Ergogenic Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation During Rest and Submaximal Exercise

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(3): 203-213, 2019. The primary aim of this investigation was to determine the ergogenic effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) amongst twenty apparently healthy males during submaximal exercise. In Session 1, 20 participants (Age = 35.0 ± 15.0 yrs; Height = 179.9 ± 8.5 cm; Body Mass = 85.4 ± 12.0 kg) were familiarized with all equipment. Sessions 2-4 included the following randomized 5-min trials a) Rest and Rest+NMES, b) Rest, Arms-Only, Arms+NMES, and c) Rest, Arms+Legs, Arms+Legs+NMES. Physiological variables collected during rest and submaximal exercise were volume of oxygen (VO2), heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rate pressure product (RPP). Paired sample t-test was used to determine significant mean differences between the NMES and non-NMES trials. Bonferroni post-hoc analysis established alpha at 0.008. From the 18 paired t-tests, the only observed significant mean difference (t(19) = -6.4, p \u3c 0.001) was RER values between the Arms-Only trial compared to the Arms+NMES trial (0.94 and 1.00, respectively). While RER displayed a significant difference, from a practical perspective, however, these differences were deemed non-physiologically significant. Viewed in concert, findings from this study suggests that NMES utilization does not evoke an acute ergogenic effect amongst an apparently healthy male population

The Validity Of 7-Site Skinfold Measurements Taken By Exercise Science Students

International Journal of Exercise Science 6(1) : 20-28, 2013. Skinfold (SKF) measurement is arguably the most ubiquitous method of estimating percent body fat (%BF) because of cost, ease, and feasibility. However, it is unknown how accurately novice exercise science students measure SKF thickness. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the validity with which exercise science students in an Exercise Physiology course measured skinfold thickness and estimated percent body fat (%BF) when compared to a skilled technician. Twenty-three novice undergraduate students were afforded both verbal measurement instruction and visual measurement demonstration and, subsequently, assessed SKF thicknesses of a male and female testee. %BF was calculated using measurements obtained by the skilled technician and students. Comparisons were made between measurements taken by the skilled technician and students using error, absolute error, and one sample t-tests. For the female testee, average error ranged from -0.5 mm to -4.8 mm for the 7-sites, 1.7±15.4 mm for the sum of 7-sites, and -3.7±2.6% for %BF. The average absolute error ranged from 1.2 mm to 4.9 mm for the 7-sites, 23.3±12.7 mm for the sum of 7-sites, and 3.9±2.2% for %BF. For the male testee, average error ranged from 0.0 mm to 0.9 mm for the 7-sites, 2.9±8.5 mm for the sum of 7-sites, and 0.5±1.4% for %BF. The average absolute error ranged from 0.6 mm to 1.1 mm for the 7-sites, 4.8±7.5 mm for the sum of 7-sites, and 0.8±1.2% for BF%. The one sample t-tests revealed no significant differences in the sum of 7-sites and %BF for the male model (p\u3e0.05), but significant differences were found for the female model (p\u3c0.05). From a practical perspective, when novice exercise science students were provided both verbal and visual instructions of SKF measurement technique, students were able to accurately assess %BF of a male testee as compared to the skilled technician. With respect to the female testee, however, students underestimated the sum of the 7 SKF sites by ~ 20 mm when compared to the skilled technician. Additional tutelage and practice may be necessary when teaching SKF measurement of females and/or individuals with higher %BF to novice undergraduate exercise science students

Rollers Versus Trainers: 10-Km Time Trial

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(1): 497-505, 2017. The primary aim of this investigation was to determine which cycling training device, Rollers or Trainers, was most effective in improving 10-km time trial. Eight male and 6 female volunteers (N = 14; age = 23.6 ± 4.6 yrs; height = 172.7 ± 9.9 cm; body mass = 68.4 ± 10.4 kg; % body fat = 16.9 ± 7.7; VO2max = 61.0 ± 9.4 ml∙kg-1∙min-1) provided informed consent prior to participation. Participants performed a10-km time trial at baseline and were then randomly assigned into one of three groups: Rollers (R), Trainers (T), or Control (C). Participants assigned to the R or T groups attended 24 supervised workout sessions throughout an 8-wk period (F: 3 days/week; I: 65-80% HRmax; D: 40 min; M: R or T). There were no significant differences in baseline 10-km time trial between R, T, and C groups [F(2,12) = 0.34, p = .72]. There was a significant difference in 10-km time trial improvement between groups post-assessment when controlling for baseline values (F = 17.04, p \u3c.001). R participants improved by 20.4s [t(4) = 4.86, p = .008] and T participants improved by 12.8s [t(4) = 4.57, p = .01], while there was no significant improvement for subjects in C. Participants using R and T displayed significant decrements in time with respect to the 10-km time trial. However, R had a greater improvement in 10-km time trial when compared to T

Efficacy of a 6-Week Suspension Training Exercise Program on Fitness Components in Older Adults

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(3): 1168-1178, 2022. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a 6-week suspension training exercise program on fitness components in older adults. Eleven participants (age = 80 ± 5 yrs) completed a 6-week suspension training exercise program. Pre- and post-fitness assessments comprised of body composition, handgrip dynamometer, functional reach, and balance. The 6-week suspension training intervention required individuals to perform suspension training exercises for fifty minutes, twice per week. A paired sample t-test was used to determine differences from pre-and post-assessments. An improvement was observed in functional reach (57.2 ± 6.4 cm vs 68.6 ± 4.3 cm; p = 0.02) and overall balance score (67.5 ± 2.4 vs 72.2 ± 2.2; p = 0.02). A 6-week suspension training exercise program can be adequate to enhance core stability and overall balance amongst older adults. This paradigm should be explored further to determine the effects on fall-risk and fall prevention