Search

Purpose: to study the features of the influence of training loads in bodybuilding with the sequential use of basic and isolation exercises on the nature of adaptive body changes in athletes. Methods. 60 bodybuilders aged 18 ± 0.23 were divided into 3 groups, which used different combinations of basic and isolation exercises at the stage of specialized basic training during 4 months. To determine the effectiveness of the proposed training programs on the nature of adaptive changes in the body of athletes we used morphometric parameters, indicators of bioimpedansometry and biochemical analysis of cortisol concentration and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the blood. Results. The pronounced adaptive changes for the period of research were observed mainly in athletes of the third group due to increase in the circumferential sizes by 7.7% (p <0.05) and increase in fat-free mass by 8.5% (p <0.05) and decrease in body fat by 9.1% (p <0.05). Representatives of groups 1 and 2 also had positive dynamics in circumferential sizes and body composition, but with a less pronounced progression over the same period. At the same time, the results of biochemical blood control indicated the manifestation of compensatory reactions in response to physical stimuli in bodybuilders of group 1, especially at the beginning of the study. Thus, group 1 athletes had a decrease in the cortisol concentration by 26.8% (p <0.05) on the background of a significant increase in LDH activity by 37.4% (p <0.05) in the blood almost to the upper limit of the norm. Athletes of groups 2 and 3 showed a safe increase in cortisol concentration and LDH activity in response to a stress stimulus. At the end of the study, we observed the effect of long-term adaptation mainly in group 3 athletes on the background of no significant changes in cortisol concentration and LDH activity in the blood serum in response to exercise, which indicated increasing the body resistance to the physical stimuli. Conclusion. Using the proposed mechanism of the training process correction at the stage of special basic training in bodybuilding allows to optimize the training load parameters as well as achieve pronounced adaptive changes in the body of athletes and their muscle growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims at presenting the importance of using songs in the English lesson. The article is divided in two main parts: I. Why use songs in the English lesson? and II. How can we use songs in the EFL class? Part I presents reasons for using songs in the English class. Part II presents activities for engaging students, activities for changing the mood, activities for practising reading, listening, speaking and writing. The author wished to stir up the interest of EFL teachers in using songs in the English lesson.

The type of exercise is a relevant resistance training-variable that might be manipulated in order to induce significant increases in muscle strength. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of multi-joint vs single-joint resistance exercises on maximal strength. Sixteen resistance-trained men (age: 23.1 ± 4.4 years; body mass: 86.0 ± 12.8; height: 177.9 ± 6.4 cm; training experience: 4.2 ± 3.4 years) performed one of the following training protocols for six weeks: MULTI, consisting of only multi-joint exercises or SINGLE, consisting of only single-joint exercises. Subjects were then submitted to a three-week washout period, before being submitted to the other protocol for another six weeks. A linear periodization model was adopted in which external load was increased and the repetition range was decreased every two weeks. Maximal dynamic strength of bench press (1RMBENCH) and squat exercises (1RMSQUAT), a percentage variation of total load lifted (Î"TLL) and internal training load (ITL) were measured. Similar increases in 1RMBENCH (MULTI: 10.8%, p < 0.001; SINGLE: 5.5%, p < 0.001) and 1RMSQUAT (MULTI: 19.7%, p < 0.001; SINGLE: 19.0%, p < 0.001) were observed after the MULTI and SINGLE protocols. A decrease in TLL was detected for both exercise protocols; however, the SINGLE protocol induced a greater decrease, compared to the MULTI protocol (- 35 ± 11% vs -42 ± 5%, respectively; p = 0.026). A greater ITL for the MULTI was observed when compared to the SINGLE (12.1%; p < 0.001). In conclusion, resistance training protocols with different exercise modalities seem to produce similar strength increases in resistance-trained men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a paucity of data on how manipulating joint angles during isolation exercises may impact overall session muscle activation and volume load in resistance-trained individuals. We investigated the acute effects of varying glenohumeral joint angle on the biceps brachii with a crossover repeated measure design with three different biceps curls. One session served as the positive control (CON), which subjects performed 9 sets of bicep curls with their shoulder in a neutral position. The experimental condition (VAR), varied the glenohumeral joint angle by performing 3 sets in shoulder extension (30°), 3 sets neutral (0°), and 3 sets in flexion (90°). Volume load and muscle activation (EMG) were recorded during the training sessions. Muscle swelling and strain were assessed via muscle thickness and echo-intensity responses at pre, post, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. There were no significant differences between conditions for most dependent variables. However, the overall session EMG amplitude was significantly higher (p = 0.0001) in VAR compared to CON condition (95%-CI: 8.4% to 23.3%). Our findings suggest that varying joint angles during resistance training (RT) may enhance total muscle activation without negatively affecting volume load within a training session in resistance-trained individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The earthquake-resilient design of a reinforced concrete framed building is presented in this paper as a case study. A non-conventional application of the base isolation in conjunction with a tuned-mass-damper (TMD) located at basement, below