Upper-body Muscular Strength Research Articles

The effect of a whole body exercise programme and dragon boat training on arm volume and arm circumference in women treated for breast cancer

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a whole body exercise programme and dragon boat training on changes in arm volume in breast cancer survivors. A total of 16 female breast cancer survivors with no clinical history of lymphoedema volunteered. The 20-week exercise programme consisted of resistance and aerobic exercise with the addition of dragon boat training at week 8. Arm circumference at two sites (CIRC10, CIRC15), arm volume (VOL), and upper body strength (1-RM) were measured at baseline (T1), week 8 (T2), and week 20 (T3). All statistical tests were two-sided (alpha < or = 0.05). No significant differences between the ipsilateral and contralateral upper extremities at any of the three time points were found. All variables significantly increased from T1 to T3 (CIRC10: difference, d = 0.49 cm, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.25-0.73, P = 0.000; CIRC15: d = 1.33 cm, CI = 0.78-1.88, P = 0.000; VOL: d = 100 mL, CI = 69-130, P = 0.000). As well, 1-RM significantly increased from T1 to T3 (d = 10.8 kg, CI = 5.6-16.1; P = 0.000). In summary, participation in a whole body exercise programme and dragon boat training resulted in a significant increase in upper extremity volume over time. However, the changes were consistent for both arms and the significant gain in upper body muscular strength likely accounted for the increase in arm volume.

Effects Of Muscular Strength And Endurance Training On Ambulatory Blood Pressure Responses In Hypertensive Elderly

PURPOSE To examine whether a 10-week elastic band exercise program would change an ambulatory blood pressure (BP) reponses during exercise in hypertensive elderly women. METHODS A total of 43 community dwelling women were recruited in the study. They were randomly assigned to either exercise group (EG; n = 24, 72 ± 5, 152 ± 5, 58 ± 6, 130 ± 14, 76 ± 14) or control group (CG; n = 19, 72 ± 5 yrs, 150 ± 6 cm, 53 ± 10 kg, 125 ± 13 systolic BP mmHg, 80 ± 14 diastolic BP mmHg). All have took prescribed anti-hypertensive drugs. The exercise program for EG consisted of upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance training using elastic band at an intensity of 12–14 RPE, 70 min/session, 3 times/wk for 10 weeks, while no treatments were given for CG. Before and after the period, their resting and two types of ambulatory BP were measured. While they performed arm curl on one hand, BP and heart rate (HR) were measured on the other arm. On the other occasion, their BP was measured immediately after 2-min step test (20 cm height). RESULTS The systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, rate-pressure product, and HR during resting and exercise did not change after the exercise program (2-way ANOVA, P>0.05). However the magnitude of reduction were greater in resting SBP in EG (5.7) than CG (2.0), and resting DBP in EG (5.2) than CG (−2.0 mmHg) (P<0.05). During arm curl exercise, the magnitude of reduction was greater in SBP in EG (4.5) than CG (−6.1) and in DBP in EG (16.4) than CG (0.0 mmHg) (P<0.05). After the step test, the magnitude of reduction in SBP was greater in EG (5.5) than CG (−4.1 mmHg) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Ten weeks of muscular strength and endurance training did not result in reduction of absolute values of blood pressure parameters. However, the magnitude of reduction was greater after the exercise program both at rest and during exercise in hypertensive elderly women. This study was supported by the Korean Research Foundation, Brain Korea 21 Programs.

Physical and perceptual benefits of yoga asana practice: results of a pilot study

Summary Twenty-six healthy adults age 20–58 (Mean 31.8) participated in six weeks of either astanga yoga or hatha yoga class. Significant improvements at follow-up were noted for all participants in diastolic blood pressure, upper body and trunk dynamic muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, perceived stress, and health perception. The improvements differed for each group when compared to baseline assessments. The astanga yoga group had decreased diastolic blood pressure and perceived stress, and increased upper body and trunk dynamic muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and health perception. Improvements for the hatha yoga group were significant only for trunk dynamic muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. The findings suggest that the fitness benefits of yoga practice differ by style.

