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Different periodization models have been widely used to improve maximum and rapid force in aging adults. However, it is unclear if some specific model can influence the remarkable heterogeneity of responsiveness to rapid torque improvements following resistance training. Compare the effects of mixed session periodization (MSP) and traditional (TP) models on neuromuscular performance and individual responsiveness in aging adults. Twenty-two aging men and women (64.6 ± 5.2 years old; 1.68 ± 0.1 m; 77.8 ± 16.0 kg) completed the intervention period. They were assigned into MSP (n = 11) or TP (n = 11) resistance training for lower limbs. The outcome measures normalized dynamic leg press (5-RM:BM), absolute and normalized knee isometric peak torque (PT and PT:BM) and rate of torque development, and impulse were assessed at baseline and after three blocks of a 9-wk resistance training (3 sessions per week). Thigh leg lean mass was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after the intervention. Similar increases were observed for 5-RM:BM (MSP: 28.8% ± 13.5% and TP: 26.4% ± 7.6%, P 0.05). Absolute and normalized RTD remained unchanged throughout intervention (P > 0.05), but both groups improved impulse (MSP: 22.1% ± 25.7% and TP: 12.6% ± 45.2%, P

By using different series of linear mixed models we investigated the influence of muscle strength gains on functional capacity (FC) improvements in older adults following resistance training (RT). ...

Unusual eccentric exercise (EE) may affect muscle ability to produce rapid force. Previous study suggested that short-term mate tea (MT) consumption may enhance muscle strength recovery from EE, but MT benefits on the rate of torque development (RTD) are unknown. This study investigated the effect of MT on RTD and muscle damage and antioxidant defence biomarkers following EE. In a randomised, crossover design, 12 men drank either MT or water (control; CON) for 11 days. On the 8th day, 3 sets of 20 maximal isokinetic eccentric for elbow flexors with one arm were performed. RTD of the elbow flexor muscles at 0–50, 0–100, 50–100, 0–200, and 100–200 ms were assessed before and at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise. Blood samples were obtained before and at 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise and analysed for creatine kinase (CK), aldolase (ALD), total phenols, and reduced:oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) ratio. RTD0–50 deficit after EE was independent of treatment. Compared with CON, MT improved RTD0–100 at 48 h (21%, P = 0.015) and 72 h (24%, P = 0.022); RTD0–200 at 48 h (18%, P = 0.034) and 72 h (21%, P = 0.029); RTD50–100 at 48 h (25%, P = 0.001) and 72 h (19%, P = 0.011); and RTD100–200 at 72 h (28%, P = 0.038). CK peaked (P = 0.012) in both trials at 72 h, and ALD was higher in MT than in CON before and at 24 h (P = 0.005 and P 50 ms by 2–3 days after EE. Furthermore, MT ameliorated circulating levels of muscle damage and antioxidant biomarkers irrespectively of exercise.

This study investigated the relationship between habitual nutritional intake and the responsiveness of elderly individuals to resistance training. Nineteen participants (66.0 ± 4.5 years) completed body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), functional capacity (timed-up-and-go, stair ascent, and stair descent), and neuromuscular tests (5-repetition maximum and countermovement jump) before and after a 9-week resistance training intervention. Habitual nutritional intake was evaluated at the beginning, middle, and end of the intervention. Participants were also divided into two groups based on their protein intake (low protein group 1.2 g/kg). Total Kcaloric and protein intake explained ~ 21–44% of the functional capacity improvements, while total Kcaloric and carbohydrate intake explained ~ 21–27% of the change in lean mass. Participants with high protein intake showed greater percentage improvement for timed-up-and-go (− 10.7 ± 4.9% and 0.4 ± 7.4%) and stair ascent (− 11.4 ± 7.6% and − 3.2 ± 5.3%) versus those with lower protein intake. Nutritional intake influenced individual responsiveness to resistance training in the elderly. Older adults with higher Kcaloric, protein, and carbohydrate intake presented greater improvement in functional capacity and lean mass following resistance training.

