Significant Changes In Strength Research Articles

Effect of modeling method on prediction of cortical bone strength adaptation under various loading conditions

The ability to numerically simulate the effects of different loading conditions on the strength adaptation of a bone can be a valuable tool in understanding the relationship between the strength of a bone and its mechanical environment. Because significant strength changes may result from alterations in the profile of the surface of cortical bone, many computational models of bone strength adaptation have been developed to predict load-induced shape modifications. To gain insight into the effects of the modeling methods used for these predictions, the resulting changes to the surface profile of an initially circular cylinder were compared for a number of computational modeling methods. Models based on strain tensor, von Mises stress, and strain energy density were examined under various loading conditions including axial, bending, torsional, and surface forces as well as combinations of these basic loading modes. The differences between the use of a singular reference value and the use of a range of reference values to drive the magnitude of the local shape changes were investigated. Trends in the strain distributions were analyzed. The comparisons performed indicated that, despite the high sensitivity to the values of the model parameters used under the applied loading modes, with the proper selection of these parameters, the diverse methods studied yielded quite similar predictions of the bone’s shape changes, and thus, strength adaptations.

Corticospinal adaptations and strength maintenance in the immobilized arm following 3 weeks unilateral strength training

Cross-education strength training has being shown to retain strength and muscle thickness in the immobilized contralateral limb. Corticospinal mechanisms have been proposed to underpin this phenomenon; however, no transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) data has yet been presented. This study used TMS to measure corticospinal responses following 3 weeks of unilateral arm training on the contralateral, immobilize arm. Participants (n = 28) were randomly divided into either immobilized strength training (Immob + train) immobilized no training (Immob) or control. Participants in the immobilized groups had their nondominant arm rested in a sling, 15 h/day for 3 weeks. The Immob + train group completed unilateral arm curl strength training, while the Immob and control groups did not undertake training. All participants were tested for corticospinal excitability, strength, and muscle thickness of both arms. Immobilization resulted in a group x time significant reduction in strength, muscle thickness and corticospinal excitability for the untrained limb of the Immob group. Conversely, no significant change in strength, muscle thickness, or corticospinal excitability occurred in the untrained limb of the Immob + train group. These results provide the first evidence of corticospinal mechanisms, assessed by TMS, underpinning the use of unilateral strength training to retain strength and muscle thickness following immobilization of the contralateral limb.

English

  In this study, Schmidt hammer rebound (HR) values of fine to medium-grained sandstone were measured to investigate the anisotropy effect on strengthaccording to thickness. The highest HR was measured from the thickest (132 cm) bed, with an average value of 43, while the lowest was measured from the thinnest (8 cm) bed, with an average value of 35. The variation of HR is determined as 23%. Similarly, the average of highest uniaxial compressive strength is 77.73 MPa, while the lowest uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is 66.13 MPa. The variation of UCS is fixed as 17.5%. The porosity and dry unit weight of sandstone are relyingon the internal characteristics (such as orientation-size-ratio of grain). Because of similar internal characteristics, these properties show small and irregular changes. The dry unit weight values show 1.77% variation, while porosity 0.61%. So they have small importance on bed strength. Semi-continuous bedding cause additional discontinuities. Moreover, application distance of the Schmidt hammer from the discontinuity surfaces highly affects rebound values. Closeness of single discontinuity surfaces (30 cm) cause more than 10% increase in HR, while two discontinuity surfaces cause more than 20% variation when distance from the junction of surfaces is roughly 42 cm. This study clearly indicates that bedding and other anisotropic features can cause significant changes in strength.   Key words: Schmidt hammer, sandstone, bed thickness, discontinuity surface.

White Paper

The aim of this White Paper was to review the current recommendations for strength training of older adults, to promote physical therapist best practice and achieve optimal functional outcomes. A secondary intent was to encourage prospective researchers to use published guidelines to establish an adequate strength stimulus for patients in their research, rather than perpetuating "usual or traditional" care.

