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PubMed1999

Potential mediators of change in a physical activity promotion course for university students: Project GRAD.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the performance of theoretically-derived mediators of health behavior change. Participants were university seniors (184 females; 154 males) randomly assigned to an intervention course designed to promote physical activity or to a control course. Five physical activity outcomes and nine psychosocial mediating variables were assessed at baseline and the end of the 16-week course. For women, the intervention had significant effects on five of the mediators, including self-efficacy for making time, self-efficacy for resisting relapse, social support from friends, and experiential and behavioral processes of change. Among men, the intervention improved use of behavioral processes of change but also had the unintended effect of increasing perceived barriers to activity. For women, significant contributors to regressions explaining physical activity change were social support from friends (for total activity) and change in self-efficacy for resisting relapse (for vigorous exercise). For men, significant explanatory variables included change in enjoyment (for total activity), change in self-efficacy for resisting relapse (for strength exercise), and change in benefits (for moderate intensity activity). For both sexes, there were significant findings in the unexpected direction. Across the five physical activity outcomes, hypothesized mediators were inconsistent and weak contributors to the models. Investigating mediators of behavior change has the potential to stimulate improvements in theories and interventions.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Current knowledge on muscle training: endurance and strength yield complementary effects].

Both endurance and strength training are generally agreed to be necessary components of a balanced fitness programme. These two types of training are complementary; strength training improves neuromuscular function, prevents injuries, and is a prerequisite for effective endurance training. Whereas endurance training results in high energy expenditure during exercise, strength training, being associated with increased muscle mass, may result in increased energy expenditure at rest. In conjunction with endurance training, the most striking finding in skeletal muscle is its remarkable adaptability. Indeed, it is usually possible for the muscles to acquire the characteristics necessary to meet prevailing functional demands. This is true even if the demand is continuous contractile activity, 24 hours a day, week after week. The physiological effects of strength training are the result of hypertrophy of individual motor units, mostly comprising type II (fast-twitch) fibres, but are also secondary to neural changes affecting the recruitment and frequency modulation of motor units and co-ordination.

Energy Metabolism↗

PubMed2002

An experimental investigation of the relation between catastrophizing and activity intolerance.

The present study examined the value of a measure of catastrophizing as a predictor of activity intolerance in response to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). A sample of 50 (17 men, 33 women) sedentary undergraduates participated in an exercise protocol designed to induce muscle soreness and were asked to return 2 days later to perform the same physical maneuvers. Participants performed five strength exercises that emphasized the eccentric component of the muscle contraction in order to induce DOMS. Dependent variables of interest were the proportion reduction in total weight lifted, and the number of repetitions. Analyses revealed that catastrophizing, assessed prior to the first exercise bout, was significantly correlated with negative mood, pain and with reduction in weight lifted. Regression analyses revealed that catastrophizing predicted reductions in weight lifted even after controlling for pain and negative mood. These findings extend previous research in demonstrating that catastrophizing is associated with objective indices of activity intolerance associated with pain. Implications of these findings for understanding pain-related disability are addressed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

The effects of a combined strength and aerobic exercise program on glucose control and insulin action in women with type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of a combined strength and aerobic training program on glycemic control, insulin action, exercise capacity and muscular strength in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Nine postmenopausal women, aged 55.2 (6.7) years, with type 2 diabetes participated in a supervised training program for 4 months consisting of two strength training sessions (3 sets of 12 repetitions at 60% one-repetition maximum strength) and two aerobic training sessions (60-70% of maximum heart rate at the beginning, and 70-80% of maximum heart rate after 2 months). Anthropometrical measurements, percentage glycated hemoglobin, a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test, exercise stress testing and maximum strength were measured at the beginning, and after 4 and 16 weeks of the exercise program. Significant reductions were observed in both the glucose (8.1% P<0.01) and insulin areas under the curve (20.7%, P<0.05) after 4 weeks of training. These adaptations were further improved after 16 weeks (glucose 12.5%, insulin 38%, P<0.001). Glycated hemoglobin was significantly decreased after 4 weeks [7.7 (1.7) vs 7.1 (1.3)%, P<0.05] and after 16 weeks [7.7 (1.7) vs 6.9 (1.0)%, P<0.01] of exercise training. Furthermore, exercise time and muscular strength were significantly improved after 4 weeks (P<0.01) as well as after 16 weeks (P<0.001) of training. Body mass and body-mass index, however, were not significantly altered throughout the study. The results indicated that a combined training program of strength and aerobic exercise could induce positive adaptations on glucose control, insulin action, muscular strength and exercise tolerance in women with type 2 diabetes.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMed1987

Therapeutic exercise in the management of rheumatic diseases.

