Effectiveness of Cryokinetics in Comparison with Effectiveness of Ultrasound Therapy in Treatment of Acute Supraspinatus Tendonitis

Aims and Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Cryokinetics and Ultrasound therapy in treating supraspinatus tendinitis as measured by Visual analogue Scale (VAS) and 1 RM (Repetition Maximum. A sample of 60 patients with acute supraspinatus tendinitis with an experimental comparative study design. Patients who visited out patient department of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both the groups were treated 5 times per week for three weeks. Patients were evaluated with VAS and 1RM on day 1st, 15th day and end of third week. The values are statistically analyzed to determine their effect in reducing pain and improving muscle strength. Results: The two-intervention group showed significant improvement when the pre and post values were analyzed for VAS and 1RM with significant p value (p<0.05). But inter group comparisons showed cryokinetics group to be more effective (p < 0.05) than ultrasound therapy group for all outcome parameters.

A 12-Week Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Evaluating the Effect of Supplementation with a Spinach Extract on Skeletal Muscle Fitness in Adults Older Than 50 Years of Age

The aim of a 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was to assess the effect of daily supplementation with a natural extract of Spinacia oleracea L. (4 × 500 mg capsules/day; total 2 g per day) combined with a moderate-intensity training program (1 h session/3 times a week) on skeletal muscle fitness in adults over 50 years of age. Muscle strength assessed by isokinetic and isometric dynamometry improved significantly in the experimental (n = 23) and the placebo (n = 22) groups, but the magnitude of improvement was higher in the experimental group, with between-group differences in almost all variables, including isokinetic at 60° s−1 in knee extension, peak torque (p < 0.007); total work per repetition maximum (p < 0.009); isokinetic at 180°s−1 in knee extension, peak torque (p < 0.002); total work (p < 0.007); total work per repetition maximum (p < 0.005); average power (p < 0.027); isometric in knee extension, peak torque (p < 0.005); and average peak torque (p < 0.002). Similar findings were observed for muscle quality. Changes in quality of life (SF-36) were not found, except for improvements in the role physical (p < 0.023) and role emotional (p < 0.001) domains, likely as a result of the physical training sessions. A nutritional survey did not revealed changes in dietary habits. No adverse events were recorded. In subjects over 50 years of age, moderate-intensity strength training combined with daily supplementation for 12 weeks with a natural extract of Spinacia oleracea L. improved muscle-related variables and muscle quality. Maintaining muscle health is a key component of healthy aging.

Resistance training induces similar adaptations of upper and lower-body muscles between sexes

The purpose of the study was to compare sex adaptations in hypertrophy, strength and contractile properties of upper and lower-body muscles induced by resistance training (RT). Eighteen RT untrained male (MG) and female (FG) students (aged 24.1 ± 1.7 years, height: 1.75 ± 0.08 m, weight: 70.4 ± 12.3 kg) undervent 7 weeks of biceps curl and squat training (2 days/week, 60–70% repetition maximum, 3–4 sets, 120 s rest intervals, reps until muscular failure). At baseline and final measurement, thickness and cross-section area, one-repetition maximum and tensiomyography parameters (contraction time − Tc and radial displacement − Dm) of elbow flexors (biceps brachii) and knee extensors (4 quadriceps muscles) were evaluated. Although MG tends to display greater absolute strength gains for upper- (p = 0.055) and lower-body (p = 0.098), for relative changes ANCOVA revealed no sex-specific differences for either of the tested variables. Significant hypertrophy was observed for all tested muscles, except for vastus intermedius in FG (p = 0.076). The Dm significantly decreased for biceps brachii (MG by 12%, p < 0.01 and FG by 13.1%, p < 0.01) and rectus femoris (MG by19.2%, p < 0.01 and FG by 12.3%, p < 0.05), while Tc values remain unchanged. These results indicate that initial morphological, functional and contractile alterations following RT are similar for males and females, and that there are no specific sex adaptations either for the upper- or lower-body muscles. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04845295).

Implementation of a Remote Fidelity Oversight Program for a Multi-Site Exercise Intervention

The STEP-HI exercise protocol is a supervised, 2 phase, multimodal, high-intensity exercise program that emphasizes resistance training. Exercise sessions are conducted at an exercise facility and occur on two non-consecutive days/week for 6 months. During specified exercises, the exercise interventionist targets the participant’s eight-repetition maximum (8-RM), defined as the greatest resistance that can be moved 8 times through full range of motion with good form. A rigorous, remote fidelity monitoring program maximizes consistency of the intervention across sites. This fidelity oversight program is a model for future exercise studies because of its unique remote, hierarchical structure. All exercise interventionists are initially certified by written examination and direct observations. Some exercise sessions are also video recorded and reviewed using fidelity checklists. After initial certification, repeated direct observation and video-based verification of fidelity are repeated at prescribed intervals for each interventionist to ensure sustained consistency of implementation across sites.

