A Study of the Use of Visual Aids in Basket Shooting

Abstract

The effect of actively warming the forearm musculature on dynamic grip endurance was investigated by comparing the performance of the left and right hands, with or without warming-up, on a spring-loaded grip ergometer. There were 21 male subjects, aged 19 to 23. Warming-up consisted of 9 min. of four hand and wrist exercises conducted in 30-sec. bouts, at a rate of one repetition per sec., with 15-sec. intervals between bouts. This warm-up was shown to lead to temperature increases of between 1.6 C and 2.6 C in the flexor digitorum sublimis muscles of five subjects. Warming-up had no effect on grip endurance.     

Chronic iliofemoral vein obstruction – an under-recognized cause of exercise limitation‡

Local symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency after deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are well described, but little is known about the effect of residual venous obstruction on exercise capacity. We tested our hypothesis that chronic residual iliofemoral vein occlusion (IFVO) after DVT may impair exercise capacity. Nine post-DVT patients with residual IFVO and effort intolerance were studied; a comparison cohort consisted of 11 healthy volunteers. Exercise tolerance was assessed by bimodality incremental symptom-limited cardiopulmonary testing, using leg and arm ergometers. In healthy subjects, leg vein obstruction was modelled by application to the thighs of cuff tourniquets inflated to 30–40?mmHg. Leg exercise tolerance as measured by oxygen uptake at peak exercise (peak ?’O₂) was reduced in patients (median 50% predicted (range 36–83%) vs. 88% predicted (67–129%) in normal subjects, p?2 was 0.95 (0.77–1.43) in patients vs. a normal ratio of 0.73 (0.6–1.0) in healthy subjects (p?2 in leg exercise to 76% predicted (range 55–108%; p?相似文献   

Relative Endurance of High- and Low-Strength Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relative endurance ability of women in terms of muscle mass, static muscle strength, and critical occluding tension levels (COTL). Women physical education majors volunteered as subjects for this study (N = 56). The percentages of grip strength used for the relative endurance tests were 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75% with local circulation to the forearm muscles intact and artificially occluded by a pressure cuff. Analysis of the data revealed that there was no significant difference in the endurance times of high- and low-strength women. The relationship between grip strength and relative endurance time for each tension level was insignificant (r = ?.23 to ?.34). These findings were discussed in light of the relatively small differences in muscle mass and similarity in COTL of high- and low-strength women.     

Rhythmic Isometric Fatigue Patterns of the Elbow Flexors and Knee Extensors

Abstract

Twenty-seven male subjects performed two 5-min bouts of rhythmic, isometric elbow flexion and two similar bouts of knee extension at a rate of 30 maximal contractions per min. Exponential analyses revealed that the pattern of fatigue for each limb followed a single component curve of the form: Y_t = a₀e ^?Kot + c. An analysis of variance comparing the results from the two limbs revealed that (a) the strength scores for the leg were significantly (p < .05) higher than those for the arm throughout the exercise bouts; (b) both limbs experienced a significant strength decrement; and (c) there was significant interaction between trials and limbs. It appeared that the greater loss of strength by the knee extensors was reponsible for this interaction. It was concluded that during a rhythmic, all-out task, the rates of fatigue experienced by the two muscle groups tend to differ, with the elbow flexors fatiguing more rapidly initially but reaching a plateau at a relatively higher level than the knee extensors.     

Grip and Forearm Position Effects on Tests of Static and Dynamic Upper Body Endurance

Abstract

The effects of grip and forearm position on two tests of upper body muscular endurance were investigated in 109 male subjects 18–21 years of age. Subjects were systematically presented 12 tasks: six pull-up and six straight-arm hang grip and forearm variations. Each of the six tasks for both endurance tests represented a different combination of grip (thumb over bar and thumb under bar) and forearm position (pronated, supinated and semi-pronated). Task results were analyzed utilizing 2 × 3 (grip × forearm) ANOVA with repeated measures on the two factors. Analysis of pull-up data revealed that the semi-pronated and supinated forearm positions were not statistically different from each other, but superior to the pronated condition. Results of straight-arm hang performance revealed a significant difference between grips at the semi-pronated position, with the “thumb under bar” being superior. Results for forearm positions at grips indicated a significant difference for the “thumb under bar,” with the pronated and semi-pronated positions being superior to the supinated position. For forearm positions at “thumb over bar,” the pronated condition was significantly different from the semi-pronated and supinated positions. Thumb position trends and kinesiological mechanical analysis did foster general recommendations for use of the “thumb over bar” for pull-ups and the “thumb under bar” position for the straight-arm hang.     