In spite of the wide use of therapeutic exercise in the management of musculoskeletal diseases such as chronic arthritis, there are few controlled studies that establish its effectiveness. Only active contraction can increase muscle strength. Exercises in the horizontal plane or of limbs supported by the buoyancy of water can be carried out with relative ease by people with weak muscles or painful joints. The benefits of exercise programs can be classified as improving general fitness, increasing joint mobility and reconditioning. Whether the large amount of money currently being spent on exercise programs is truly cost-effective is an important question relating to health policy that requires an answer.

Exercise Therapy↗

PubMed1997

Home exercise to improve strength and walking velocity after hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a home exercise program on strength, postural control, and mobility following hip fracture. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial of 1 month's duration. SETTING: Daily exercise carried out within the subjects' home environments. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two people 64 to 94 years of age, 35 of whom were living independently in the community and 7 of whom were residing in institutional care. Subjects were recruited on average 7 months after a fall-related hip fracture and randomly allocated to either the intervention or the control group (n = 21 each). The groups were well matched in terms of medical conditions, medication use, disability, and activity levels. INTERVENTION: A "home-based" program of weight-bearing exercise established at a visit by a physiotherapist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quadriceps strength, postural sway, functional reach, weight-bearing ability, walking velocity, and self-rated fall risk. The subjects undertook these assessments at the beginning and end of the trial. RESULTS: At pretest, exercisers and controls performed similarly in all tests. At the end of the trial, the intervention group showed significantly greater quadriceps strength in the affected (hip-fractured) leg and increased walking velocity. The intervention subjects also improved their weight-bearing ability and reported reduced subjective falls risk. In contrast, there were no significant improvements in any of the test measures in the controls. Within the intervention group, improvements in quadriceps strength were significantly associated with improved performances in the weight-bearing test measures and with increased walking velocity. CONCLUSIONS: This exercise program improved strength and mobility following hip fracture. Further research is needed to ascertain whether the extent of this improvement in these fall risk factors is sufficient to prevent falls.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation during combined strength and high intensity rowing training on performance.

This study investigated the effect of creatine monohydrate (Cr) supplementation on performance and training volume in rowers. Twenty-two rowers trained with continuous and interval rowing and resistance training 4 and 2 days/week, respectively, for 6 weeks. Cr supplementation consisted of a 5-day load (0.3 g/kg(-1) x day(-1)) followed by a 5-week maintenance dose (0.03 g/kg(-1) x day(-1)) while training. Five days of Cr loading did not change body composition, repeated interval rowing performance, 2,000-m rowing times, or strength performance. Five additional weeks of training with a maintenance dose of Cr or placebo significantly improved body composition, VO2max, 2,000-m rowing times, repeated power interval performance, and strength to a similar extent in both groups. Subjects training with Cr did not perform more repetitions per set of strength exercise nor produce or maintain higher power outputs during repeated rowing sessions. Cr supplementation did not increase performance or training volume over a placebo condition in rowers that performed a combined high intensity rowing and strength program.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Promoting and prescribing exercise for the elderly.

Regular exercise provides a myriad of health benefits in older adults, including improvements in blood pressure, diabetes, lipid profile, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and neurocognitive function. Regular physical activity is also associated with decreased mortality and age-related morbidity in older adults. Despite this, up to 75 percent of older Americans are insufficiently active to achieve these health benefits. Few contraindications to exercise exist and almost all older persons can benefit from additional physical activity. The exercise prescription consists of three components: aerobic exercise, strength training, and balance and flexibility. Physicians play a key role in motivating older patients and advising them regarding their physical limitations and/or comorbidities. Motivating patients to begin exercise is best achieved by focusing on individual patient goals, concerns, and barriers to exercise. Strategies include the "stages of change" model, individualized behavioral therapy, and an active lifestyle. To increase long-term compliance, the exercise prescription should be straightforward, fun, and geared toward a patient's individual health needs, beliefs, and goals.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Left ventricular function in physically active and sedentary subjects during physical exercise].

