PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D G Bell

Publications and source records attributed to D G Bell.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Blood lactate response to the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT).

This study evaluated the blood lactate (LA) response to stepping exercise, specifically the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT). It also compared the correlation between either LA or heart rate (HR) at a given stage of the CAFT and directly measured maximal aerobic power (VO2max). A total of 137 male Canadian Forces (CF) personnel between the ages of 18 and 53 years participated in this study. The LA concentration after each stage of the CAFT was measured in all subjects from blood sampled from the fingertip. Seventy-eight of these subjects also had their VO2max measured directly during a maximal treadmill run. The results showed that increasing stages of the CAFT were associated with exponentially increasing LA. At Stage 5, LA concentration ranged from 1.0 to 7.0, with a mean of 2.6 mmol.L-1, while HR ranged from 72 to 192 with a mean of 132 beats. When the LA and HR measures at Stage 5 of the CAFT were compared for their ability to predict VO2max, the correlation between lactate and VO2max was -0.71 (p less than .001); between HR and VO2max it was -0.36 (p less than .01). These results suggest that LA is a better predictor of VO2max than HR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Velocity specificity of training in bodybuilders.

This study investigated the effects of many years of bodybuilding on muscular strength and endurance. Eight bodybuilders (BB), 4 males and 4 females, and 8 controls (C), 4 males and 4 females, performed a muscle fatigue test (MFT) consisting of 25 maximal leg extensions at angular velocities of 180 and 300 degrees/s. The results for strength showed that at both the slow and fast contraction speeds, BB were significantly stronger than C and males were significantly stronger than females. For muscular endurance the results showed that at the slow contraction speed the torques and torque decline were greater in the BB than in the C, and greater in the males than the females. At the faster contraction speed, torque decline was similar in all groups while torques for the BB and male-C were similar and significantly greater than the torques for the female-C. The ratio of torques (fast/slow) for both strength and muscular endurance showed a main effect due to training status which supported the velocity specificity hypothesis. However, when the relative torques over the 25 contractions at both speeds were looked at, no velocity specificity occurred for muscular endurance. The data suggest a definite velocity specificity for the strength factor in BB whereas the same conclusion is not as clear for the muscular endurance factor.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1992

Blood lactate response to the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test in females.

This study evaluated the blood lactate concentration ([LA-]) response to the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT) in female subjects and compared the strength of prediction of VO2max determined by [LA-] and heart rate (HR). The sample was composed of 98 Canadian Forces females between the ages of 18 and 45 years. The [LA-] after each stage of the step-test was measured in all subjects by sampling blood from the fingertip. VO2max was measured directly during a maximal treadmill run in 66 of these subjects. The results showed that increasing stages of the step-test were associated with increasing [LA-]. The correlation between [LA-] after Stage 5 of the step-test and the directly determined VO2max was r = -0.72 and did not differ significantly from the correlation between HR and VO2max (r = -0.66). The relationship between [LA-] and VO2max for these females was similar to the one established earlier for males; however, the correlation between HR and VO2max for females was different from that observed in males. The present data for the females suggest that [LA-] and HR after Stage 5 of the CAFT predict VO2max equally well for females under age 40.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Shivering onset, metabolic response, and convective heat transfer during cold air exposure.

The onset and intensity of shivering of various muscles during cold air exposure are quantified and related to increases in metabolic rate and convective heat loss. Thirteen male subjects resting in a supine position and wearing only shorts were exposed to 10 degrees C air (42% relative humidity and less than 0.4 m/s airflow) for 2 h. Measurements included surface electromyogram recordings at six muscle sites representing the trunk and limb regions of one side of the body, temperatures and heat fluxes at the same contralateral sites, and metabolic rate. The subjects were grouped according to lean (LEAN, n = 6) and average body fat (NORM, n = 7) content. While the rectal temperatures fluctuated slightly but not significantly during exposure, the skin temperature decreased greatly, more at the limb sites than at the trunk sites. Muscles of the trunk region began to shiver sooner and at a higher intensity than those of the limbs. The intensity of shivering and its increase over time of exposure were consistent with the increase in the convective heat transfer coefficient calculated from skin temperatures and heat fluxes. Both the onset of shivering and the magnitude of the increase in metabolic rate due to shivering were higher for the LEAN group than for the NORM group. A regression analysis indicates that, for a given decrease in mean skin temperature, the increase in metabolic rate due to shivering is attenuated by the square root of percent body fat. Thus the LEAN group shivered at higher intensity, resulting in higher increases in metabolic heat production and convective heat loss during cold air exposure than did the NORM group.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1990