the isolation floor, is studied for improving the seismic performance of the building. The seismic base isolation is implemented below the first story, with low-damping rubber isolators mainly placed throughout the perimeter of the building. At the center of the building a large-mass TMD is inserted, which consists of a box filled with large aggregate concrete. The box is located at basement and is connected to the base isolation system via an auxiliary set of lead-core rubber isolators, the latter playing the role of damper and spring elements of the TMD. The TMD box is disconnected from the ground via low-friction flat sliding devices. Optimal design parameters of the auxiliary TMD isolators are detected by minimizing an objective function that is based on the stochastic dynamic analysis of a simplified three-degree-of-freedom system comprising the main structure, the base isolation and the TMD. Four different objective functions are investigated, including the main structure displacement relative to the ground, the interstory displacements, the total acceleration and an energy-based indicator. The effectiveness of this design philosophy and of the related optimization procedure, first time applied to a real case, is demonstrated via nonlinear time-history analyses with simulated accelerograms being consistent with the response spectrum of the installation site. Advantages of this structural system over both the fixed-base building and the conventional application of the base isolation are shown in terms of a variety of response indicators summarizing the seismic performance of the building, including the deformation of the isolators, the displacement demand of the structure, the base shear, the interstory drifts, and the shear forces and bending moments on the beam-column members. Highlights • A low-damage structural system implemented in a RC building is presented as a case study. • A non-conventional application of the base isolation in conjunction with a TMD. • Four different optimization procedures of the TMD are scrutinized. • Improvements over the conventional base isolation demonstrated via time-history analyses. • A very high level of earthquake protection is achieved with the proposed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A palm-sized antenna is proposed for the hybridisation of fifth generation (5G) and long-term evolution-advanced (LTE-A) communication modes. The antenna has the overall volume of 70 mm (l) × 40 mm (w) × 0.254 mm (h) clutched by four multiple-input-multiple-output chip antennas (CAs) operating at 2.4 GHz for LTE-A on the sides of a flat substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) four-by-four Butler matrix (BM) beamforming antenna operating over the band from 27 to 29 GHz for 5G communication. Advantages are the broad bandwidth gained by a low-profile BM and this metal SIW structure of high isolation above 10 dB with neighbouring CAs, which is impossible for the microstrip BM and coplanar waveguide (CPW) version. The simulated and measured results of the impedance matching as well as the gains and radiated field patterns of all the ports reveal the antenna is proper for the multi-mode communication as a compact geometry. Besides, high isolation between the closely placed radiating elements is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collector system of wind farm is a non-effectively grounding (small current grounding) system, where the single-phase-to-ground fault can easily develop into a three-phase fault, and without timely identification and isolation, it may cause incalculable hazard to wind farms. In fact, the present fault identification methods based on single fault characteristic quantity or majority voting rule all have certain limitations when dealing with some certain faults theoretically. Furthermore, the wind turbine could be possibly exposed to overvoltage several times of the rated voltage after the fault isolation by direct switching off the grid-side breaker in collector line. To solve these problems, this paper first analyzes the mechanism of overvoltage by constructing the resonance model of wind farm with distributed parameter. A novel single-phase-to-ground fault identification method based on D-S evidence theory is proposed. Then two flexible fault isolation methods are further proposed. Simulation results verify the validity and superiority of the proposed strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Body worn accelerometry has been shown to be reliable in measuring training Intensity in several sports including MMA and has been used to assign training intensity in sports such as football and rugby, but not in MMA. Material and methods. Eight male MMA trained participants (age 25.5±4.5 yrs) were equipped with a Catapult Minimax x3 accelerometer between the T3 and T4 vertebrae and completed a series of MMA specific movements in isolation and a MMA sparring bout each (3 x 5 minute rounds). Mean playerload was recorded for each isolated movement and the equivalent movements in the sparring bouts. Results. Paired sample t tests (p≤0.05) found that jabs, crosses and left hooks had significantly higher playerload in isolation that in sparring, single leg takedowns have higher playerload than double leg takedowns in isolation but not in sparring, whilst takedowns cause significantly greater playerload than strikes in both isolation and sparring according to one way ANOVA (p≤ 0.05). It was also found that there is no difference in playerload between an unsuccessful takedown and a successful takedown in sparring, either for the offensive participant or the defensive participant. Conclusions. These results demonstrate the differences in movements in MMA AND can be used to more accurately prescribe training intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study which investigated exercise techniques for activating the medial and lateral regions of the gastrocnemius muscle. An overview of related previous research is provided, along with details of the experimental protocol, which involved placing the feet in three different positions while performing calf muscle exercises.