An exercise program based on growing intensity loads (50 watts) was applied to 21 healthy, middle-aged subjects, who were divided into two groups: the physically actives and the sedentaries, according to their physical activity habits. During exercise, which was made on a treadmill, the following variables were measured: oxygen intake (VO2), cardiac frequency (FC), left ventricule ejection time (TEVI), maximal value of the first derivative of ear ensitogram (VMPDDO) and indirect arterial pressure. The active group reached higher values of power and VO2 (absolute and by pulse) and lower values of FC at under maximal works; these data therefore show their best cardiopulmonary capacity. The TEVI in the active group was higher at 150 watts because of the lower FC presented by its assigned subjects. For a maximal exercise condition, both groups had similar ejection times, but the reduction rate of actives' TEVI decreased, which in turn indicates the handling of higher stroke volumes. The VMPDDO relation with the successive increments of work loads was non linear. This index had higher values in the active group, for an exercise strength over 100 watts; this fact allowed the statistical differentiation of both groups. Accordingly, the VMPDDO did indicate the higher left ventricular function of the active subjects during exercise; this findings supports the notion which establishes that resistance training enhances myocardial contraction. In the recovery stage, the sedentaries' VMPDDO increases in a significant way, due to a possible mechanism as to hold stroke volume. In conclusion, the active subjects heart is a more efficient pump than the sedentaries', because of its capacity to handle under maximal exercise higher stroke volumes in the same ejection time, and thus in a higher ejection rate, with equal cardiac frequencies arterial pressures and myocardial oxygen intake.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Is increased dietary protein necessary or beneficial for individuals with a physically active lifestyle?

For most of the 20th century, scientists have believed that protein needs are not altered by physical exercise. In contrast, athletes are typically convinced that additional dietary protein can significantly enhance exercise performance. Until recently, the opinion of the athletes has been largely unsubstantiated in the scientific literature. However, since the 1970s, an increasing number of studies have appeared that indicate dietary protein needs are elevated in individuals who are regularly physically active. Together, these data suggest that the RDA for those who engage in regular endurance exercise should be about 1.2-1.4 g protein/kg body mass/d (150-175% of the current RDA) and 1.7-1.8 g protein/kg body mass/d (212-225% of the current RDA) for strength exercisers. Fortunately, the typical North American diet contains protein near these quantities, so most individuals who decide to begin an exercise program will obtain sufficient protein as long as their diet is mixed and they are careful to consume adequate energy. Populations at greatest risk for consuming insufficient protein include any group that restricts energy intake (those on diets) or high quality protein sources (vegetarians) as well as any group that has a requirement higher than normal due to another existing condition (growing individuals). Future studies should focus on these groups. Moreover, few exercise performance measures have been made, so any negative effect of insufficient dietary protein on athletic success needs to be determined. Supplementation of several individual amino acids may be beneficial for physically active individuals, but considerable potential risk is also present. Intake of large quantities of individual amino acids is not recommended until much more information is available.

Dietary Proteins↗

PubMed2005

Exercise capacity in sarcoidosis. Study of 29 patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Aims of this prospective study are to evaluate degree of impairment in pulmonary function tests (PFT), arterial blood gas analysis (ABG), respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity and correlation of these parameters with radiological stages; to further evaluate the use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in assessment of extent of pulmonary disease; and to discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms of limitation in exercise capacity in patients with sarcoidosis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 29 patients with sarcoidosis were grouped according to their radiological stages (stage I: group 1; stage II, group 2; stage III, group 3). Groups 1, 2 and 3 included 11, 13 and 5 patients, respectively. PFT, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and ABG were performed for each patient. RESULTS: Evaluation of all patients showed a significant decrement in exercise capacity. Patients in stage III had decreased diffusing capacity and exercise capacity. There was limitation in exercise capacity in stage I patients who had completely normal spirometry and diffusing capacity. We also found a correlation between radiological stages of the disease and exercise capacity, diffusing capacity and ABG. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise capacity is impaired also in early stages of sarcoidosis and it was found to be the earliest impaired physiological parameter in sarcoid patients. Exercise intolerance, having mutifactorial basis, is correlated with radiological stages. Circulatory impairment and impaired heart rate response to exercise have effects on limitation in exercise capacity. Especially in advanced radiological stages of disease, ventilatory and gas exchange impairment also seems to be effective on limiting exercise in patients with sarcoidosis.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