Validity and Reliability of Elastic Resistance to Assess Upper Body Strength in Older Adults

2400 PURPOSE: To determine the validity and reliability of using elastic resistance to assess upper body muscular strength in older adults. METHODS: Forty-eight community-dwelling older adult subjects (mean age = 73yrs; M = 8, F = 40) were recruited from an ongoing program examining the impact of various modes of exercise on the functional ability of functionally limited older adults. The sample qualified for this program by reporting and exhibiting functional abilities below the mean of their age group. Subjects completed two bouts of testing separated by seven days. During the first bout of testing each subject completed three assessments of upper body muscular strength with the right arm. First, a 30-second arm curl test was performed with a handheld dumbbell (Rikli & Jones 1998). Males used an 8lb dumbbell and females used a 5lb dumbbell during the testFinext, the arm curl test was repeated using elastic bands to generate resistance (males used blue and females used green). Finally, maximum arm flexion torque was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer at 300 per second from 00 to 1200 of elbow flexion. The second bout of testing consisted of repeating the 30-second arm curl test with elastic bands. RESULTS: Pearson correlations matrices were constructed to determine the validity and reliability of using elastic resistance to assess upper body muscular strength. The data collected during the first bout of testing demonstrated a significant correlation between the 30-second arm curl test using elastic resistance and maximum isokinetic torque (r = .45, p<.00). Further, correlations between the 30-second arm curl test using elastic resistance separated by seven days demonstrated a high degree of stability over this duration of time (r = .81, p<.00). CONCLUSION: These findings reveal that the 30-second arm curl test using elastic resistance demonstrated a high degree of stability over one week and a strong correlation with isokinetic torque in the upper extremity among older adults. This suggests that elastic resistance may be used when performing clinical assessments of upper extremity strength within this population. Supported by NIH Grant RO1 NR0451503, and the Hygenic Corporation.

The Influence of Body Size and Composition on FITNESSGRAM(r) Test Performance and the Adjustment of FITNESSGRAM(r) Test Scores for Skinfold Thickness in Youth

This study was designed to (a) determine the influence of body composition on the performance of FITNESSGRAM(r) test items and (b) evaluate the impact of adjusting FITNESSGRAM(r) scores for the effect of body composition on percentile ranks and the achievement of criterion-referenced standards (CRS). Male and female children (N = 200; ages 10-12 years) were administered a battery of FITNESSGRAM(r) tests. Body composition measurements had significant moderate negative correlations with PACER, curl-up, and push-up scores (r = -.30 to -.49). After the performance scores were adjusted for sum of skinfolds (SSF) by regression analysis for each of these tests, CRS classifications were altered in 4.5-22.7% of the participants. Adjusting the performance scores for SSF also resulted in differences of greater than 10 percentile ranks in 41-45% of the participants. The relationship between SSF and PACER, curlup, and push-up scores appears to be sufficient to justify the use of adjusted scores for evaluating cardiorespiratory endurance and upper-body muscular strength and endurance independent of SSF. The use of adjusted scores may permit a more unbiased assessment of health-related fitness independent of body size and composition.

EFFECTS OF TRAINING FREQUENCY ON STRENGTH GAINS IN MEN AND WOMEN AGED 60???70 YEARS

Training regimens for improving strength are often prescribed based on standard training responses of young men and women, however, it is not clear whether these training principles apply to older adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two frequencies of high intensity (80% 1RM) resistance training, 2x/wk and 3x/wk, on muscular strength in men (n = 26) and women (n = 30) aged 60–70 years. Subjects were partially randomized into one of the training programs. Three sets of each exercise were performed during a single session with each session lasting about 1 hour. Strength (1RM) was assessed for 6 muscle groups, 3 upper body and 3 lower body. The training loads were adjusted every 5th week over the 40 week program. Overall, strength improved significantly (p < .001) for each muscle group tested independent of training frequency or gender. In general, there were no significant differences between strength gains for 2x/wk and 3x/wk, with the exception of the quadriceps strength in women and shoulder press in men, where the increases were greater for the 3x/wk program. In conclusion, both training frequencies resulted in similar improvements in upper and lower body muscular strength in older men and women. The percent changes in strength from the beginning to the end of the 40 week programs were as follows: Percent Changes in Strength from Baseline to 40 Weeks of TrainingTable

