Upper-body Muscle Strength Research Articles

Changes in physical functioning and muscle strength in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: a controlled comparison.

The purpose of the study is to examine changes in muscle strength and self-reported physical functioning in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer compared to matched controls. Prostate cancer patients scheduled to begin ADT (n = 62) were assessed within 20 days of starting ADT and 6 and 12 months later. Age and geographically matched prostate cancer controls treated with prostatectomy only (n = 86) were assessed at similar time intervals. Grip strength measured upper body strength, the Chair Rise Test measured lower body strength, and the SF-12 Physical Functioning scale measured self-reported physical functioning. As expected, self-reported physical functioning and upper body muscle strength declined in ADT recipients but remained stable in prostate cancer controls. Contrary to expectations, lower body muscle strength remained stable in ADT recipients but improved in prostate cancer controls. Higher Gleason scores, more medical comorbidities, and less exercise at baseline predicted greater declines in physical functioning in ADT recipients. ADT is associated with declines in self-reported physical functioning and upper body muscle strength as well as worse lower body muscle strength relative to prostate cancer controls. These findings should be included in patient education regarding the risks and benefits of ADT. Findings also underscore the importance of conducting research on ways to prevent or reverse declines in physical functioning in this patient population.

The effects of adding single-joint exercises to a multi-joint exercise resistance training program on upper body muscle strength and size in trained men.

The aim of this study was compare changes in upper body muscle strength and size in trained men performing resistance training (RT) programs involving multi-joint plus single-joint (MJ+SJ) or only multi-joint (MJ) exercises. Twenty young men with at least 2 years of experience in RT were randomized in 2 groups: MJ+SJ (n = 10; age, 27.7 ± 6.6 years) and MJ (n = 10; age, 29.4 ± 4.6 years). Both groups trained for 8 weeks following a linear periodization model. Measures of elbow flexors and extensors 1-repetition maximum (1RM), flexed arm circumference (FAC), and arm muscle circumference (AMC) were taken pre- and post-training period. Both groups significantly increased 1RM for elbow flexion (4.99% and 6.42% for MJ and MJ+SJ, respectively), extension (10.60% vs 9.79%, for MJ and MJ+SJ, respectively), FAC (1.72% vs 1.45%, for MJ and MJ+SJ, respectively), and AMC (1.33% vs 3.17% for MJ and MJ+SJ, respectively). Comparison between groups revealed no significant difference in any variable. In conclusion, 8 weeks of RT involving MJ or MJ+SJ resulted in similar alterations in muscle strength and size in trained participants. Therefore, the addition of SJ exercises to a RT program involving MJ exercises does not seem to promote additional benefits to trained men, suggesting MJ-only RT to be a time-efficient approach.

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

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

Single vs. Multi-Joint Resistance Exercises: Effects on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy

Background:Some authors suggest that single joint (SJ) exercises promote greater muscle hypertrophy because they are easier to be learned and therefore have less reliance on neural factors. On the other hand, some authors recommend an emphasis on multi-joint (MJ) exercises for maximizing muscle strength, assuming that MJ exercises are more effective than SJ exercises because they enable a greater magnitude of weight to be lifted.Objectives:The present study aimed to compare the effects of MJ vs. SJ exercises on muscle size and strength gains in untrained young men.Patients and Methods:Twenty-nine young men, without prior resistance training experience, were randomly divided into two groups. One group performed (n = 14) only MJ exercises involving the elbow flexors (lat. pull downs), while the other (n = 15) trained the elbow flexors muscles using only SJ exercises (biceps curls). Both groups trained twice a week for a period of ten weeks. The volunteers were evaluated for peak torque of elbow flexors (PT) in an isokinetic dynamometer and for muscle thickness (MT) by ultrasonography.Results:There were significant increases in MT of 6.10% and 5.83% for MJ and SJ, respectively; and there were also significant increases in PT for MJ (10.40%) and SJ (11.87%). However, the results showed no difference between groups pre or post training for MT or PT.Conclusions:In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that MJ and SJ exercises are equally effective for promoting increases in upper body muscle strength and size in untrained men. Therefore, the selection between SJ and MJ exercises should be based on individual and practical aspects, such as, equipment availability, movement specificity, individual preferences and time commitment.

