Weight Training Activities Research Articles

Outcomes of Pectoralis Major Tendon Repair: Does Study Design Matter?: Commentary on an article by Drew W. Nute, MD, et al.: "Return to Function, Complication, and Reoperation Rates Following Primary Pectoralis Major Tendon Repair in Military Service Members".

Nute et al. are to be congratulated for this retrospective study comprising a large cohort of 257 U.S. active-duty military patients following primary pectoralis major tendon repair performed by 152 surgeons at 57 medical treatment facilities between 2008 and 2013, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The patients were identified from the Military Health System utilizing the Management Analysis and Reporting Tool (M2). Historically, pectoralis major tendon tears have occurred infrequently. A systematic review identified only 365 cases in the literature since Patissier’s description of the injury in 1822 through 20101. Pectoralis major tendon tears have occurred with increasing frequency in more recent years. Changing demographic characteristics with increased participation in contact sports and weight-training activities are likely responsible. Previous studies have demonstrated that improved outcomes can be anticipated with surgical repair compared with nonoperative treatment and that acute repair is preferable2-4. Recent publications have begun to provide more information on anticipated functional outcomes, adduction strength following surgical repair, complications, and second surgical procedure rates5. The strengths of this study from Nute et al. include the large cohort of patients and the information provided with regard to functional outcomes, complications, reoperation rates, and risk factors for failure. A total of 242 patients (94%) were able to return to full duty at a mean time of 7.1 months following the surgical …

Differences between two japanese health-promotion programs on measures of health and wellness

We implemented and compared two 10-month health education programs in Minowa town and Matsumoto city, Nagano prefecture, Japan. The Matsumoto city cohort underwent a program of monthly classroom activities (CA group), whereas the Minowa town cohort were not only subjected to classroom activities but also performed 90-min strength and weight training once a week and were termed the classroom/training (CT) group. We measured anthropometric, blood pressure, physical fitness, blood chemistry, and brain function variables. All participants were provided pedometers and were encouraged to walk. Monthly seminars included education regarding yoga, exercise, blood pressure, nutrition, and other health-related topics. In total, 92 healthy participants were included in the CA group [age, 66.5 ± 5.4 years (mean ± standard error of mean); 30 males and 62 females] and 46 healthy participants were included in the CT group (mean age 62.7 ± 4.7 years; 22 males and 24 females). We observed significant differences between the average number of steps walked in the CA (7241.7 ± 113.6) and CT (8686.7 ± 167.2) groups. Both the groups both showed significant improvements in anthropometric, blood pressure, physical fitness, blood chemistry, and brain function tests; however, the CT group showed markedly greater improvement after the health education program than before participation. In conclusion, the CT program had added benefits over the CA program because of the higher average amount of walking (approximately 1,400 steps) and the inclusion of a weekly weight-training activity.

A systematic review and comprehensive classification of pectoralis major tears

Reported descriptions of pectoralis major (PM) injury are often inconsistent with the actual musculotendinous morphology. The literature lacks an injury classification system that is consistently applied and accurately reflects surgically relevant anatomic injury patterns, making meaningful comparison of treatment techniques and outcomes difficult. Published cases of PM injury between 1822 and 2010 were analyzed to identify incidence and injury patterns and the extent to which these injuries fit into a classification category. Recent work outlining the 3-dimensional anatomy of the PM muscle and tendon, as well as biomechanical studies of PM muscle segments, were reviewed to identify the aspects of musculotendinous anatomy that are clinically and surgically relevant to injury classification. We identified 365 cases of PM injury, with 75% occurring in the last 20 years; of these, 83% were a result of indirect trauma, with 48% occurring during weight-training activities. Injury patterns were not classified in any consistent way in timing, location, or tear extent, particularly with regard to affected muscle segments contributing to the PM's bilaminar tendon. A contemporary injury classification system is proposed that includes (1) injury timing (acute vs chronic), (2) injury location (at the muscle origin or muscle belly, at or between the musculotendinous junction and the tendinous insertion, or bony avulsion), and (3) standardized terminology addressing tear extent (anterior-to-posterior thickness and complete vs incomplete width) to more accurately reflect the musculotendinous morphology of PM injuries and better inform surgical management, rehabilitation, and research.

