Traditional Exercise Program Research Articles

Short-term beneficial effects of physiotherapy exercise after knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis

What are the effects of physiotherapy exercise for patients with osteoarthritis after elective primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty? AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, King's Fund, Medline, Cochrane library, PEDro, and the UK Department of Health national research register, searched up to April 2007. This search was supplemented by handsearching a small number of journals and conference abstracts, as well as scanning the reference lists from relevant articles identified by the search. Randomised controlled trials involving patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis in which organised physiotherapy after discharge from hospital was compared to standard post-discharge management. Outcome measures were function, range of motion, muscle strength, walking speed, and quality of life. : Two reviewers (masked to the key details of the papers) independently assessed methodological quality on a checklist developed from the CONSORT statement and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme guidelines and extracted the data. Six trials with a total of 614 patients were identified, of which five trials with a total of 554 patients provided data that could be included in the meta-analyses. Trial quality was good overall. The trials compared additional physiotherapy exercises or treatment after discharge with no organised outpatient physiotherapy. The patients in the control groups were expected to continue with traditional home exercise programs: isometric strengthening, range of movement exercises, and gait training. Based on quantitative pooling of three trials at 3 to 4 months follow up, there were statistically significant differences in favour of physiotherapy exercises for function (standardised effect size 0.33, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.58) and range of motion (weighted mean difference 3 degrees, 95% CI 1 to 5). At the same time point, results from two trials indicated no significant difference in quality of life (weighted mean difference 1.7 points, 95% CI −1 to 4.3) or walking speed (standardised effect size 0.27 (95% CI –0.13 to 0.67). None of the trials measured muscle strength. At one year follow up, there were no statistically significant differences in any outcome. Additional physiotherapy exercises or treatment after discharge have small to moderate short-term beneficial effects compared to no organised outpatient physiotherapy.

Safety, Feasibility, and Efficacy of Negative Work Exercise Via Eccentric Muscle Activity Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Randomized, matched design. Optimal rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) requires safe and effective interventions. Negative work exercise (via eccentric muscle activity) has the potential to be highly effective at producing large quadriceps size and strength gains early after ACL-R. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of adding a progressive negative work exercise program via eccentric (ECC) ergometry early after ACL-R. Beginning 3 weeks after ACL-R, 32 participants were randomly assigned into either a 12-week traditional (TRAD) or ECC exercise program. Safety was assessed by measuring knee pain, thigh pain, knee effusion, and knee stability prior to surgery and at 3,15, and 26 weeks after surgery. Efficacy was assessed by measuring negative work output during the 12-week training program and by measuring functional ability (ie, quadriceps peak torque, hopping distance, self-reported functional ability and activity level scales) prior to surgery and 26 weeks after ACL-R. There were no significant differences between groups in measures of knee and thigh pain, effusion, or stability at any period after surgery. Negative work output increased systematically throughout training, while knee and thigh pain remained at relatively low levels. A significant group-by-time interaction was observed for quadriceps peak torque, hopping distance, and activity level (P< or =.02). Quadriceps strength and hopping distance of the involved limb improved by a significantly greater amount in the ECC group compared to the TRAD group (P<.01). Activity level decreased to a lesser extent in the ECC group compared to the TRAD group (P =.02). Negative work via an ECC intervention was implemented safely after ACL-R. The addition of negative work exercise also induced superior short-term results in strength, performance, and activity level after surgery.

Effects of a single bout of low intensity KAATSU resistance training on markers of bone turnover in young men

