Physiological responses in different intensities of resistance exercise – Critical load and the effects of aging process

Aim was to identify critical load (CL) in young and elderly apparently healthy male cohorts. To contrast the metabolic, cardiovascular and perceptual responses on CL according to age. We evaluated 12 young (23 ± 3 years) and 10 elderly (70 ± 2 years) apparently healthy active males, who underwent: (1) 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test on a 45° Leg Press; (2) on different days, three high-intensity resistance exercise constant load tests (60%, 75% and 90% 1RM) until fatigue (Tlim). Absolute values of both the CL asymptote and curvature constant (kg) were significantly lower in elderly subjects (P < 0.05). In contrast, elderly subjects demonstrated a significantly higher number of repetitions at CL when compared with young subjects (P < 0.05). As expected, oxygen uptake (VO₂) and heart rate (HR) during maximal aerobic exercise testing were significantly reduced in older subjects. However, percent-predicted aerobic capacity were higher in older subjects (P < 0.05). In addition, blood lactate ([La^?]) corrected to Tlim and rating of perceived exertion values were greater in younger subjects at all intensities (P < 0.05). These findings, despite reduced force production in older subjects, endurance-related parameters are well preserved according to age-adjusted percent-predicted values in apparently healthy males.     

Combined effects of exposure to hypoxia and cool on walking economy and muscle oxygenation profiles at tibialis anterior

We investigated combined effects of ambient temperature (23°C or 13°C) and fraction of inspired oxygen (21%O₂ or 13%O₂) on energy cost of walking (C_w: J·kg^?1·km^?1) and economical speed (ES). Eighteen healthy young adults (11 males, seven females) walked at seven speeds from 0.67 to 1.67 m s^?1 (four min per stage). Environmental conditions were set; thermoneutral (N: 23°C) with normoxia (N: 21%O₂) = NN; 23°C (N) with hypoxia (H: 13%O₂) = NH; cool (C: 13°C) with 21%O₂ (N) = CN, and 13°C (C) with 13%O₂ (H) = CH. Muscle deoxygenation (HHb) and tissue O₂ saturation (StO₂) were measured at tibialis anterior. We found a significantly slower ES in NH (1.289 ± 0.091 m s^?1) and CH (1.275 ± 0.099 m s^?1) than in NN (1.334 ± 0.112 m s^?1) and CN (1.332 ± 0.104 m s^?1). Changes in HHb and StO₂ were related to the ES. These results suggested that the combined effects (exposure to hypoxia and cool) is nearly equal to exposure to hypoxia and cool individually. Specifically, acute moderate hypoxia slowed the ES by approx. 4%, but acute cool environment did not affect the ES. Further, HHb and StO₂ may partly account for an individual ES.     

我国男生引体向上“零”分探因:基于三角互证的研究策略

我国多数男生引体向上得"零"分,使上肢力量测评出现"地板效应"。采用量化研究和质性研究两种范式提高研究效度。量化研究对学生体质与健康调研数据和监测数据进行方差分析、多重比较和回归分析,结果表明：（1）每5~10年,男生的握力、体重、身高、BMI、引体向上均值差异显著;（2）年龄、握力、体重、身高、BMI分别显著预测引体向上成绩,体重和握力是影响我国男生引体向上成绩的主要影响因素。质性研究结果表明,引体向上"零"分主要有四个方面的原因：体重增长难挡,力量增长受限,个体认知偏差,社会支持薄弱。结论：我国男生引体向上"零"分的首要原因是体重增长较快,其次,主要肌群绝对力量和耐力增长不足,男生对引体向上的认知有偏差,学校、家长、社会支持较弱;借助政策控制体重、发展肌力、完善测评标准、促进男生积极练习引体向上十分重要。     

Specific tackling situations affect the biomechanical demands experienced by rugby union players

Tackling in Rugby Union is an open skill which can involve high-speed collisions and is the match event associated with the greatest proportion of injuries. This study aimed to analyse the biomechanics of rugby tackling under three conditions: from a stationary position, with dominant and non-dominant shoulder, and moving forward, with dominant shoulder. A specially devised contact simulator, a 50-kg punch bag instrumented with pressure sensors, was translated towards the tackler (n = 15) to evaluate the effect of laterality and tackling approach on the external loads absorbed by the tackler, on head and trunk motion, and on trunk muscle activities. Peak impact force was substantially higher in the stationary dominant (2.84 ± 0.74 kN) than in the stationary non-dominant condition (2.44 ± 0.64 kN), but lower than in the moving condition (3.40 ± 0.86 kN). Muscle activation started on average 300 ms before impact, with higher activation for impact-side trapezius and non-impact-side erector spinae and gluteus maximus muscles. Players’ technique for non-dominant-side tackles was less compliant with current coaching recommendations in terms of cervical motion (more neck flexion and lateral bending in the stationary non-dominant condition) and players could benefit from specific coaching focus on non-dominant-side tackles.     