EFFECTS OF TRAINING FREQUENCIES ON DETRAINING AFTER UPPER BODY MUSCULAR STRENGTH TRAINING IN MILITARY MALES 18 YEARS OF AGE

Detraining has been shown to cause decreases in muscular strength, although the effects of training frequencies on detraining are not well-known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of training frequencies on detraining after upper body muscular strength training in 18-year-old male military soldiers. Prior to the beginning of the study, intrarater and interrater reliability coefficients (R = 0.98), test/retest intraclass reliability coefficient (R = 0.98) and validity of the pull-up test against the pull-down exercise (r = 0.90, p < 0.00; SEE = 0.1) were determined. Sixty men (height = 173.2 ± 6.0 cm; body mass = 64.6 ± 7.8 kg; muscle mass = 38.5 ± 5.4 kg) were tested for maximum repetion of pull-ups (MR) and then randomly assigned to one of the three experimental (EG) and one non-exercise control groups (CG). All EGs performed one set of maximum repetitions, at the rate of one repetition per four seconds either one (EG1), three (EG3), or five times per week (EG5), during two months. All groups were retested after two months of training and six months of detraining. Factorial 4x3 ANOVA results, with repeated measures, followed by Tukey post-hoc test, indicated that there were no significant muscular strength differences among the groups on the pretraining test. After two months of training, only postraining EG5 was significantly greater than pretraining values (p = 0,00). Postraining EG5 was significantly greater than postraining EG3, EG1 and CG (p = 0,05) and postraining EG3 was significantly greater than postraining CG (p = 0,00). After six months of detraining, EG5 was significantly lower than after two months training (p = 0,01). All groups at detraining showed no significant difference from their respective pretraining values. These results indicated that regardless of the training frequency used, the lack of training resulted in all groups returning to the pretraining values after six months of detraining.Table

COMPARISON OF PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCES ON STANDARDIZED PHYSIOLOGICAL TESTS FOR WOMEN IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND INDUSTRIAL JOBS 198

The purpose of the study was to determine whether women's performance on standardized muscular strength and endurance, anaerobic power, flexibility, and body composition measures differed depending upon the perceived physical demand of a job. The jobs used were extracted from studies conducted for the electric, tire manufacturing, telecommunications, nuclear power, and freight industries, as well as law enforcement, firefighter, and emergency service agencies. Job analyses and ergonomic assessments from 39 jobs were used to generate six job clusters: law enforcement (LE), firefighting (FF), emergency medical services (EMS), communications installation/repair (CIR), construction(CS), and materials handling (MH). The sample was composed of 391 women. Study results showed that women's performance on upper body muscular strength and endurance measures was significantly (p<0.05) greater for the CS, EMS, and FF clusters. Mean performance on lower body muscular strength and endurance measures was significantly (p<0.05) greater for the CS and EMS clusters. Greater flexibility (p<0.05) was demonstrated by women in the LE, FF, and EMS clusters. The CIR cluster mean for anaerobic power was significantly(p<0.05) lower than means for all other clusters. Body composition was found to differ across job clusters with the LE and FF clusters yielding significantly (p<0.05) lower mean values. This study demonstrated that women in jobs with varied physical demand, identified through job and ergonomic analysis, do perform at different levels on standardized physiological measures. These results suggest that pre-employment assessments should be used to match physical capabilities with job demands.

