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Purpose: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the US, yet a feasible assessment measure with predictive value for components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Set for Stroke is lacking. The purpose of the present study was to explore the predictive value of potential assessment measures on factors within each ICF component in stroke survivors. Materials and Methods: Demographic, anthropometric, blood-based biomarker, physical functioning, and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire data were collected on stroke survivors in the 2011–2018 NHANES cycles. Potential predictors (handgrip strength relative to weight, age, sex, race, education level, marital status, poverty ratio, stroke chronicity) of physical function, activities of daily living (ADLs), participation in social activities, metabolic syndrome, and meeting physical activity recommendations were evaluated using weighted linear and ordinal logistic regression. Results: Relative handgrip strength was a significant predictor of physical function, difficulty participating in ADLs and social activities, and odds of meeting physical activity recommendations. As relative handgrip strength increased, these factors improved among stroke survivors. Conclusions: To decrease disability rates and optimize function among stroke survivors, the use of assessment measures like relative handgrip strength that may predict multiple ICF components is warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Handgrip strength relative to weight may be a significant predictor of multiple components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Set for Stroke, including physical function, difficulty completing activities of daily living, difficulty participating in social activities, and the odds of meeting physical activity recommendations. Environmental and personal factors, such as income and education, may influence outcomes; thus, education and appropriate resources may need to be included as an aspect of stroke rehabilitation. The heterogenous and pervasive effects of chronic stroke highlight the need to identify outcome measures, like relative handgrip strength, that can influence multiple domains of stroke recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-stroke depression (PSD) occurs in approximately one-third of chronic stroke survivors. Although pharmacotherapy reduces depressive symptoms, side effects are common and stroke survivors have increased likelihood of multimorbidity and subsequent polypharmacy. Thus, alternative non-pharmacological treatments are needed. Combining two non-pharmacological anti-depressant treatments, aerobic exercise (AEx) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), has been demonstrated to be feasible and well-tolerated in chronic stroke survivors. The purpose of this trial was to determine the feasibility of conducting a multi-arm combinatorial trial of rTMS and AEx and to provide an estimate of effect size of rTMS+AEx on PSD symptoms. Twenty-four participants were allocated to one of four treatment arms AEx, rTMS, rTMS+AEx, or non-depressed Control receiving AEx. All participants received a total of 24 treatment sessions. Participant adherence was the primary outcome measure for feasibility and within group effect sizes in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score was the primary outcome for preliminary efficacy. Mean adherence rates to the exercise intervention for AEx, rTMS+AEx, and Control subjects were 83%, 98%, and 95%, respectively. Mean adherence rates for rTMS and rTMS+AEx subjects were 97% and 99%, respectively. The rTMS and rTMS+AEx treatment groups demonstrated clinically significant reductions of 10.5 and 6.2 points in PHQ-9 scores, respectively. Performing a multi-arm combinatorial trial examining the effect of rTMS+AEx on PSD appears feasible. All treatment arms demonstrated strong adherence to their respective interventions and were well received. rTMS and the combination of AEx with rTMS may be alternative treatments for PSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and importanceResidual effects of stroke include well-documented functional limitations and high prevalence of depression. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and aerobic exercise (AEx) are established techniques that improve depressive symptoms, but a combination of the two has yet to be reported. The purpose of this case series is to examine the safety, feasibility, and impact of combined rTMS and AEx on post-stroke depression and functional mobility. Clinical presentationThree participants with a history of stroke and at least mild depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionare-9 ≥5). InterventionBoth rTMS and AEx were completed 3 times/week for 8-weeks. rTMS was applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 5000 pulses/session at 10 Hz, at an intensity of 120% of resting motor threshold. AEx consisted of 40 min of treadmill walking at 50–70% of heart rate reserve. ResultsDepressive symptoms improved in all three participants, with all demonstrating response (≥50% improvement in symptoms) and likely remission. All participants improved their Six Minute Walk Test distance and Participants 1 and 2 also improved Berg Balance Scale scores. Participants 1 and 3 improved overground walking speeds. No serious adverse events occurred with the application of rTMS or AEx and the participants’ subjective reports indicated positive responses. Adherence rate for both rTMS and AEx was 98%. ConclusionCombined treatment of rTMS and AEx appears safe, feasible, and tolerable in individuals with a history of stroke and at least mild depressive symptoms. All participants had good compliance and demonstrated improvements in both depressive symptoms and walking capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses research comparing the acute metabolic responses to traditional resistance, body-weight, and battling rope (BR) exercises in 10 resistance-trained men. Topics include the participants' exercise protocol, which included repetitions of push-ups (PUs), PUs on a BOSU ball, and PUs with lateral crawls, measurements of mean oxygen consumption during PU-based and plank exercises, and acute energy expenditure (EE) in body fat reduction.

