Comparing periodised protocols for the maintenance of strength and power in resistance-trained women

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of daily undulating periodisation (DUP) and session undulating periodisation (SUP) for maintaining strength and power over a 3-wk period in a group of resistance-trained women. DUP comprised one session each of strength and power training while DUP combined both strength and power training within each session. Both training programmes were equalised for training volume and intensity. Methods: Sixteen resistance-trained women were pre-tested for body mass, mid-arm and mid-thigh girths, one-repetition maximum (1 RM) dynamic squat (SQ) and bench press (BP), and power during countermovement jumps (CMJ) and bench press throws (BPT). The 1 RM SQ and BP data were used to assign the participants into groups for twice a week training. Results: A two-way (group x time) analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures for time found no significant changes in body mass, mid-arm girth, 1 RM BP and SQ, and BPT and CMJ power for both groups. However, significant changes in mid-thigh girth were found (F1, 13 = 5.733, p = 0.032). Pooled BP data indicated improved upper body strength (BP: F1, 13 = 6.346, p = 0.025) and decreased CMJ power (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Both DUP and SUP programmes increased upper-body strength and maintained lower-body strength adequately across a 3-wk phase probably because the participants were weaker in the upper-body and the lower-body had a reduced capacity for strength adaptations and improvements

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Four Exercise Machines in the Development of Health Related Fitness among Women in Universiti Putra Malaysia

In order to compare four modes of exercise in improving health-related fitness, 119 women from Universiti Putra Malaysia (mean age = 28.77 years) were randomly assigned to control or four experimental groups. The experimental groups completed ten weeks of training frequency set at three days per week, with one group being the control, and one group each training on one type of exercise machine. The exercise machines used were the Treadmill, the Body Tone II, the Gravity Walker and the OrbiTrek. Pretest and posttest were performed on ten measures representing the five healthrelated fitness components. Measures were taken on estimated V02 max, l-RM bench press, l-RM leg press, back strength, bench press repetition, leg press repetition, standing trunk flexion, trunk and neck extension, hip flexion, and percent body-fat. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the difference between pretest and post test scores. This was followed by Tukey's post hoc test. F tests indicated that all four exercise machines elicited significantly higher scores than the control on all measures (F4,1l4 =2.45, P <.05) except for l-RM leg press, leg press endurance and percent body-fat. No significant changes were observed for percent body-fat among all groups. For the l-RM leg press and leg press endurance, the Treadmill group did not show significant improvements when compared to the control or the other experimental groups. However significant differences were not observed among the experimental groups. These results suggest that training on the four exercise machines was associated with significant improvement in all of the health-related fitness components with the exception of body composition. However, there appears to be no advantage of using any one of the machines over the others to improve physical fitness of previously sedentary women

Movement pattern recognition ability of Malaysian rhythmic gymnastics judges

This study examined the significance of movement pattern recognition ability in the judging performance of 30 rhythmic gymnastics judges who were classified correspondingly as expert, non-expert and novice. Results indicated that the expert and non-expert participants were superior to the novice participants in their movement pattern recognition ability and their judging performance but there were no differences between the expert and non-expert participants. When the participants were regrouped according to their movement pattern recognition ability; low, average and high, the results showed that there were very significant differences in the judging performances of the three groups classified according to their movement pattern recognition ability. This suggests that movement pattern recognition ability influences the judging performance of a rhythmic gymnastics judge

Using stochastic resonance and strength training as part of a rehabilitation programme for recurrent low back pain treatment: a case study

Low back pain (LBP) is a common disabling health problem that can cause decreased spine proprioception. Stochastic resonance (SR) can influence detection performance, besides improving patients with significant sensory deficits, but have not been thoroughly tested for LBP. This study aimed to examine the application of SR therapy (SRT) and strength training for LBP treatment. The subject was a resistance-trained male in his early thirties. His back pain was unbearable after a strength training session. Standard pain relief alleviated the pain but the LBP developed at a similar intensity after 4 weeks. SRT (4–5 sets ×90 sec, 30-sec rest interval, supine position) was prescribed along with other exercises for 3 weeks (phase 1), and followed by tailor-made strength training for 16 weeks (phase 2). The Oswestry Disability Index was 66.7% (interpreted as “crippled”) prior to first SRT, and reduced to minimal levels of 15.6% and 6.7% after four and seven SRT sessions, respectively. Similarly, pain intensity was ranging from 5 to 9 (distracting-severe) of the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) prior to the first session but this was reduced considerably after four sessions (NRS-11: 0–1). During phase 2, the patient performed without complaining of LBP, two repetitions of bench press exercise at a load intensity of 1.2 his body weight and attained 4 min of plank stabilisation. This LBP management strategy has a clinically meaningful effect on pain intensity, disability, and functional mobility, by receding the recurrent distracting to severe LBP

Vitamin E and curcumin intervention on lipid-peroxidation and antioxidant defense system

The generation of free radical species may represent the negative aspect of exercise. There are a lot of data which have been shown an association between exercise and the increased free radical formation. Living cellular damage may lead human towards hasty aging and variant cancers. It is widely agreed that with increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, decreased intake of unsaturated fat and moderate exercise will enhance fitness and improved cardiovascular health of the population in most of the developed and near-developed countries. Vitamin E and Curcumin have been known as a strong Antioxidant for prevent of the lipid peroxidation and improve the antioxidant defense system. Curcumin is a phenolic compound presented as a strong anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-septic property, widely used in Indian medicine and culinary traditions. Recent investigation has shown that curcumin prevents lipid peroxidation and DNA strand breakage. This review have been shown the effect of the curcumin and vitamin E supplement on the lippid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system specify during the exercise