Traditional high intensity resistance exercise programs have been shown to have positive effects on bone metabolism. KAATSU resistance training, which combines low intensity resistance exercise with vascular restriction, accelerates muscle hypertrophy, however, the benefits of this type of training on bone have not been established. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of acute (1 bout) KAATSU training for knee extensors and knee flexors on serum bone biomarkers in young men, 18-30 years of age. METHODS: Nine males performed two test sessions, KAATSU (vascular restriction + low intensity resistance exercise) and control (low intensity resistance exercise only) 48 hours apart in random order. The exercise protocol consisted of 1 set of 30 reps followed by 3 sets of 15 reps with 30 seconds rest between sets at 20% 1-RM for both muscle groups. On both days, fasting blood draws were obtained immediately prior to exercise, immediately post exercise and 30 minutes post exercise for the measurement of the bone formation (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, BAP) and bone resorption (cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen, NTx) markers. Hematocrit was measured at each sample time to estimate plasma volume changes. Serum samples were aliquoted and frozen at -70°C until the BAP (Metra BAP EIA kit, Quidel Corporation) and NTx (Osteomark® NTx Serum, Wampole Laboratories) assays were performed. RESULTS: KAATSU training resulted in greater plasma volume decreases (p .05) training or time effects for BAP. CONCLUSION: A single bout of KAATSU trining resulted in decreases in the bone resorption marker (NTx) but had no effect on the bone formation marker (BAP). The NTx response to KAATSU was not mediated by shifts in plasma volume.

THE EFFECT OF A MODIFIED JAZZ DANCE CLASS ON BALANCE IN OLDER WOMEN.

Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of age-appropriate jazz dance class instruction on balance for women utilizing dynamic posturography. Subjects: Fourteen healthy elderly women aged from 52 to 88 participated in the study. All were a sample of convenience of volunteers recruited from a Senior Dance Techniques course offered by the Department of Dance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Materials/Methods: The subjects completed a 15-week jazz dance program in which the subjects attended one time per week for 50 minutes in duration. Baseline balance data were collected through the use of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) as administered using the NeuroCom Smart® Balance Master System (Balance Master) during weeks 1 and 2 of the class. The second measurement was recorded between weeks 7 and 8 and the final measurement was taken after week 15 of the class. Means and standard deviations were calculated for the outcome variables. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the means of each subjects' SOT composite equilibrium score over the 3 measurement time frames. The composite equilibrium score reflects the overall performance on the SOT and is the sum of all 6 conditions. Alpha levels were set at 0.05. Results: There was a statistically significant difference among the mean SOT composite equilibrium scores (F(2,22) = 23.185) for pre, mid, and post time intervals as follows: Pre= 67.333, SD= 10.430; Mid= 75.250, SD= 6.969; Post= 79.000, SD= 4.973, (p<0.0005). Pairwise (Bonferroni) post-hoc analyses revealed the following statistically significant findings for SOT composite equilibrium scores for the pre, mid, and post measurements: Pre-Mid (p= 0.008); Pre-Post (p< 0.0005); Mid-Post (p= 0.033). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that administration of a jazz dance program as an alternative to a traditional exercise program is beneficial in improving balance as measured by the Balance Master. Future research should consider the comparison of different exercise or dance groups and larger sample sizes. Clinical Relevance: Many elderly may not have the opportunity or desire to perform an exercisebased program. Since many elderly experience a loss of stability, they seek to compensate by restricting their activity levels, thereby avoiding falling. However, given the social proclivity of elderly individuals, many do find dance as an attractive alternative to an exercise regimen. The findings from this study reveal that dance-based training is beneficial in improving balance, which may help to decrease fall risk.

Home-based electromyography-triggered stimulation in chronic stroke

(1) To determine the feasibility of a home-based electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation (ETMS) programme; and (2) to determine ETMS efficacy in increasing affected wrist extension and reducing affected arm impairment. Randomized, controlled, pre-post, cross-over design. Outpatient rehabilitation hospital. Twelve chronic stroke patients with palpable muscle contraction in their affected wrist extensors but no movement (7 males; mean age = 59.75 years, age range 44-75 years; mean time since stroke = 52.75 months, range 13-131 months). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either: (a) ETMS use twice every weekday in 35-min increments during an eight-week period followed by an eight-week home exercise programme (ETMS/home exercise programme) (n=8); or (b) an eight-week home exercise programme followed by use of ETMS twice every weekday in 35-min increments during an eight-week period (home exercise programme) (n=4). The Fugl-Meyer, Action Research Arm Test and goniometry. After home exercise programme participation, subjects showed nominal or no changes on any of the outcome measures. After ETMS, patients showed modest impairment reductions, as shown by the Fugl-Meyer, and no Action Research Arm Test changes. However, both groups showed a 21 degree increase in active affected wrist extension after ETMS use. ETMS use is feasible in the home environment. Neither participation in a traditional home exercise programme nor ETMS use conveyed changes on the Fugl-Meyer or Action Research Arm Test. However, ETMS use increased active affected limb extension. This new movement may provide a potential pathway for subjects to participate in other interventions, such as modified constraint induced therapy.

