scholarly journals Contralateral Muscle Imbalances and Physiological Profile of Recreational Aerial Athletes

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Ruggieri ◽  
Costa
Keyword(s):  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Physiological Profile ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
H:Q Ratio ◽  
Contralateral Muscle

Background: Aerial fitness is quickly gaining popularity; however, little is known regarding the physiological demands of aerial athletes. The purpose of the study was to examine contralateral muscle imbalances, compare dominant versus non-dominant hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) ratios, and to establish a physiological profile of recreational aerial athletes. Methods: Thirteen aerialist women visited a local aerial studio to participate in a data collection session to examine isometric levels of upper and lower body strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Results: No significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant hand grip strength (p = 0.077), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee flexion (p = 0.483), dominant and non-dominant isometric knee extension (p = 0.152), or dominant and non-dominant isometric H:Q ratios (p = 0.102). In addition, no significant difference was found between isometric dominant H:Q ratio and the widely-used value of 0.60 (p = 0.139). However, isometric non-dominant H:Q ratio was significantly lower than the 0.60 criterion (p = 0.004). Aerial athletes demonstrated to have excellent flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and average strength. Conclusions: Aerial fitness may be another recreational activity that could be used to maintain higher levels of flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and strength. Aerialists may want to consider focusing on strengthening the lower body and balancing the hamstrings and quadriceps muscle strength.

scholarly journals Morphological and Physiological Profile of Elite Basketball Players in Belgium

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 630-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Boone ◽  
Jan Bourgois
Keyword(s):  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
The Other ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Physiological Profile ◽  
Percentage Body Fat ◽  
Isokinetic Test ◽  
Jump Test ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose:The current study aimed to gain insight into the physiological profile of elite basketball players in Belgium in relation to their position on the field.Methods:The group consisted of 144 players, divided into 5 groups according to position (point guards [PGs], shooting guards [SGs], small forwards [SFs], power forwards [PFs], and centers [Cs]). The anthropometrics were measured and the subjects underwent fitness tests (incremental running test, 10-m sprint, 5 ×-10 m, squat and countermovement jump, isokinetic test) to obtain insight into endurance, speed, agility, and power. The parameters of these tests were compared among the different positions by means of 1-way variance analysis (MANOVA). Tukey post hoc tests were performed in case of a significant MANOVA.Results:It was observed that Cs were taller and heavier and had a higher percentage body fat than PGs and SGs. For the anaerobic sprint test Cs were slower than the other positions. For the 5 × 10-m the PGs and SGs were faster than SFs and PFs. For the jump test Cs displayed a significantly lower absolute performance than the other positions. PGs and SGs had a higher VO2peak and speed at the anaerobic threshold than PFs and Cs. The isokinetic strength test showed that the quadriceps muscle group of Cs could exert a higher torque during knee extension than the other positions.Conclusions:The current study showed that the physiological profile of elite players in the Belgian first division differs by player position. More specifically, guards were characterized by high endurance, speed, and agility, whereas centers and power forwards had higher muscle strength than the other positions.

A comparison of the relationship of 14 performance-based measures with frailty in older women

2011 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 928-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Theou ◽  
Gareth R. Jones ◽  
Jennifer M. Jakobi ◽  
Arnold Mitnitski ◽  
Anthony A. Vandervoort
Keyword(s):  
Physical Function ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Frailty Index ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Muscular Endurance ◽  
Lower Body

The purpose of this study was to determine which performance measures of physical function are most closely related to frailty and whether physical function is different across levels of frailty. Fifty-three community-dwelling Greek women (63–100 years) participated in this study. Participants were divided into 3 tertiles based on level of frailty as calculated from a frailty index (FI): lowest FI group (<0.19 FI), intermediate FI group (0.19–0.36 FI), and highest FI group (>0.36 FI). Performance measures tested were handgrip and knee extension muscle strength and fatigue, upper and lower body muscular endurance, walking performance, agility, and dynamic balance. The greatest proportion of variance in the FI was explained by combining all performance-based measures of physical function. The performance measures that were most closely related to frailty yet different across levels of frailty were ambulatory mobility, lower body muscular endurance, and nondominant handgrip strength. Walking at a preferred pace had the strongest relationship to frailty rather than walking at maximal pace. Grip strength of the nondominant hand had a stronger correlation with frailty compared with the dominant hand. The FI was a better predictor of physical function than chronological age. The decline in physical function accelerated after the intermediate FI tertile. Definitions of frailty need to combine performance-based measures that can identify impairments in various domains of physical function. The assessment protocols of these measures are important.

scholarly journals Effects of a Single Session of Floss Band Intervention on Flexibility of Thigh, Knee Joint Proprioception, Muscle Force Output, and Dynamic Balance in Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 12052
Author(s):  
Nai-Jen Chang ◽  
Wei-Chun Hung ◽  
Chia-Lun Lee ◽  
Wen-Dien Chang ◽  
Bo-Han Wu
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Muscle Force ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility ◽  
Knee Muscle