A six-week motor-driven functional electronic stimulation rowing program improves muscle strength and body composition in people with spinal cord injury: a pilot study.

Preclinical and postclinical intervention and outcomes measure design. To investigate the efficacy of six weeks of motor-driven functional electronic stimulation (FES) rowing exercise intervention on cardiopulmonary fitness, upper body strength and body composition in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The National Rehabilitation Center in Korea. A total of 12 people with SCI (ten males, two females) participated in 42.5-minute training sessions on motor-driven FES rowing machine, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Peak oxygen consumption, body mass index, percent body fat, waist circumference, shoulder abduction and adduction, shoulder flexion and extension and elbow flexion and extension were measured at baseline and after the intervention. The six weeks of training with a motor-driven FES rowing machine significantly decreased percent body fat (Pre: 23.9±8.5 vs. Post: 20.4±7.9, P=0.028) and increased lean body mass (Pre: 50.4±9.4 vs. Post: 53.3±10.0, P=0.001), muscular strength of the shoulder flexors (Pre: 147.5±68.5 vs. Post: 180.9±71.8, P=0.002), extensors (Pre: 132.7±51.8 vs. Post: 160.6±67.9, P=0.010), abductors (Pre: 126.1±52.6 vs. Post: 163.7±77.8, P=0.002) and adductors (Pre: 172.3±69.0 vs. Post: 215.2±95.7, P=0.003), as well as elbow flexors (Pre: 212.7±66.6 vs. Post: 256.6±76.1, P=0.004) and extensors (Pre: 190.6±65.0 vs. Post: 221.9±63.9, P=0.002). Exercise using a motor-driven FES rowing machine may be used as a new exercise modality to improve body composition and upper body muscle strength in people with SCI. This research was supported by a grant (code# 08-B-03, #10-B-01) from the National Rehabilitation Research Institute.

Sport Profile of the Junior Male Kwa-Zulu Natal Provincial Soccer Team, South Africa

To document the prevalence of soccer related musculoskeletal pain and the exercise performance of the male KZN provincial junior male soccer team. Eighteen players’ underwent kinanthropometric, exercise physiological performance assessments and a musculoskeletal pain questionnaire appraisal. The kinanthropometric characteristics measured were body mass, stature and skinfold measurements. The exercise physiological performance profile constituents were resting heart rate, blood pressure, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance, explosive strength, agility and aerobic capacity. Plantar and dorsi-flexion, quadriceps angles and hip extension constituted the flexibility tests. The players abdominal and upper body muscle strength and endurance were measured by the one minute sit-up and one-minute press-up tests respectively. Explosive strength was measured using the vertical jump protocol. Subjects completed a 10m agility t-test and 20 multi-stage fitness test. Out of the 18 players who answered the questionnaire, 72.22% experienced soccer related musculoskeletal pain indicating the knee (42.86%), ankle (28.57%), hip (21.43%), and vertebrae (7.14%) to be most prevalent(p<0.05). The cohort’s mean age, body mass, stature, body mass index and percent body fat were 14.33 ± 0.69 years, 53.28 ±7.59kg, 1.63 ±0.08m, 20.04 ± 1.48 kg/m² and 5.55 ± 2.23% respectively. The mean resting heart rate was 59.78 ± 12.74bpm and the derived MAP and RPP were 90.88 ± 18.45 mmHg and7651.84 respectively. The players’ push-up (36.44 ± 7.53 rep/min.) and vertical jump (32.42 ± 0.27) scores were below the norm. The subjects’ flexibility, abdominal strength and endurance, agility and aerobic capacity were within the normative ranges respectively. The soccer players have sustained musculoskeletal pain over the last 12 months. The players need to adhere to a regular strength training regime to enhance their sport performance as well as to serve as a protective mechanism against musculoskeletal injury.

