Influence of exercise order on upper body maximum and submaximal strength gains in trained men

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of exercise order on one-repetition maximum (1-RM) and ten-repetition maximum (10-RM) strength gains after 6 weeks of resistance training (RT) in trained men. Sixteen men were randomly assigned into two groups based on the order of exercises performed during training sessions: a group that performed large muscle group exercises first and progressed to small muscle group exercises (LG-SM); while a second group performed the opposite sequence and started with small muscle group exercises and progressed to large muscle group exercises (SM-LG). Four sessions of RT were conducted per week; all exercises were performed for three sets of 8–12 repetitions with 1-min rest intervals between sets. Maximal and submaximal strength were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of RT with 1-RM and 10-RM testing for the bench press (BP), lat pulldown (LPD), triceps pulley extension (TE) and biceps curl (BC), respectively. Two-way ANOVA for the 1-RM and 10-RM tests indicated a significant group x time interaction. The 1-RM values significantly increased for all exercises in both groups (P\u3c0.05), but were not significantly different between groups. However, effect size (ES) data indicated that the LG-SM group exhibited a greater magnitude of gains (1-RM and 10-RM) for the BP and LPD exercises. Conversely, ES indicated that the SM-LG group exhibited a greater magnitude of gains (1-RM and 10-RM) for the TE and BC exercises. In conclusion, the results suggest that upper body movements should be prioritized and performed according to individual needs to maximize maximal and submaximal strength

Self-Reported Physical Activity Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in Australian Adults with Type 2 Diabetes, with and Without Peripheral Neuropathy

Objective: The aim of this study was to survey the level of self-reported physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes, with and without peripheral neuropathy. Methods: A sample of South Australian adults (n=481) aged 33-88 years with type 2 diabetes, including 55 people with peripheral neuropathy, completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Levels of self-reported physical activity were compared between those with and without peripheral neuropathy. Results: People with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (Mdn =1433, IQR = 495–3390 MET.min/wk) were less physically active than those without peripheral neuropathy (Mdn =2106, IQR = 876–4380 MET.min/wk) (p = 0.04). A total of 49% of people with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy met physical activity recommendations of 150 minutes of at least moderate activity per week, compared to 57% of people with type 2 diabetes alone. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that people with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy reported being significantly less active than people with type 2 diabetes alone. People with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy need to be encouraged to perform higher levels of physical activity for biological, physical and psychological benefits. Further studies using objective measures of physical activity are required to support these results

Is fatness or fitness key for survival in older adults with intellectual disabilities?

Background: Overweight/obesity and poor physical fitness are two prevalent lifestyle-related problems in older adults with intellectual disabilities, which each require a different approach. To improve healthy ageing, we assessed whether fatness or fitness is more important for survival in older adults with intellectual disabilities. Methods: In the HA-ID study, we measured obesity and fitness of 874 older adults with intellectual disabilities (61.4 ± 7.8 years). Alsl-cause mortality was assessed over a 5-year follow-up period. Results: Fitness, but not obesity, was significantly related to survival (HR range of 0.17–0.22). People who were unfit were 3.58 (95% CI = 1.72–7.46) to 4.59 (95% CI = 1.97–10.68) times more likely to die within the follow-up period than people who were fit, regardless of obesity. Conclusion: This was the first study to show that being fit is more important for survival than fatness in older adults with intellectual disabilities. The emphasis should, therefore, shift from weight reduction to improving physical fitness

Comparing the Acute Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Whole-Body Vibration Exposure on Neuromuscular and Functional Measures in Sarcopenia and Nonsarcopenic Elderly Women

This investigation examined the acute effects of continuous whole-body vibration (CWBV) and intermittent whole-body vibration (IWBV) on neuromuscular and functional measures in women with sarcopenia and nonsarcopenic women. Continuous whole-body vibration was one 6-minute exposure, while IWBV consisted of six 60-second exposures to rest intervals (30 Hz, 2-4 mm amplitude). Factorial analyses revealed group × exposure × time interactions for jump height (JH; F = 10.8, P = .002), grip strength (GS; F = 15.5, P < .001), timed up and go test (F = 11.7, P = .002), and sit and reach test (S&R; F = 9.7, P = .004). Both JH and GS significantly improved post-WBV in women with sarcopenia (P < .001), with post-IWBV significantly greater (P < .001) than post-CWBV. Timed up and go test and S&R significantly improved post-IWBV in both the groups (P < .001) with post-IWBV significantly better than post-CWBV (P < .001). Bench press power at 20% one repetition maximum (1RM) revealed an exposure × time interaction (F = 4.6, P = .04) illuminating that IWBV significantly improved muscular power (P < .001). Bench press power at 40% 1RM revealed group × exposure (F = 6.4, P = .016) and exposure × time interactions (F = 5.8, P = .022). Individuals with sarcopenia significantly increased power output (P < .001) post-IWBV which was significantly greater than post-CWBV (P = .037). Bench press power at 60% 1RM revealed an exposure × time interaction (F = 8.6, P = .006), indicating that power was significantly improved post-IWBV (P = .027) and decreased post-CWBV. Berg Balance scale revealed a time main effect (F = 6.64, P = .015), and pain discomfort was significantly lower post-IWBV. These data indicate IWBV may provide a more efficacious exposure pattern in older women when compared to CWBV.The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Article processing charges funded in part by University of Oklahoma Libraries.YesTwo expert reviewers using single-blind process (reviewers' names and information is withheld from the authors). Established Ethics Policy with regards to who can review someone's work. The authors may nominate reviewers but the Editorial Board makes the final decision