Performing pull-ups with small climbing holds influences grip and biomechanical arm action

Pull-ups are often used by sport-climbers and other athletes to train their arm and back muscle capabilities. Sport-climbers use different types of holds to reinforce finger strength concomitantly. However, the effect of grip types on pull-up performance had not previously been investigated. A vertical force platform sensor measured the force exerted by climbers when performing pull-ups under six different grip conditions (gym-bar, large climbing hold, and four small climbing holds: 22mm, 18mm, 14mm, and 10mm). The electromyography of finger flexors and extensor muscles were recorded simultaneously. The maximal arm power and summed mechanical work were computed. The results revealed that the number of pull-ups, maximal power, and summed mechanical work decreased significantly with the size of the climbing hold used, even if no differences were found between a large climbing hold and a gym-bar. Electromyography of the forearm muscles revealed that the use of a climbing hold generated finger flexor fatigue and that the level of cocontraction was impacted by the different segment coordination strategies generated during the pull-ups. These findings are likely to be useful for quantifying training loads more accurately and designing training exercises and programs.     

The influence of variable resistance moment arm on knee extensor performance

Abstract

To enhance muscular strength, resistance training machines with a cam, incorporating a variable resistance moment arm, are widely used. However, little information is available about the influence of the variable resistance moment arm on torque, velocity, and power during muscle contraction. To address this, a knee extensor machine was equipped with a cam or with a semi-circular pulley that imposed a variable or a constant resistance moment arm, respectively. Fourteen physically active men performed two full knee extensions against loads of 40–80 kg in both conditions. Participants developed significantly higher torque with the pulley than with the cam (P < 0.001). The relative differences between pulley and cam conditions across all loads ranged from 8.72% to 19.87% (P < 0.001). Average knee extension velocity was significantly higher in the cam condition than in the pulley condition. No differences were observed in average and peak power, except at 50 and 55 kg. Torque–velocity and power–velocity relationships were modified when the resistance moment arm was changed. In conclusion, whatever the link, namely cam or pulley, the participants produced similar power at each load. However, the torque–velocity and power–velocity relationships were different in the cam and pulley conditions. The results further suggest that the influence of the machine's mechanism on muscular performance has to be known when prescribing resistance exercises.     

Baumgartner's Modified Pull-Up Test For Male and Female Elementary School Aged Children

Abstract

Nineteen college men and women (aged 18–23 yrs, × = 21.1) were studied to ascertain the force-time components of a rapid maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) for ankle dorsiflexors, knee extensors, elbow flexors, wrist flexors and hand grip. Standardized isometric strength testing protocol was used. After a practice period subjects were instructed to make an MVC without jerking and as quickly as possible, for each of the muscle actions noted above. Force readings were taken from a load cell assembly through an analogue-to-digital converter and analyzed to yield time values for MVC, 3/4 MVC, 1/2 MVC, and 1/4 MVC. The results indicated significant differences (p < .01) between the responses of the men and women, with the women reaching full MVC more rapidly than the men. Also, there were significant differences among the five muscle groups tested, with the wrist flexor muscle group developing MVC most quickly, while the knee extensors took the longest time to full MVC. Based upon these data it may be concluded that the time to full MVC differs between men and women, and also that the time to full MVC differs among the five muscle groups tested in this experiment.     

Interlimb Skill Ability in Motor Skill Performance

Abstract

Thirty-eight male college freshmen continuously threw a softball at a 4′x4′ target for 30 sec. and also kicked a soccer ball at a 4′x4′ target for the game length of time. The subjects were tested using their preferred and nonpreferred arms and legs.

