Biomedical subjects

R R Conatser

Publications and source records attributed to R R Conatser.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

A green prescription study: does written exercise prescribed by a physician result in increased physical activity among older adults?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a written exercise prescription increases physical activity when added to verbal advice. METHODS: Forty-nine community-dwelling older adults supplied their geriatricians with baseline data on their exercise levels using a questionnaire. Participants were randomly placed in a verbal advice only group or a verbal advice plus written prescription, "green" prescription, group. Outcomes were assessed after 6 weeks. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant increase in time spent in physical activity. However, no significant differences between groups due to the effects of the different advice modalities were found. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatricians can effectively promote physical activity among sedentary older adults through goal-oriented physical activity advice.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Relationship between muscle swelling and stiffness after eccentric exercise.

PURPOSE: The time courses of muscle compartmental swelling and passive stiffness change were measured to determine whether muscle compartmental swelling accounted for increased stiffness. METHODS: Eleven untrained female college students exercised eccentrically by lowering a weight with their elbow flexors. Measurements of muscle compartment volume, stiffness, relaxed elbow angle, circumference, and pain were recorded before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 1-5, 7, 9, and 11 d after exercise. Muscle compartment volume was calculated from cross-sectional ultrasound images taken along the upper arm. Stiffness was measured using a device that extended the elbow and recorded the torque required to hold the forearm at successive angles. RESULTS: Elbow flexor volume increased gradually to peak on the fourth day (26.1 +/- 4.3%, P < 0.05) and then decreased to baseline values over days 7-11. Stiffness increased immediately after exercise (59.9 +/- 14.1%, P < 0.05) and remained at or above this level until decreasing to pre-exercise levels over days 7-11. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that muscle swelling does not account for the sudden increase in stiffness of the elbow flexor muscles within the first 48 h after exercise but may play a role in the subsequent time course of stiffness.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Intermittent pneumatic compression effect on eccentric exercise-induced swelling, stiffness, and strength loss.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to determine if intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) affects muscle swelling, stiffness, and strength loss resulting from eccentric exercise-induced injury of the elbow flexors. We hypothesized that the compression would decrease swelling and stiffness. DESIGN: Repeated measures design with a before-after trial comparison within each day. SETTING: Conducted at a university Somatic Dysfunction Laboratory. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two college women students were studied. They had not been lifting weights or otherwise participating in regular arm exercise for the 6 months before the study. They had no history of upper extremity injury or cardiovascular disease. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects performed one bout of eccentric exercise at a high load to induce elbow flexor muscle injury. Uniform IPC was applied on the day of exercise and daily for 5 days at 60mmHg, 40 seconds inflation, 20 deflation for 20 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements of arm circumference, stiffness, and isometric strength were recorded before exercise, then before and after IPC for 5 days after exercise. Passive muscle stiffness was measured on a device that extends the elbow stepwise and records the torque required to hold the forearm at each elbow angle. RESULTS: Circumference and stiffness increased and strength decreased during the 5 days post-exercise (p < .05). IPC significantly decreased circumference and stiffness most notably on days 2 and 3 after exercise (p < .05). The strength loss was not affected by IPC. CONCLUSION: IPC is effective in temporarily decreasing the swelling and stiffness after exercise-induced muscle injury.

Adult↗