The article presents the results of a study which investigated the responses of abdominal muscles to a variety of abdominal exercises, using the technique of electromyography to quantify their relative efficacy. An overview of related previous research is provided, along with details of the experimental protocol, which involved crunches, exercise balls, and power wheels.

The present article describes the notion of the flat foot, the architecture of the foot, the influence of a model-programmer for its recuperation. A lot of attention is given to the analysis of the geometrical modification of the foot before and after the application of the model-programmer. By this analysis way we can observe the real progress registered by individual pupils. Only knowing the medical and biological data of every pupil, the physical education teacher can establish the integration possibilities of the pupil in the process of physical education can decide and apply the most adequate measure for preventing and correcting the physical deficiencies. We are suggesting the conduction of a study on improving the physical deficiency through physical exercises, which is the flat foot. In analyzing the flat foot, we have come to the conclusion that through the application of certain individualized programs, the fallowed parameters have evolved favourably bearing in mind the existence of all the articulate alterations which could have delayed or dragged out the success of the recovery treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leptospirosis has been implicated as a severe and fatal form of disease in Mayotte, a French-administrated territory located in the Comoros archipelago (southwestern Indian Ocean). To date, Leptospira isolates have never been isolated in this endemic region. Methods and Findings: Leptospires were isolated from blood samples from 22 patients with febrile illness during a 17-month period after a PCR-based screening test was positive. Strains were typed using hyper-immune antisera raised against the major Leptospira serogroups: 20 of 22 clinical isolates were assigned to serogroup Mini; the other two strains belonged to serogroups Grippotyphosa and Pyrogenes, respectively. These isolates were further characterized using partial sequencing of 16S rRNA and ligB gene, Multi Locus VNTR Analysis (MLVA), and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Of the 22 isolates, 14 were L. borgpetersenii strains, 7 L. kirschneri strains, and 1, belonging to serogoup Pyrogenes, was L. interrogans. Results of the genotyping methods were consistent. MLVA defined five genotypes, whereas PFGE allowed the recognition of additional subgroups within the genotypes. PFGE fingerprint patterns of clinical strains did not match any of the patterns in the reference strains belonging to the same serogroup, suggesting that the strains were novel serovars. Conclusions: Preliminary PCR screening of blood specimen allowed a high isolation frequency of leptospires among patients with febrile illness. Typing of leptospiral isolates showed that causative agents of leptospirosis in Mayotte have unique molecular features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the power-strength curve in a half squat exercise in trained basketball players of the EBA league. For that, a cross sectional, descriptive study was carried out to 8 high-level male basketball players. After controlling the participants 1RM, a progressive test, consisted on moving loads of 30,45,60,70 and 80% of 1RM as fast as possible in the concentric phase, was performed. The participants showed the highest peak power output with loads of 45% of 1RM. These results differ from the wide literature, which shows values ranged between 30% and 70% of 1RM; this can be due to: a) the analyzed sample; b) the experience of the participants; and c) the methodology used for the record. Therefore, we concluded that, the basketball players studied present values of peak power output, in competitive period, near to 45% of 1RM in the half squat exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Educatio Artis Gymnasticae is the property of Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses on research conducted to evaluate the activity of the primary motor muscles during the performance of 3 lat pull-down techniques through surface electromyoqraphy (EMG). Researchers evaluated 24 adult male subjects. They found that the front of the neck pull down technique is a good choice of technique and that the behind the neck technique is not a good pull down technique.

The article reports on the results of research which was conducted in an effort to determine the relationship of lat-pull repetitions and pull-ups to maximal !at-pull and pull-up strength and to determine the relationships among selected shoulder pulling strength and endurance maneuvers in college men and women. They found that maximal strength performance in each lift in each sex could be predicted using the analogous muscular endurance exercise or body composition components.