A histological study of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) endosperm during seed development

Information on histological features of oil palm is scarce, especially on seed development. This study aims to examine the cell structure and anatomy of developing oil palm seed. The seeds were analysed by histochemical technique and light microscopy. At early developmental stages, a vacuole fluid-filled endosperm was formed. As the seed developed further, the enlargement of the endosperm size was observed accompanied by cellularisation. Cells were formed from the periphery towards the centre of the endosperm. Accumulation of storage reserves within the cells started at week 10 after anthesis. Polysaccharides were stored in the form of thickened walls whilst lipid and protein were stored in the cytoplasm. At late developmental stages, the endosperm cavity was fully cellularised and storage reserves accumulated within the entire cell. A small cylindrical embryo was seen embedded within the massive endosperm tissue. The endosperm functions as a nutrient reservoir for the embryo. This histological study of developing oil palm seeds provides information on the nature and anatomical changes in endosperm tissues as well as shedding light on the growing points of seed development

Biochemical characterisation during seed development of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)

Developmental biochemical information is a vital base for the elucidation of seed physiology and metabolism. However, no data regarding the biochemical profile of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seed development has been reported thus far. In this study, the biochemical changes in the developing oil palm seed were investigated to study their developmental pattern. The biochemical composition found in the seed differed significantly among the developmental stages. During early seed development, the water, hexose (glucose and fructose), calcium and manganese contents were present in significantly high levels compared to the late developmental stage. Remarkable changes in the biochemical composition were observed at 10 weeks after anthesis (WAA): the dry weight and sucrose content increased significantly, whereas the water content and hexose content declined. The switch from a high to low hexose/sucrose ratio could be used to identify the onset of the maturation phase. At the late stage, dramatic water loss occurred, whereas the content of storage reserves increased progressively. Lauric acid was the most abundant fatty acid found in oil palm seed starting from 10 WAA

Relationship between body fat percent and maximal oxygen uptake among young adults

The present study was conducting to examine the relationship between maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and body fat percent among international students in Universiti Putra Malaysia. VO2max and body fat percent are importance factors at health and sport research. Twenty six male student (26 +/- 5 years old in age and 168 +/- 5 cm in high and 73 +/- 5 kg in weight) at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Maximal were participated at this investigation. Oxygen Uptake and body fat percent have been measured by the routine protocols. At the end of this research have been shown signification and negative correlation (-0.042) between the VO2max and body fat percent. Results of this investigation show that there is negative correlation between maximum oxygen uptake and body fat percent. Increase the VO2max have been shown with decrease and improve on body composition

Changes in heart rate variability and post exercise blood pressure from manipulating load intensities of resistance-training

Background: The isolated effect of resistance training (RT) on heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) is crucial when prescribing suitable training programmes for healthy individuals. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare BP and HRV responses in physically active men after an acute RT session with loads of 5-, 10- or 15-repetition maximums (5RM, 10RM and 15RM). Method: Eighty-one men (age: 21.6±1.1yr; body mass: 74.1±5.8 kg; height: 175.3 ±7.1cm) who performed moderate to vigorous physical activities for at least 30 min a day on most days of the week participated in this study. After the of 5RM loads for the bent-over row (BR), bench press (BEP), Dead-lift (DL) and squats (SQ), participants were divided into three training load groups (15RM = GrpL, 10RM = GrpM or 5RM = GrpH). During the experimental session, each group (n=27) performed 3 sets for each of the four exercise, with 2-min rest intervals between sets and exercises with their assigned training load. BP and HRV were measured prior to, immediately after, and at 15-min intervals until two hours post-experiment. Results: All three groups attained improved BP (p = .001) reductions and longer HRV (p = .0001) changes after an acute exercise session but the GrpM (10RM) and and GrpL (15RM) performed better than GrpH (5RM). Conclusion: Strength and conditioning professionals may prescribe exercises with 10-15RM loads if the aim is to obtain an acute reduction in BP after an RT session

Effect of exercise modes with similar intensities on lipid-peroxidation and muscle-damage markers on sedentary males.

Depending on the intensity of a physical activity, exercise may impose negative effects on health. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the exercise modes with variety intensity levels on the serum concentration of lipid peroxidation and muscle damage markers in sedentary males. Eighty one sedentary healthy males were randomly divided intosix groups; three groups attending single-session aerobic exercise with low (n=14), moderate (n=14), and high (n=13) intensities, and three groups were subjected to single-session resistance exercise with low (n=13), moderate (n=13), and high (n=14) intensities. Data analysis showed that the mode of exercise has similar effect on the serum levels of malondial dehyde (MDA)and creatine kinase (CK). It was also found that the observed difference in the effect of low intensity levels of the modes of exercise was statistically significant, only for MDA post-test, not for CK. No significant differences w ere observed between the effect of both moderate and high intensity levels of aerobic and resistance exercise on both MDA and CK post-test. The results of this study suggest the low intensity level of aerobic and resistance exercise to be applied for more preparation, physical fitness and adaptation to prevent lipid peroxidation and muscle damage in sedentary males