Functional and Psychosocial Effects of Health Qigong in Patients with COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The initial gain from a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program (PRP) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) begins to fade away 6 months after the completion of a rehabilitation program. One possible reason may be due to the poor compliance of the patients to the existing forms of home exercise program (e.g., walking, weight training activities, etc.). This study tested the efficacy of health qigong (HQG), a traditional Chinese exercise, as an adjunct home exercise program in optimizing the gains obtained from PRP until 6 months after discharge. This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on a mind-body exercise intervention. Eighty (80) patients with COPD receiving conventional PRP pulmonary rehabilitation program were randomized to the HQG intervention group (n = 40) and control group (n = 40). Assessments were undertaken by blinded assessors at baseline, discharge from training, and follow-up (FU) at 3 and 6 months. Primary outcomes involved functional capacity scales and secondary outcomes involved quality-of-life scales. Intention-to-treat analysis identified trends of improvement in all outcome measures in the HQG group, whereas lesser improvement and trends of deteriorations were identified in the control group. Ancillary analysis using a per-protocol method, however, identified significantly better improvements in functional capacity measures among the HQG at the 6-month FU. This RCT provided some evidence to support the positive effect of HQG as an adjunct home exercise for rehabilitation among people with COPD and to support further related research.

Spinal Injuries in Professional Rugby Union: A Prospective Cohort Study

To determine the incidence, severity, nature, and causes of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine injuries sustained during competition and training in professional rugby union. A 2 season prospective cohort design. Twelve English Premiership rugby union clubs. Five hundred and forty-six male rugby union players of whom 296 were involved in both seasons. Location, diagnosis, severity (number of days unavailable for training and matches), and cause of injury: incidence of match and training injuries (injuries/1000 player-hours). Player age, body mass, stature, playing position, use of headgear, and activity and period of season. The incidences of spinal injuries were 10.90 (9.43 to 12.60) per 1000 player match-hours and 0.37 (0.29 to 0.47) per 1000 player training-hours. No player sustained a catastrophic spinal injury, but 3 players sustained career-ending injuries. Overall, players were more likely to sustain a cervical injury during matches and a lumbar injury during training. Forwards were significantly more likely to sustain a spinal injury than backs during both matches (P < 0.01) and training (P = 0.02). During matches, injuries to the cervical (average: 13 days; P < 0.01) and lumbar (13 days; P < 0.01) spine were more severe than injuries to the thoracic (5 days) spine; during training, injuries to the lumbar spine (26 days) were more severe than injuries to the cervical (13 days; P = 0.10) or thoracic (12 days; P = 0.06) spine. A total of 4037 days were lost to competition and training through spinal injuries with lumbar disc injuries sustained during training accounting for 926 days (23%) and cervical nerve root injuries sustained during matches for 621 days (15%). During matches, more injuries were caused by tackles (37%), and during training more injuries were caused by weight-training (33%). The results showed that rugby union players were exposed to a high risk of noncatastrophic spinal injury during tackling, scrummaging, and weight-training activities; injury prevention strategies, therefore, should be focused on these activities.

Effects of breast augmentation on pectoralis major muscle function in the athletic woman