The article presents a study on the relationship between maximal oxygen consumption (Vo2max) and acute resistance exercise performance, as well as the maximal aerobic capacity and acute metabolic effects of exercise sequencing, with a focus on rest interval (RI) lengths. Resistance training, athletic performance, and strength testing are also discussed.

The article discusses a study which concerned the jumping performance of college athletes, focusing on the impact of postactivation potentiation protocols with and without whole body vibration. Topics include countermovement jumps, drop jumps, complex training, and decreases in performance that may have resulted from the use of a whole body vibration platform.

The article reports on research which was conducted to investigate the effects manipulating rest interval (Rl) length of the first upper-body exercise in sequence had on subsequent resistance exercise performance in men and women. Researchers evaluated 22 men and women who performed resistance exercise protocols on three occasions. They found that gender differences were observed during the bench press and incline press as women performed significantly more repetitions than men during all RIs.

The article discusses research which was conducted to investigate the effects rest interval (Rl) length had on bench press performance in subjects with disparity in maximum strength. Researchers evaluated two cohorts of subjects who performed bench presses with different rest intervals. They found that maximal strength plays a role in bench press performance with varying RIs and that shorter RIs may suffice in women to attain a specific volume.

The article reports on research conducted to examine performance differences between starters and non-starters and between different playing positions in collegiate female lacrosse players. Researchers evaluated 22 athletes. They found that physical performance characteristics were not different between starters and nonstarters, that attackers are heavier and more powerful than the other positions and that midfielders appeared to be weaker in lower body strength relative to the other positions.

The article presents the results of a study which compared the effects of treadmill sprint training and resistance training on running power and velocity. An overview of related previous research is provided, along with details of the experimental protocol, which involved the Woodway Force 3.0 treadmill. It was found that both training modalities improved performance, but a combination of the two produced the best results.

The article reports on the off-season resistance training programs among American College Football Players. It gives a comparison on the various trainings in different periodization models. The effectiveness of periodization among fifty-one experienced resistance trained athletes is explored giving an explanation of the results.

To examine the effects of rest interval (RI) length on acute bench press kinematic and kinetic performances in resistance-trained men and women. Twenty-one resistance-trained men [age = 21.2 ± 2.2 yrs; height = 178.8 ± 7.1 cm; body mass = 85.0 ± 14.5 kg; one repetition-maximum (1RM) bench press = 104.8 ± 22.1 kg] and 16 women (age = 22.4 ± 6.9 yrs; height = 164.3 ± 6.0 cm; body mass = 62.6 ± 7.3 kg; 1RM bench press = 42.0 ± 12.4 kg) reported to the laboratory on three occasions (following a maximal strength testing session consisting of obtaining a 1RM and 10RM bench press) in randomized order. Each session consisted of performing the bench press exercise for 3 sets of up to 10 repetitions with each subjects' respective 10RM load using 1-, 2-, or 3-min RIs. A transducer was attached to the barbell to measure the average bar velocity and power of each repetition. The mean velocity and power per set, fatigue rate from set 1 to 3, and repetitions completed (per set and total for 3 sets) were analyzed. For 1-min RI, repetitions performed decreased significantly (p < 0.05) for sets 2 and 3 in both groups. The response was significantly different between groups (total repetitions: men = 18.0 ± 3.8; women = 23.3 ± 3.8). For 2- and 3-min RIs, repetitions decreased significantly in sets 2 and 3 in men and in set 3 only in women compared to set 1. The response was significantly different between groups (total repetitions: men = 21.4 ± 3.8; women = 27.1 ± 2.6 for 2-min RI; men = 23.5 ± 5.1; women = 28.7 ± 1.5 for 3-min RI). Men with 3-min RI performed the same number of repetitions as women with 1-min RI. Average velocity and power decreased significantly for sets 2 and 3 in both groups for all RIs with the magnitude greatest during 1-min RI and least during 3-min RI. However, the velocity and power fatigue rates in men were higher than women for 1-min RI only (∼38 versus 29%). For all sets, average power in men was significantly higher than women. When male and female data were pooled, significant negative correlations were shown between 1RM strength and total repetitions completed across all RIs (r = -0.50 to -0.62). RI length significantly affects acute bench press performance with 10RM loads in men and women with the largest effect seen in 1-min RI and smallest effects seen in 3-min RI. However, gender differences were observed where female bench press performances were maintained to a greater extent despite the RI length. Based on correlation data, it may be the gender effects observed resulted from significant strength differences between men and women. The results of the present study indicated that men and women respond differently with RI manipulation during resistance exercise. These data may impact how resistance exercise RI length is prescribed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]