Impact of Study Abroad on Latino/a College Students' Ethnic Identity and Cross-Cultural Adaptability

Latino/a youths living on the U.S. - México border encounter both challenges and opportunities, growing up with the values, traditions, and customs of two cultures. Many of these youths have lived all of their lives in a predominantly Mexican American community and have not actively explored what their ethnicity means to them. This study explores the impact of study abroad on Latino college students’ ethnic identity and crosscultural adaptability. Eleven participants wrote in daily journals and completed pre- and post-assessment surveys. At the end of the four week study abroad program, there was no significant change in strength of ethnic identity. However, students reported having a deeper understanding of the meaning of their ethnic identity, and their ethnic/cultural identities were more complex and differentiated. While overall cross-cultural adaptability did not change, study abroad contributed to increasing emotional resilience, which benefits students in everyday cross-cultural exchanges. Suggestions for future research and programs are discussed.

Lower Extremity Muscle Strength in 6- to 8-Year-Old Children Using Hand-Held Dynamometry

The purposes of the study were to establish isometric torque reference values for healthy 6- to 8-year-old children for 6 lower extremity muscles and determine the effects of gender, age, height, weight, and physical activity upon strength. A hand-held dynamometer was used to obtain force/torque values for 154 children. Age-referenced force/torque and cutoff values are provided for each muscle group. Torque increased with age and height for all muscles and with weight for all muscles except knee extensors. No gender differences were found. Children who participated in 3 or more hours per week in organized sports were stronger in 4 of 6 muscles; the number of hours spent in active play did not affect torque. This study provides hand-held dynamometer strength reference values to enable clinicians to determine if clients of the same age, height, and weight have muscle weakness.

Albuterol increases lean body mass in ambulatory boys with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy

Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that has been demonstrated to increase muscle strength in studies in animals and humans. Based on a pilot study of extended-release albuterol Repetabs in children with dystrophinopathies, the authors conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a crossover design. Fourteen boys with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy, 6 to 11 years old, completed two treatment periods (albuterol and placebo), 12 weeks each, separated by a 12-week washout period. As the albuterol Repetab formulation was no longer available, an alternate extended release albuterol was used (Volmax, 12 mg per day). Outcome measurements included 1) lean body mass, 2) fat mass, 3) isometric knee extensor and flexor moments, 4) manual muscle testing, and 5) timed functional tests. Lean body mass was significantly higher for subjects following albuterol treatment compared to placebo treatment, while fat mass was significantly lower. No differences were found in isometric knee moments or manual muscle tests. Time to run/walk 30 feet was improved following albuterol. Short-term treatment with extended release albuterol may increase lean body mass, decrease fat mass, and improve functional measures in patients with dystrophinopathies. However, the significant change in strength of specific muscle groups found in the pilot study was not observed in the present study. These findings may be attributed to differences in the drug release and kinetics between Repetab and Volmax formulations as they affect the concentration of available beta-2 receptors on the muscle cell surface differently.

Efeito de um programa de hidroterapia na flexibilidade e na força muscular de idosas

Effect of a hydrotherapy program on flexibility and muscle strength in elderly women Objective: To evaluate the effect of a hydrotherapy program on flexibility and muscle strength among sedentary elderly women. Method: The participants were 31 healthy sedentary elderly women aged between 65 and 70 years (16 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group). Muscle strength tests were carried out using myometry on arm, leg and chest muscles. Flexibility before and after the program was assessed by means of a photographic record of performance in toe-touch tests and tests of anterior flexion of the trunk. The program consisted of 28 one-hour sessions over a consecutive 14-week period. The physical exercises were organized in seven levels of difficulty that were selected to obtain gains in flexibility and muscle strength. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in anterior flexion of the trunk of –15.4%, which signified a mean decrease of 19.3 cm (±22.4) in the distance from the styloid process of the ulna to the lateral malleolus, and an improvement of 4.2% in the toetouch test, which indicated a mean increase in finger-to-finger distance of 4.7 cm (±4.5). There were no statistically significant changes in strength in the abdominal, gluteal and iliopsoas muscles. The quadriceps femoris, hamstring, biceps brachii, pectoralis major, middle pectoralis and middle deltoid presented significant improvement. Conclusion: The proposed hydrotherapy program was efficient in improving flexibility and partially effective in improving muscle strength among the early elderly women who took part in the study. Our results are compatible with the findings from similar studies carried out on the ground.