Five of the six correlations, including preferred arm and nonpreferred arm, preferred leg and nonpreferred leg, preferred arm and preferred leg, nonpreferred arm and nonpreferred leg, and preferred arm and nonpreferred leg, were positive, low, but significant. However, when analyzed for generality and specificity factors of performance, the highest generality (29 percent) was obtained when comparing leg performance. There is evidence of strong specificity in limb performance, and thus more support for a specificity theory of learning and performance.     

Selected Measures of Angular Displacement,Strength, and Flexibility in Subjects With and Without Shin Splints

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if angular displacement between the calcaneus and the midline of the lower leg while running is related to shin splints. A secondary purpose was to compare the strength and flexibility of ankle-joint plantar flexion, dorsal flexion, inversion, and eversion of shin-splint-injured and non-shin-splint-injured subjects. Two groups of conditioned female athletes were randomly selected to participate in this study. One group had a previous history of chronic shin splints, and the other group had no history of shin-splint injury. Angular displacement between the calcaneus and the midline of the lower leg was measured from motion picture film (100 frames/second) taken while the subjects were running at two speeds, 3m/second and 5m/second. A cable tensiometer was used to measure plantar flexion, dorsal flexion, and inversion and eversion strength at the ankle joint; and a goniometer was used to measure the flexibility of the plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, invertors, and evertors at the ankle joint. The results indicated that a shin-splint-injured leg had greater angular displacement between the calcaneus and the midline of the lower leg than a healthy leg, and that shoes and speed of running had an influence upon the amount of angular displacement. In addition, the muscular strength of the plantar flexor muscle was greater in the shin-splint subjects than in the non-shin-splint subjects.     

A Consideration of Qualities Used by Administrators in Judging Effective Teachers of Physical Education in Minnesota

Abstract

The relationships between selected personality and motor variables in emotionally disturbed children were investigated in 61 male and female children, ages 6 to 13, in residential Re-Ed schools. In addition, reliability estimates were obtained for certain measuring instruments with this special group of subjects. The results revealed that (a) selected personality and motor variables appeared essentially unrelated; (b) grip strength, 50-yd dash, and flexed-arm hang were reliable while sit-ups and 600-yd run-walk were moderately reliable; (c) the arm and leg coordination measures, the four second-order factors of the Children's Personality Questionnaire (CPQ) and Early School Personality Questionnaire (ESPQ), the Self-Esteem Scale, the Body Cathexis Scale, and the Body Cathexis-Short Form all exhibited moderate reliabilities; and (d) the 14 primary factors of the CPQ and ESPQ generally exhibited lower reliabilities.     

Effect of Selected Doses of Alcohol on Fatigue Parameters of the Forearm Flexor Muscles

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to enhance knowledge of the effect of alcohol on physical performance by analyzing the effect of a small and moderate dose of alcohol on several aspects of muscular strength and endurance; in addition to the standard dosages, a large dose was given to an experimental subgroup. The parameters studied included initial strength, maximal strength, steady state or final strength, total work, fatigable work and the rate of fatigue of the forearm flexors. Male university students (N = 35) served as subjects and underwent three trials of a standardized work task consisting of intermittent maximum contractions of the forearm flexors performed at the rate of 30/min. for 6 min. Prior to each trial, each subject consumed either a control, small, or moderate dose of alcohol. The statistical analysis indicated that a small or moderate dose of alcohol had no effect on five of the parameters under investigation. The mathematical analysis of the rate of fatigue indicated rather large differences between the main rate constants, but the findings must be interpreted cautiously due to the insignificant nature of the statistical analysis. It was concluded that a small or moderate amount of alcohol had no effect on the strength and endurance variables under investigation.     

Contributive Components in the Vertical Jump

Abstract

The degree of contribution to performance of the vertical jump by leg components plantar flexors, knee extensors, and hip extensors was determined experimentally and tested by analysis of covariance. One control and four experimental groups from 100 college men at Brigham Young University were randomly assigned to varying muscle strengthening programs for 8 weeks. Initial and final vertical jump tests and strength measures were administered. Gains in the vertical jump significant beyond the .05 level were registered by experimental groups which strengthened knee and/or hip extensors. Control and plantar flexor strengthening groups did not register significant jump gains. Each experimental group registered significant isotonic strength gains in the programed muscle groups.     