Verify the acute responses of static stretching (SS) on the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), and vastus lateralis (VL) elasticity and knee/hip range of motion (ROM). Additionally, to investigate if there are consistency among quadriceps muscle elasticity after SS.Acute effect of SS on pre-post-intervention design. Thirtheen healthy participants (both genders) proposed for a pre-post experimental design. RF, VM, and VL elasticity (strain ratio, SR) was evaluated bilaterally by ultrasound with quasi-static elastography. Higher SR values refer to more rigid tissues. A SS protocol of 3 series of 30 s was applied at right lower limb. The left lower limb was considered as control group. Also, photogrammetry evaluated the knee/hip ROM.For SR muscle comparisons, VM was lower (less stiff) than VL and RF at pre- and post-SS. For time comparisons, no differences were observed for SR and ROM at pre- and post-SS. However, the effect size of the quadriceps SR at SS lower limb was higher than control.Acute effects of SS did not change the quadriceps SR or knee/hip ROM in healthy and active subjects. Non-uniform quadriceps SR are observed (VM VL and RF) independently of SS. Future studies should consider different protocols, muscles, and populations.

Although hip muscles are related to activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults, there is a lack of evidence concerning the extensor–flexor hip torque–angle. A shift of the torque–angle relationship is caused by the aging process (increasing or reducing the range of motion) affecting the force production in a given muscular length during ADLs. Thus, the relationship between hip extensor–flexor muscles' force production and their association with functional capacity tests in elderly women were evaluated. Seventeen elderly women performed timed up and go, timed up and down stairs, and 30-s chair stand tests. Hip extensor–flexor isometric peak torques at 15°, 60°, 90°, and 100° (0° = full extension) were also assessed. Hip flexors produced the highest absolute and relative peak torque at a 15° angle and hip extensor muscles at 100°. A large and significant correlation (r = 0.62, p = 0.008) was observed only between absolute hip extensor peak torque at 90° and the 30-s chair stand test. When peak torque was normalized by body mass, the hip extensor–flexor muscles' peak torque obtained at all measured angles presented significant correlation with the 30-s chair stand test. The results indicate that for older women there is an optimum torque–angle for the hip flexor and extensor muscles. Furthermore, although the hip torque–angle relationship was measured under isometric contractions, there was a correlation with the 30-s chair stand test, which could indicate the presence of the isometric component during this movement.

Echo intensity (EI) can be useful to check muscle quality and has been widely used to identify tissue damage. In the clinical and sports context, it has been used to identify metabolic disorders and training muscle performance. To determine whether subcutaneous adipose thickness (SAT) influences the inter-session EI reliability of the quadriceps femoris and whether EI is influenced by dominance in young healthy subjects. All procedures were approved by the local Institutional Research Ethics Committee (project number 2.620.204). This is a cross-sectional study where 19 healthy young individuals volunteered. The individuals were assessed at two time points by an experienced examiner. Imaging of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles were performed bilaterally by ultrasonography. EI and SAT analysis was performed using ImageJ®software. Inter-session intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for EImeasured showed moderate reliability for RF (R = 0.578; P = 0.038) and VL (R = 0.735; P = 0.004) and low for VM (R = 0.402; P = 0.142). When corrected by SAT, inter-session (EIcorrected), ICC values showed good reliability for RF (R = 0.826; P 0.283), EIcorrected (P > 0.127), and SAT (P > 0.356). SAT influenced the inter-session reliability values of EI in all muscles evaluated. Although they showed similarity, EI values were not influenced by dominance in young healthy subjects.

