Shoulder Strength and Range of Motion Between Collegiate Pitchers and Position Players in Baseball

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(6): 123-130, 2020. Baseball is a sport that places excessive strain on the shoulder complex caused from repetitive overhead throws. In the sport of baseball, shoulder strength and range of motion (ROM) are paramount for success on the field. The purpose of this study was to determine strength and ROM differences between collegiate baseball pitchers and position players. It was hypothesized that pitchers would have higher strength and ROM values, due to the volume of throwing a pitcher performs.A total of nine collegiate baseball pitchers and position players (n= 18) volunteered for the study (age = 20.94 ± 1.21 years, height = 183.42 ± 4.74 cm, and mass = 89.56 ± 10.76 kg). Shoulder strength was measured using a Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer at 180ºsec-1 and 300ºsec-1and ROM was measured using a goniometer. All participants completed a five-minute warm-up at 50 rpm on an upper body ergometer. Following the warm-up, passive internal and external ROM were measured for the throwing (dominant) arm. No statistical differences were found in external ROM (p = 0.319), internal ROM (p= 0.258), external peak torque @180ºsec-1(p= 0.467), internal peak torque @180ºsec-1(p= 0.156), external peak torque @300ºsec-1(p= 0.225), or internal peak torque @300ºsec-1(p= 0.137). The findings indicate similar isokinetic strength and flexibility in the throwing shoulder of collegiate athletes who perform repeated overhead throwing motions. Thus, in this study the player’s baseball position (pitchers vs. position player) did not influence throwing shoulder strength and ROM characteristics

An Exploratory Study of Aquatic Walking on Symptoms and Functional Limitations in Persons with Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 1

This paper represents Part 1 of a study that explored the effects of an underwater treadmill (UT) walking program on pain and function in adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS), timed up-and-go (TUG), and 10-m walk were assessed in 6 adults (62.7 ±14.2 years) who participated in an 8-week (3x/wk) UT walking intervention based on the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) program. Walking pace was self-selected, and walking duration of each session was increased from 10 to 45 minutes throughout the study. Knee pain and function were assessed pre-control (PRC), pre-intervention (PRI) and post-intervention (PST). NRS improved from PRC and PRI to PST (p = .03, d = .37). WOMAC subscale scores of pain, (d = .36); stiffness (d = .44); pain during daily activities (d = .41); and total scores (d = .42) improved (p \u3c .05) from PRC to PST. Self-selected walking speed increased concurrently with decreased knee pain (NRS) from PRI to PST. The results support the WWE as a model for an UT walking program for improving knee pain in KOA

Effect of Water Depth on Heart Rate and Core Temperature During Underwater Treadmill Walking

Exercising using an underwater treadmill (UTM) has become a popular modality; however, few studies have focused on the physiological demands of UTM walking at varying water depths. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate changes in heart rate (HR) and core temperature (CT) values in college-aged males and females while exercising at different water immersion depths using an UTM. Twenty participants (age = 21.50 ± 2.19 years; height = 169.04 ± 10.85cm; weight = 75.56 ± 22.28kg) walked at water depths of 10cm below the xiphoid process and at the level of the superior iliac crest (I.C.). Each UTM session lasted 15 minutes, consisting of 5-minute bouts at 1, 2, and 3 mph. Polar HR monitors and ingestible thermoregulatory pills were used to measure HR and CT. Results indicated that HR at 1 (p = .305) and 2 mph (p = .864) were not significantly different between water depths. Heart rate was significantly higher at 3 mph (p = .003) at the I.C. water level. No significant differences were found in CT at 1 (p = .919), 2 (p = .392), or 3 mph (p = .310) during either immersion depth. As a result, higher immersion depths resulted in a lower average HR during higher intensity exercise due to the increased buoyancy effects and the reduced gravity environment of the water. Thus, exercising in higher immersion depths allows participants to exercise at a higher intensity with less overall stress placed on the lower extremities

Validating the Commercially Available Garmin Fenix 5x Wrist-Worn Optical Sensor for Aerobic Capacity