A Kinetic Analysis of the Ground Leg During Sprint Running

Abstract

Fifteen highly skilled sprinters were filmed while running at maximum velocity. The results were digitized and computer processed with interest focused on the muscle moments generated about the hip, knee, and ankle of the ground leg. Muscle activity about the hip consisted of extensor (concentric) dominance from foot descent, through foot strike, and into mid-support. Muscle dominance shifted to the hip flexors (eccentric) during mid-support and continued through takeoff. Muscle dominance at the knee demonstrated a pattern of flexor (eccentric, then concentric) dominance from foot descent through foot strike and into mid-support. Knee extensors (eccentric, then concentric) then achieved dominance through takeoff. During the later stages of takeoff, the dominance decreased or reversed briefly to flexor (eccentric) activity prior to a period of minimal activity following the toe-off position. From a period of minimal activity prior and subsequent to ground contact, the plantar flexors (eccentric, then concentric) of the foot were dominant throughout the ground phase. Qualitatively, the unexpected knee flexor dominance during foot strike was generated to limit the braking action created during this portion of ground contact. The unanticipated hip flexor dominance during takeoff served to rotate the upper body forward and into the approaching air phase. In addition, both of these actions allowed efficient use of the two-joint muscles of the leg during the critical phases of ground contact. Finally, the minimizing or reversing of the knee extensor dominance during the later stages of takeoff served to protect the joint from injury. Quantitatively, the magnitude of hip extensor/knee flexor activity during foot strike was significantly related (r = .70, p = .01) to the prior occurrences of related leg injury in the subjects.     

Muscle cross-sectional areas and performance power of limbs and trunk in the rowing motion

Although it is clear that rowers have a large muscle mass, their distribution of muscle mass and which of the main motions in rowing mediates muscle hypertrophy in each body part are unclear. We examine the relationships between partial motion power in rowing and muscle cross-sectional area of the thigh, lower back, and upper arms. Sixty young rowers (39 males and 21 females) participated in the study. Joint positions and forces were measured by video cameras and rowing ergometer software, respectively. One-dimensional motion analysis was performed to calculate the power of leg drive, trunk swing, and arm pull motions. Muscle cross-sectional areas were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine the association of different muscle cross-sectional areas with partial motion power. The anterior thigh best explained the power demonstrated by leg drive (r ² = 0.508), the posterior thigh and lower back combined best explained the power demonstrated by the trunk swing (r ² = 0.493), and the elbow extensors best explained the power demonstrated by the arm pull (r ² = 0.195). Other correlations, such as arm muscles with leg drive power (r ² = 0.424) and anterior thigh with trunk swing power (r ² = 0.335), were also significant. All muscle cross-sectional areas were associated with rowing performance either through the production of power or by transmitting work. The results imply that rowing motion requires a well-balanced distribution of muscle mass throughout the body.     

The effect of two different 18-week walking programmes on aerobic fitness,selected blood lipids and factor XIIa

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the utility of low- and high-repetition maximum (RM) strength tests used to assess rowers. Twenty elite heavyweight males (age 23.7 ± 4.0 years) performed four tests (5 RM, 30 RM, 60 RM and 120 RM) using leg press and seated arm pulling exercise on a dynamometer. Each test was repeated on two further occasions; 3 and 7 days from the initial trial. Per cent typical error (within-participant variation) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated using log-transformed repeated-measures data. High-repetition tests (30 RM, 60 RM and 120 RM), involving seated arm pulling exercise are not recommended to be included in an assessment battery, as they had unsatisfactory measurement precision (per cent typical error > 5% or ICC < 0.9). Conversely, low-repetition tests (5 RM) involving leg press and seated arm pulling exercises could be used to assess elite rowers (per cent typical error ≤ 5% and ICC ≥ 0.9); however, only 5 RM leg pressing met criteria (per cent typical error = 2.7%, ICC = 0.98) for research involving small samples (n = 20). In summary, low-repetition 5 RM strength testing offers greater utility as assessments of rowers, as they can be used to measure upper- and lower-body strength; however, only the leg press exercise is recommended for research involving small squads of elite rowers.     