Impact of feedback on physical activity levels of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during pulmonary rehabilitation: a feasibility study

This study aimed at investigating whether providing feedback on physical activity (PA) levels to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is feasible and enhances daily PA during pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Patients with COPD participated in a 12-week PR program. Daily PA was measured using activity monitors on weeks 1, 7, and 12, and feedback was given in the following weeks on the number of steps, time spent in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities, and time spent standing, sitting, and lying. Compliance with PA monitoring was collected. Two focus groups were conducted to obtain patients’ perspectives on the use of activity monitors and on the feedback given. Differences in PA data were also assessed. Sixteen patients (65.63 ± 10.57 years; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 70.31 ± 22.74% predicted) completed the study. From those, only eleven participants used the activity monitors during all monitoring days. Participants identified several problems regarding the use of activity monitors and monitoring duration. Daily steps ( p = 0.026) and standing time ( p = 0.030) were improved from week 1 to week 7; however, the former declined from week 7 to week 12. Findings suggest that using feedback to improve PA during PR is feasible and results in improved daily steps and standing time on week 7. The subsequent decline suggests that additional strategies may be needed to stimulate/maintain PA improvements. Further research with more robust designs is needed to investigate the impact of feedback on patients’ daily PA

Biological and methodological factors affecting VO2max response variability to endurance training and the influence of exercise intensity prescription

© 2021 The Authors. Experimental Physiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Physiological Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in response to endurance training (ET) exhibit large variations, possibly due to a multitude of biological and methodological factors. It is acknowledged that ~20% of individuals may not achieve meaningful increases in CRF in response to ET. Genetics, the most potent biological contributor, has been shown to explain ~50% of response variability, whilst age, sex, and baseline CRF appear to explain a smaller proportion. Methodological factors represent the characteristics of the ET itself including the type, volume, and intensity of exercise, as well as the method used to prescribe and control exercise intensity. Notably, methodological factors are modifiable and, upon manipulation, alter response rates to ET, eliciting increases in CRF regardless of an individual’s biological predisposition. Particularly, prescribing exercise intensity relative to a physiological threshold (e.g. ventilatory threshold) is shown to increase CRF response rates compared to when intensity is anchored relative to a maximum physiological value (e.g. maximum heart rate). It is, however, uncertain whether the increased response rates are primarily attributable to reduced response variability, greater mean changes in CRF, or both. Future research is warranted to elucidate whether more homogenous chronic adaptations manifest over time among individuals, as a result of exposure to more homogenous exercise stimuli elicited by threshold-based practices.Peer reviewe

Home-based cardiac rehabilitation: A review

Cardiac rehabilitation has positive effects on mortality, morbidity, quality of life and many cardiac risk factors. Cardiac rehabilitation is usually delivered within a hospital or 'centre' setting, however, home-based programmes may offer greater accessibility and choice to patients. While there have been fewer studies of home-based cardiac rehabilitation, the available data suggest that it is acceptable, safe and effective and has comparable results to hospital-based programmes. Furthermore, home-based cardiac rehabilitation results in longer-lasting maintenance of physical activity levels in patients compared with hospital programmes. It has the potential to be more cost-effective for patients who cannot easily access their local hospital or centre. Home-based cardiac rehabilitation may be particularly useful in patients in a remote or rural setting. Despite the options available and the evidence based benefits, the uptake of cardiac rehabilitation remains low. It is the responsibility of all cardiac health-care workers to ensure that the uptake of cardiac rehabilitation improves

Validity of the new lifestyles NL-1000 accelerometer for measuring time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in school settings

Current interest in promoting physical activity in the school environment necessitates an inexpensive, accurate method of measuring physical activity in such settings. Additionally, it is recognized that physical activity must be of at least moderate intensity in order to yield substantial health benefits. The purpose of the study, therefore, was to determine the validity of the New Lifestyles NL-1000 (New Lifestyles, Inc., Lee's Summit, Missouri, USA) accelerometer for measuring moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in school settings, using the Actigraph GT1M (ActiGraph, Pensacola, Florida, USA) as the criterion. Data were collected during a cross-country run (n = 12), physical education (n = 18), and classroom-based physical activities (n = 42). Significant and meaningful intraclass correlations between methods were found, and NL-1000 estimates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were not meaningfully different from GT1M-estimated moderate- to-vigorous physical activity. The NL-1000 therefore shows promising validity evidence as an inexpensive, convenient method of measuring moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in school settings