The floss band (FB) has been correlated with increases in the joint range of motion (ROM). However, the literature on FB effectiveness in knee joint ROM and athletic performance remains sparse. This study investigated the effects of FB on the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, knee joint proprioception, muscle force output, and dynamic balance in men. Thirty recreationally active men without musculoskeletal disorders were randomized to receive FB (Lime Green; Sanctband flossband) and elastic bandage (EB) intervention on the dominant knee joint. Participants received two interventions on two occasions with 2 days of rest between interventions. The primary outcome was the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings; the secondary outcomes were knee proprioception (joint reposition angle error), knee muscle force output, and dynamic balance. Preintervention and postintervention (immediately following band removal and 20 min later) measurements were obtained. After FB intervention, hamstring flexibility (immediately: p < 0.001; 20 min later: p < 0.001) and quadriceps flexibility (immediately: p < 0.001; 20 min later: p < 0.001), quadriceps muscle force output (immediately: p = 0.007; 20 min later: p < 0.001), and dynamic balance (both immediately and 20 min later, p < 0.001) were significantly improved. Compared with EB intervention, FB intervention significantly improved knee extension ROM (immediately and 20 min later, both p < 0.001), knee flexion ROM (immediately, p = 0.01; 20 min later, p = 0.03), hamstrings muscle force output (20 min later, p = 0.022) and dynamic balance (immediately, p = 0.016; 20 min later, p = 0.004). Regarding proprioception, no significant difference among time points and conditions was observed. In conclusion, FB intervention can significantly improve the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, quadriceps muscle force output, and dynamic balance without impeding knee proprioception. Physiotherapists or athletic professionals may consider FB intervention as a potential tool as a warmup to enhance the flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings, quadriceps muscle force output, and dynamic balance in young adults.

A comparative study of the acute effects of knee brace vs. kinesiotape on selected isokinetic strength variables of the knee muscles

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ali Kerim Yilmaz ◽  
Mehmet Vural ◽  
Mustafa Özdal ◽  
Menderes Kabadayi
Keyword(s):  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Kinesio Tape ◽  
Knee Strength ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
S Peak ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Methods Of Treatment

BACKGROUND: Different methods of treatment for preventing knee injuries, enhancing knee strength and minimising post-injury risks have been explored. Among these methods, Kinesio tape (KT) and knee braces (KB) are commonly used. OBJECTIVE : To investigate the acute effects of KT and KB on isokinetic knee strength parameters. METHODS: A total of 15 healthy sedentary male subjects voluntarily participated in the study. Concentric isokinetic knee extension (EX) and flexion (FLX) strength were measured at three sessions: 1. Baseline 2. with KT (’KT’) 3. with KB (’KB’). Tests were performed at 60, 180 and 240∘/s. Peak moment (PM), Hamstring/Quadriceps ratio (HQR), and joint angle at peak moment (JAPM) were measured. RESULTS: ‘KT’ and ‘KB’ were associated with increase in PMEX, PMFLX, HQR at 60 and 240∘/s (p< 0.05) and increased JAPMEX. No significant difference was observed at 180∘/s (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: In healthy individuals, ‘I’ shape KT and KB positively affect EX and FLX strengths and HQR, especially at low angular velocity.

Does soft tissue mobilization assist static stretching to improve hamstring flexibility? A randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shibili Nuhmani
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility ◽  
Soft Tissue Mobilization ◽  
Experimental Group

AbstractObjectivesObjective of the study is to investigate whether Soft tissue mobilization (STM) can assist with static stretching to improve hamstring flexibly.MethodsThe design of the study was repeated measure design. The study was conducted at the physical therapy laboratory of Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi. Participants included 78 healthy males with hamstring tightness, randomly assigned to either the control group (static stretching) or the experimental group (STM and static stretching). The experimental group received five sets of four different STM techniques, followed by two sets of 30-s static stretches 3 days per week over the course of 12 weeks. The control group received 5 min of sham ultrasound with an inactive probe prior to static stretching. Active knee extension test (AKE) was the outcome measure.ResultsBoth groups showed significant improvement in AKE compared with the baseline measurements. With ingroup analysis showed a significant difference in AKE across all measured time periods (weeks 4, 8, and 12) with pre-test in both groups (p<0.05). No significant difference in AKE improvement was found between groups (p>0.05).ConclusionThe results of this study show that STM prior to static stretching does not significantly improve hamstring flexibility among healthy individuals. Although this study cannot be generalized, the results may be useful for evidence-based practice in the management of hamstring tightness.