Background Techniques for augmentation mammaplasty commonly involve incisions through at least a portion of the pectoralis major muscle. The effects of implant position and surgical release of the muscle origin have not been thoroughly addressed. Objective In this study the authors report on a group of female athletes, for whom pectoralis major muscle function is particularly important, and attempt to quantify their experience with augmentation mammaplasty. Methods Twenty female athletes who spent at least 6 hours per week weight training filled out a 1-page questionnaire dealing with issues such as ability to perform various exercises after breast augmentation, pain during exercise, and breast appearance during exercise. Results Women who reported implant location as “under the muscle” required an average of 7.2 weeks before they could resume their normal weight-room routines. Five of 7 women in the “under the muscle” group reported a decrease in their ability to perform pectoralis major–dependent exercises; 1 woman reported increased ability. Two of 7 women in this group reported pectoral pain with at least 1 of the 3 queried exercises and said they now refrain from performing those activities. Three women noticed breast firmness. Five of the 7 women said they would have implants placed in the same position again. Women who described implant position as “above the muscle” required an average of 3.8 weeks before they could resume their normal weight-room activities. Five of 13 women reported an increase in their ability to perform the 3 queried pectoralis major–dependent exercises, whereas only 1 reported a decrease in ability. None reported pectoral pain with any of the 3 exercises. Two of the 13 women noticed tightness of their implants. Twelve of 13 said they would have implants placed in the same position again. Conclusions These data suggest a longer recovery period for implants placed under the muscle before return to preoperative weight training activity. Placement under the muscle is also associated with reports of decreased performance in exercises dependent upon the pectoralis major muscle. Overall satisfaction with breast augmentation was high regardless of implant location.

Physical Activity Among Ethnically Diverse College Students

The authors compared physical activity patterns among 874 Asian, 332 African, 1,101 White, and 529 Hispanic American college students aged 18 to 25 years. According to self-report responses, 46.7% of the sample did not engage in vigorous physical activity and 16.7% were physically inactive. Among women, ethnic-specific rates of physical inactivity were Asian, 28.1%; African, 23.5%; White, 17.4%; and Hispanic, 20.3%. For men, rates of inactivity were Asian 11.7%; African, 7.7%; White, 12.0%; and Hispanic, 13.8. Weight-training activity, youthful physical activity, and TV viewing accounted for a significant portion of the variance in physical activity levels (13.1% for women and 14.8% for men). The results of this study support the need for physical activity interventions for college students, particularly minorities.

An analysis of teaching and coaching behaviors of elite strength and conditioning coaches.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the coaching behaviors of 6 elite strength and conditioning coaches from the southern region of the United States. The Arizona State University Coaching Observation Instrument, consisting of 16 behavioral categories, was used for the collection of data. Each coach was observed and filmed on 3 occasions. All observations occurred in the respective team's weight training facility. The data collected in this study consisted of a percentage analysis of the observed coaching behaviors. The most frequently observed behaviors were silent monitoring (21.99%), management (14.62%), and hustle (11.12%). These results indicate that this population of strength and conditioning coaches was predominantly engaged in observation of their athletes (silent monitoring), organization of the weight training activity (management), and verbal statements to intensify effort (hustle). The results are similar to other studies with coaches who were also involved in individual rather than team sports.

STRENGTH CHANGES SIX MONTHS AFTER COMPLETION OF A FORMAL RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS.

It has been well established that participating in a resistance training program can improve the strength and muscle mass of older adults. However, little is known about the liklihood that they will continue to exercise outside of a research setting and how much change will occur in a six month period. PURPOSE: This study involved a six month follow up to either 40 or 80 weeks of formal resistance training in order to examine potential changes in strength for participants who either continued to exercise in a community based setting or stopped their weight training activities. METHODS: The subjects were 60–70 year old men and women and strenght was measured using Cybex weight training equipment and standardized procedures for one repetition maximum (1RM). Measurements were taken at the end of the 40 or 80 weeks of training and then six months following the conclusion of the formal program. Groups were split by community exercisers and non-exercisers and by gender. The muscle groups measured were the biceps, triceps, lat pull down, military press, two-leg press, knee extension, and knee flexion. Data analysis included paired T-tests (SPSS v10.0) to evaluate potential differences in strength following the six month period of time after the end of the formal training program. A probability level of p < 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Of the 90 subjects returning six months after the formal training ceased, 21 men and 32 women continued in a community based resistance exercise program while 12 men and 25 women stopped weight training. The results indicated that both exercisers and non-exercisers had significant declines in overall measures of strength, averaged across the seven muscle groups (−9.8% vs û11.9%, respectively) and that men and women responded in a similar fashion (−10.2% vs û10.2%, respectively). The only muscle groups that appeared to be somewhat resistant to the loss of strength were the lower body measures of leg press and knee flexion. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that unsupervised exercise in a community based setting did not maintain strength gains obtained during the 40 or 80 week formal training program.

