Does Obesity Affect Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Adaptations after a 3-Month Combined Exercise Program in Untrained Premenopausal Middle-Aged Women?

Previous studies indicated different acute adaptations between obese and lean individuals, while there is limited information with conflicting results regarding long-term adaptations. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a 3-month integrated combined training between obese and lean middle-aged untrained premenopausal women. In total, 72 women (36 obese/36 lean) were divided into four groups: (a) obese exercise (OB-EG), (b) obese control (OB-CG), (c) lean exercise (L-EG), and (d) lean control (L-CG). The exercise groups followed a 3-month (3 times/week) integrated combined aerobic and strength training program. Health indices (body composition, body circumferences, blood pressure, respiratory function), functional capacity (flexibility, balance), and physical fitness (strength, aerobic capacity) were measured before and after the 3-month time period. Participants’ enjoyment was also assessed following the program. OB-EG and L-EG significantly improved (p < 0.05) similarly across all functional capacity and physical fitness indices (10–76%; depending on the evaluation index), except balance and strength indices of the non-preferred limb where OB-EG showed greater improvement (reducing the existing pre-training strength/balance asymmetries) than L-EG. Furthermore, both obese and lean individuals showed similarly high levels of enjoyment. This program could be effectively used in fitness settings causing similar neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptations in obese and lean women

Sport-Related Effect on Knee Strength Profile during Puberty: Basketball vs. Soccer

The present study examined and compared the isokinetic peak torque and the reciprocal ratios of the knee joint between young basketball and soccer players. An amount of 100 soccer and 100 basketball players took part in this study and were separated into five equal groups (n = 20), according to their chronological age (12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 years old). The absolute concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) peak torque of the knee flexor and extensor muscles (at 60°/s, 180°/s) were assessed using a Cybex Norm dynamometer, and the relative peak torque (per unit of body mass), as well as the conventional (CON/CON; ECC/ECC) and functional (CON/ECC; ECC/CON) ratios, were calculated. Data analysis indicated that the basketball players had higher absolute peak torque values than the soccer players throughout their developmental ages (p p > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were observed in conventional and functional ratios between soccer and basketball players (p > 0.05). In conclusion, it appears that, during developmental ages (12–16 years old), the isokinetic strength profile (independent of body mass affecting absolute values) of knee extensor and flexor muscles develops similarly in basketball and soccer players

A Chair-Based Music–Kinetic Combined Exercise Program as an Alternative Approach for Increasing Health, Functional Capacity, and Physical Fitness Indices in Middle-Aged Pre-Menopausal Women

Lately, chairs have been widely used as a cheap, easily accessible, safe, and effective training means in different settings (e.g., in gyms, the house, workplaces, and in rehabilitation). This study investigated the effectiveness of a 10-week chair-based music–kinetic integrated combined exercise program on health, functional capacity, and physical fitness indicators of middle-aged pre-menopausal women. A total of 40 healthy women (40–53 years) were assigned to two groups: exercise (EG) and control (CG). The EG followed a 10-week (3 times/weekly; 30 training sessions) chair-based exercise program including aerobic dance, flexibility, coordination, and strength exercises with body weight or auxiliary means. Selected indicators of health, functional capacity, and physical fitness were evaluated before and after the 10 weeks. Following the program, the EG significantly reduced their body fat (−2.5%), blood pressure (by −4.5 to −5.5%), the time during the timed up-and-go (TUG) test (by −10.27%), heart rate (by −6.35 to −13.78%), and the rate of perceived exertion (by −24.45 to −25.88%), while increasing respiratory function (3.5–4%), flexibility (12.17%), balance (50.38–51.07%), maximal handgrip strength (10–12.17%), and endurance strength (43.87–55.91%). The chair-based combined music–kinetic exercise program was effective and could be safely used in different settings to improve health, functional capacity, and physical fitness in middle-aged women

An Enjoyable Workplace Combined Exercise Program for Health Promotion in Trained Employees: Yoga, Pilates, and Circuit Strength Training

Corporate wellness has become an important public health priority through the designing and implementation of different workplace exercise interventions. The objectives of this study were to investigate: (a) the effectiveness of a 4-month workplace combined yoga, Pilates, and circuit strength training program (outside work shift) on health indices, functional capacity, and physical fitness in office employees; and (b) the employees’ enjoyment following the program. Fifty physically active office employees (26–55 years old) were equally divided into training (TG) and control groups (CG). The TG followed a 4-month (3 times/week, 50–60 min/training) combined yoga, Pilates, and circuit strength training program. Health indices (body composition, body mass, circumferences, musculoskeletal pains), functional capacity (flexibility, balance), and physical fitness (strength, aerobic capacity) were measured before and after the 4-month time period. After the completion of the program, the TG participants’ enjoyment was assessed. The TG significantly improved (p p > 0.05). Furthermore, a great percentage of employees (84%) reported high levels of enjoyment. This program could be effectively and safely used in workplace settings as an enjoyable intervention to improve specific health, functional capacity, and physical fitness indices in office employees

The Effect of Wet Conditions and Surface Combat Swimming on Shooting.