Recreational exercisers continue to take a greater interest in monitoring their personal fitness levels. One of the more notable measurements that are monitored and estimated by wrist-worn tracking devices is maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max), which is currently the accepted measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. Traditional methods of obtaining VO2max present expensive barriers, whereas new wearable technology, such as of the Garmin Fenix 5x (GF5) provides a more cost-effective alternative. PURPOSE: To determine the validity of the GF5 VO2max estimation capabilities against the ParvoMedics TrueOne 2400 (PMT) metabolic measurement system in recreational runners. METHODS: Twenty-five recreational runners (17 male and 8 female) ages 18-55 participated in this study. Participants underwent two testing sessions: one consisting of the Bruce Protocol utilizing the PMT, while the other test incorporated the GF5 using the Garmin outdoor protocol. Both testing sessions were conducted within a few days of each other, with a minimum of 24 hours rest between sessions. RESULTS: The mean VO2max values for the PMT trial (49.1 ± 8.4 mL/kg/min) and estimation for the GF5 trial (47 ± 6.0 mL/kg/min) were found to be significantly different (t = 2.21, p = 0.037).   CONCLUSION: The average difference between the GF5 estimation and the PMT was 2.16 ml/kg/min.  Therefore, the watch is not as accurate compared to a PMT for obtaining VO2max.  However, although not statically significant, the proximity of scores to the PMT shows that the GF5 can be an option for a person seeking an affordable and easily available method of determining VO2max. &nbsp

Cardiovascular and Stride Frequency Differences During Land and Aquatic Treadmill Walking

This study examined heart rate (HR) and stride frequency (SF) values of 30 college-aged males and females during dry-land (DL) and aquatic walking (AW). Aquatic walking trials were completed in an underwater treadmill with the water depth at waist level; the water temperature (31℃ ± 0.1℃) and room temperature (26.6℃ ± 0.1℃) were maintained at thermoneutral levels throughout the study. During each walking condition, HR and SF were recorded at treadmill speeds of 1 mph, 2 mph, and 3 mph. Participants were instructed to walk with their hands at their sides swinging as they would when walking on dry-land unless they felt the need to use the handrails to steady themselves. Heart rate monitors were used to record cardiovascular changes, and strides were measured from consecutive left and right toe strikes. Results of the study indicated HR was significantly higher during DL than AW at 1 mph (p \u3c .001) and 3 mph (p \u3c .001) but was not significantly different (p = .64) at 2 mph. The SF of the participants was significantly lower (p \u3c .001) during AW than DL at all speeds. When comparing sex, females had significantly higher HR at 1 mph (p = .012), 2 mph (p = .007), and 3 mph (p \u3c .001) than males for DL conditions. No differences in HR were found during the AW conditions (F = 0.66, p = 0.44, ηp2 = 0.02). No differences in SF were observed between males and females in both DL (F = 2.96, p = 0.06, ηp2 = 0.09) and AW (F = 1.03, p = 0.32, ηp2 = 0.036) conditions. As a result, AW increased HR values similar to those of DL, but without the added stress to the lower extremities due to the buoyancy of the water. Thus, AW provided an exercise medium capable of meeting the ACSM intensity guidelines for PA and allowed adults to be physically active presumably with less stress on the lower body

EFFECT OF A NITRIC OXIDE PRE-WORKOUT SUPPLEMENT ON MUSCULAR ENDURANCE

Introduction: Multi-ingredient dietary supplements have been developed to increase nitric oxide (NO) production, with the expectation of improving resistance training performance. Many of these supplements contain ingredients and/ or ingredient amounts that have yet to be studied for their synergy or efficacy in increasing NO production and thus, resistance training performance. Purpose of the study: A randomized crossover design was used to investigate the effect of a citrulline malate (CM) based non-stimulant nitric oxide pre-workout supplement (NOPWS) blend or placebo on Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) bench press performance. Applied Methodology: Thirty-minutes were provided between NOPWS or placebo ingestion and YMCA bench press assessment. Pre/post heart rate was taken following each condition. Two- and one-way repeated measures ANOVAs (α = 0.05) were run to determine the effect of each condition on heart rate (HR) and the number of repetitions performed (respectively) during the bench press test. Achieved major results: There was a significant two-way interaction between the treatment and time for HR, F(1, 20) = 6.82, p = .017. Resting HR was significantly higher during the supplement session (M = 74.67, SE = 2.54 bpm) than during the placebo session (M = 69.14, SE = 2.31 bpm), F(1, 20) = 8.19, p = .010, ηp 2 = .290. No significant difference was found between conditions for number of repetitions performed. Leads: A specific CM-containing NOPWS blend had no significant effect on a standardized assessment of upper body muscular endurance. Practical implications: These findings highlight the need for consideration of the minimum effective dosage and assimilation timing of each respective ingredient when developing or researching pre-workout supplement blends. Originality/Value: This is the first known research to study the effectiveness of this specific blend of ingredients on resistance training performance. Thus, this study provides necessary foundational knowledge for future research in this area

Current and Future Implications of COVID-19 among Youth Wheelchair Users: 24-Hour Activity Behavior.