Weight Training Injury Trends

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Weight training is a popular activity, but injuries can be a consequence. Research has documented the types and venues of weight training injuries.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify weight lifting injury trends.DESIGN: A retrospective review of data from US emergency departments (EDs) that reported injuries from weight training and weight training equipment. The data include people who were treated for injuries from weight training or weight equipment from October 1, 1978, through December 31, 1998, and were identified by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).RESULTS: NEISS identified 20,489 weight training-related injuries. An estimated 980, 173 persons were treated in EDs for injuries related to weight training activity or equipment during the study period. The number of ED-treated injuries has increased 35% since 1978. About one of four injuries occurred from the misuse or abuse of weight training equipment.CONCLUSION: Cautionary messages should be aimed at young children, older adults, and users of home gyms. Those who train with weights should be instructed in the proper use of weight equipment.

Upper extremity weight-training modifications for the injured athlete. A clinical perspective.

The ability of the health care professional to make correct decisions about the progression of weight-training is critical to the rehabilitation process. The purpose of this article is to describe our approach to modification of weight-lifting techniques using the injured shoulder as a model. Additionally, the impact of various upper extremity weight-training techniques on healthy athletes is discussed. The effects of grip, hand spacing, bar trajectory, and start and finishing positions on microtraumatic injury and return to weight-training activities after injury are considered. Several weight-training functional progressions for common multijoint exercises (such as bench press, shoulder press, power clean) are presented. Adaptations for periodization are also presented for implementation in the rehabilitation sequence. The weight-training modifications described in this paper will assist the health professional to safely return athletes to the weight room after shoulder injury.

Influence of Weight Training on State Anxiety, Body Awareness and Blood Pressure

The primary purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of one session of recreational weight training on state anxiety and related constructs. State anxiety, body awareness and blood pressure were evaluated before and within 5-min following 50-min of self-selected weight training activity in a group of 25 subjects, and following 50-min of non-activity for 25 control subjects. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that state anxiety did not change (p > 0.05) significantly following weight training or quiet rest. However, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in body awareness in the weight training group, as well as a significant (p < 0.05) trials by conditions interaction in systolic blood pressure. The control group experienced a decrease in systolic blood pressure of 5 mmHg, whereas the exercise group had an increase in blood pressure of 5 mmHg. It is concluded that state anxiety is not altered immediately following one session of recreational weight training activity, but this activity does produce increases in body awareness and systolic blood pressure.

Effects of weight training on the emotional well-being and body image of females: predictors of greatest benefit.

This study was conducted to determine the extent to which participation in a weight training intervention was associated with changes in the emotional well-being and body image of females compared to non-weight trainers. An ancillary objective was to study the extent to which psychological, physical, and demographic factors accounted for changes in emotional well-being and body image. The experimental group consisted of 60 females, and a comparison group was comprised of 92 females. Experimental subjects participated in a 15-week, two-day-per-week weight training intervention, while subjects in the comparison group did not participate in any weight training activities. Subjects were pre- and posttested on the General Well-Being Schedule and the Body Cathexis Scale. Experimental subjects were also tested in muscular strength and three skinfold measurements. With pretest scores controlled, the weight trainers had significantly higher General Well-Being and Body Cathexis posttest scores than the comparison group. Weight trainers also showed significant increases in muscular strength, and significant decreases in skinfold thickness. Four variables predicted 38.8% of the variance of those who improved most in General Well-Being: lower pretest General Well-Being, lower parental income, greater loss of body weight, and lower posttest skinfold. Five variables predicted 61.5% of the variance of those women who improved most in Body Cathexis: lower pretest Body Cathexis, greater body weight at the outset, shorter in height, less involvement in non-weight training exercise, and lower posttest skinfold. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Implementing a Weight Training Program for Beginners

Weight training activities provide positive benefits to the fitness programs of men and women of all ages. The provision of educational materials and training sessions is not only an excellent service but will also provide participants with the means to achieve success and therefore continue their participation