INTERACTIONS OF STRENGTH TRAINING WITH ENDURANCE, AGILITY AND SPEED IN ADOLESCENT TENNIS PLAYERS 937

The purpose of this study was to determine if H-VOL (3-set) weight training(WTRG) compared with L-VOL (1-set) WTRG interferes with training endurance capacity (VO2peak), agility (spider test and sideways shuffle), speed(20 yd sprint), and flexibility (shoulder rotation) of adolescent tennis players. Twenty high school tennis team members (age 15.8±.9 yr) trained 3 days/wk, for 10 wks using 11 WTRG exercises for 1-set (n=9) or 3-sets (n=11) of 10-15 repetitions to muscular failure. Each of the 3 weekly training sessions were preceded by 15-25 min of an agility or speed drill(20-50 m sprints) or endurance drill (jogging). Both the 1-set and 3-set groups increased similarly in upper body and lower body muscular strength(1-RM: chest press, 12.5% and 12.8%; leg press, 21.7% and 20.8%, respectively) and VO2peak (9% and 5%, respectively) and, significantly decreased shoulder range of motion (ROM) (ROM: -28% and -29%, respectively)(seeTable). Training resulted in no changes for both groups in 20 yd sprint, spider test, sideways shuffle or maximum serve speed.(*p≤0.05 pre vs. post) In adolescent tennis players, concomitant WTRG and endurance training improved strength and VO2peak. A 10 wk, H-VOL pre-season WTRG program neither improved nor detracted from measures of physical conditioning compared with a L-VOL WTRG program. However, the lack of improvement in specific agility or speed measures may be due to interference between facets of the training program or by insufficient stimulus from 1 day/wk specific agility or speed training drills.

EFFECT OF STRENGTH TRAINING VOLUME ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRENGTH AND POWER IN ADOLESCENT TENNIS PLAYERS 938

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of high- (H-VOL, 3-sets) and low- volume (L-VOL, 1-set) progressive overload weight training(WTRG) during a 10 wk pre-season conditioning program in adolescent tennis players (age 15.8±.9 yr). Members of high school tennis teams trained 3 days/wk, for 10 wk using 11 WTRG exercises for 1-set (n=9) or 3-sets (n=11) of 10-15 repetitions to muscular failure. One-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength was determined for chest press (CH-PR) and leg press (LG-PR). Muscular endurance (END) was measured as the number of repetitions to fatigue at an absolute weight for CH-PR (females: 35 lb, males: 80 lb) and 70% of initial 1-RM for LG-PR. Power was assessed by measuring vertical jump. Both the 1-set and 3-set groups increased similarly in upper body and lower body muscular strength (1-RM: CH-PR, 12.5% and 12.8%; LG-PR, 21.7% and 20.8%, respectively) and END (# reps to fatigue: CH-PR, 71% and 70%; LG-PR, 98% and 167%, respectively) (see Table). Both groups showed no increase in vertical jump. The results showed that muscular strength and END improved equally in both the 1-set and 3-set WTRG groups. Thus, 1-set of WTRG is recommended for high school pre-season tennis programs because of its effectiveness and greater economy of time.

STRENGTH AND POWER CHANGES FOLLOWING RESISTANCE TRAINING IN OLDER AND YOUNGER WOMEN 435

It has been shown that older individuals can improve or maintain muscular strength and power by resistance training; however, it is unclear how the magnitude of their responses to resistance training compare to those of younger individuals. Therefore, we measured upper and lower body strength (one repetition maximum (1RM)) and power in eight older women (OW, 60.4 ± 1.3 yrs) and nine younger women (YW, 25.9 ± 1.2 yrs) before and after 12 weeks of progressive resistance training (RT; 2 d/wk, 3 sets/exercise/d) performed at 80% of the 1RM. Fat-free mass was similar (43.1 ±2 vs. 43.1 ±1 kg) in OW and YW. All RT, 1RM and power measurements were made on Keiser pneumatic resistance equipment. Below are the changes (mean ± SE) in 1RM and power at 80% of 1RM in two muscle groups after 12 weeks of RT:Table Regardless of age, all of the women (n=17) increased upper and lower body strength and power with RT (p<0.05). Increases in left knee extensor strength, upper body strength, and upper and lower body power were similar between OW and YW; however, OW increased right knee extensor strength less than YW. These data demonstrate that older and younger women have a similar capacity for improving upper and lower body muscular strength and power.