[Molecular mechanisms in muscle adaptation].

Skeletal muscle shows a unique ability to adapt its structure and function to various stimuli. The recent use of molecular-biological technology indicates that in human skeletal muscle exercise stimuli cause a rapid increase in the transcription of DNA sequences for metabolic and regulatory genes into messenger RNA. Additionally, repetitive and systematic exercise stimuli cause a change in the concentration of certain mitochondrial and contractile RNAs. These distinct changes in gene expression reflect the specific adaptations of the mitochondrial and myofibrillar structure of skeletal muscle to different stimuli as endurance exercise, strength training, and immobilization, respectively. Multiple molecular sensors have been identified which are involved in the sensation, transmission and integration of mechanical, metabolic, hormonal and neuronal signals of the more complex stimuli of exercise training into the observed adaptations of gene expression. The data support the fundamental concept, that by instructing the synthesis of encoded protein(s) changes in gene expression are responsible for the microadaptations of regularly exercised human skeletal muscles leading towards a new training steady-state.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Effects of aerobic exercise training, age, and physical fitness on memory-search performance.

We investigated the effects of exercise training on memory performance. One group of 13 men (M = 42.92 years of age) participated in supervised aerobic exercise (jogging) three times a week for 12 weeks. A second group of 15 men (M = 43.67 years of age) performed anaerobic exercise (strength training) for the same period of time. Subjects' reaction time (RT) performance in a memory-search task was assessed both before (Time 1) and after (Time 2) the 12 weeks of exercise training. Results indicated that there was no significant change in memory-search performance over time as a function of exercise training. Analyses of the Time 2 RTs demonstrated that aspects of memory-search performance were related significantly both to subjects' initial (Time 1) level of fitness and to age, but not to the amount of change in fitness associated with aerobic exercise training over this 12-week duration in this age group.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Assisted exercise and bone strength in preterm infants.

Studies have previously demonstrated that brief (4 weeks) passive range-of-motion exercise is beneficial for bone development in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. However, the optimal duration of exercise for bone development in preterm infants is yet unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 8 weeks of assisted exercise on bone strength and metabolism in VLBW premature infants. Sixteen infants (mean +/- standard error of the mean birth weight 1,009 +/- 55 g and gestational age 27.3 +/- 0.3 weeks) were randomly assigned into exercise (n = 8) and control (n = 8) groups. The intervention started at the first week of life and involved 8 weeks of daily passive extension and flexion range-of-motion exercise of the upper and lower extremities. Biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured at enrollment and after 8 weeks. Bone strength was measured weekly by quantitative ultrasound measurement of tibial bone speed of sound (SOS). Bone SOS decreased significantly in the control group (-108.1 +/- 33.7 m/second, P < 0.0001) during the study period, while remaining stable in the exercise group (11.3 +/- 22.8 m/second). The main beneficial effect of exercise occurred in the first 4 weeks of the intervention. There were no significant differences in the bone turnover marker changes between the groups. There is a significant postnatal decrease in bone SOS in VLBW preterm infants. Eight weeks of assisted range-of-motion exercise attenuates the decrease in bone strength and may decrease the risk of osteopenia in premature infants.