Cross-Education of Arm Muscular Strength Is Unidirectional in Right-Handed Individuals

Cross-education of strength is a neural adaptation defined as the increase in strength of the untrained contralateral limb after unilateral training. The purpose was to determine the effect of the direction of transfer on cross-education in right-handed individuals. Thirty-nine strongly right-handed females were randomized into a left-hand training (LEFT), right-hand training (RIGHT), or nontraining control (CON) group. Strength training was 6 wk of maximal isometric ulnar deviation, 4x wk(-1). Peak torque, muscle thickness (ultrasound), and EMG activity were assessed before and after training in both limbs. The change in strength in the untrained limb was greatest in the RIGHT group (39.2%; P < 0.01), whereas no significant changes in strength were observed for the untrained limb of the LEFT group (9.3%) or for either of the CON group limbs (10.4 and 12.2%). Strength training also increased trained limb strength in the LEFT (41.9%, P < 0.01) and the RIGHT (25.9%; P < 0.01) groups. Training groups increased trained limb muscle thickness (RIGHT and LEFT combined: 4.1%) compared to CON (-4.0%) (P < 0.01). There were no changes in muscle thickness of untrained limbs compared to CON. Trained limb agonist EMG activation increased with training (P < 0.05) with no change for the antagonist. Changes in untrained limb EMG were not different compared to CON. Cross-education with hand strength training occurs only in the right-to-left direction of transfer in right-handed individuals. We conclude that cross-education of arm muscular strength is most pronounced to the nondominant arm.

Flax fibre–polyester composites

Abstract Composites of an aliphatic polyester (Bionolle) with natural flax fibres are prepared by batch mixing. The effect of processing conditions on fibre length distribution and the dependence of the composite mechanical properties on fibre content are investigated. The tensile modulus changes with fibre content according to the modified rule-of-mixture equation, with a fibre orientation efficiency factor η 0 =0.194. The strength of Bionolle/flax composites tends to decrease with fibre loading, showing that there is no adhesion between matrix and fibres. With the aim to improve fibre–matrix adhesion, surface chemically modified flax fibres are also tested as reinforcing agents. A 30% strength increase is observed when natural fibres (25 vol%) are substituted by fibres containing acetate groups. No significant strength changes are observed in composites containing fibres with valerate groups or polyethylene glycol chains grafted at the surface.

Influence of Bi on microstructures evolution and mechanical properties in Sn–Ag–Cu lead-free solder

Sn–Ag–Cu–Bi solders, which have high quality and performance that can meet the requirement of electronic packaging, have been investigated in this paper. The research was focused on the influence of aging on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties in Sn–3Ag–0.5Cu–xBi (x=0–3wt.%) solders. The effect of Bi was discussed based on the experimental results. The experimental results indicated that the addition of Bi enhanced the tensile strength of the solders but decreased their elongation. After aging treatment, Sn–3Ag–0.5Cu solder showed significant change in strength and elongation which resulted from the obvious coarsening of Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5 intermetallics. As for Bi-bearing solders, Bi precipitation in Sn matrix was only observed in Sn–3Ag–0.5Cu–3Bi solder after being aged at 120°C for 100h, while all the Bi-bearing solders exhibited relatively stable mechanical properties with aging time which can be attributed to the strengthening effect of Bi from solid solution strengthening to precipitating strengthening.

ホットプレス法により作製した LaPO&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; 被覆アルミナ繊維/アルミナマトリックス複合材の 高温機械的性質

High-temperature strength, fracture behavior and microstructure were observed for monazite-coated alumina fiber-reinforced alumina matrix composites hot-pressed at 1200-1300°C. The composites with 27-41 vol% alumina fiber showed no significant change in strength at 25-1100°C. However, the strength of the composites decreased markedly at a test temperature higher than 1100°C. The composites hot-pressed at a temperature lower than 1250°C fractured in a pseudoductile manner in the test temperature range from 25°C to 1100°C. Young's modulus of the elastic region decreased with increasing test temperature. These composites showed larger deformation at a test temperature above 1100°C. On the other hand, the composites hot-pressed at more than 1250°C fractured in a brittle manner at 25°C-1200°C of test temperature. The fracture energy of the composite increased with increasing test temperature and decreased with sintering temperature.