Musculoskeletal changes after 1 year of exercise in older breast cancer survivors

We have previously reported that 1year of supervised resistance + impact training stopped bone loss and built muscle strength in older breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these benefits persisted 1year after completion of the intervention. Sixty-seven women from the original trial completed baseline and post-intervention body composition and muscle strength tests, and 44 women were available 1year later for follow-up assessments. Bone mineral density (grams per square centimeter) of the hip and spine, muscle mass (kilograms), and fat mass (kilograms) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and maximal upper and lower body strength were measured by one-repetition maximum tests (kilograms). We compared between group changes across baseline (pre-intervention), 1 (post-intervention), and 2years (1year follow up) on study outcomes using repeated-measures analysis of covariance, adjusting for age. Significant group by time interactions were found for spine bone mineral density (BMD) (p < 0.01) and lower body muscle strength (p < 0.05), with a trend for upper body muscle strength (p = 0.05). Spine BMD remained stable across intervention and follow-up periods in exercisers compared with continuous losses in controls across 1- and 2-year periods. In contrast, lower body strength increased in exercisers across the intervention, but decreased to near-baseline levels during follow-up compared with no change over either time period in controls. Our data suggest that spine BMD can be preserved in older breast cancer survivors even after formal exercise training stops; however, muscle strength is not similarly maintained and may require continued participation in a supervised exercise program. Exercise programs aimed at improving musculoskeletal health should be considered in the long-term care plan for breast cancer survivors.

Mediators of the resistance and aerobic exercise intervention effect on physical and general health in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

The objective of the current study was to identify mediators of the effects of a combined resistance and aerobic exercise program on perceived physical and general health in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. In total, 57 patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of resistance and aerobic exercise or usual care. The outcome measures of physical and general health were assessed by standardized questionnaires. Linear regression analyses were conducted on the residual change scores of the variables. The mediating effects of fatigue, muscle strength, and functional performance on the intervention's effect on physical and general health were examined using the product of coefficients method. Bootstrapping was used to calculate the 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The exercise intervention was found to significantly improve physical (beta, 5.03; 95% CI, 1.01-9.04) and general health (beta, 12.89; 95% CI, 2.24-23.54). Upper body muscle strength and walking speed significantly mediated the intervention effect on physical health (beta, 2.65; 95% CI, 0.64-5.54), accounting for 53% of the total effect. Walking speed and fatigue were found to be mediators in the intervention effect on general health (beta, 7.52; 95% CI, 2.16-16.92), accounting for 51% of the total effect. The intervention effects on physical and general health were explained by different mediating mechanisms. Walking speed mediated the intervention effect on both physical and general health. The intervention effect on physical health was further mediated by upper body strength, whereas the effect on general health was mediated by fatigue.

Lack of association of the ACE genotype with the muscle strength response to resistance training

Introduction: Previous studies have attempted to link the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene with the variability in muscle strength responses to resistance training (RT); however, the literature is inconclusive. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between the ACE I/D genotype and muscle strength response to a RT program in young men. Methods: 124 men (22±2.6 years; 174.8±6.5cm; 71.5±13.8 kg) without resistance training experience were tested before and after 11 weeks of five whole-body RT exercises (bench press, seated row, knee extension, knee flexion and sit ups). The bench press 1RM test was used to assess upper-body muscle strength and the isokinetic knee extensor peak torque (PT) was used as a measure of lower-body strength. Results: At baseline, there were no differences among ACE genotype for 1RM load (54±11.7 kg for II, 58.5±8.9 kg for ID and 52.3±12.2 kg for DD) or knee extensor peak torque (PT) (220.1±36.8 N·m for II, 209.4 ±44.4 N·m for ID and 199.7±32.4 N·m for DD). Moreover, ACE genotype was not associated with lower-body (7.1±10.5%, 15.7±10.4% and 14.1±22.7% for II, ID and DD, respectively) or upper-body strength gains (16.2±8.9%, 14.5±11.3% and 21.9±17.1% for II, ID and DD, respectively) in response to RT. Conclusion: The ACE I/D genotype was not associated with the muscle strength responses to RT.