Berzerra, ES, Orssatto, LBR, Moura, BM, Willardson, JM, Simão, R, and Moro, ARP. Mixed session periodization as a new approach for strength, power, functional performance, and body composition enhancement in aging adults. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2795-2806, 2018-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mixed session periodization (MSP) vs. traditional periodization (TP) on strength, power, functional performance, and body composition in aging adults. Forty-five healthy aging adults were randomly divided into 3 groups: MSP, TP, and Control. Subjects were tested before the intervention for baseline values (week 4) and then repeated testing during (week 7 and week 11), as well as after the intervention (week 15). Subjects were tested on the following performance measures: 5 repetition maximum (5RM) leg press and seated leg curl; 12RM cable chest press; countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump; up-and-down stairs; timed up and go (TUG); and body composition. All comparisons were analyzed through a mixed-model analysis with repeated measures (group × time) and with Bonferroni post hoc tests (p ≤ 0.05). After the intervention, no significant differences were observed between experimental groups; however, the MSP and TP groups demonstrated significantly greater values vs. the Control group in the 5RM leg press (p0.01), seated leg curl (p0.01), and 12RM cable chest press (p0.001). For CMJ performance, the MSP and TP groups significantly increased at week 7 (p0.001). The MSP and TP groups significantly improved functional task performance, including TUG (p0.001), upstairs (p0.01), and downstairs (p0.01) after training. Furthermore, body composition for the lower limbs significantly changed for the MSP and TP groups, with increased fat-free mass (p0.001) and decreased fat mass (p0.01) after training. In conclusion, the MSP and TP models used in this study were equally effective in developing strength, power, and functional performance while increasing fat-free mass and improving body fat percentage in aging adults. However, it should be considered that the MSP protocol did result in greater effect sizes in lower-limb strength, lower-limb fat-free mass, up-and-down stair, and TUG performance.

The aims of this pilot study were to verify which muscle strength tests better explain bone mineral content (BMC) of the femoral neck and lumbar spine and to develop predictive equations to estimate femoral neck and lumbar spine BMC. Twenty-nine subjects aged 56–76 years old (12 women and 17 men) participated in the study. Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMC was evaluated by Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Muscle strength measurements included maximal isometric voluntary contractions of knee extensors and flexors, vertical jump, 5-repetition maximum of the leg press (5-RM LP ) and seated leg curl (5-RM LC ), and handgrip strength. Women presented a moderate to strong correlation between femoral neck BMC and 5-RM LP (r = 0.819), 5-RM LC (r = 0.879), knee extensors peak torque (r = 0.699), and handgrip strength (r = 0.663), as well as between lumbar spine BMC and the 5-RM LP test (r = 0.845) and manual grip strength (r = 0.699). For females, the 5-RM LP and 5-RM LC tests most fully explained femoral neck BMC (R 2 = 0.859) and the 5-RM LP test and body mass explained lumbar spine density (R 2 = 0.757) for females. Men did not present correlations between BMC and strength variables. For females, the 5-RM LP and 5-RM LC variables explained the variations of femoral neck BMC, while 5-RM LP and body mass explained lumbar spine BMC. Future studies should evaluate a larger sample size and prioritize the strength tests with a greater predictive capacity.

Background Body composition is relevant for the health and work performance of firefighters. However, the behavior of these parameters has not been elucidated for groups of firefighters performing different tasks. Objectives To compare the anthropometric profile of military firefighters who perform administrative (ADM) or operational work . Methods The sample comprised 121 (ADM = 50 and operational = 71) male military firefighters. Body mass (BM), body fat percentage (BFP), fat body mass, lean body mass, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and somatotype were analyzed. Results Intergroup difference was found for body mass (ADM = 78.5 kg - operational = 84.6 kg), BMI (ADM = 25.8 - operational = 27.2) and lean body mass (ADM = 61.9 kg - operational = 66.2 kg). Conclusion The groups exhibited differences in their anthropometric profile and BFP and BMI above the recommended range.

Understanding the influence of strength training intensity on subsequent recovery in elderly is important to avoid reductions in physical function during the days following training. Twenty-two elderly were randomized in two groups: G70 (65.9 ± 4.8 years, n = 11) and G95 (66.9 ± 5.1, n = 11). Baseline tests included maximum voluntary isometric contraction (peak torque and rate of torque development - RTD), countermovement jump, and functional capacity (timed up and go, stairs ascent and descent). Then, both groups performed a single strength training session with intensities of 70% (G70) or 95% (G95) of five repetition maximum. The same tests were repeated immediately, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after the session. Peak torque was lower than baseline immediately after for both groups and at 24 h for G95. Compared with G70, G95 had lower peak torque at 24 h and 48 h. Countermovement jump, timed up and go, stairs ascent, and RTD at 0–50 ms only differed from baseline immediately after for both groups. RTD at 0–200 ms was lower than baseline immediately after and 24 h after the session for both groups. In conclusion, reduced physical function immediately after strength training can last for 1–2 days in elderly depending on the type of physical function and intensity of training. Higher intensity resulted in greater impairment. Exercise prescription in elderly should take this into account, e.g., by gradually increasing intensity during the first months of strength training. These results have relevance for elderly who have to be fit for work or other activities in the days following strength training.

