A Comparison of Aquatic- vs. Land-Based Plyometrics on Various Performance Variables

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(2) : 134-144, 2015. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an aquatic- (W) and land-based (L) plyometric program on balance, vertical jump height, and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring strength. Thirty-four participants were randomized into three groups, W (n = 12), L (n = 11), and control (n = 11). The W and L groups completed an eight-week plyometric program. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of condition (F = 346.95, p \u3c 0.001) and interaction between condition by time (F = 1.88, p = 0.01). Paired samples t-tests revealed statistically significant improvements from pre- to post-testing in the L group for isokinetic quadriceps strength at 60 degrees per second (p = 0.02) and hamstring strength at 120 degrees per second (p = 0.02). Statistically significant improvements were observed from pre- to post-testing in the W group for balance (p = 0.003), vertical jump height (p = 0.008), isokinetic quadriceps strength at 60 and 120 degrees per second (p \u3c 0.001), and hamstring strength at 120 degrees per second (p = 0.03). Results demonstrate that aquatic-based plyometric training can be a valid form of training by producing improvements in balance, force output, and isokinetic strength while concurrently decreasing ground impact forces

Validity of Borg Ratings of Perceived Exertion During Active Video Game Play

International Journal of Exercise Science 6(2) : 164-170, 2013. During physically interactive video game play (e.g., Nintendo Wii), users are exposed to potential distracters (e.g., video, music), which may decrease their ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) throughout game play. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the association between RPE scores and heart rate while playing the Nintendo Wii. Healthy adults (N = 13, 53.5 ± 5.4 years old) participated in two exercise sessions using the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus. During each session participants played a five-minute warm-up game (Basic Run), two separate Wii Fit Plus games (Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobics or Balance Training) for fifteen minutes each, and then a five-minute cool down game (Basic Run). Borg RPE and heart rate were assessed during the final 30 seconds of the warm up and cool down, as well during the final 30 seconds of play for each Wii Fit Plus game. Correlation analysis combining data from both exercise sessions indicated a moderate positive relationship between heart rate and RPE (r = 0.32). Mixed-effects model regression analyses demonstrated that RPE scores were significantly associated with heart rate (p \u3c 0.001). The average percentage of age-predicted heart rate maximum achieved (58 ± 6%) was significantly greater (p = 0.001) than the percentage of maximum RPE indicated (43 ± 11%). Borg RPE scores were positively associated with heart rate in adults during exercise sessions using the Wii Fit Plus. However, this relationship was lower than observed in past research assessing RPE validity during different modes of exercise (e.g. walking, running) without distracters

The Effects of Medicine Ball Training on Bat Swing Velocity in Prepubescent Softball Players

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 75-83, 2018. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an 8-week medicine ball training program on bat swing velocity in prepubescent softball players. Twenty-seven female prepubescent softball players (age = 10.2 ± 1.2) participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to either a medicine ball training (MB = 13) or control (CON = 14) group. Pre- and post-testing consisted of 10 dry swings using the bat that the participants would normally use during competition, which was then followed by 10 hits off of a pitching machine with bat swing velocity being measured with each swing. During the 8 weeks of training, the MB group completed sport-specific medicine ball throws that were aimed at developing rotational velocity. Exercises included side medicine ball throws, Russian twists, woodchoppers, and standing band rotations. Participants that were 8-10 years old used a 4-lb medicine ball while 11-13 year olds used a 6-lb medicine ball during all exercises. Participants completed 1 set of 12 repetitions 2x/wk. There were no significant interaction effects (F = 1.91, p = 0.18) between both conditions (MB and CON) from pre- to post-testing for average bat swing velocity. Average bat swing velocity from pre- to post-testing for the MB group was 35.93 ± 6.66 miles×hour-1 and 38.22 ± 8.63 miles×hour-1, respectively. Average bat swing velocity from pre- to post-testing for the CON group was 36.07 ± 5.92 miles×hour-1 and 37.71 ± 4.42 miles×hour-1, respectively. Overall, there was a 6.37% and 4.55% increase in bat swing velocity from pre- to post-testing for the MB and CON groups, respectively. Therefore, medicine ball training offers no additional benefits in bat swing velocity

Association among cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation, arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemia responses of patients with HFpEF or HFmrEF

There's limited evidence of the potential benefits of cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation (CPMR) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of CPMR on the myocardial ischemia response (MIR), exercise-induced arrhythmias (EIA), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, heart rate recovery (HRR), Borg CR10 perceived symptoms, and the SF-36 physical and mental health summary scores. A prospective cohort study was conducted with 106 patients undergoing 12 weeks of CPMR who completed two exercise tests pre- and post-CPMR: 1) maximum incremental test (CPX) and 2) submaximal constant load test (SUB). After CPMR, the effects on MIR, EIA, NYHA functional class, and HRR during both tests were analyzed. There was a significant change in NYHA functional classes after CPMR, with 96% of the patients in class I (vs 62% pre-CPMR, P<0.0001), 4% in class II (vs 32%), and none in class III (vs 6%). There was a significant reduction in the frequency of EIA (P<0.05) and MIR (P<0.001) and a significantly improved performance on both CPX and SUB tests (P<0.0001). Lastly, there was significant progress in the recovery metrics like HRR (P<0.0001), the Borg CR10 (P<0.0001), and the SF-36 summary scores (P<0.0001). The CPMR resulted in a significant decrease in EIA, delayed ischemia threshold in CPX and SUB tests, increased functional capacity, and improved quality of life

Comparison of air-displacement plethysmography results using predicted and measured lung volumes over a protracted period of time

Background Air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) systems can either measure or predict lung volume (LV) in their test trials. The repeatability of the predicted and the measured value is an important factor in the accuracy of the final test result. Objective Compare the variability and accuracy of ADP tests using predicted and measured LV over a protracted period of time. Methods Twenty-four adults (18–30 years) participated in the study. Each subject underwent three ADP tests over a period of 3 weeks, with 1 week between tests. At each testing session, subjects were tested using a predicted LV protocol and a measured LV protocol in random order. LV, body volume (BV) and per cent body fat (% BF) were compared between testing modes and between assessment times. Results A two-way ANOVA examined the effect of the mode of LV assessment (measured or predicted) and trial (week) for LV and BV and the effect of the LV mode assessment (measured or predicted) and trial (week) on % BF results. LV and BV did not differ significantly (P\u3e0·05) between the two modes of assessment (measured or predicted). Time (day of assessment) also was not significantly different between trials (P\u3e0·05). Neither mode nor trial was significant (P\u3e0·05), therefore neither had an effect on the % BF results. Conclusion In this investigation, the method used to determine LV during ADP testing did not significantly affect the final % BF result. Also, tests performed over an extended period of time was not affected by LV measurement method