scholarly journals Lactate, Heart Rate and Rating of Perceived Exertion Responses to Shorter and Longer Duration CrossFit® Training Sessions

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramires Tibana ◽  
Nuno de Sousa ◽  
Jonato Prestes ◽  
Fabrício Voltarelli
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Blood Lactate Concentration ◽  
Cardiovascular Responses ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Significant Difference

The aim of this study was to analyze blood lactate concentration (LAC), heart rate (HR), and rating perceived exertion (RPE) during and after shorter and longer duration CrossFit® sessions. Nine men (27.7 ± 3.2 years; 11.3 ± 4.6% body fat percentage and training experience: 41.1 ± 19.6 months) randomly performed two CrossFit® sessions (shorter: ~4 min and longer: 17 min) with a 7-day interval between them. The response of LAC and HR were measured pre, during, immediately after, and 10, 20, and 30 min after the sessions. RPE was measured pre and immediately after sessions. Lactate levels were higher during the recovery of the shorter session as compared with the longer session (shorter: 15.9 ± 2.2 mmol/L/min, longer: 12.6 ± 2.6 mmol/L/min; p = 0.019). There were no significant differences between protocols on HR during (shorter: 176 ± 6 bpm or 91 ± 4% HRmax, longer: 174 ± 3 bpm or 90 ± 3% HRmax, p = 0.387). The LAC was significantly higher throughout the recovery period for both training sessions as compared to pre-exercise. The RPE was increased immediately after both sessions as compared to pre-exercise, while there was no significant difference between them (shorter: 8.7 ± 0.9, longer: 9.6 ± 0.5; p = 0.360). These results demonstrated that both shorter and longer sessions induced elevated cardiovascular responses which met the recommendations for gains in cardiovascular fitness. In addition, both training sessions had a high metabolic and perceptual response, which may not be suitable if performed on consecutive days.

scholarly journals Profile of cortisol, glycaemia, and blood parameters of American Bullfrog tadpoles Lithobates catesbeianus exposed to density and hypoxia stressors

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 91-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia C. Teixeira ◽  
Danielle C. Dias ◽  
Guilherme C. Rocha ◽  
Antônio M. Antonucci ◽  
Fernanda M. França ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Air Exposure ◽  
Physiological Profile ◽  
Lithobates Catesbeianus ◽  
American Bullfrog ◽  
Physiological Alterations ◽  
Significant Difference

The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations to the physiological profile (cortisol, glycaemia, and blood parameters) of Lithobates catesbeianus caused by the stressors density and hypoxia. The organisms were in the prometamorphosis stage and exposed to different tadpole densities: 1 tadpole/L (T1), 5 tadpoles/L (T2), and 10 tadpoles/L (T3) for 12 days. The blood was collected through the rupture of the caudal blood vessel and collected under normoxia (immediate collection) and hypoxia (after 15 minutes of air exposure) conditions. Cortisol levels rose on the fourth and eighth days of treatment and returned to basal levels by the end of the experiment. The stressor mechanisms tested did not affect glycaemia. White blood cells (total number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils) showed a significant difference at the twelfth day of the experiment when compared with the start of the experiment. We concluded that, under controlled conditions, a density of up to 10 tadpoles/L and air exposure for 15 minutes did not cause harmful physiological alterations during the experimental period. The answer to these stressors maybe was in another hormonal level (corticosterone).

scholarly journals Complexity of Knee Neuromuscular Control in Uninjured Physically Active Adults: Right/Left and Dominant/Nondominant Asymmetry Analyses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Clark ◽  
Jamie Pethick
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Approximate Entropy ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Fluctuation Analysis ◽  
Temporal Behavior ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Right

Context: Motor pathways include upper motor-neurons from the cerebrum and brainstem and lower motor-neurons from the spinal cord. Together, these physiological components are effectors of knee neuromuscular control. Because multiple components are involved, each with an output that is asynchronous to the others, ‘whole-system’ output is characterized by irregular temporal behavior and signal fluctuations. The irregular temporal behavior of physiological signals is analyzed using ‘complexity’. Complexity-based measures reflect the ability to adapt motor output rapidly and accurately in response to external perturbations and provide physiological information missed by magnitude-based (variability) measures.Objective: To characterize side-to-side symmetry of knee neuromuscular control (sub-maximal isometric knee extension constant-force task) using variability (coefficient of variation [CV%]) and complexity (approximate entropy [ApEn], detrended fluctuation analysis [DFA α]) measures.Design: Cross-sectional.Setting: Laboratory.Patients or Other Participants: Sixteen (male/female n=11/5; age 24.0±5.3yr; height 1.74±0.08m; body-mass 68.3±11.1kg).Main Outcome Measure(s): Right/left and dominant/nondominant group-level (t-test) and individual-level (absolute-asymmetry [%]) comparisons. A limb-symmetry-index was calculated for each variable and clinically-significant absolute-asymmetry defined (&gt;15%). Clinically-significant absolute-asymmetry prevalence (%) was computed for each variable.Results: The only significant side-to-side difference was for right/left DFA α (P=.000). Maximum absolute-asymmetries were (right/left, dominant/nondominant): CV 18.2%, 18.0%; ApEn 34.5%, 32.3%; DFA α 4.9%, 5.0%. Clinically-significant absolute-asymmetry prevalence was (right/left, dominant/nondominant): CV 43.8%, 43.8%; ApEn 62.5%, 50.0%; DFA α 0.0%, 0.0%.Conclusions: Different side-to-side comparison methods yield different findings. Large proportions of participants demonstrated wide ranges of side-to-side absolute-asymmetries. The finding of a significant difference for the right/left DFA α comparison but not for the right/left ApEn comparison suggests that different complexity variables assess different aspects of complexity. Consideration for how side-to-side comparisons are performed (right/left, dominant/nondominant) is required. Approximate entropy and DFA α assess different aspects of complexity and both should be used alongside other traditional magnitude-based measures when studying knee neuromuscular control.