Motivational interviewing to promote physical activity for people with chronic heart failure

This paper reports a study comparing, over a 5-month period, two different methods of increasing physical activity: a traditional exercise programme and one based on motivational interviewing. Chronic heart failure is associated with poor quality of life that can be improved by increased physical activity. Patients who are directed to engage in physical activity have a record of low compliance. Sixty older aged heart failure patients were randomly assigned to standard care, motivational interviewing or both treatments. The primary outcome was physical activity (kcal/kg/day), with the 6-minute walk test as a secondary outcome. At entry, no significant differences were observed between the three groups. Following treatment, the 'motivational interviewing' and 'both treatments' groups reported an increase in their level and type of activities, whereas the 'standard care' group did not. All groups significantly increased their 6-minute walk distance. Motivational interviewing, which incorporates established behaviour change principles and a flexible approach to promotion of activity, increases reported physical activity in older patients with heart failure over a short period. In terms of level and type of activity, this approach gives a better outcome than standard care, and nurses should explore alternative strategies to promote health in this population.

Can Short But Physically Intense Activity Patterns Provide Health And Fitness Benefits?

PURPOSE To compare various health and fitness benefits gained from a short duration but physically intense exercise program to a more traditional, moderate intensity exercise prescription. METHODS Fifteen apparently healthy subjects (10 women) with no overt signs of cardiovascular disease, aged 41 (11) years, were randomly assigned to either a short duration/high intensity (BRUCE, n=7) group or a traditional exercise prescription (TRAD, n=8) group. Both groups exercised 4 days per week. Subjects in the BRUCE group performed the standard Bruce protocol to exhaustion under supervision while the TRAD group performed 30 minutes of moderate intensity (70% HRR) activity. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), walking economy, body composition, resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, pulmonary function, and fasting plasma lipoprotein concentrations were assessed before and after the 12 week training programs. RESULTS None of the subjects in the BRUCE group experienced any cardiovascular complications during the training. A 2X2 ANOVA showed that there were no changes in body mass or body compostion in either training group. VO2max and time to exhaustion increased in both groups (p<0.05). Fasting plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations decreased in both groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that short, intense exercise performed by apparently healthy subjects can be an alternative to longer, moderate intensity exercise, and can provide many of the same health and fitness benefits seen with traditional exercise programs.

Changes In Fitness And Body Composition Accompanying Novel Exercise Regimens After Weight Loss And Maintenance

