THE EFFECTS OF TOPICAL MENTHOL CREAM ON ANAEROBIC EXERCISE PERFORMANCE

Callie Ledford, Kayla Dendy, FACSM, Rebecca R. Rogers, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM, Tyler D. Williams. Samford, Birmingham, AL. BACKGROUND: Topical menthol cream has an analgesic effect that has been shown to reduce muscular pain following intense physical activity. Currently, there has been minimal investigation of the efficacy of topical menthol cream to reduce muscular discomfort during exercise and the potential effects on performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of topical menthol cream on anaerobic exercise performance during repeated supramaximal cycle sprints. METHODS: Twelve physically active females were recruited for this study. In a double-blinded, counterbalanced, crossover design, subjects received a topical application of a 10% menthol cream or placebo to the anterior and posterior thigh prior to exercise testing. During each trial, subjects completed 3 sets of 15-second modified Wingate anaerobic tests (WAnT) with 2 minutes of rest between each sprint. Peak power, mean power, fatigue index, and total work were measured and recorded. Additionally, perceived exertion and pain perception were recorded following each sprint. A 2 × 3 repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine differences between conditions for each outcome measure. RESULTS: Peak power (p = 0.021) and fatigue index (p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the menthol condition compared to placebo. There were no differences in other performance variables between conditions (p \u3e 0.05). Perceived exertion was significantly lower in the menthol condition during the WAnT 1 (p = 0.031), however, there were no differences in subsequent sprints (p \u3e 0.05). Muscular discomfort during the sprint tests was not different between conditions (p \u3e 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, topical menthol cream leads to increased peak power output, but may lead to greater fatigue during sprint performance

THE EFFECTS OF FOOD CONSUMPTION ON DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY BODY COMPOSITION MEASUREMENTS

Hope Sternenberg, William Lee, Rebecca R. Rogers, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM, Tyler D. Williams. Samford University, Birmingham, AL. BACKGROUND: Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is a valid assessment of body composition and is used in clinical practice and research studies. Currently, the pre-assessment instructions, including food consumption, prior to DXA scans are vague and research is lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of food consumption on body composition results recorded through DXA. METHODS: Sixteen physically active, college-aged, males were recruited to participate in this study. Subjects completed two visits in a randomized and counterbalanced order that consisted of a fasted DXA scan and another DXA scan 10 minutes after consuming different quantities of food. During one visit, subjects consumed a nutritional bar (80 g) containing 330 kcals with 500 mL of water (SNACK) between the first and second DXA scan. During the next visit, subjects consumed two nutritional bars (160 g) containing 660 kcals and 500 mL of water (MEAL) between first and second DXA scans. Total mass, lean mass, fat mass, and bone mineral content for the total body, trunk, arms, and legs were recorded and analyzed to determine difference between baseline and post-meal DXA scans. A 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine differences in tissue mass between conditions for each body segment. RESULTS: Total body mass (p \u3c0.001), total fat mass (p = 0.019), and total lean mass (p \u3c 0.001) increased after consuming the SNACK and MEAL. Trunk mass (p \u3c0.001), trunk fat mass (p = 0.007), and trunk lean mass (p \u3c 0.001) increased after consuming the SNACK and MEAL. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that consuming food of small and large quantities prior to a DXA assessment can affect body composition results, primarily in total body measurements and the trunk

