Training benefits consequent to 8-weeks of kettlebell training

This study was designed to examine the changes in aerobic capacity and muscular strength consequent to 8 weeks of kettlebell training. Seventeen subjects (9 males, 8 females) completed 1 repetition maximum (1RM) testing for one-arm shoulder press, leg press, upright row, and handgrip strength. Subjects then performed an 8-minute kettlebell VO2max snatch test to determine aerobic capacity. Testing was done before and after the 8-week training program. The 8-week kettlebell training program consisted of kettlebell snatches, swings, Turkish get-ups, and variations of the three fundamental movements. Each training session consisting of a 5-minute warm-up, 40 minute exercise session, and 10 minute cool-down. Following the training program, the experimental group demonstrated significant (p<0.05) improvements in VO2max (13.8%), leg strength (14.8%), and grip strength (13.9%) compared to the control group. No significant changes were found in the upright row or shoulder press between groups. The results show that an 8-week kettlebell training program is an effective way to improve muscular strength and aerobic capacity

HEMODYNAMIC AND METABOLIC RESPONSES DURING SELF-PACED AND RAMP GRADED EXERCISE TESTING TREADMILL PROTOCOLS

Purpose: To investigate: 1) if a self-paced (SP) graded exercise testing protocol elicits similar and reliable maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) responses compared to a ramp (RAMP) treadmill protocol; 2) the impact of SP on cardiac output (Q), stroke volume (SV), and arteriovenous oxygen difference (a-vO2diff); and 3) the metabolic response during SP through blood lactate (BLa-) accumulation and ventilatory threshold (VT) attainment. Methods: Sixteen recreationally trained men (23.7±3.0 yrs) completed two separate treadmill graded exercise testing protocols. SP consisted of five 2-min stages (10 min total) of increasing speed based on the Borg RPE6-20 scale. RAMP consisted of increases in speed by 0.16 km/hr every 15 s until volitional exhaustion. All tests were performed at 3% incline. VO2 was measured via indirect calorimetry, hemodynamic function was measured via thoracic impedance, and BLa- was measured via portable lactate analyzer. Differences between SP and RAMP protocols were analyzed as group means by using paired samples t-tests (R Core Team (2017)). Results: Maximal values for SP and RAMP were similar (p\u3e0.05) for VO2max (47.1±3.4 vs. 47.4±3.4 mL•kg-1•min-1), heart rate(198±5 vs. 200±6 beat•min-1), ventilation(158.8±20.7 vs. 159.3±19.0 L•min-1), Q (26.9±5.5 vs. 27.9±4.2 L•min-1), SV (145.9±29.2 vs. 149.8±25.3 mL•beat-1), a-vO2diff (18.5±3.1 vs. 19.7±3.1 mL•dL-1), VT (78.2 ± 7.2 vs. 79.0 ± 7.6% VO2max), and peak BLa- (11.7±2.3 vs. 11.5±2.4 mM•L-1), respectively. Conclusions: SP elicits similar physiological responses in comparison to RAMP. These results support SP as a feasible GXT protocol. Electing to employ SP may benefit clinicians and researchers from a time-management perspective

Reply to “Programming may matter most.” Response to “Metabolic effects of two high-intensity circuit training protocols: Does sequence matter?”

We appreciate the interest that our study elicited and the comments from a reader. We commend the reader of our paper for critically evaluating the protocol and results of the study. Here, we would like to respond to the statement made in the letter. Indeed, the rest intervals were longer and time at VO2max was lower in our study than recommended by Bucheit and Larsen.1 However, because the reader is interested in the practical implications of our study, we ask that they consider the following

Multiple Off-Ice Performance Variables Predict On-Ice Skating Performance in Male and Female Division III Ice Hockey Players

The purpose of this study was to determine if off-ice performance variables could predict on-ice skating performance in Division III collegiate hockey players. Both men (n = 15) and women (n = 11) hockey players (age = 20.5 ± 1.4 years) participated in the study. The skating tests were agility cornering S-turn, 6.10 m acceleration, 44.80 m speed, modified repeat skate, and 15.20 m full speed. Off-ice variables assessed were years of playing experience, height, weight and percent body fat and off-ice performance variables included vertical jump (VJ), 40-yd dash (36.58m), 1-RM squat, pro-agility, Wingate peak power and peak power percentage drop (% drop), and 1.5 mile (2.4km) run. Results indicated that 40-yd dash (36.58m), VJ, 1.5 mile (2.4km) run, and % drop were significant predictors of skating performance for repeat skate (slowest, fastest, and average time) and 44.80 m speed time, respectively. Four predictive equations were derived from multiple regression analyses: 1) slowest repeat skate time = 2.362 + (1.68 x 40-yd dash time) + (0.005 x 1.5 mile run), 2) fastest repeat skate time = 9.762 - (0.089 x VJ) - (0.998 x 40-yd dash time), 3) average repeat skate time = 7.770 + (1.041 x 40-yd dash time) - (0.63 x VJ) + (0.003 x 1.5 mile time), and 4) 47.85 m speed test = 7.707 - (0.050 x VJ) - (0.01 x % drop). It was concluded that selected off-ice tests could be used to predict on-ice performance regarding speed and recovery ability in Division III male and female hockey players

Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Improves Cognitive Function Among CVD Patients

Objective: Investigate the effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise training on cognitive performance and if the changes are associated with alterations in prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenation among patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Design: A single group pre-post design. Setting: An outpatient CR program. Subjects: Twenty (15 male, 5 female; mean (SD) age 64.8 (11.6) yrs) patients from an outpatient CR program. Intervention: At least 18 individualized CR sessions (approximately 6 weeks). Main measures: Pre- and post-CR changes in cognitive performance (a measure of 5 constructs from the NIH Fluid Cognition test battery), left-PFC and right-PFC activation (measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)) and cardiorespiratory capacity (measured by a submaximal graded treadmill test). Results: Patients showed improvements in cardiorespiratory capacity and various cognitive constructs (processing speed, attention, executive function, and working memory scores). A significant increase in PFC oxygenation, primarily in the left-PFC region, occurred at post-CR test. Correlation analyses revealed negative associations between changes in cognition (executive function and fluid composite score) and PFC changes. The change in cardiorespiratory capacity was positively associated with the change in working memory score. Conclusions: CVD patients enrolled in CR showed significant improvements in multiple cognitive domains along with increased cortical activation. The negative associations between cognitive functioning and PFC oxygenation suggest an improved neural efficiency, which is identified as higher cognitive performance for a given (or reduced) amount of cortical activation

Graded Exercise Testing Protocols for the Determination of VO2max: Historical Perspectives, Progress, and Future Considerations

Graded exercise testing (GXT) is the most widely used assessment to examine the dynamic relationship between exercise and integrated physiological systems. The information from GXT can be applied across the spectrum of sport performance, occupational safety screening, research, and clinical diagnostics. The suitability of GXT to determine a valid maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) has been under investigation for decades. Although a set of recommended criteria exists to verify attainment of VO2max, the methods that originally established these criteria have been scrutinized. Many studies do not apply identical criteria or fail to consider individual variability in physiological responses. As an alternative to using traditional criteria, recent research efforts have been directed toward using a supramaximal verification protocol performed after a GXT to confirm attainment of VO2max. Furthermore, the emergence of self-paced protocols has provided a simple, yet reliable approach to designing and administering GXT. In order to develop a standardized GXT protocol, additional research should further examine the utility of self-paced protocols used in conjunction with verification protocols to elicit and confirm attainment of VO2max