While it is accepted that resistance training can improve functional capacity in older individuals, the neuromuscular source of this improvement has yet to be identified. This study investigated the link between improved neuromuscular performance and functional capacity after a 12-week resistance training period in untrained healthy older individuals. Fifteen older men and women (60–71 years) adhered to a 4-week control period, followed by 12 weeks of non-linear resistance training for the lower limbs. Maximum dynamic leg press strength (1-RM), maximum isometric knee extension torque and rate of torque development (RTD) were evaluated at − 4, 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and muscle activity was assessed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Functional capacity tests (chair rise, stair ascent and descent, and timed up and go) were performed at − 4, 0, and 12 weeks. No changes occurred during the control period, but the group increased their 1-RM strength (from 142 ± 53 to 198 ± 43 kg, p = 0.001), which was accompanied by an increase in vastus lateralis activation (p = 0.008) during the intervention. Increase was observed at all RTD time intervals at week 8 (p

Accuracy is essential to the validity of functional capacity measurements. To evaluate the error of measurement of functional capacity tests for elders and suggest the use of the technical error of measurement and credibility coefficient. Twenty elders (65.8 ± 4.5 years) completed six functional capacity tests that were simultaneously filmed and timed by four evaluators by means of a chronometer. A fifth evaluator timed the tests by analyzing the videos (reference data). The means of most evaluators for most tests were different from the reference (p

The aim of this study was to investigate whether 12 weeks of leg press strength training exercise could affect the conventional and functional hamstring:quadriceps ratios in the elderly. Twelve elderly participants were submitted to a 12 week progressive training protocol (two sessions/week) using a 45° leg press exercise. A significant increase in the one repetition maximum was observed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks (p = 0.001, p 0.001, and p 0.001, respectively) compared to week 0 and after 8 (p = 0.011) and 12 weeks (p = 0.001) compared to week 4. The concentric knee extensor peak torque was significantly higher at weeks 8 (p = 0.001) and 12 (p = 0.024) compared to week 0. There was no change in the concentric and eccentric knee flexor peak torques (p = 0.629 and 0.274, respectively) and conventional ratio (p 0.314) after 12 weeks of training. The functional ratio (eccentric knee flexor peak torque:concentric knee extensor peak torque) reduced significantly after 8 (p = 0.034) and 12 (p = 0.036) weeks of strength training. Although the 45° leg press exercise requires knee extensor and flexor, hip extensor, and plantar flexor muscle strength, our findings suggest that the isolated use of the 45° leg press exercise reduces the knee functional ratio after 8 weeks of training. Therefore, 45° leg press exercise alone, without a hamstring exercise, should not be recommended for elderly individuals.

Dietary phytochemical supplementation may improve muscle recovery from exercise. In this study, we investigated the effect of mate tea (MT) consumption – a phenol-rich beverage – on muscle strength and oxidative stress biomarkers after eccentric exercise. In a randomised, cross-over design, twelve men were assigned to drink either MT or water (control; CON) for 11 d. On the 8th day, subjects performed three sets of twenty maximal eccentric elbow flexion exercises. Maximal isometric elbow flexion force was measured before and at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after exercise. Blood samples were obtained before and at 24, 48 and 72 h after exercise and analysed for total phenolics, GSH, GSSG, GSH:GSSG ratio and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH). After eccentric exercise, muscle strength was significantly reduced over time, regardless of treatments. However, MT improved the rate of strength recovery by 8·6 % on the 1st day after exercise (PPPP

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a associacao entre o local de nascimento e idade relativa com a obtencao de medalhas olimpicas em atletas brasileiros. A amostra foi constituida por 186 atletas medalhistas olimpicos nascidos em territorio brasileiro. A analise dos dados realizou-se por meio da estatistica descritiva (incidencia e percentual) e inferencial (Qui-Quadrado a regressao logistica binaria). A associacao entre os contingentes populacionais e campeoes olimpicos apresentou resultado significativo (p