How Effective Is Sun Salutation in Improving Muscle Strength, General Body Endurance and Body Composition?

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate effects of regular practice of sun salutation on muscle strength, general body endurance and body composition. Subjects (49 male and 30 female) performed 24 cycles of sun salutation, 6 days a week for 24 weeks. Upper body muscle strength was determined by 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for bench press and shoulder press technique. Back and leg dynamometry was used to assess strength of back and leg muscles. General body endurance was evaluated by push-up and sit-up tests. Body composition was assessed by noting% body fat by using bioelectric impedance analysis. Perceived intensity of exercise by subjects was noted by Borg scale. Muscle strength by bench press showed significant increase in male (29.49±9.70 to 36.12±9.09 Kg, P<0.001) and female (10.5±4.42 to 13.16±4.44 Kg, P<0.001) subjects. Strength by shoulder press also increased (males; 22.96±9.57 Kg to 26.53±11.05 Kg, P<0.001, females; 6.83±2.78 to 8.83±3.87, P<0.001). Endurance by push-ups & sit-ups showed similar findings in male (19.0±9.58 to 21.98±8.98, P<0.001 and 24.92±10.41 to 29.84±12.64, P<0.001 respectively) and female (14.66±6.80 to 18.56±6.97 and 13.16±7.75 to 19.23±8.25, P<0.001 respectively) subjects. A significant decrease in body fat percent was observed only in female (27.68±5.46 to 25.76±4.72, P<0.001) but not in male subjects. BMI significantly decreased in both the groups (z=4.37, P<001 and t=5.41, P<0.001 respectively). From our observations we conclude that sun salutation can be an ideal exercise to keep oneself in optimum level of fitness.

A Randomized Pilot Study of Monthly Cycled Testosterone Replacement or Continuous Testosterone ReplacementVersusPlacebo in Older Men

Cycling androgens has been reported by athletes to improve physical performance by enhancing muscle mass and strength, a paradigm that has not been studied, and may have clinical value in older men being treated with testosterone. We investigated the efficacy of a monthly cycled testosterone regimen that uses half the testosterone dose as the current standard of care continuous therapy on body composition and muscle strength in older men. Twenty-four community-dwelling older men 70 ± 2 yr of age with total testosterone levels below 500 ng/dl were randomized at the Institute for Translational Sciences-Clinical Research Center into a 5-month double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Subjects were dosed weekly for 5 months, receiving continuous testosterone (TE, n = 8; 100 mg testosterone enanthate, im injection), monthly cycled testosterone (MO, n = 8; alternating months of testosterone and placebo), or placebo (PL, n = 8). Main outcomes included body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and upper and lower body muscle strength. Secondary outcomes included body weight, serum hormones, and mixed-muscle protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR). Total lean body mass was increased and percent fat was reduced after 5 months in TE and MO (P < 0.05). Upper body muscle strength increased in TE, and lower body muscle strength increased in TE and MO (P < 0.05). FSR increased in TE and MO (P < 0.05) but not in PL. Cycled testosterone improved body composition and increased muscle strength compared with placebo and increased FSR similarly to continuous testosterone.

Upper Body Muscle Strength and Endurance in Relation to Peak Exercise Capacity during Cycling in Healthy Sedentary Male Subjects

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between upper body muscle strength and endurance, and exercise capacity during an incremental cycle exercise test in sedentary healthy male subjects before and after 6 months of combined supervised group training. Exercise capacity was measured as maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂peak) and maximum work rate (WR(peak)). Muscle strength and endurance of the upper body were assessed by bench press and isometric measurement of trunk extensor and flexor maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and trunk extensor and flexor endurance. Thirty-one subjects were studied before and after the training period. Bench press and trunk extensor MVC correlated to exercise capacity at baseline and after training. Training improved VO₂peak and WR(peak). The correlation between trunk extensor MVC and exercise capacity improved after training. Upper body strength may affect exercise capacity by increasing the rider's ability to generate force on the handlebar that can be transmitted to the pedals. Resistance training of the arms, chest, and trunk may help improve cycling performance.