Comprehensive weight loss and exercise programs are designed to improve health through favorable changes in body composition and fitness. While novel exercise interventions result in short-term improvements, the persistence of changes over the long-term is unclear. PURPOSE To examine changes in fitness and body composition after a 4-month weight loss intervention and 1 yr period of weight maintenance METHODS Participants were 123 women and 21 men with a mean (±SD) age of 47 ± 8 yrs and BMI of 29.9 ± 3.1 kg/m2 who were randomly assigned to a 4-month program of diet combined with:1) aerobic exercise (AER; 4 days/wk of 40 min.); 2) short-bouts of aerobic exercise (SB: 4 days/wk of 4 10-min.bouts); or 3) lifestyle activity (LA: accumulation of 30 min.moderate intensity walking each day). During weight loss, women were prescribed a low-fat diet of 12–1500 kcal/d and men were prescribed 15–1800 kcal/d. During weight maintenance, participants were prescribed an isocaloric diet and were asked to maintain prescribed activity levels. Fitness was assessed using VO2 max testing and body composition was assessed using DXA. RESULTS Weight loss averaged 7.0 ± 4.5 kg at week 16, of which 2.8 ± 3.9 kg was regained over the following year. ANOVA revealed that no differences among groups were observed in weight loss, %fat, fat mass or fat-free mass at any time-point. At month 4, greater improvements (p ≤ .05) in fitness were observed in the AER group (4.4 ±3.7 mL·kg-1·min-1) compared with SB (2.7±2.8 mL·kg-1·min-1) or LA (2.5 ± 3.2 mL·kg-1·min-1). Tukey post-hoc analyses found that the decline in fitness during weight maintenance also was significantly greater (p =.02) in the AER group (−3.0±2.8 mL·kg-1·min-1) compared with the LA group (−0.3±6.0 mL·kg-1·min-1), while the SB group's fitness declined by 2.4±2.9 mL·kg-1·min-1. CONCLUSIONS All three modes of exercise were associated with significant weight loss and favorable improvements in body composition. Participants in the traditional aerobic exercise group showed significant improvements in fitness initially, but also had the greatest declines during 1 yr follow-up. These data suggest that diet combined with traditional or novel exercise programs is an effective strategy for losing weight and improving body composition. Continuous bouts of aerobic exercise results in the greatest short-term fitness improvements; however, long-term adherence to this mode of exercise remains a challenge among overweight adults. Supported by NIH Grant RO1 DK 53907-01A1 to REA and Grant (M01RR-02719) from the GCRC program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

Changes In Fitness And Body Composition Accompanying Novel Exercise Regimens After Weight Loss And Maintenance

Comprehensive weight loss and exercise programs are designed to improve health through favorable changes in body composition and fitness. While novel exercise interventions result in short-term improvements, the persistence of changes over the long-term is unclear. PURPOSE To examine changes in fitness and body composition after a 4-month weight loss intervention and 1 yr period of weight maintenance METHODS Participants were 123 women and 21 men with a mean (±SD) age of 47 ± 8 yrs and BMI of 29.9 ± 3.1 kg/m2 who were randomly assigned to a 4-month program of diet combined with:1) aerobic exercise (AER; 4 days/wk of 40 min.); 2) short-bouts of aerobic exercise (SB: 4 days/wk of 4 10-min.bouts); or 3) lifestyle activity (LA: accumulation of 30 min.moderate intensity walking each day). During weight loss, women were prescribed a low-fat diet of 12–1500 kcal/d and men were prescribed 15–1800 kcal/d. During weight maintenance, participants were prescribed an isocaloric diet and were asked to maintain prescribed activity levels. Fitness was assessed using VO2 max testing and body composition was assessed using DXA. RESULTS Weight loss averaged 7.0 ± 4.5 kg at week 16, of which 2.8 ± 3.9 kg was regained over the following year. ANOVA revealed that no differences among groups were observed in weight loss, %fat, fat mass or fat-free mass at any time-point. At month 4, greater improvements (p ≤ .05) in fitness were observed in the AER group (4.4 ±3.7 mL·kg-1·min-1) compared with SB (2.7±2.8 mL·kg-1·min-1) or LA (2.5 ± 3.2 mL·kg-1·min-1). Tukey post-hoc analyses found that the decline in fitness during weight maintenance also was significantly greater (p =.02) in the AER group (−3.0±2.8 mL·kg-1·min-1) compared with the LA group (−0.3±6.0 mL·kg-1·min-1), while the SB group's fitness declined by 2.4±2.9 mL·kg-1·min-1. CONCLUSIONS All three modes of exercise were associated with significant weight loss and favorable improvements in body composition. Participants in the traditional aerobic exercise group showed significant improvements in fitness initially, but also had the greatest declines during 1 yr follow-up. These data suggest that diet combined with traditional or novel exercise programs is an effective strategy for losing weight and improving body composition. Continuous bouts of aerobic exercise results in the greatest short-term fitness improvements; however, long-term adherence to this mode of exercise remains a challenge among overweight adults. Supported by NIH Grant RO1 DK 53907-01A1 to REA and Grant (M01RR-02719) from the GCRC program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