Aerobic and resistance exercise training effects on body composition, muscular strength, and cardiovascular fitness in an hiv—1 population

Although HIV-1 infection rates peaked in the 1980s in the United States, advanced stage HIV disease will grow by about 40% in the next 40 years. This fact has signaled the need for intervention strategies that go beyond primary prevention and into treatment of the complications associated with this chronic disease. Recently, the role of exercise in reversing the wasting process experienced by individuals with HIV-1 has received much needed attention. The purpose of this study was to examine the independent contributions of a 12-week aerobic or resistance weight training exercise regimen in improving body composition, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness in an HIV-1 population. Participants for this study (N = 33) were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise training group, a resistance weight training group, or a stretching/flexibility control group. Measures of body composition, muscular strength, and cardiovascular fitness were assessed both prior to and following completion of the intervention. In general, the results revealed significant improvements in the amount of lean muscle tissue, upper and lower body muscular strength, and predicted VO(2)max for exercise participants, whereas control participants experienced declines in all physiological measures. Based on these findings, it is suggested that exercise may be one complimentary therapeutic modality capable of combating the wasting process associated with advanced HIV-1 infection.

Validity of Field Tests of Upper Body Muscular Strength

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of five field tests (FTs) of upper body muscular strength and endurance (UBMSE) in 9-10-year-old children. Ninety-four children (38 boys, 56 girls) performed five FTs of UBMSE: pull-ups, flexed arm hang, push-ups, Vermont modified pull-ups (VMPU), and New York modified pull-ups. They also performed three criterion tests (CTs) of strength and three CTs of muscular endurance using a supported weight, set-resistance device. Zero-order correlations between the sum of the standard scores on the three CTs of strength (SUM1RM) and the FTs were nonsignificant. However, when SUM1RM was expressed relative to body weight (SUM1RM.kg-1), significant (p < .01) correlation coefficients were obtained for each FT. Highest correlations with SUM1RM.kg-1 were observed for the VMPU, and this same test yielded the smallest percentage of zero scores. Principal components analysis of the CTs, normalized for body weight, and FTs yielded a factor on which both the FTs and CTs of strength loaded significantly. These data indicate that the five FTs, though invalid as measures of absolute strength and muscular endurance, manifest concurrent and construct validity as measures of weight-relative muscular strength.

Correlates to Performance on Field Tests of Muscular Strength

Field tests of upper body muscular strength and endurance (UBMSE) are often administered to children, but little is known about the determinants of performance on these tests. Therefore the purpose of this investigation was to examine potential determinants of performance on several common field tests of UBMSE including pull-ups, flexed-arm hang, push-ups, and two types of modified pull-ups. Subjects were 56 girls and 38 boys, ages 9 to 11 years. Potential determinants assessed were age, height, weight, gender, % fat, physical activity, and laboratory measures of muscular strength and endurance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the laboratory measures of UBMSE failed to account for significant fractions of variance in performance on four of the five tests. However, % fat was significantly associated with performance on four of five tests. These results indicate that factors other than muscular strength and endurance account for most of the variance in performance, and that % fat appears to be a particularly important determinant of performance.

Interrelationships among various measures of upper body strength assessed by different contraction modes. Evidence for a general strength component.

Two studies were conducted in 83 college men to determine the degree of generality of individual differences in upper body muscular strength assessed by different testing modes. In study 1 (N = 43), correlations were computed between four measures of upper body strength using the bench press movement, maximal isokinetic (0.09 rad.s-1), maximal fast (0.126 m.s-1) and slow (0.037 m.s-1) hydraulic, and one repetition maximum (1-RM) free weight bench press (BP). Compared to free weight BP, maximal strength during isokinetic and slow hydraulic BP was approximately 29% and approximately 8% larger, and fast hydraulic BP strength was approximately 63% lower (p less than 0.05). Simple linear regression of isokinetic BP on 1-RM BP yielded r = 0.79, error of prediction (SE) = 12%, and generality = 81%. The corresponding averaged values for the regression of slow and fast hydraulic BP on free weight 1-RM BP were r = 0.77, SE = 13.5%, and generality = 84%. In Study 2 (N = 40), testing included maximal isokinetic concentric and eccentric arm flexion and extension at 0.524, 1.570, and 2.094 rad.s-1. The ratio of concentric to eccentric torque at the 3 speeds averaged 0.68 (flexion) and 0.70 (extension), and eccentric torques were 32% and 30% greater than concentric torques (p less than 0.05). The linear regression between concentric vs. eccentric flexion and extension torques at the three velocities yielded an average r = 0.80, SE = 13.7%, and generality = 73%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)