Upper Body Muscle Strength and Batting Performance in Cricket Batsmen

The aim of this study was to determine if upper body muscle strength (as measured by the 1 repetition maximum bench press) was associated with cricket batting performance. Cricket batting performance was defined by the maximum hitting distance during a batting task and batting average and strike rate during 1-Day and Twenty/20 (T/20) matches. Eighteen, provincial level, elite cricket batsmen participated in the study. Upper body muscle strength was found to be positively correlated with maximum hitting distance (p = 0.0052). There were no significant correlations between upper body strength, batting average, and strike rate for both the 1-Day and T/20 matches. The results of this study have implications for coaches choosing a particular batting line-up. Batsmen who have stronger upper bodies could be favored to bat when a match situation requires them to hit powerful strokes resulting in boundaries. However, coaches cannot use upper body strength as a predictor of overall batting performance in 1-Day or T/20 matches.

Physical Fitness Performance of Portuguese and Polish University Students

Physical fitness is an important component of health status and education. Concerns on physical fitness improvement were reported on health promotion programs, in particular regarding to childhood and youth. However, little attention has been taken to late adolescence and early adulthood, particularly to University students. PURPOSE: Evaluate and compare the performance level of muscular endurance, muscular strength and flexibility between Portuguese and Polish University students using physical fitness tests. METHODS: 81 students participated voluntarily, from which 36 (25 men and 11 women) were Portuguese (21.2 ± 1.2 y) and 45 (18 men and 27 women) were Polish (19.8 ± 0.5 y). The physical fitness performance between Portuguese and Polish groups was evaluated by the following tests: push-up, sit-up, standing long jump and toe-touch test. Mann-Whitney tests were used to detect differences in performance between groups in the physical fitness tests. RESULTS: Push-up scores were lower for both Portuguese and Polish groups, except for Portuguese females. This trend was particularly evident in Portuguese males (48%) and Polish females (70%). Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between women and men of same groups and between the same gender of different groups. A "poor or very poor" performance for standing long jump was found for Portuguese (86%) and Polish (78%) students, without significant differences between subjects of the same groups and different groups of the same gender. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found for Portuguese and Polish women for sit-up test. Portuguese (72%) and Polish (33%) females obtained the classification of "excellent or above average" in this test. The performance on toe-touch test was better in Polish students, but significant differences (p<0.05) were only found between Portuguese and Polish women. An "excellent or good" performance was found in 36% Portuguese and 78% Polish women. CONCLUSION: A lower upper body muscle strength (push-up) and lower limb explosive strength (long jump) was found for both Portuguese and Polish University students. Given that fitness condition may lead to serious health concerns, these results suggest that effective interventions are needed to improve the physical fitness on these University students.

The Effects of Upper Body Muscle Strength Training on Anthropometric Measurements and Cardiopulmonary Function in Obese Women

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of upper body muscle strength training on anthropometric measurements and cardiopulmonary function in healthy obese women. [Subjects] Sixty-three obese women (age: 37.96 ± 2.25 years, height: 158.99 ± 5.76 cm, body weight: 83.65 ± 11.24 kg, body mass index: 33.11 ± 4.31 kg/m2) volunteered to participate in this study. [Methods] The participants were divided into 3 groups. The aerobic (A) group performed diet plus aerobic exercise on a bicycle ergometer for 45-60 min, 3 times a week for 8 weeks, while the aerobic-strength (AS) group performed strength training with the barbell and their body weight plus diet and aerobic exercise. C group was the control. The spirometer test, gas analysis and anthropometric measurements were performed for all three groups before and after training. SPSS 11.0 statistical software was used to perform all the analysis. Comparisons were made using one-way ANOVA. [Results] The present findings show that, there were significant differences between pre- and post-training measures of anthropometric parameters and cardiopulmonary function in the study groups. After 8 wk of training, forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) of the AS group showed a significant increase (16.19% and 13.77%). Furthermore, VO2 max parameters of the A and AS groups showed a significant increase (8.48-6.15%). [Conclusions] Diet and aerobic training in obese women significantly improved their morphological structure and aerobic capacity. However, diet plus aerobic and strength training significantly increased muscle strength of the upper body and accessory respiratory muscles. Therefore pulmonary functions parameters such as FVC and MVV values increased.

