EFFECTS OF 6 WKS OF YOGA TRAINING ON SELECTED MEASURES OF STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of 6 wks (2 xlwk) of Hatha yoga training on selected measures of static and dynamic balance. Initially, 30 adult, healthy males and females volunteered for this study. At 6 wks, nyoga = 6, nCOnlrol = 7. All participants underwent one static and two dynamic tests on a force plate prior to and 6 wks into the stUdy. SO of the COP in the x and in the y directions were averaged for each test and compared between groups and across time using mixed model ANOVAs. The only significant difference was the main effect for time on NP leg swing (dynamic balance) in the x direction. Mean differences were observed for the yoga group in both dynamic balance tests in the x direction. We suggest a training stimulus of 2 sessions/wk and/or 6 wks of yoga is not adequate to significantly influence static and dynamic balance

Creating a Healthier Campus: A Report on the Effectiveness of NSU’s “Slimming with the Sharks” Wellness Program

With a recent increase in college obesity rates, it is imperative to assess the effectiveness of campus-wide fitness programs while encouraging other institutes of higher education to do so. It is presently uncertain whether these programs are advantageous or disadvantageous for improving campus-wide obesity rates; therefore, assessing campus-wide fitness programs and reporting results may bring awareness to college campus obesity rates and clarify a solution to the problem. NSU’s RecPlex offered “Slimming with the Sharks,” a structured, multiple-component, weight loss initiative available to all students, faculty, and staff. The following is a brief report of “Slimming with the Sharks” data within NSU faculty, staff, and students

EFFECTS OF THE BENCH SHIRT ON SELECTED BENCH PRESS MECHANICS

Power lifting is an individual sport enjoyed by participants in over 78 countries. Participants compete in three separate lifts and the Iifter with the highest total is the winner. However. this study is concerned purely with the bench press. The "bench shirt" is a cotton/polyester. single-ply form-fitting shirt that is used by lifters to enhance performance during the bench press. Power lifters use these shirts in an attempt to Increase the load lifted in competition. However, it Is possible that these shirts, due to their extreme form fit to the body, could alter the natural motion of the bench press exercise. Researchers have investigated the mechanics of the bench press. and identified proper technique (Judge, 1998; Madsen & McLaughlin, 1984). Proper mechanics dictate that for any experienced lifter there exists a consistent order of bar velocity (increasing velocity off of the chest, decreasing velocity throug the "sticking region," increasing velocity after the sticking region. final decreasing velocity at the finish) (Madsen & McLaughlin, 1984). The bar path should be as indicated in Figure 1. However, no published studies have demonstrated the effect the bench shirt on bench press lifting technique. Therefore. the purpose of this study was to determine the changes in bar path and bar velocity when performing the bench press shirted versus raw (no bench shirt)

EFFECTS OF THE BENCH SHIRT ON SAGITTAL BAR PATH

Powerlifting, like many sports, uses performance-enhancing equipment. The purpose of this study was to explore whether wearing a bench shirt would alter the natural mechanics of the bench press. Participants (n=5) completed two bench press tests; the first was raw (no shirt), while the second utilized the bench shirt. Vertical bar path ranges were significantly smaller in the shirted condition compared to the raw condition. Significant differences were found between the optimal and observed values while benching during the raw condition, but no significant differences were found in the shirted condition. Assuming a straight line bar path is optimal, findings suggest the bench shirt may provide a more efficient bar path, improving load capability and decreasing the forces that act on the shoulder and thus the likelihood of injury

Whey Versus Casein Supplementation in Physically Active, Healthy Individuals

Purpose: Research shows the benefits of whey isolate protein powder and casein protein powder supplementation in regard to body composition and resting metabolic rate; however, minimal research exists comparing the effectiveness of whey to casein supplementation. Methods: Eighteen (18) physically trained, healthy individuals (23±3.1 yrs.; 171.7cm; 12 males; 6 females) completed a randomized two condition [Combat 100% Isolate (Whey) versus Combat 100% (Casein)] by two time point [Pre-, Post-] intervention. The intervention consisted of subjects supplementing on either whey or casein in conjunction with resistance training over an 8-week period. Pre and post testing included % body fat and metabolic rate. Results: A 2x2, repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated non-significant (p ≥ 0.05) effects on changes in % body fat and resting metabolic rate following the 8-week intervention. Conclusions: The data concludes no differences in the effects of whey versus casein protein supplementation in physically active, healthy individual