THE ACCURACY OF THE APPLE HEALTH APPLICATION MOBILITY DATA DURING OVERGROUND AND TREADMILL WALKING

Caroline Kaylor, Grace Lehman, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM, Patrick Marsh, Rebecca R. Rogers. Samford University, Birmingham, AL. BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown varying levels of accuracy of gait metrics from third-party applications (apps) downloaded to a mobile phone compared to lab-based measurement tools. The Apple Health app comes automatically installed on all iPhones with the recent addition of “Mobility” data after a software update. According to Apple, when walking with an iPhone in a pocket, the Mobility feature will measure the gait variables of step length, double support time, walking speed, and walking asymmetry. However, the accuracy of these measurements is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy of the mobility metrics during overground and treadmill walking compared to the OptoGait and GAITRite which have been previously validated for gait variables. METHODS: College-aged males (21.0±0.8 yrs, 196.4±38.2 lbs, 73.0±2.4 in) and females (20.7± 1.3 yrs, 132.4±18.4 lbs, 64.9±2.0 in) who reported no abnormal gait patterns or lower extremity injuries were recruited into the study. The study was approved by the university Institutional Review Board and all participants provided informed consent. Participants completed two walking conditions: overground walking at a self-selected walking speed for five laps using the GAITRite to measure gait variables and treadmill walking at 3.0 mph for 10 mins using the OptoGait to measure gait variables. For both walking conditions, an iPhone 13 was placed in a fanny pack-like pouch and secured to the participants waists in a standardized position at the level of their navel and in line with the midline of their dominant leg to simulate a pocket. RESULTS: The gait variables of step length for overground (p=0.07) or treadmill (p=0.13) walking and walking speed for overground (p=0.27) or treadmill (p=0.16) walking were not significantly different between the iPhone Apple Health Mobility app and the GAITRite or OptoGait. However, iPhone Apple Health Mobility app significantly underestimated total double support time during overground walking with the GAITRITE (p=0.00) and treadmill walking with the OptoGait (p=0.04). Furthermore, walking asymmetry was also significantly underreported by the iPhone Apple Health Mobility app compared to GAITRite (p=0.00) and OptoGait (p=0.00). CONCLUSION: The iPhone Apple Health Mobility app can accurately measure step length and walking speed during different walking conditions but may underestimate the gait variables of double support time and walking asymmetry compared to validated equipment

EFFECTS OF YOHIMBINE HYDROCHLORIDE SUPPLMENTATION ON EXPLOSIVE BENCH PRESS PERFORMANCE AND STRENGTH-ENDURANCE

Lauren Boag, Hope Sternenberg, Rebecca R. Rogers, Tyler D. Williams, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM. Samford University, Birmingham, AL. BACKGROUND: Yohimbine hydrochloride (YHM) is an alpha-2-adrenergic receptor antagonist which has sympathomimetic properties. While it has been previously investigated for weight loss, few studies have investigated YHM the context of resistance exercise. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute YHM ingestion on bench press power, velocity, and repetition volume. METHODS: In a double-blinded crossover design, resistance trained males (n=11; ages 18-24) participated in two separate bench press trials each with a different single-dose treatment: Placebo (PL; gluten free corn starch) or Yohimbine Hydrochloride (YHM; 2.5 mg). In each trial, participants consumed their respective treatment 20 minutes prior to exercise. Following a warm-up, participants completed 1 set × 2 repetitions as explosively as possible while a linear position transducer monitored mean power and velocity. Participants then completed 3 sets × Repetitions to failure (RTF) at 75% of 1-RM separated by 2 minutes of rest. Motivation to exercise was measured post-exercise using a visual analog scale. Total RTF, mean velocity, mean power, and motivation were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Total RTF was not significantly different between PL and YHM trials (p= 0.269; d= 0.29). Mean power (p=0.472; d= 0.16) and mean velocity (p= 0.297; d= 0.25) were unchanged by treatment. Motivation to exercise was significantly higher with YHM ingestion versus PL (p=0.029; d= 0.61) CONCLUSIONS: Current findings suggest that YHM consumption does not provide ergogenic benefit during explosive bench press exercise. However, YHM results in higher levels of motivation to exercise. YHM ingestion may therefore be useful for athletes or competitors seeking to improve feelings of motivation but may not benefit resistance exercise performance

THE EFFECTS OF OXYGEN NANOBUBBLE CONSUMPTION REPEATED BENCH PRESS PERFORMANCE

David Blackburn, Julianne Hill, Rebecca R. Rogers, Tyler D. Williams, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM. Samford University, Birmingham, AL. BACKGROUND: Oxygen nanobubbles (ONB) have been linked to the augmentation of oxygen delivery to a variety of tissues. Commercially, ONBs have become available in drink form and are marketed for ruse before exercise to boost performance. As phosphocreatine resynthesis is generally limited by oxidative ATP production, enhanced oxygen delivery via ONBs may serve as a means to improve recovery during fatiguing bouts of resistance exercise. The purpose of this study was to explicate the effects of ONB consumption on explosive and repeated bench press performance. METHODS: Resistance-trained males participated in two counterbalanced repeated bench press trials each with a different treatment: 1) Placebo, and 2) ONB solution. For each trial, participants consumed their respective treatment 10 minutes before exercise. Following a brief warm-up, participants completed 1 set × 2 repetitions at 75% of 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) as explosively as possible while a linear position transducer observed the mean power and velocity of the barbell. Participants then completed 3 sets × Repetitions to failure (RTF) at 75% of 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) separated by 2 minutes of rest. Trials were separated by a minimum of 48 hours. RESULTS: Findings showed no differences between treatments for mean barbell velocity (p=0.881) or mean power (p= 0.704). Total RTF was also not significantly different between ONB and PL (p=0.749). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that ONBs may not be a worthwhile ergogenic aid for resistance exercise