Muscle fibre area, fibre type & capillarization in male and female body builders.

The effects of long-term strength training on skeletal muscle fibre characteristics were evaluated in nine body builders (BB) (five males and four females) and ten control subjects (six females and four males). Muscle fibre area, percentage fibre type, and capillary supply were compared between the BB and controls as well as between the males and females with a two-way analysis of variance design. For the fast-twitch fibre area (FTa), the BB had larger areas than the controls, and males had larger areas than females. The analysis for the slow-twitch fibre areas (STa) showed only a training effect; BB had a larger STa than controls. The FTa in the untrained females and the female BB were similar to their STa; in contrast, both male groups had significantly larger FTa than STa. The BB had significantly more capillaries per fibre than the control groups but the number of capillaries/mm2 were similar in all groups. The results suggest that prolonged training in the female BB hypertrophies both the FT and ST fibres. The female BB realized the same increase in capillary per fibre ratio (#cap/f) as the male BB. However, the larger area of the FT fibres compared to the ST fibre seen in both male groups was not observed in either female group.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1989

Muscle fiber-specific glycogen utilization in strength-trained males and females.

This study evaluated the effect of strength training on glycogen utilization in slow twitch (ST) and fast twitch (FT) muscle fibers during repeated maximal unilateral isokinetic leg extensions at 180 degrees.s-1. Strength-trained (5 males, 4 females) and untrained (4 males, 6 females) subjects performed three sets of 50 maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) at this velocity with 10-min rest intervals between sets. Biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle before and after each exercise session. Glycogen content of the fibers was quantified as optical density (OD) using microspectrophotometric densitometry on serial cross-sections of muscle tissue stained with a periodic acid Schiff reagent stain after individual fibers were identified as ST or FT according to a stain for myofibrillar ATPase activity. Analysis of variance with repeated measures yielded the following results: OD, i.e., glycogen, was reduced similarly in both fiber types after exercise, but only in the males (P = 0.02); there was no significant main effect of training status per se (i.e., strength-trained vs untrained). These results indicate that years of strength training do not change the pattern of muscle fiber-specific glycogen utilization during repeated dynamic MVCs.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of isokinetic and isoinertial lifting tests as predictors of maximal lifting capacity.

This study compared the relationship between isokinetic lifting test (ILT) performance and a maximal operational lifting test (OLT) with that between an isoinertial progressive lifting test (PLT) and OLT. Fifty subjects performed the ILT, PLT and OLT after familiarization trials. OLT was defined as the weight of the heaviest crate that could be lifted to 1.34 m with a progressive, incremental test. ILT performance was the force generated during a single maximal simulated lift on an isokinetic dynamometer. PLT performance was the maximal weight lifted to 1.52 m with a progressive, incremental protocol on a weight stack. OLT was highly correlated with ILT (r = 0.96) and PLT (r = 0.97); the standard error was similar for both linear regression equations. The results demonstrate that a single maximal voluntary lift on an isokinetic dynamometer is as good a predictor of OLT as in the PLT presently used in military recruit centers.

Female↗
PubMed1988

The effectiveness of fibrin glue sealant for reducing experimental pulmonary ari leak.