From mental power to muscle power—gaining strength by using the mind

The purposes of this project were to determine mental training-induced strength gains (without performing physical exercises) in the little finger abductor as well as in the elbow flexor muscles, which are frequently used during daily living, and to quantify cortical signals that mediate maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the two muscle groups. Thirty young, healthy volunteers participated in the study. The first group ( N=8) was trained to perform “mental contractions” of little finger abduction (ABD); the second group ( N=8) performed mental contractions of elbow (ELB) flexion; and the third group ( N=8) was not trained but participated in all measurements and served as a control group. Finally, six volunteers performed training of physical maximal finger abductions. Training lasted for 12 weeks (15 min per day, 5 days per week). At the end of training, we found that the ABD group had increased their finger abduction strength by 35% ( P<0.005) and the ELB group augmented their elbow flexion strength by 13.5% ( P<0.001). The physical training group increased the finger abduction strength by 53% ( P<0.01). The control group showed no significant changes in strength for either finger abduction or elbow flexion tasks. The improvement in muscle strength for trained groups was accompanied by significant increases in electroencephalogram-derived cortical potential, a measure previously shown to be directly related to control of voluntary muscle contractions. We conclude that the mental training employed by this study enhances the cortical output signal, which drives the muscles to a higher activation level and increases strength.

Cooperative Effects of Exercise and Occlusive Stimuli on Muscular Function in Low-Intensity Resistance Exercise with Moderate Vascular Occlusion

To obtain insight into the relative contributions of exercise and occlusive stimuli to these muscular adaptations, the present study investigated the short- and long-term effects of varied combinations of low-intensity exercise and vascular occlusion. The subjects were separated into 3 groups (n = 6 for each group): low-intensity with vascular occlusion (LIO), low-intensity without vascular occlusion (LI), and vascular occlusion without exercise (VO). LIO and LI groups performed bilateral knee extension exercises in seated positions with an isotonic extension machine. In the LIO group, both sides of the thigh were pressure-occluded at the proximal end by means of a tourniquet during the entire session of exercise (approximately 10 min), whereas only the occlusion with the same pressure and duration was given in the VO group. The mean occlusion pressure was 218 +/- 8.1 mmHg (mean +/- SE). The exercise session consisted of five sets of exercise at an intensity of 10-20% 1RM and was performed twice a week for 8 wk. After the period of exercise training, isometric and isokinetic strengths at all velocities examined increased significantly in the LIO group (p < 0.05), whereas no significant change in strength was seen in the LI and VO groups. The increase in muscular strength in LIO was associated with a significant increase in the cross-sectional area of knee extensor muscles by 10.3 +/- 1.6%. The plasma growth hormone concentration measured 15 min after the session of exercise showed a marked increase only in LIO. The results showed that the low-intensity exercise and occlusive stimuli have cooperative effects in the long-term adaptation of muscle and an acute response to growth hormone.