PHYSICAL FITNESS AND JOB PERFORMANCE OF FIREFIGHTERS

Accurate correlations between a wide range of physical fitness measures and occupational demands are needed in order to identify specific fitness tests and training needs for firefighters. Twenty professional firefighters performed numerous fitness and job-related performance tests. Pearson product moment correlations were performed to identify the relationship between fitness components and job performance. Significant correlations (p <0.05) with job performance were identified for total fitness (r = —0.62), bench press strength (r = —0.66), hand grip strength (r = —0.71), bent-over row endurance (r = —0.61), bench press endurance (r = —0.73), shoulder press endurance (r = —0.71), bicep endurance (r = —0.69), squat endurance (r = —0.47), and 400-m sprint time (r = 0.79). It is apparent that firefighting taxes virtually all aspects of physical fitness. These data can help the exercise specialist choose appropriate tests and prescribe specific fitness programs for firefighters. Traditional firefighter exercise programs focusing mainly on cardiovascular fitness should be replaced with physical conditioning programs that address all components of fitness.

Physical fitness and job performance of firefighters.

Accurate correlations between a wide range of physical fitness measures and occupational demands are needed in order to identify specific fitness tests and training needs for firefighters. Twenty professional firefighters performed numerous fitness and job-related performance tests. Pearson product moment correlations were performed to identify the relationship between fitness components and job performance. Significant correlations (p <0.05) with job performance were identified for total fitness (r = -0.62), bench press strength (r = -0.66), hand grip strength (r = -0.71), bent-over row endurance (r = -0.61), bench press endurance (r = -0.73), shoulder press endurance (r = -0.71), bicep endurance (r = -0.69), squat endurance (r = -0.47), and 400-m sprint time (r = 0.79). It is apparent that firefighting taxes virtually all aspects of physical fitness. These data can help the exercise specialist choose appropriate tests and prescribe specific fitness programs for firefighters. Traditional firefighter exercise programs focusing mainly on cardiovascular fitness should be replaced with physical conditioning programs that address all components of fitness.

A Simpler Eight-Form Easy Tai Chi for Elderly Adults

Low-impact exercise that appeals to elderly adults and can be done almost anywhere provides both societal and individual benefits. One such program is Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese dancelike conditioning exercise. The article presents an easily adopted and adapted 8-form Tai Chi program (Easy Tai Chi) designed for older adults or individuals with mobility challenges or physical impairments. Derived from a simplified 24-form Yang-style Tai Chi, it stresses postural control and body-limb rotational movements. Easy Tai Chi can be performed either standing or sitting, depending on the physical and functional limitations of participants. Preliminary data indicate a number of health benefits of Easy Tai Chi compared with a traditional exercise program. Although subject to further empirical evaluation, Easy Tai Chi can be applied in research settings to investigate prevention or amelioration of hypokinetic diseases and in clinical settings to treat physically frail seniors or others with functional impairments of the musculoskeletal or cardiovascular system.

THE EFFECT OF SUPERSLOW??? TRAINING ON RESTING BLOOD PRESSURE IN COLLEGE-AGE MALES

Superslow™ training is an alternative to more traditional forms of exercise. According to its founder, a certified SuperSlow™ program will improve many cardiovascular health parameters, including resting blood pressure. PURPOSE To test the efficacy of a certified Superslow™ program by comparing results to a traditional exercise program. METHODS 39 college-age males volunteered to be randomly placed in one of three groups: Traditional exercise (TE), SuperSlow (SS) and a control group (C). All subjects were pretested and stratified based on initial muscle strength. The two exercise groups (TE & SS) engaged in 16 weeks of supervised training based on group assignment with the control group performing normal daily activities. The TE group followed the guidelines of the 1998 ACSM position statement while SS group engaged in a certified SuperSlow™ protocol supervised by a certified SuperSlow™ trainer. Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured before and after the training period. Data were statistically analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA with a Tukey post hoc test. RESULTS Changes in systolic blood pressure were significantly different (TE = 120.27 mmHg vs. 114.64 mmHg; SS = 120.86 mmHg vs. 120.62 mmHg; C = 120.93 mmHg vs. 121.38 mmHg). Changes in diastolic blood pressure were also statistically significant between groups (TE = 70.93 mmHg vs. 65.85 mmHg; SS = 71.27 mmHg vs. 75.08 mmHg; C = 74.27 mmHg vs. 71.23 mmHg). CONCLUSION The results of an ANOVA analysis suggest that, unlike the TE group, SuperSlow™ training does not lower resting blood pressure values.