Muscle metabolic responses to exercise above and below the “critical power” assessed using 31P-MRS

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (2) ◽  
pp. R585-R593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Jones ◽  
Daryl P. Wilkerson ◽  
Fred DiMenna ◽  
Jonathan Fulford ◽  
David C. Poole
Keyword(s):  
Critical Power ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Work Rate ◽  
Metabolic Responses ◽  
Time To Exhaustion ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
High Energy Phosphates ◽  
Constant Work Rate

We tested the hypothesis that the asymptote of the hyperbolic relationship between work rate and time to exhaustion during muscular exercise, the “critical power” (CP), represents the highest constant work rate that can be sustained without a progressive loss of homeostasis [as assessed using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measurements of muscle metabolites]. Six healthy male subjects initially completed single-leg knee-extension exercise at three to four different constant work rates to the limit of tolerance (range 3–18 min) for estimation of the CP (mean ± SD, 20 ± 2 W). Subsequently, the subjects exercised at work rates 10% below CP (<CP) for 20 min and 10% above CP (>CP) for as long as possible, while the metabolic responses in the contracting quadriceps muscle, i.e., phosphorylcreatine concentration ([PCr]), Pi concentration ([Pi]), and pH, were estimated using 31P-MRS. All subjects completed 20 min of <CP exercise without duress, whereas the limit of tolerance during >CP exercise was 14.7 ± 7.1 min. During <CP exercise, stable values for [PCr], [Pi], and pH were attained within 3 min after the onset of exercise, and there were no further significant changes in these variables (end-exercise values = 68 ± 11% of baseline [PCr], 314 ± 216% of baseline [Pi], and pH 7.01 ± 0.03). During >CP exercise, however, [PCr] continued to fall to the point of exhaustion and [Pi] and pH changed precipitously to values that are typically observed at the termination of high-intensity exhaustive exercise (end-exercise values = 26 ± 16% of baseline [PCr], 564 ± 167% of baseline [Pi], and pH 6.87 ± 0.10, all P < 0.05 vs. <CP exercise). These data support the hypothesis that the CP represents the highest constant work rate that can be sustained without a progressive depletion of muscle high-energy phosphates and a rapid accumulation of metabolites (i.e., H+ concentration and [Pi]), which have been associated with the fatigue process.

Before School Exercise Effects on Fitness and Academic Performance in Schoolchildren: A Retrospective Case-Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Austin J. Kulp ◽  
Xihe Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Fifth Graders ◽  
Reading Test ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before School

Background/Purpose: Before school exercise programs (BSEPs) give students time for breakfast and add time to their daily physical activity. However, the effects of BSEP on physical fitness and academic achievement in the classroom remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of BSEP on cardiorespiratory fitness and academic performance among fourth- and fifth-grade students. Method: A retrospective case-controlled design was used in this study. Fourth and fifth graders (N = 84) were participants, half signed up for BSEP that met once a week for 10 weeks. A retrospectively case-controlled comparison group was generated from the classmates of those in BSEP in the same school. All students took PACER and statewide academic performance assessments. Multivariate analysis of covariance for student cardiorespiratory fitness, and mathematics and reading, were conducted, adjusting for pretest performances. Analysis/Results: There were improvements for both groups in academic performances and cardiorespiratory fitness. The cardiorespiratory fitness and reading test improvements were greater in the BSEP group than those in the comparison group, controlling for their pretests. However, there was no significant difference in student mathematics test performances. Conclusion: Students in BSEP group benefited from participating in the program with greater improvement in cardiorespiratory and reading test performances than the comparison group. These findings suggested that providing a BSEP once a week for 45 min may be beneficial to fourth and fifth graders.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document