Growth Hormone and Sex Corticosteroid Administration in Healthy Aged Women and Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Hormone administration to elderly individuals can increase lean body mass (LBM) and decrease fat, but interactive effects of growth hormone (GH) and sex corticosteroids and their influence on strength and endurance are unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of recombinant human GH or sex corticosteroids on body composition, strength, endurance, and adverse outcomes in aged persons. Design, setting, and participants: This was a 26‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled parallelgroup trial in healthy, ambulatory, community‐dwelling US women (n = 57) and men (n = 74) aged 65 to 88 years recruited between June 1992 and July 1998. Interventions: Participants were randomized to receive GH (starting dose, 30 μg/kg, reduced to 20 μg/kg, subcutaneously 3 times/wk) + sex corticosteroids (women: transdermal estradiol, 100 μg/day, plus oral medroxyprogesterone acetate, 10 mg/day, during the last 10 days of each 28‐day cycle [HRT]; men: testosterone enanthate, biweekly intramuscular injections of 100 mg) (n = 35); GH + placebo sex corticosteroid (n = 30); sex corticosteroid + placebo GH (n = 35); or placebo GH + placebo sex corticosteroid (n = 31) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Main outcome measures: Lean body mass, fat mass, muscle strength, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) during treadmill test, and adverse effects. Results: In women, LBM increased by 0.4 kg with placebo, 1.2 kg with HRT (p = .09), 1.0 kg with GH (p = .001), and 2.1 kg with GH + HRT (p &lt; .001). Fat mass decreased significantly in the GH and GH + HRT groups. In men, LBM increased by 0.1 kg with placebo, 1.4 kg with testosterone (p = .06), 3.1 kg with GH (p &lt; .001), and 4.3 kg with GH + testosterone (p &lt; .001). Fat mass decreased significantly with GH and GH + testosterone. Women's strength decreased in the placebo group and increased nonsignificantly with HRT (p = .09), GH (p = .29), and GH + HRT (p = .14). Men's strength also did not increase significantly, except for a marginally significant increase of 13.5 kg with GH + testosterone (p = .05). Women's VO2 max declined by 0.4 mL/min/kg in the placebo and HRT groups but increased with GH (p = .07) and GH + HRT (p = .06). Men's VO2 max declined by 1.2 mL/min/kg with placebo and by 0.4 mL/min/kg with testosterone (p = .49) but increased with GH (p = .11) and with GH + testosterone (p &lt; .001). Changes in strength (r = .355; p &lt; .001) and in VO2 max (r = .320; p = .002) were directly related to changes in LBM. Edema was significantly more common in women taking GH (39% versus 0%) and GH + HRT (38% versus 0%). Carpal tunnel symptoms were more common in men taking GH + testosterone (32% versus 0%) and arthralgias were more common in men taking GH (41% versus 0%). Diabetes or glucose intolerance occurred in 18 GH‐treated men versus 7 not receiving GH (p = .006). Conclusions: In this study, GH with or without sex corticosteroids in healthy, aged women and men increased LBM and decreased fat mass. Sex corticosteroid + GH increased muscle strength marginally and VO2 max in men, but women had no significant change in strength or cardiovascular endurance. Because adverse effects were frequent (importantly, diabetes and glucose intolerance), GH interventions in the elderly should be confined to controlled studies.

STRENGTH TRAINING OF THE CERVICAL SPINE

Few studies have examined neck extensor strength testing/training in healthy or clinical populations. This partly because of safety concerns in the neck, and because there is limited technology available for cervical strength testing/training. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a low-cost, portable exercise device for cervical extensor strengthening. METHODS Thirty subjects (25 able bodied and 5 patients) comprised of 16 females and 14 males, 18 to 67 years of age, voluntarily participated. Nonpatients were randomly assigned to one of three groups of ten: Control; Exercise 1 (strength training with the experimental device); Exercise 2 (Cervical exercise strength training with an established clinical testing/training device). Five cervical patients were randomly chosen from a clinical population and placed in the Exercise 2 group. All subjects were tested in a device which measured isometric strength at seven (7) positions through full cervical range of motion. Subjects in both exercise groups trained twice a week for 6 weeks, and exercised to volitional fatigue in each session. After training all subjects were retested following the pre-study testing protocol. RESULTS Exercise 2 group showed significant gains in strength (p < .0001) and range of motion (p < .01). Exercise 1 group showed significant gains in strength but not range of motion (p > 0.2). The Control group showed no significant change in strength or range of motion. CONCLUSION The low cost device appeared to be safe, and demonstrated gains in strength. It may be used following rehabilitation as an ‘after care’ exercise device once the patient's discharge status has been determined, further studies on purely clinical populations are indicated.

Inertia welding nickel-based superalloy: Part I. Metallurgical characterization

This article describes a quantitative study of the microstructure of nickel-based superalloy RR1000 tube structures joined by inertia welding. One as-welded and three post weld heat-treated (PWHT) conditions have been investigated. The samples were characterized mechanically by measuring the hardness profiles and microstructurally in terms of γ grain size, γ′ precipitate size and volume fraction, stored energy, and microtexture. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to characterize high-angle grain boundaries (HAGB) and the variation of microtexture across the weld line. The coherent γ′ precipitates were investigated over a range of scales on etched samples in a field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEGSEM), using carbon replicas in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and from thin slices by means of high-energy synchrotron X-rays. Dramatic changes in the microstructure were observed within 2 mm of the weld line. In this region, the hardness profile is influenced by changes in grain size, γ′ volume fraction, γ′ particle size, and the work stored in the material. Further away, the observed hardness variation is still significant although only minor microstructural changes could be observed. In this region, the correlation of microstructure and hardness is less straightforward. Here, a combination of small microstructural changes appears to give rise to a significant change in strength. No significant texture or grain distortion was observed in the extensively plastically deformed region due to recrystallization.