The article presents the results of a study which investigated a means of measuring explosive grip strength. An overview of related previous research is provided, focusing on issues related to determining grip strength in both genders and in special populations such as the elderly. Details of the experimental protocol, which included a rotary encoder, are provided. It was found that the measurements were consistent and accurate.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the influence of resistance training with a personal trainer versus unsupervised resistance training on the self-selected intensities used by women during resistance exercise. Forty-six resistance trained women (age = 26.6 ± 6.4 years; body mass = 64.2 ± 10.9 kg) who either trained individually (n = 27; No PT) or with a personal trainer (n = 19; PT) were carefully instructed to select a weight they used in their own resistance training workouts that enabled the completion of 10 repetitions for the chest press (CP), leg press (LP), seated row (SR), and leg extension (LE) exercises. Each participant was subsequently tested for one repetition-maximum (1RM) strength on each exercise, and the self-selected intensity was calculated based on a percent of each 1RM value. For self-selected relative intensity, the PT group selected significantly greater intensities for LP (50% vs. 41%), CP (57.4% vs. 48%), and SR (56% vs. 42%) whereas a trend (p = 0.10) was observed for LE (43% vs. 38%) compared with No PT. Overall, the average self-selected intensity for all exercises was ∼51.4% in PT group and ∼42.3% in the No PT group. 1 RM values for LP, LE, and SR were greater in the PT than No PT group. Ratings of perceived exertion values were significantly greater in the PT compared with the No PT group for CP, LE, and SR but not LP. These results indicate that resistance training under the supervision of a personal trainer leads to greater initial 1RM strength values, self-selection of greater workout intensities, and greater ratings of perceived exertion values during resistance exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current recommendations for resistance training (RT) frequency range from 2 to 5 days per week (days week− 1) depending on the subjects’ training status. However, the relationship between RT frequency and muscular strength remains controversial with reported variances existing across different population groups. We conducted a meta-analysis that (1) quantified the effects of low (LF; 1 day week− 1), medium (MF; 2 days week− 1), or high (HF; ≥ 3 days week− 1) RT frequency on muscular strength per exercise; (2) examined the effects of different RT frequency on one repetition maximum (1RM) strength gain profiles (multi-joint exercises and single joint exercises); (3) examined the effects of different RT frequency on 1RM strength gain when RT volume is equated; and (4) examined the effects of different RT frequency on 1RM strength gains on upper and lower body.Methods: Computerised searches were performed using the terms ‘strength training frequency’, ‘resistance training frequency’, ‘training frequency’, and ‘weekly training frequency’. After review, 12 studies were deemed suitable according to pre-set eligibility criteria. Primary data were pooled using a random-effects model. Outcomes analysed for main effects were pre- to post strength change with volume-equated studies that combined multi-joint and isolation exercise; isolation-only exercise and untrained subjects only. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 and Cochran’s Q statistics with funnel plots used to assess publication bias and sensitivity analyses calculated for subgroups.Results: Pre- versus post-training strength analysis comprised of 74 treatment groups from 12 studies. For combined multi-joint and isolation exercises, there was a trend towards higher RT frequency compared with lower frequency [mean effect size (ES) 0.09 (95% CI − 0.06-0.24)] however not significant (p = 0.25). Volume-equated pre- to post-intervention strength gain was similar when LF was compared to HF [mean ES 0.03 (95% CI − 0.20-0.27); p = 0.78]. Upper body pre- to post-intervention strength gain was greater when HF was compared with LF [mean ES 0.48 (95% CI 0.20-0.76)] with significant differences between frequencies (p < 0.01). Upper body pre- to post-intervention strength gain was similar when MF was compared with LF (ES 0.12; 95% CI − 0.22-0.47); p = 0.48]. There was no significant difference in lower body mean ES between HF and LF [mean ES 0.21(95% CI − 0.55-0.13); p = 0.22]. There was a trend towards a difference in mean ES between MF and HF [mean ES 0.41(95% CI − 0.26-1.09); however, the effect was not significant (p = 0.23).Conclusions: The existing data does not provide a strong correlation between increased weekly training frequency (HF) and maximal strength gain in upper and lower body resistance exercises for a mixed population group. When RT is volume-equated for combined multi-joint and isolation exercises, there is no significant effect of RT frequency on muscular strength gain. More investigations are required to explore the effects of varying weekly training frequencies adequately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the innovations associated with wearable computing and its relationship to circuit training. The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's Pervasive Systems for Education Enhancement group has created the Electronic Multiuser Randomized Circuit Training (EMURCT). EMURCT contends with two areas of concern: the time a trainee spends on a particular exercise, and the time a trainee must wait for a desired piece of equipment. The EMURCT control program generates nonoverlapping random sequences encompassing all of the exercise stations in the circuit.