The Effects of Aquatic and Traditional Exercise Programs on Persons With Knee Osteoarthritis

The Effects of Aquatic and Traditional Exercise Programs on Persons With Knee Osteoarthritis

The Effectiveness of 0.5-lb Increments in Progressive Resistance Exercise

A traditional progressive resistance exercise program consists of increasing the number of repetitions at a constant load until exceeding an established repetition range. Subsequently, the load is increased by 1.1 kg (2.5 lb) or more, and the lifter works at the new load until again exceeding the repetition range. This investigation examines the use of small incremental loads for 2 upper-body exercises (bench press and triceps press). Subjects were randomly assigned to traditional (TRAD) progressive resistance exercise (5 women, 5 men) and small increment (SI) progressive resistance exercise (5 women, 4 men) groups. Initially, both groups trained for 8 weeks using TRAD progressive resistance exercise. Subjects who achieved 7 repetitions on the final set of an exercise increased the load for the next session by 2.2 (bench press) or 1.1 kg (triceps press). Following the initial 8-week training period, the TRAD group continued for another 8 weeks following the same protocol, whereas the SI group trained for an additional 8 weeks, increasing the load by 0.22 kg (0.5 lb) when completing 7 or 8 repetitions and 0.44 kg (1 lb) when achieving 9 or more repetitions. All groups, except TRAD women, made significant increases in 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for the bench press. Both TRAD men and SI men significantly increased 1RM triceps press. Groups that did not significantly increase 1RM, in either the bench press or triceps press, demonstrated similar trends. For TRAD men and SI men, the number of repetitions to failure for the bench press at 60% 1RM decreased after training. Both regimens proved effective for increasing strength throughout 8 weeks. In conclusion, SI progressive resistance exercise appears to be as effective as TRAD progressive resistance exercise for increasing strength during 8 weeks in short-term pretrained college-aged men and women. However, preliminary data suggest that the TRAD progressive resistance exercise program might be a more effective method of increasing resistance during an extended period.

The Effects of Aquatic and Traditional Exercise Programs on Persons With Knee Osteoarthritis

The purpose of the study was to detect if increases in functional levels for patients with osteoarthritis show differences between an aquatic exercise program and a land-based exercise program. Forty-six subjects between the ages of 45 and 70 years participated in 1 of 2 exercise groups. Pre- and posttest measurements included knee range of motion (ROM), thigh girth, subjective pain scale, and time for a 1-mile walk. Both exercise groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in all measurements between pre- and posttests. There were no significant differences between the aquatic exercise group and the land-based exercise group pertaining to knee ROM, thigh girth, and time for a 1-mile walk. Subjective pain levels were significantly less in the aquatic group when compared with the land-based group. This study concludes that both aquatic and land-based exercise programs are beneficial to patients with osteoarthritis.

The Effectiveness of 0.5-lb Increments in Progressive Resistance Exercise

A traditional progressive resistance exercise program consists of increasing the number of repetitions at a constant load until exceeding an established repetition range. Subsequently, the load is increased by 1.1 kg (2.5 lb) or more, and the lifter works at the new load until again exceeding the repetition range. This investigation examines the use of small incremental loads for 2 upper-body exercises (bench press and triceps press). Subjects were randomly assigned to traditional (TRAD) progressive resistance exercise (5 women, 5 men) and small increment (SI) progressive resistance exercise (5 women, 4 men) groups. Initially, both groups trained for 8 weeks using TRAD progressive resistance exercise. Subjects who achieved 7 repetitions on the final set of an exercise increased the load for the next session by 2.2 (bench press) or 1.1 kg (triceps press). Following the initial 8-week training period, the TRAD group continued for another 8 weeks following the same protocol, whereas the SI group trained for an additional 8 weeks, increasing the load by 0.22 kg (0.5 lb) when completing 7 or 8 repetitions and 0.44 kg (1 lb) when achieving 9 or more repetitions. All groups, except TRAD women, made significant increases in 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for the bench press. Both TRAD men and SI men significantly increased 1RM triceps press. Groups that did not significantly increase 1RM, in either the bench press or triceps press, demonstrated similar trends. For TRAD men and SI men, the number of repetitions to failure for the bench press at 60% 1RM decreased after training. Both regimens proved effective for increasing strength throughout 8 weeks. In conclusion, SI progressive resistance exercise appears to be as effective as TRAD progressive resistance exercise for increasing strength during 8 weeks in short-term pretrained college-aged men and women. However, preliminary data suggest that the TRAD progressive resistance exercise program might be a more effective method of increasing resistance during an extended period.