Tribute to Dr Jacques Rogge: muscle activity and fatigue during hiking in Olympic dinghy sailing

‘A tribute to Dr J. Rogge’ aims to systematically review muscle activity and muscle fatigue during sustained submaximal quasi-isometric knee extension exercise (hiking) related to Olympic dinghy sailing as a tribute to Dr Rogge’s merits in the world of sports. Dr Jacques Rogge is not only the former President of the International Olympic Committee, he was also an orthopaedic surgeon and a keen sailor, competing at three Olympic Games. In 1972, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Sports Medicine, he was the first who studied a sailors’ muscle activity by means of invasive needle electromyography (EMG) during a specific sailing technique (hiking) on a self-constructed sailing ergometer. Hiking is a bilateral and multi-joint submaximal quasi-isometric movement which dinghy sailors use to optimize boat speed and to prevent the boat from capsizing. Large stresses are generated in the anterior muscles that cross the knee and hip joint, mainly employing the quadriceps at an intensity of 30–40% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), sometimes exceeding 100% MVC. Better sailing level is partially determined by a lower rate of neuromuscular fatigue during hiking and for ≈60% predicted by a higher maximal isometric quadriceps strength. Although useful in exercise testing, prediction of hiking endurance capacity based on the changes in surface EMG in thigh and trunk muscles during a hiking maintenance task is not reliable. This could probably be explained by the varying exercise intensity and joint angles, and the great number of muscles and joints involved in hiking.

Highlights

• Dr Jacques Rogge, former president of the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Finn sailor, was the first to study muscle activity during sailing using invasive needle EMG to obtain his Master degree in Sports Medicine at the Ghent University.

• Hiking is a critical bilateral and multi-joint movement during dinghy racing, accounting for >60% of the total upwind leg time. Hiking generates large stresses in the anterior muscles that cross the knee and hip joint.

• Hiking is considered as a quasi-isometric bilateral knee extension exercise. Muscle activity measurements during sailing, recorded by means of EMG, show a mean contraction intensity of 30-40% maximal voluntary contraction with peaks exceeding 100%.

• Hiking performance is strongly related to the development of neuromuscular fatigue in the quadriceps muscle. Since maximal strength is an important determinant of neuromuscular fatigue during hiking, combined strength and endurance training should be incorporated in the training program of dinghy sailors.

     

The dynamic control ratio at the equilibrium point (DCRe): introducing relative and absolute reliability scores

Analytical methods to assess thigh muscle balance need to provide reliable data to allow meaningful interpretation. However, reproducibility of the dynamic control ratio at the equilibrium point has not been evaluated yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare relative and absolute reliability indices of its angle and moment values with conventional and functional hamstring–quadriceps ratios. Furthermore, effects of familiarisation and angular velocity on reproducibility were analysed. A number of 33 male volunteers participated in 3 identical test sessions. Peak moments (PMs) were determined unilaterally during maximum concentric and eccentric knee flexion (prone) and extension (supine position) at 0.53, 1.57 and 2.62 rad · s^–1. A repeated measure, ANOVA, confirmed systematic bias. Intra-class correlation coefficients and standard errors of measurement indicated relative and absolute reliability. Correlation coefficients were averaged over respective factors and tested for significant differences. All balance scores showed comparable low-to-moderate relative (<0.8–0.9) and good absolute reliability (<10%). Relative reproducibility of dynamic control equilibrium parameters augmented with increasing angular velocity, but not with familiarisation. At 2.62 rad · s^–1, high (moment: 0.906) to moderate (angle: 0.833) relative reliability scores with accordingly high absolute indices (4.9% and 6.4%) became apparent. Thus, the dynamic control equilibrium is an equivalent method for the reliable assessment of thigh muscle balance.     