Body Weight↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of isolated cycle ergometer training on patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs are beneficial to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lower-extremity training is considered a fundamental component of PR. Nevertheless, the isolated effects of each PR component are not well established. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effects of a cycle ergometry exercise protocol as the only intervention in a group of COPD patients, and to compare these results with a control group. METHODS: 25 moderate-to-severe COPD patients were evaluated regarding pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, quality of life and body composition. Patients were allocated to one of two groups: (a) the trained group (TG; n = 13; 6 men) was submitted to a protocol of 24 exercise sessions on a cycle ergometer, with training intensity initially set at a heart rate (HR) close to 80% of maximal HR achieved in a maximal test, and load increase based on dyspnea scores, and (b) the control group (CG; n = 12; 6 men) with no intervention during the protocol period. RESULTS: TG showed within-group significant improvements in endurance cycling time, 6-min walking distance test, maximal inspiratory pressure and in the domain 'dyspnea' related to quality of life. Despite the within-group changes, no between-group significant differences were observed. CONCLUSION: In COPD patients, the results of isolated low-to-moderate intensity cycle ergometer training are not comparable to effects of multimodality and high-intensity training programs.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Resistance exercise program effects on abdominal function and physique.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different abdominal exercise programs on abdominal muscular function and physique. Forty-five men and women (aged 18-26 yr) were randomly assigned to training using: (1) abdominal crunch (AC) weight machine; (2) steated incline (SI) weight machine; or (3) incline sit-up (ISU) exercise. Strength training occurred three times per week for 10 weeks. All groups improved in abdominal muscular strength and endurance. The ISU and AC group improved in muscular power (timed sit-up), while flexibility was maintained or increased in all groups. Abdominal skinfolds tended to increase and girths generally were unaltered by the abdominal exercise programs. These results suggest that abdominal weight machines or traditional incline sit-ups are effective in altering abdominal muscular function, but local abdominal exercise alone is unsatisfactory for reducing stomach skinfolds or girths.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1990

The effect of a single-circuit weight-training session on the blood biochemistry of untrained university students.

The metabolic and hormonal responses to an intensive single-circuit weight-training session were studied in 15 untrained male students. The training programme consisted of ten exercises, employing all the large groups of muscles. Students performed three circuits using a work-to-rest ratio of 30 s:30 s at 70% of one-repetition maximum. The whole programme lasted 30 min. Blood samples were obtained from the anticubital vein 30 min before exercise, immediately after exercise finished and after 1-h, 6-h, and 24-h periods of recovery. The training session produced significant increases in the plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, progesterone and somatotropin concentrations. The plasma level of insulin and C-peptide remained unchanged. The strength exercises caused elevated ratios of cortisol:testosterone and cortisol:insulin, indicating a prevalence of stimulation of catabolic processes as well as of mobilization of energy reserves but during the recovery period the reverse of this was observed. Immediately after exercise the mean lactate concentration was 7.19 mmol.l-1, SD 0.56, the glucose concentration increased significantly during exercise and decreased rapidly during recovery. The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased in 1-h period of recovery compared with the initial level. The concentration of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride, did not change. Packed cell volume did not change during exercise or recovery.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1995

Strength improvements with 1 yr of progressive resistance training in older women.

Thirty-nine healthy women (59.5 +/- 0.9 yr) were randomized to either a control group (CON) or a progressive resistance training group (PRT) that trained twice weekly for 12 months. PRT trained at 80% or more (average of 84%) of their most recent one repetition maximum (1RM) on the lateral pull-down (LPD), knee extensor (KE), and double leg press (DLP) apparatus. One RM was measured for each exercise once monthly in PRT and at baseline, midstudy, and end of study in CON. One RM significantly increased in PRT for all muscle groups trained compared to CON (P < 0.0001). Increases of 73.7 +/- 12%, 35.1 +/- 3%, and 77.0 +/- 5%, respectively, for KE, DLP, and LPD in PRT and 12.7% +/- 8%, 3.7% +/- 3%, and 18.4% +/- 4%, respectively, in CON were observed. Approximately 50% of the gains in KE and LPD and 40% in the DLP were seen in the first 3 months of the study. In all three exercises, strength gains in PRT continued over the entire 12-month period. These data indicate that high-intensity strength training results in substantial, continual increases in strength in postmenopausal women for at least 12 months, with the greatest gains seen in the first 3 months of training.

Exercise↗