Upper-Body Post-activation Performance Enhancement for Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis and Recommendations for Future Research

Background Research on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) is dominated by lower-body conditioning activities/performance test complexes. Despite the contribution of the upper body to many sporting actions, no review on upper-body PAPE currently exists. Objectives The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to provide a synthesis of the available research on the inclusion of upper-body PAPE conditioning activities to improve athletic performance. Methods A review of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses guidelines, including a literature search of EBSCOhost, SPORTDiscus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. A total of 127 studies were identified through database searches, and were assessed against the following criteria: (1) randomised controlled trial or pre-and-post study design; (2) studies explored the effects of prior voluntary muscle activity, and not electrically induced contractions, (3) evidence, or lack thereof, of PAPE was quantified by the monitoring of individual performance to commonly applied physical tests or sport-specific tasks; (4) conditioning activities and performance tests were primarily upper-body; (5) detailed description of a standardised warm-up; and (6) full-text versions of studies could be accessed in English language peer-reviewed journals. Studies were quality assessed for methodological quality via the PEDro scale and ranked accordingly. Results Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were classified into different conditioning activity modes: bench press variations, sport-specific (modified implement throws, swing-specific, cable pulley, elastic resistance, combination) and bodyweight activity. Acute performance enhancement in several movement-specific combinations was found. A meta-analysis revealed that bench press at ≥ 80% one repetition maximum significantly (p = 0.03; ES = 0.31) improves subsequent power output in the ballistic bench throw at 30–40% one repetition maximum, following 8–12 min recovery. Additionally, sport-specific overweight implement throws improved subsequent throwing distance at competition weight by ~ 1.7–8.5%; ES = 0.14–0.33, following 3 min recovery. Sport-specific lighter weighted bat swings and swing-specific isometrics resulted in improved subsequent competition weight bat swing velocities, ranging from ~ 1.3–3.3%; ES = 0.16–0.57. Conclusions This review presents several upper-body movement-specific conditioning activities that could be considered by coaches and practitioners as part of complex or contrast training, or used in pre-competition warm-ups to acutely enhance performance.

Impact of Training Protocols on Lifting Velocity Recovery in Resistance Trained Males and Females

It has been suggested that sex differences exist in recovery following strength training. This study aimed to investigate the differences in recovery kinetics between resistance trained males and females following two different back squat (BSq) protocols. The first protocol (eight females and eight males) consisted of five sets of five repetitions at 80% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the BSq (SMRT), while the second (seven females and eight males) consisted of five sets to muscular failure (MF) with a 4–6RM load (RMRT). The recovery was quantified with the mean concentric velocity (MV) at 80% of the 1RM immediately before and 5 min, 24, 48, and 72 h after the training protocol. Following the SMRT, a significant between-sex difference, favoring the females, was observed at 5 min, 24 h, and 48 h following the SMRT (p < 0.05, Effect Size (ES) = 1.01–2.25). Following the RMRT, only the males experienced a significant drop in performance after 5 min compared to the baseline (p = 0.025, ES = 1.34). However, no sex differences were observed at any timepoint (p > 0.05). These results suggest that males experienced more fatigue than females following a protocol where the volume relative to the 1RM was matched, while no differences in fatigue were evident following a protocol in which multiple sets were performed to MF.

Reliability and Differences of Jump Kinetics Related to Different Load in College Male Athletes

The purpose of this study was to explore reliability and differences of jump kinetics related to different training load in college male athletes. The subjects were required to perform countermovement jump (CMJ) and loaded countermovement jump (LCMJ-0%, LCMJ-20% and LCMJ-80% of one-repetition maximum squat) three times for each load which were recorded by a force plate. One-way repeated measures ANOVA and the LSD post hoc method were employed to evaluate the results. The results reveled that jump kinetics-related parameters increased/decreased by the load. Compared with the loading jumps, the CMJ incorporate with an arm swing directly led to an increase in eccentric contraction duration during jumping. Most of the jump mechanical parameters under substantially different load conditions fall within the good to excellent reliability. It appears that the CMJ and CMJ with extra load were reliable in explore the kinetics related parameters. Keywords: countermovement jump, one-repetition maximum, arm swing, eccentric contraction

Shoulder Kinematics and Symmetry at Different Load Intensities during Bench Press Exercise

This study aimed to analyze between-shoulder kinematics symmetry at different load intensities considering full range of movement (ROM), mean and maximum velocities (VMEAN, VMAX), and accelerations (AMEAN, AMAX) of shoulders during phases 2 (characterized by positive acceleration and negative velocity, eccentric) and 3 (characterized by positive acceleration and velocity, concentric) of bench press exercise (BP); as well as to compare unilateral kinematics variables between the different load intensity intervals. Twenty-seven participants were evaluated during phases 2 and 3 of BP at different load intervals: interval 1 (55–75% 1-repetition maximum: 1RM), interval 2 (75–85% 1RM) and interval 3 (85–100% 1RM). Kinematics variables were determined using the Xsens MVN Link System. Results showed that full ROM was higher in left than right shoulder at all intensities (p = 0.008–0.035). VMEAN, VMAX, AMEAN, and AMAX were different in both shoulders for interval 3 during phase 2 and were lower as load intensity increased in both shoulders (p = 0.001–0.029). During phase 3, only VMAX on interval 2 was different between shoulders. Moreover, VMEAN, VMAX, AMEAN, and AMAX were greater during interval 1 compared with the others in both shoulders (p = 0.001–0.029). Therefore, there exists a kinematics asymmetry between both shoulders during phases 2 and 3 of bench press, although the acceleration was similar during both phases at all load intensities. Moreover, kinematic parameters differ between loads of 55–75% RM compared to 75–100% RM loads.