there was hardly the change with −4% in the fall season, −1% in the winter season, 0% in the spring season, 0% in the summer season comparison with three months before initiation. We suggested that the activities of daily living of patients with stroke at home were increased by the private home-based training program “Mizikaderihabili (Japanese)”.

Motivational characteristics and resistance training in older adults: A randomized controlled trial and 1-year follow-up.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 9-month supervised resistance training intervention on motivational and volitional characteristics related to exercise, and whether the absolute level and/or intervention-induced change in these characteristics predict self-directed continuation of resistance training 1year after the intervention. Community dwelling older adults aged 65-75, who did not fulfill physical activity recommendations, were randomized into resistance training intervention groups: training once- (n=26), twice- (n=27), three-times-a-week (n=28) or non-training control group (n=25). Training groups participated in supervised resistance training for 9months: during months 1-3 all groups trained twice-a-week and then with allocated frequencies during months 4-9. Exercise-related motivation, self-efficacy, and planning were measured with questionnaires at baseline, month-3 and month-9. The continuance of resistance training was determined by interviews 6 and 12months after the end of the intervention. The intervention improved action and coping planning as well as intrinsic motivation (group×time P<.05). During 1-year follow-up, 54% of participants did not continue self-directed regular resistance training, 22% continued regular resistance training once-a-week, and 24% twice-a-week. Increases in exercise self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation related to training during the intervention predicted continuation of resistance training twice-a-week. Resistance training improved exercise-related motivational and volitional characteristics in older adults. These improvements were linked to continuing resistance training 1year after the supervised intervention. The role of these characteristics should be taken into account when promoting long-term resistance training participation among older adults.

Effect of Training-Induced Changes in Achilles Tendon Stiffness on Muscle-Tendon Behavior During Landing.

During rapid deceleration of the body, tendons buffer part of the elongation of the muscle–tendon unit (MTU), enabling safe energy dissipation via eccentric muscle contraction. Yet, the influence of changes in tendon stiffness within the physiological range upon these lengthening contractions is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of training-induced stiffening of the Achilles tendon on triceps surae muscle–tendon behavior during a landing task. Twenty-one male subjects were assigned to either a 10-week resistance-training program consisting of single-leg isometric plantarflexion (n = 11) or to a non-training control group (n = 10). Before and after the training period, plantarflexion force, peak Achilles tendon strain and stiffness were measured during isometric contractions, using a combination of dynamometry, ultrasound and kinematics data. Additionally, testing included a step-landing task, during which joint mechanics and lengths of gastrocnemius and soleus fascicles, Achilles tendon, and MTU were determined using synchronized ultrasound, kinematics and kinetics data collection. After training, plantarflexion strength and Achilles tendon stiffness increased (15 and 18%, respectively), and tendon strain during landing remained similar. Likewise, lengthening and negative work produced by the gastrocnemius MTU did not change detectably. However, in the training group, gastrocnemius fascicle length was offset (8%) to a longer length at touch down and, surprisingly, fascicle lengthening and velocity were reduced by 27 and 21%, respectively. These changes were not observed for soleus fascicles when accounting for variation in task execution between tests. These results indicate that a training-induced increase in tendon stiffness does not noticeably affect the buffering action of the tendon when the MTU is rapidly stretched. Reductions in gastrocnemius fascicle lengthening and lengthening velocity during landing occurred independently from tendon strain. Future studies are required to provide insight into the mechanisms underpinning these observations and their influence on energy dissipation.

Prevalence of Lumbosacral Radiculopathy among Dentists

AbstractBackground: The dentists are at high risk of lower back-ache problems.Aim of the Study: Was to detect point prevalence of work related the lumbosacral radiculopathy (low back pain and sciatica) among dentists who are currently working in ministry of health in Cairo, Egypt.Material and Methods: Specific questionnaire based on Roland Morris questionnaire and Modified Roland Morris questionnaire (RMQ, RMQ-L) were given to dentists who are currently working in Ministry of Health in Cairo, Egypt. Five hundred volunteer dentists participated in this study. The results of this study showed that the point prevalence of Work Related Low Back Pain (WRLBP) was 60.8%, point prevalence work related leg pain was 35.2%. There was no statistical significant difference between female and male subjects in the median values of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Roland Morris questionnaire (RMQ) back pain. On the other hand, the median value of Modified Roland Morris questionnaire (RMQ-L) was significantly higher in female group than in male. The median value of VAS was significantly higher in full time than in part time. On the other hand, there was no statistical significant difference between full time and part time in the median values of Roland Morris questionnaire (RMQ) back pain and Modified Roland Morris questionnaire (RMQ-L). The median value of VAS was significantly higher in training group than in non-training group. On the other hand, there was no statistical significant difference between training and non-training in the median values of Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) back pain and Modified Roland Morris questionnaire (RMQ-L). The median value of VAS was significantly higher in Pediatric Dentists (PEDO) than both General Practitioner dentists (GP) and other specialties dentists. There was a positive correlation between Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) back pain and years of experi-ence, VAS and RMQ leg. On the other hand, there was no statistical significant correlation between Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) back pain and age and Body Mass Index (BMI). There was a positive correlation between Modified Roland Morris questionnaire RMQ leg and VAS.Conclusion: Work-related low back pain is common among Egyptian DENTISTS at the POINT prevalence, Making Cairo's dentists at a high-risk group, which necessitate appro-priate intervention to manage such squeal.