The influence of resin coating on the shear punch strength of a high strength auto-cure glass ionomer

Objectives. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of early water contact on the shear punch strength of a modern, high strength, auto-cure glass ionomer (Fuji IX GP). Methods. Specimens, 8.0 mm in diameter and approximately 1.25 mm thick, were prepared in metal washers, and allowed to remain covered by polyester strips for 7 min, to ensure completion of the initial set. A minimum of 32 specimens was prepared for each set of experiments and they were divided into two equal groups. Following removal of the strips, the surfaces of the specimens in Group 1 were immediately coated on both sides with Fuji Coat LC and light cured for 10 s. In Group 2 the specimens were left uncoated. All specimens were then placed in distilled water at 37 °C, and stored for periods of 24 h, 1, 2, 5, or 8 weeks. The strength of the specimens was measured at each time interval in the shear mode by a punch test in a universal testing machine. Results. The mean strength of the coated specimens in Group 1, which had been protected against exposure to water, increased significantly on ageing from 67.1 (24 h) to 78.0 MPa (1 week), with no further significant change in strength. The mean strength of the specimens in Group 2 increased significantly from 75.7 (24 h) to 83.3 (1 week) and 91.9 MPa (2 weeks), with no further significant change in strength. Uncoated specimens were stronger at all points of time. The difference was statistically significant at 24 h, 2, 5, and 8 weeks ( P<0.05), but not at 1 week ( P=0.061). Significance. The results suggest that, contrary to the usual instructions for placement of glass ionomer, early access to water will positively influence the shear punch strength of Fuji IX GP.

Repeatability of grip strength and dexterity tests and the effects of age and gender.

Users of hand-held vibratory tools report reductions in grip strength and manual dexterity. This study quantified the test-retest repeatability of grip strength and manual dexterity tests, investigated effects of gender and age, and determined normative measures in different subject groups. A total of 72 subjects in four groups (both genders and two age ranges) participated: men and women aged 18 to 25 years and 45 to 55 years. Grip strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer, and dexterity measured with the Purdue pegboard. We assessed repeatability using one subject group (18 to 25-year-old men) who attended over three successive weeks. Repeated measures of grip strength were correlated for both hands and for each combination of weekly tests (P=0.01), and there were no significant changes in strength over weeks. Repeated measures of dexterity were correlated in both hands (P=0.01) for all test combinations, except between weeks 1 and 3 in the non-dominant hand (P=0.15). Further analysis suggested an improvement in dexterity, consistent with a practice effect. In both age groups, grip strength of the men was significantly greater than that of the women (P<0.01), but there were no gender differences in dexterity scores (P>0.1). There were no significant effects of age for either grip strength or dexterity (P>0.1). Both tests showed sufficient repeatability, with no age effect on either grip or manual dexterity (between approximately 20 to 55 years), although a decline in grip and dexterity is expected at greater ages. Dexterity scores were similar in both genders for the groups studied. Grip strength was greater in men. Occupational effects might exist for both tests, irrespective of any occupational disorder, and might be reflected in increases or decreases in grip strength and dexterity.

Bulk Nanostructured Multicomponent Alloys

Bulk nanostructured composite materials can be obtained by partial devitrification of slowly cooled bulk glass-forming multicomponent metallic glasses or by blending a glassy matrix alloy with insoluble second-phase particles by solid state processing. Their properties are discussed with respect to the effect of the second phases on the thermal stability and on the mechanical properties at room temperature as well as at temperatures around the glass-transition temperature, Tg. Microhardness measurements at room temperature reveal a substantial increase in the hardness of the composites because of the uniform distribution of nanoscale particles in the glassy matrix. Also, there is a significant increase in yield strength with increasing volume fraction of particles. At elevated temperatures around Tg volume fractions of up to 40 vol.-% of nanoscaled particles yield no significant change in strength as compared with the particle-free material, but the deformation behavior of the composites is mainly controlled by the Newtonian viscous flow of the glassy matrix phase. This easy-flow behavior opens a promising route for shaping complex parts of bulk nanostructured composites derived from metallic glasses at moderate temperatures and high strain rates.