THE EFFECTS OF FLUID RESTRICTION ON REACTION TIME IN HEALTHY FEMALES AND MALES

Halee E. Morris, Karson E. Fallin, Rebecca R. Rogers, Tyler D. Williams, Mallory R. Marshall, FACSM, Chris G. Ballmann, FACSM, Courteney L. Benjamin. Samford University, Birmingham, AL. Hydration impacts all aspects of life including exercise performance, short term memory, psychomotor skills, perceptual discrimination, and even visuomotor tracking. Studies deploying cognitive-motor tasks to measure perceptual discrimination target accuracy, visual tracking, choice reaction time, attentional focus, concentration, and fatigue perception concur that the effects of mild hypohydration result in cognitive-motor dysfunction. The mechanisms for these outcomes are not fully understood and few studies have examined females while controlling for the phase of the menstrual cycle. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact fluid restriction on various components of reaction time in females in the mid-follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and males. Healthy females (n = 9; age = 21 ± 1 y) and males (n = 9; age = 21 ± 2 y) participated in this randomized, counter-balanced, cross-over study. Participants completed two trials. One trial took place following 12-hours of fluid restriction (FR) and the other took place following a prescribed fluid (PF) intake protocol in which participants consumed 500 mL of water the night before the trial and 500 mL of water the morning of the trial. Females completed both trials in the mid-follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Peripheral and central reaction times were assessed using the DynaVision. Central A reaction time was significantly slower following FR compared to PF (p = 0.003), in both males and females. Central B reaction time was significantly slower following FR compared to PF (p = 0.04). Results from this study demonstrate the impact fluid intake has on various components of reaction time. When females are in the mid-follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the reaction time of males and females are not different, even in a FR state

THE EFFECTS OF DIETARY BEETROOT JUICE SUPPLEMENTATION ON SIMPLE REACTION TIME AND AGILITY PERFORMANCE

Ashleigh Davis, Ashley Rice, Justin Moody, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM, Tyler D. Williams, Rebecca R. Rogers. Samford University, Birmingham, AL. BACKGROUND: Beetroot juice is a nitrate rich supplement commonly used as an ergogenic aid for resistance and endurance exercise performance. Additionally, previous research shows beetroot juice can decrease simple reaction time in adults with type 2 diabetes; however, this has never been studied in healthy adults. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of acute beetroot juice supplementation on simple reaction time and agility performance in young adults. METHODS: In this double-blinded study, physically active, college-age males (21.3±1.2 yrs, 92.1±12.8 kg, 72.7±2.8 in) were recruited. The study was approved by the university Institutional Review Board. All participants completed a health history and informed consent. Participants visited our laboratory two times and completed four simple reaction time or agility tests: a simple reaction time test, the home base drill, the semi-circle drill, and the universal drill. All drills used FITLIGHT target sensors to record reaction time and time to completion. Two hours prior to the visit, participants either consumed 140 mL of beetroot juice (BRJ) or placebo (black currant juice) (PL). The BRJ and PL trials were randomized and counterbalanced. Each visit was separated by a 72-hour washout period. RESULTS: Simple reaction time (p=0.28), home base drill reaction time (p=0.07), semi-circle drill reaction time (p=0.83), and universal drill reaction time (p=0.98) were not significantly different between BRJ and placebo trials. Additionally, time to completion on the simple reaction time test (p=0.49), home base drill (p=0.54), semi-circle drill (p=0.36), and the universal drill (p=0.45) were not significantly different between conditions. CONCLUSION: Findings do not support the acute use of beetroot juice supplementation for improving simple reaction time and agility performance in healthy, physically active men