Acute Effects of Various Weighted Bat Warm-Up Protocols on Bat Velocity

Although research has provided evidence of increased muscular performance following a facilitation set of resistance exercise, this has not been established for use prior to measuring baseball bat velocity. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of selected weighted bat warm-up protocols to enhance bat velocity in collegiate baseball players. Nineteen collegiate baseball players (age = 20.15 +/- 1.46 years) were tested for upper-body strength by a 3-repetition maximum (RM) bench press (mean = 97.98 +/- 14.54 kg) and mean bat velocity. Nine weighted bat warm-up protocols, utilizing 3 weighted bats (light = 794 g; standard = 850 g; heavy = 1,531 g) were swung in 3 sets of 6 repetitions in different orders. A control trial involved the warm-up protocol utilizing only the standard bat. Pearson product correlation revealed a significant relationship between 3RM strength and pretest bat velocity (r = 0.51, p = 0.01). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant treatment effects of warm-up protocol on bat velocity. However, the order of standard, light, heavy bat sequence resulted in the greatest increase in bat velocity (+6.03%). These results suggest that upper-body muscle strength influences bat velocity. It appears that the standard, light, heavy warm-up order may provide the greatest benefit to increase subsequent bat velocity and may warrant use in game situations.

Cognitive Impairment and Effects on Upper Body Strength of Adults with Dementia

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association between cognitive ability and upper body muscle strength. Two sources of existing data were pooled for this examination. Thirty-eight older participants diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia (25 women, 13 men; age = 83.2 +/- 5.6 years, MMSE score = 16.75 +/- 7.04, M +/- SD) underwent an assessment of grip strength via handheld dynamometry. Multiple-regression analysis indicated that cognitive status was a significant predictor of strength and, when combined in a model with age and sex, explained 57% of the between-individuals variance in handgrip strength. The findings from this exploratory investigation suggest that dementia is associated with strength loss, a key contributor to functional disability; this further justifies efforts to investigate mechanisms responsible for this decay and to preserve muscle integrity by integrating physical activity interventions, notably, muscle strengthening, into the lifestyle of adults with dementia.

Patterns and Correlates of Muscle Strength Loss in Older Women

Background: The aging process is associated with progressive declines in muscle strength, resulting in functional disability and reduced quality of life. Objective: The purpose of this epidemiological study was to examine the age-related loss of grip strength both cross-sectionally and longitudinally and the risk factors associated with the decline in muscle strength in a large population of community-living older women (aged 65–91 years). Methods: Clinical visits, including physical examinations and lifestyle assessment, were conducted at baseline and biennially afterwards for a total of 10 years of follow-up. The upper-body muscle strength was measured by grip strength using a hand-held dynamometer. Results: The muscle strength decreased cross-sectionally (n = 9,372) as well as longitudinally (n = 5,214), as age increased, and the decline in muscle strength measured during follow-up was greater than that measured cross-sectionally at baseline. The average loss of grip strength during 10 years of follow-up was 5.1 kg, equivalent to a rate of 2.4% decline per year, with the greatest loss seen in the oldest age group (80 years or older). Cross-sectional analysis revealed that the correlates of lower muscle strength included older age, greater weight, greater height loss since age 25 years, lower protein intake, difficulties in functional tasks, and lower physical activity. In longitudinal analysis, older age, baseline strength, weight and height loss during follow-up, difficulties in functional tasks, and lower physical activity were found to be significantly and independently associated with greater loss in grip strength during follow-up. Conclusions: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of age-related loss of muscle strength yielded different rates of decline. In addition to older age and difficulties in functional tasks, a number of modifiable factors, including weight and physical activity, are associated with increased decline in muscle strength among older women.