EFFECTS OF A PILATES EXERCISE PROGRAM ON CORE STRENGTH IN FEMALES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a core stability-training program on core strength in females. Core stability is the strength and control of postural muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvis. Some researchers have suggested that core stability might partially explain why females are more prone to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury than males. We randomly assigned 17 female volunteer participants to an exercise or control group. We measured maximum isometric strength of the hip abductors, abdominals, and back extensors, before and after ten weeks of Pilates exercise. The exercise group met three times weekly for 40 minute supervised exercise sessions. A repeated measures MANOVA revealed no training effect at the end of the intervention (F = 0.435, p = 0.87

The effects of consuming a high protein diet (4.4 g/kg/d) on body composition in resistance-trained individuals

BACKGROUND: The consumption of dietary protein is important for resistance-trained individuals. It has been posited that intakes of 1.4 to 2.0 g/kg/day are needed for physically active individuals. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a very high protein diet (4.4 g/kg/d) on body composition in resistance-trained men and women. METHODS: Thirty healthy resistance-trained individuals participated in this study (mean ± SD; age: 24.1 ± 5.6 yr; height: 171.4 ± 8.8 cm; weight: 73.3 ± 11.5 kg). Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Control (CON) or high protein (HP). The CON group was instructed to maintain the same training and dietary habits over the course of the 8 week study. The HP group was instructed to consume 4.4 grams of protein per kg body weight daily. They were also instructed to maintain the same training and dietary habits (e.g. maintain the same fat and carbohydrate intake). Body composition (Bod Pod®), training volume (i.e. volume load), and food intake were determined at baseline and over the 8 week treatment period. RESULTS: The HP group consumed significantly more protein and calories pre vs post (p \u3c 0.05). Furthermore, the HP group consumed significantly more protein and calories than the CON (p \u3c 0.05). The HP group consumed on average 307 ± 69 grams of protein compared to 138 ± 42 in the CON. When expressed per unit body weight, the HP group consumed 4.4 ± 0.8 g/kg/d of protein versus 1.8 ± 0.4 g/kg/d in the CON. There were no changes in training volume for either group. Moreover, there were no significant changes over time or between groups for body weight, fat mass, fat free mass, or percent body fat. CONCLUSIONS: Consuming 5.5 times the recommended daily allowance of protein has no effect on body composition in resistance-trained individuals who otherwise maintain the same training regimen. This is the first interventional study to demonstrate that consuming a hypercaloric high protein diet does not result in an increase in body fat

Peak Speeds of Professional Football Players During Bouts of Non-curved, Manual Treadmill Sprints

Purpose: Speed training and short distance sprints have become an essential component of preparation for professional football players. Current trends in speed training have included the application of non-curved, manual treadmills, as they may enhance peak speeds with less biomechanical stress. A lack of data currently exists in regards to the effectiveness of different settings and peak speed response. Therefore, we proposed to compare peak speeds during different settings of non-curved, manual treadmills. It was hypothesized that as resistance/incline increased, peak sprinting speeds would decrease and vice versa. Methods: Fourteen male professional football players (27.14 ± 3.11 yrs., 183.93 ± 8.52 cm, 100.36 ± 15.60 kg) sprinted at peak speeds during four different incline/resistance bouts. Paired samples T-tests examined differences between bouts, and significance was set at p ≤ 0.008. Results: A significant difference (p \u3c 0.001) existed for peak speeds between each incline/resistance bout (i.e. INC15R8, INC15R5, INC20R3, INC20R1). Conclusions: The observed data differences existed between all bouts, indicating that as resistance and/or incline increased, peak speed decreased. This also indicated that as resistance and/or incline decreased, peak speed increased during sprint bouts in professional football players