Generality vs. Specificity of an Extension Power Measurement of the Arms and Legs

Abstract

To determine the relationship between the extension power of the arms and power of the legs, 26 male Macalester College students were tested on a modified Biokinetic Swim Bench. All measurements were measured accurately and reliably. Correlations between individual abilities on the leg extension and the arm extension tasks are low, r =.194. Between the right arm and the right leg the r = .041; and between the left arm and the left leg the r = .227. These correlations are not significant. It was concluded that extension power abilities are highly specific in nature and that assuming arm power from a leg power measurement is not a viable alternative to actual measurement of the arm power.     

Fingertip force and electromyography of finger flexor muscles during a prolonged intermittent exercise in elite climbers and sedentary individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize forearm muscle fatigue identified by the decrease in electromyogram median frequency and/or fingertip force during intermittent exercise. Nine elite climbers (international competitive level, USA 5.14a on sight) and ten non-climbers were instructed to maintain a fingertip force of 80% of their maximal voluntary contraction force on a dynamometer mimicking a rock climbing grip during a 5 s effort/5 s rest cycle for 36 repetitions (i.e. 6 min of exercise). Elite climbers lasted twice as long as non-climbers (climbers: 3 min; non-climbers: 1 min 30 s) before the force could no longer be maintained (i.e. the failure point). After this moment, fingertip force decreased and stabilized until the end of the exercise around 50% maximum voluntary contraction force in non-climbers and 63% in elite climbers. Electromyogram median frequency showed a greater decrease in non-climbers than in elite climbers before the failure point. No change in median frequency was observed after the failure point in elite climbers or in non-climbers. These results confirm that elite climbers are better adapted than non-climbers for performing the intermittent fingertip effort before the failure point. After this point, the better fingertip force of elite climbers suggests different forearm muscle properties, while the electromyography results do not provide any indication about the fatigue process.     

Effects of Various Periods of Inactivity on Retention of Newly Acquired Levels of Muscular Endurance

Abstract

Male university students (N = 54) engaged in an 8-week training program with sessions held three times per week. Each session consisted of one “all-out” bout of right elbow flexion on an arm lever ergometer against a resistance of 11.03 lbs. at a work rate of 40 repetitions per minute. Following the training phase of the study, the subjects were randomly assigned to three experimental groups and ceased training for either 8, 10, or 12 weeks. At the conclusion of the inactivity period, each subject retrained until his peak performance of the training program had been equaled or exceeded. The analysis of data revealed that no difference existed among the groups: (a) at the beginning of the training program, (b) at the termination of the training program, (c) following the various inactivity periods, and (d) in the number of sessions needed to retrain to the peak performance attained during the training period. The within-group analysis indicated that each group had experienced: (a) significant muscular endurance development during the training period, (b) significant loss of endurance during the period of inactivity, and (c) significant retention of the newly acquired endurance over the inactivity period. Peak performance during the retraining phase was achieved in approximately one-fourth the number of training sessions initially required to attain the same level during the developmental phase.     

A Cluster Analysis of Static Strength Tests

Abstract

Ages, heights, weights, and 24 static (cable tensiometer) strength test scores were obtained from 81 college men enrolled in service course classes at the University of Oregon during the 1963–64 academic year. Of the 276 intercorrelations between strength scores, 215 were significant (p > .01; r ≥ .285). In general, when age, height, and weight were held constant, the intercorrelations between the strength scores from the different segments of the body were not greatly changed from those of the zero-order correlations between the same strength scores. Five functional clusters or groupings of strength were isolated and identified by means of the application of cluster analysis to the intercorrelations between the strength tests and by an analysis of muscle actions involved in the performance of each of the strength tests. The findings in this study disclosed five clusters or groupings of strength which were specific to shoulder, trunk, neck, wrist, and hip joints. They could also be described as arm and forearm strength, trunk strength, neck strength, hand strength, and thigh and leg strength.