Preventative measures taken worldwide to decrease the transmission of COVID-19 have had a tremendous impact on youth. Following social restrictions, youth with and without physical disabilities are engaging in less physical activity, more increased sedentary behavior, and poor sleep habits. Specifically, youth wheelchair users (YWU) are likely disproportionately affected by COVID- 19 and have a higher risk of contraction due to underlying comorbidities. While we cannot control all of the negative long-term implications of COVID-19 for YWU, participation in positive 24-h activity behaviors can decrease chronic disease risk and the likelihood of long-term complications resulting from infection. This commentary is to extend the discourse on the importance of 24-h activity behaviors by focusing on YWU. Specifically, we discuss the importance of chronic disease prevention, provide a brief overview of 24-h activity behaviors, and outline some of the lessons that can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.N/

Testing assumptions for endophenotype studies in ADHD: Reliability and validity of tasks in a general population sample

BACKGROUND: Advances in both genetic and cognitive-experimental studies on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have opened new opportunities for cognitive endophenotype research. In such genetic designs the focus is on individual differences in characteristics, associated with ADHD, that can be measured reliably over time. Genetic studies that take a 'quantitative trait loci' approach hypothesise that multiple susceptibility genes contribute to a continuous dimension of ADHD symptoms. As an important initial step, we aimed to investigate the underlying assumptions that (1) key cognitive-experimental tasks indicate adequate test-retest reliability and (2) ADHD symptom scores in a general population sample are associated with performance on these tasks. METHODS: Forty-nine children were assessed on a go/no-go task and a reaction time task (the 'fast task') that included manipulations with event rate and incentives. The children were assessed twice, with a test-retest interval of two weeks. RESULTS: The majority of the task variables demonstrated moderate-to-good test-retest reliability. The correlations between teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms and key task variables were .4–.6: ADHD symptoms were associated with poor performance (especially high reaction time variability) in a slow baseline condition, whereas there was low or no association in conditions with a faster event rate or incentives. In contrast, no clear pattern of findings emerged based on parent ratings of ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSION: The data support the usefulness of the go/no-go and fast tasks for genetic studies, which require reliable and valid indices of individual differences. The overall pattern of associations between teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms and task variables is consistent with effects of event rate and incentives on performance, as predicted by the model of activation and arousal regulation. The lack of a clear pattern of findings with parent ratings of ADHD symptoms warrants further study

The Effect of Shin-Torso Alignment on Muscle Activity and Joint Angles of the Lower Extremity in Collegiate Ice Hockey Players

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(1): 552-562, 2021. Ice hockey is prevalent with injuries due to fatigue-related degradation of mechanics occurring throughout a season. The player’s skating position is vital because it can impact muscle activation patterns of the lower extremity. If too much stress is placed on a muscle, it could lead to muscle fatigue and increased likelihood of injury. The purpose of this study was to measure muscle activation patterns and joint angle changes of the lower extremity in ice hockey players during three different simulated skating positions. Electromyography sensors were placed on muscles of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and low back. Additionally, electrogoniometers were placed on the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Players performed 45-second trials on a slide board in three different skating positions: forward lean (FL), shin-torso alignment (STA), and upright (UR). Muscle activation and joint angle differences were recorded and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with a = 0.05. Across the three positions, significant differences (p £ 0.029) were found for muscle activation in the posterior musculature: gluteus maximus and semitendinosus (FL \u3e STA \u3e UR). Vastus lateralis activation was significantly different (p £ 0.035) (UR \u3e STA). Across all positions, a large effect size was found for the vastus lateralis (ɳp2 = 0.214), and a medium effect size was found for the rectus femoris (ɳp2 = 0.061). Significant differences (p ≤ 0.003) were present for hip flexion, hip extension, and ankle plantar flexion angles across trials. Greater posterior muscle activation was present during FL, and UR exhibited more anterior muscle activation. Muscle activation was more evenly distributed during STA and could result in a reduction of fatigue-related injuries