Effects of different warm-up modalities on power output during the high pull

This study compared the effects of six warm-up modalities on peak power output (PPO) during the high-pull exercise. Nine resistance-trained males completed six trials using different warm-ups: high-pull specific (HPS), cycle, whole body vibration (WBV), cycle+HPS, WBV+HPS and a control. Intramuscular temperature (T_m) was increased by 2°C using WBV or cycling. PPO, T_m and electromyography (EMG) were recorded during each trial. Two high-pulls were performed prior to and 3 min after participants completed the warm-up. The greatest increase in PPO occurred with HPS (232.8 ± 89.7 W, P < 0.001); however, this was not different to combined warm-ups (cycle+HPS 158.6 ± 121.1 W; WBV+HPS 177.3 ± 93.3 W, P = 1.00). These modalities increased PPO to a greater extent than those that did not involve HPS (all P < 0.05). HPS took the shortest time to complete, compared to the other conditions (P < 0.05). EMG did not differ from pre to post warm-up or between modalities in any of the muscles investigated. No change in T_m occurred in warm-ups that did not include cycling or WBV. These results suggest that a movement-specific warm-up improves performance more than temperature-related warm-ups. Therefore, mechanisms other than increased muscle temperature and activation may be important for improving short-term PPO.     

大剂量补充亮氨酸对抗阻运动所致骨骼肌损伤的影响

摘要：目的：探讨补充亮氨酸对无训练史被试进行抗阻运动所致骨骼肌损伤的影响。方法：16名青年男性大学生据体重随机分为补充亮氨酸组与安慰剂对照组,亮氨酸和安慰剂组被试从测试日深蹲抗阻运动前3周直至运动后4 d分别以每千克体重150 mg剂量摄入150 mL亮氨酸或糊精溶液。测试日各组被试以50% 1RM负荷完成5组深蹲运动,每组20次,组间间歇2 min。深蹲运动前于肘正中静脉采集血样,测量大腿围、纵跳高度、膝关节活动幅度与肌肉酸痛程度,并于运动后即刻、24 h、48 h、72 h和96 h重复测试。ELISA法检测血清CK-MM、Mb与血浆IL-6,胶乳增强免疫比浊法检测血清CRP。结果：与安慰剂组被试相比,补充亮氨酸显著降低了亮氨酸组被试运动后延迟性肌肉酸痛水平、大腿中段周长及血清CK-MM、Mb、CRP与血浆IL-6含量,而深蹲1-RM值、纵跳高度及膝关节ROM组间差异则并无统计学意义。结论：1）每千克体重150 mg剂量亮氨酸能够削弱抗阻运动所导致的骨骼肌损伤与疼痛,该效应可能与对炎症反应的抑制有关,且推测亮氨酸对骨骼肌蛋白质代谢平衡的调节作用在其中亦有贡献;2）该剂量亮氨酸不能明显促进工作肌机能恢复。     

Nrf2在有氧运动训练中对小鼠骨骼肌抗氧化能力的作用

摘要：目的：Nrf2是机体氧化还原平衡的主要调节因子,本研究试图探讨Nrf2在有氧运动训练中对小鼠骨骼肌抗氧化能力的作用。方法：8周龄野生C57BL/6J小鼠和Nrf2敲除小鼠40只,雌雄各半。进一步各为安静组和运动组,每组10只,共4组：分别为野生安静组（WC）,野生运动组（WE）,敲除安静组（KC）和敲除运动组（KE）。运动组进行4周运动强度为70%VO2max跑速的跑台运动,每周运动6 d,每天运动1 h。运动组最后一次运动后休息48 h脱颈处死,取小鼠后腿骨骼肌。RT-PCR测量Nrf2及Nrf2介导的抗氧化基因mRNA表达量;Western blot法测定骨骼肌Nrf2及抗氧化蛋白含量; GSH试剂盒测量GSH/GSSG比值。结果：1）在安静情况下,KC组和WC组相比,骨骼肌中GSR、NQO1、GCLc、GPX、HO-1和SOD2这6个抗氧化蛋白表达以及GSH/GSSG值没有显著性改变。 2）4周有氧运动训练之后,Nrf2敲除运动组的大部分抗氧化蛋白（CAT, NQO1-1, GCLc, HO-1 and SOD2）和GSH/GSSG值都要显著低于野生运动组。结论：4周70%VO2max强度的有氧运动训练,增加了成年Nrf2敲除和野生鼠骨骼肌抗氧化蛋白表达量和GSH/GSSG比值的差异,而在无训练安静情况下在两种鼠中这些指标的差异不大。说明Nrf2对有氧运动训练中骨骼肌的抗氧化反应起着非常重要的作用。     

等动测力系统对膝关节肌研究的进展

运用文献资料法与数理统计法，对涉及膝关节肌等速测试研究的百余篇论文，从不同收缩状态和不同人群两方面分别进行了综述。研究结果表明：对膝关节特征的研究，多以患者为研究对象，对于正常人群和运动员的研究较少；对同一项目不同技术类型的运动员肌肉性能的比较研究还未见报道，有待研究。