Laser therapy for the treatment of venous leg ulcers

What are the effects of physiotherapy exercise for patients with osteoarthritis after elective primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty?AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, King's Fund, Medline, Cochrane library, PEDro, and the UK Department of Health national research register, searched up to April 2007. This search was supplemented by handsearching a small number of journals and conference abstracts, as well as scanning the reference lists from relevant articles identified by the search.Randomised controlled trials involving patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis in which organised physiotherapy after discharge from hospital was compared to standard post-discharge management. Outcome measures were function, range of motion, muscle strength, walking speed, and quality of life.: Two reviewers (masked to the key details of the papers) independently assessed methodological quality on a checklist developed from the CONSORT statement and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme guidelines and extracted the data.Six trials with a total of 614 patients were identified, of which five trials with a total of 554 patients provided data that could be included in the meta-analyses. Trial quality was good overall. The trials compared additional physiotherapy exercises or treatment after discharge with no organised outpatient physiotherapy. The patients in the control groups were expected to continue with traditional home exercise programs: isometric strengthening, range of movement exercises, and gait training. Based on quantitative pooling of three trials at 3 to 4 months follow up, there were statistically significant differences in favour of physiotherapy exercises for function (standardised effect size 0.33, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.58) and range of motion (weighted mean difference 3 degrees, 95% CI 1 to 5). At the same time point, results from two trials indicated no significant difference in quality of life (weighted mean difference 1.7 points, 95% CI −1 to 4.3) or walking speed (standardised effect size 0.27 (95% CI –0.13 to 0.67). None of the trials measured muscle strength. At one year follow up, there were no statistically significant differences in any outcome.Additional physiotherapy exercises or treatment after discharge have small to moderate short-term beneficial effects compared to no organised outpatient physiotherapy.

ADULT MOTIVATIONAL READINESS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: A NATIONAL STUDY OF 2,002 AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS

1694 Physical inactivity has been related to increased morbidity and mortality in adults. Thus, implementations of programs that encourage individuals to initiate and continue physically active lifestyles can have a significant effect on individual and national health care costs. However, generalized traditional exercise programs may not be appropriate for all people. Prevalence rates of those engaging in traditional structured exercise has not increased, and public health approaches that consider individual goals, behavioral skills, and stage of motivational readiness (SMR) have been found to effectively increase adoption and maintenance of physical activity (PA). PA surveys indicate 60% of the population are inadequately active; however, no survey has been conducted to determine SMR in order to appropriately target interventions. The research purpose was to conduct a national telephone survey consisting of random sampling of 2,002 households to determine SMR for change in adult PA behaviors. Results indicated variation in SMR: precontemplation(5%); contemplation (7%); preparation (19%); subaction (37%); action for moderate PA (10%); maintenance for moderate PA (11%); action for vigorous exercise (3%); and maintenance for vigorous exercise (9%). These estimates indicate nearly 7 million American adults are at great risk due to total lack of consideration of PA (precontemplation) and over 30 million adults are thinking about starting or are trying to exercise (contemplation and preparation). Another 50 million adults could benefit from additional PA. Results indicate that although the majority is at risk due to sedentary lifestyles, millions are thinking about the need to be active and thus are candidates for interventions that would help them adopt and maintain a program of regular PA.

Physical Activity and Older People: A Walk A Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Physical Activity and Older People: A Walk A Day Keeps the Doctor Away