INTRODUCTION: Shooting ability is an important aspect of performance in some sports and is vital during a military operation. Load carriage, clothing, and equipment normally associated with fatigue and reduced field of vision or lack of stability at a specific point are important factors that affect the ability to aim when shooting. Additionally, gun support and equipment appear to differentially affect shooting ability with varying shooting positions. All of the studies examining these factors have taken place on dry land and not in water. However, up to date, no study has examined the effect of wet conditions, especially after surface combat swimming (sCS), on shooting ability in different shooting positions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of fatigue, produced by prolonged sCS, on a fighter&apos;s shooting ability. In addition, we investigated whether the effect of fatigue and wet conditions differed between the shooting positions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five participants performed 10 shots in a shooting simulator while standing (ST) and 10 shots while kneeling (KN). This was performed twice and in three conditions: dry, wet, and after 1,000 m of sCS. RESULTS: Wet conditions did not significantly affect shooting abilities. Surface combat swimming negatively affected shooting ability when both ST and KN. The reduction in the center of gravity (COG) of the shots after sCS was 3.7 ± 2.5\% for ST and 3.5 ± 0.8\% for KN (P {\textless} .01). This was accompanied by the increase in horizontal and vertical movement of the gun after the sCS (P {\textless} .01). Kneeling was more stable, as shown by a higher percentage of COG of the shots by 3.3 ± 0.1\% (P {\textless} .01) and by fewer gun movements in both axes (P {\textless} .01). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, combat swimming affects shooting ability, both in ST and in KN positions. The KN position provides better stability and improved shooting ability

Acute and Chronic Whole-Body Vibration Exercise does not Induce Health-Promoting Effects on The Blood Profile

Whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise is an alternative, popular and easy exercise that can be followed by general public. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of acute and chronic WBV exercise on health-related parameters. Twenty-eight women were allocated into a control group (n=11, mean +/- SEM: age, 43.5 +/- 1.5 yr; body mass, 66.1 +/- 3.1 kg; height, 160.6 +/- 1.5 cm) and a vibration group (n=17, mean +/- SEM: age, 44.0 +/- 1.0 yr; body mass, 67.1 +/- 2.2 kg; height, 162.5 +/- 1.5 cm). After baseline assessments, participants of the experimental group performed WBV training 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Before and after the chronic WBV exercise, the participants of the vibration group performed one session of acute WBV exercise. Blood chemistry measurements (hematology, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, glucose, insulin, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein, thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances, protein carbonyls, total antioxidant capacity, uric acid, albumin and bilirubin) were assessed pre-exercise and post-exercise at the first and eighth week of WBV exercise in both control and vibration groups. The results failed to support any effect of both acute and chronic WBV exercise on biochemical health-related parameters. However, it seems that WBV exercise is a safe way of training without a negative impact on muscle and liver functionality

Whole-body vibration training in middle-aged females: improving muscle flexibility and the power of lower limbs

Purpose: Physical inactivity in conjunction with biological aging may lead to a decline in flexibility and neuromuscular function, contributing to physical frailty and an increased risk of injuries. Although, whole-body vibration has gained popularity as an alternative mode of exercise for improving physical fitness, only few studies examined the effects of WBV training on fitness parameters in middle-aged individuals and the outcomes are not clear. This study investigated the effects of a 2-month whole-body vibration training (WBVT) program using a side-to-side vibration mode on flexibility, on power of lower limbs and on isokinetic peak torque of middle-aged women. Methods: Twenty-four middle-aged untrained females (43.96 ± 3.28 years) were assigned to a vibration (WBVG) or a control group (CG). The WBVT program consisted of twenty-four sessions on a side-to-side vibration platform (frequency 20–25 Hz, amplitude 6 mm, duration 6–8 min). Flexibility, vertical jumping performance (VJ), and isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) were measured prior to and 2 days following the completion of WBVT. Results: Post-training values of flexibility and VJ were significantly higher vs. pre-training values in WBVG (p < 0.001–p < 0.01); they remained unchanged in CG. Post-training flexibility and VJ values were significantly greater in WBVG vs. CG (p < 0.001–p < 0.05). The WBVT program had no effect on isokinetic peak torque of KE and KF. Conclusions: An 8-week WBVT program improved flexibility and VJ in middle-aged untrained females and should be used by health and fitness professionals for counteracting the detrimental effects of sedentary lifestyle on flexibility and power of lower limbs. © 2015 Springer-Verlag Itali