A high protein diet has no harmful effects: A one-year crossover study in resistance-trained males

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a high protein diet over a one-year period. Fourteen healthy resistance-trained men completed the study (mean ± SD; age  yr; height  cm; and average years of training  yr). In a randomized crossover design, subjects consumed their habitual or normal diet for 2 months and 4 months and alternated that with a higher protein diet (\u3e3 g/kg/d) for 2 months and 4 months. Thus, on average, each subject was on their normal diet for 6 months and a higher protein diet for 6 months. Body composition was assessed via the Bod Pod®. Each subject provided approximately 100–168 daily dietary self-reports. During the subjects’ normal eating phase, they consumed (mean ± SD)  kcals/kg/day and  g/kg/day of protein. This significantly increased () during the high protein phase to  kcals/kg/day and  g/kg/day of protein. Our investigation discovered that, in resistance-trained men that consumed a high protein diet (~2.51–3.32 g/kg/d) for one year, there were no harmful effects on measures of blood lipids as well as liver and kidney function. In addition, despite the total increase in energy intake during the high protein phase, subjects did not experience an increase in fat mass

A high protein diet (3.4 g/kg/d) combined with a heavy resistance training program improves body composition in healthy trained men and women - a follow-up investigation

Background The consumption of a high protein diet (\u3e4 g/kg/d) in trained men and women who did not alter their exercise program has been previously shown to have no significant effect on body composition. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if a high protein diet in conjunction with a periodized heavy resistance training program would affect indices of body composition, performance and health. Methods Forty-eight healthy resistance-trained men and women completed this study (mean ± SD; Normal Protein group [NP n = 17, four female and 13 male]: 24.8 ± 6.9 yr; 174.0 ± 9.5 cm height; 74.7 ± 9.6 kg body weight; 2.4 ± 1.7 yr of training; High Protein group [HP n = 31, seven female and 24 male]: 22.9 ± 3.1 yr; 172.3 ± 7.7 cm; 74.3 ± 12.4 kg; 4.9 ± 4.1 yr of training). Moreover, all subjects participated in a split-routine, periodized heavy resistance-training program. Training and daily diet logs were kept by each subject. Subjects in the NP and HP groups were instructed to consume their baseline (~2 g/kg/d) and \u3e3 g/kg/d of dietary protein, respectively. Results Subjects in the NP and HP groups consumed 2.3 and 3.4 g/kg/day of dietary protein during the treatment period. The NP group consumed significantly (p \u3c 0.05) more protein during the treatment period compared to their baseline intake. The HP group consumed more (p \u3c 0.05) total energy and protein during the treatment period compared to their baseline intake. Furthermore, the HP group consumed significantly more (p \u3c 0.05) total calories and protein compared to the NP group. There were significant time by group (p ≤ 0.05) changes in body weight (change: +1.3 ± 1.3 kg NP, −0.1 ± 2.5 HP), fat mass (change: −0.3 ± 2.2 kg NP, −1.7 ± 2.3 HP), and % body fat (change: −0.7 ± 2.8 NP, −2.4 ± 2.9 HP). The NP group gained significantly more body weight than the HP group; however, the HP group experienced a greater decrease in fat mass and % body fat. There was a significant time effect for FFM; however, there was a non-significant time by group effect for FFM (change: +1.5 ± 1.8 NP, +1.5 ± 2.2 HP). Furthermore, a significant time effect (p ≤ 0.05) was seen in both groups vis a vis improvements in maximal strength (i.e., 1-RM squat and bench) vertical jump and pull-ups; however, there were no significant time by group effects (p ≥ 0.05) for all exercise performance measures. Additionally, there were no changes in any of the blood parameters (i.e., basic metabolic panel). Conclusion Consuming a high protein diet (3.4 g/kg/d) in conjunction with a heavy resistance-training program may confer benefits with regards to body composition. Furthermore, there is no evidence that consuming a high protein diet has any deleterious effects