Effectiveness of Rep Reebok on Muscular Strength, Endurance, and Body Composition in Healthy Adults

The fitness industry is continuing to evolve, as participants demand new, innovative ways to build or maintain the components of fitness. Group exercise is one of the most popular ways to provide programs and many of the companies at the forefront of the industry market themselves as research-based but little published data supports that claim. PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate whether the Rep Reebok group exercise, resistance-training program taught by a certified instructor was effective in gaining muscular strength, muscular endurance, and increasing lean body mass in healthy, trained adults, ages 25–55. METHODS: Twenty-five active members (17 = female; 8 = male) of 24Hour Fitness completed the study. Following pre-testing for 1RM chest press and leg press, the YMCA submaximal muscular endurance test for chest press and leg press and body composition using skinfolds, they all participated in the Rep Reebok program two to three times per week for six weeks. Rep Reebok is a 55–60 minute class intended to provide a full-body workout using dumbbells and barbells with weight plates in a group setting providing class camaraderie and valuable instruction by a knowledgeable exercise leader. All participants were post-tested on the same variables within one week of the end of the class. A student's t-test was used to compare pre- and post-test values for all variables. summary of RESULTS: The group experienced significant improvements in all variables: upper body muscle strength (t = −3.19; p = .004), lower body muscle strength (t = −4.30; p = .0001), upper body muscular endurance (t = −4.68; p = .0001), lower body muscular endurance (t = 3.49; p = .002), and body composition (t = 3.483; p = .002). CONCLUSION: These results suggests that previously trained adults who regularly participate in Rep Reebok at least two times per week will demonstrate physiological adaptations to resistance training within six weeks.

Progressive Resistance Training Improves Perceived Performance of Household Physical Activities Among Women Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation

Background Women often feel guilt after a cardiac event if they are unable to resume their household physical activities. Upper body muscle strength, necessary for these activities decreases not only as a natural aging process but also with physical inactivity post cardiac event. Purpose This ongoing study examines the impact of progressive upper body resistance training with free weights on muscle strength and perceived ability to perform household physical activities among women who participate in Phase II (Outpatient) Cardiac Rehabilitation. Methods This 10-week randomized parallel-group experiment consists of usual care (UC) aerobic exercise or aerobic exercise/resistance training exercise (RTE) groups. Muscle strength for 5 upper body resistance exercises (chest press, shoulder press, biceps curl, lateral row and triceps extension) is measured using the 1-Repetition Maximum Assessment (1-RM). The RTE progressively increased weight lifted based on 40%, 50% and 60% of obtained 1-RM assessment. Perceived performance of household physical activities was measured with the Household Activities Scale (HAS). The percent change in muscle strength between groups was calculated for each exercise. The HAS score is the percent of activities performed without difficulty out of the total number of household physical activities performed. The Wilcoxan test was used to determine between group differences for the HAS and Spearman's rho was used to determine correlation between muscle strength and HAS. Results The RTE group (n = 5) increased in muscle strength in all five exercises compared to the UC group (n = 5) including chest press (34% vs. 5%), shoulder press (40% vs. 39%), biceps curl (27% vs. 14%), lateral row (44% vs. 33%) and triceps extension (33% vs. 14%), respectively. Muscle strength difference in the lateral row was significantly correlated with the HAS (r = .759, p = .02). HAS percentage scores increased in the RTE group compared to the UC group (13% vs. −2%, respectively) although was not statistically significant (Z = 14.5, p = .176). Conclusions Progressive upper body resistance training with free weights shows promise in increasing muscle strength and improving women's ability to perform household physical activities post cardiac event. For this sample, difference in HAS scores was not significant, but the percent improvement in ability to perform household activities is clinically relevant. Beginning resistance training early after cardiac event in a monitored environment like CR can maximize the strengthening benefit for women.