The effectiveness of fibrin glue as a biological sealant for pulmonary air leaks was determined in 16 dogs. A standardized pleural defect was made in the left lower lobe, and the quantity of air passing through a chest tube was assessed with a Collins respirometer. For the 8 randomly assigned control animals, the air leak decreased over 90 minutes from a mean of 1.4 L/min to a mean of 1.1 L/min (mean decrease, 19.8%). In the 8 randomly assigned fibrin glue-treated animals, the air leak decreased from a mean of 2.1 L/min to a mean of 0.5 L/min (mean decrease, 80.8%) (p less than 0.0001). Postoperative evaluation of survivors disclosed no increased adhesions in the glue-treated animals and complete resorption of the glue at 3 months. We conclude that in this animal model, fibrin glue reduced the size of pulmonary air leaks in the early period after thoracotomy and did not lead to increased intrapleural adhesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Electro-mechanical response times and muscle strength after sleep deprivation.

This study examined the effect of 60 h of sleep deprivation (SD) on electromechanical response times (EMRT), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC), rate of force development (RFD), and times required to reach various percentages of MVC, during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction of both the forearm flexors and leg extensors. Eleven male subjects were either sleep deprived for 60 h (E) or performed similar daily activities and slept 7 h per night (C). Performance variables were evaluated at the same time intervals during both conditions. No significant differences were observed between the E and C conditions for EMRT (pre-motor time, electro-mechanical delay, total reaction time) or muscular performance (MVC, RFD). The results suggest that subjects who have undergone 60 h of SD can react as fast, and with as much force, as those who have had 7 h of sleep per night.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Effects of hydraulic resistance circuit training on physical fitness components of potential relevance to +Gz tolerance.

Recent studies carried out in the United States and Sweden have demonstrated that strength training can improve +Gz acceleration tolerance. Based on these findings, the Canadian Forces have introduced a training program for aircrew of high performance aircraft. This report describes the changes in physical fitness components considered relevant to +Gz tolerance after 12 weeks of training with this program. Prior to beginning training, 45 military personnel were tested, but only 20 completed a minimum of 24 training sessions. The following variables were measured in these 20 subjects before and after training: maximal strength of several large muscle groups during isokinetic contractions, maximal aerobic power and an endurance fitness index, maximal anaerobic power, anthropometric characteristics, and maximal expiratory pressure generated during exhalation. Training involved hydraulic resistance circuit training 2-4 times/week. The circuit consisted of 3 consecutive sets at each of 8 stations using Hydra-Gym equipment. The exercise:rest ratio was 20:40 s for the initial 4 training weeks and was then changed to 30:50. After training the changes in anthropometric measurements suggested that lean body mass was increased. Small, but significant, increases were also measured in muscle strength during bench press, biceps curls, squats, knee extension, and knee flexion. Neither maximal anaerobic power (i.e. muscular endurance) nor maximal expiratory pressure were changed after the training. Indices of endurance fitness were also increased in the present study. The relatively small increases in strength are probably due to the design of the exercise:rest ratio which resulted in improved strength and aerobic fitness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Electro-mechanical response times and rate of force development in males and females.

Muscle force development is influenced by both central (pre-motor end plate) and peripheral (post-motor end plate) components. Conflicting results are available concerning gender-related differences in the central component. This study compared males and females with regard to the following electro-mechanical response variables: total reaction time, pre-motor time, electro-mechanical delay, and the rate of force development during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) of the elbow flexors. Forty-six males and 40 females performed MVCs against a bar attached to a force transducer. Subjects were instructed to attempt to flex the elbow with maximal force as rapidly as possible after perceiving a visual stimulus. Surface electromyographic activity was recorded from the biceps brachii and was sampled simultaneously with the force transducer data at 2 kHz and stored digitally. For data analyses the subjects were separated into four groups based on the force generated during the MVC: weak females, weak males, strong females, and strong males. Neither total reaction time nor pre-motor time was significantly different across groups. The electro-mechanical delay for both male groups was significantly shorter than for both female groups. Electro-mechanical delay was weakly, but significantly, correlated with rate of force development and maximum force. During a single MVC the times required to attain 25, 50, 75, and 100% MVC were similar in all groups. The results suggest that at least part of the gender difference in maximum strength may be due to differences in electro-mechanical response times.

Adult↗