Effects of drop sets with resistance training on increases in muscle CSA,strength, and endurance: a pilot study

To investigate the effects of a single high-load (80% of one repetition maximum [1RM]) set with additional drop sets descending to a low-load (30% 1RM) without recovery intervals on muscle strength, endurance, and size in untrained young men. Nine untrained young men performed dumbbell curls to concentric failure 2–3 days per week for 8 weeks. Each arm was randomly assigned to one of the following three conditions: 3 sets of high-load (HL, 80% 1RM) resistance exercise, 3 sets of low-load [LL, 30% 1RM] resistance exercise, and a single high-load (SDS) set with additional drop sets descending to a low-load. The mean training time per session, including recovery intervals, was lowest in the SDS condition. Elbow flexor muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) increased similarly in all three conditions. Maximum isometric and 1RM strength of the elbow flexors increased from pre to post only in the HL and SDS conditions. Muscular endurance measured by maximum repetitions at 30% 1RM increased only in the LL and SDS conditions. A SDS resistance training program can simultaneously increase muscle CSA, strength, and endurance in untrained young men, even with lower training time compared to typical resistance exercise protocols using only high- or low-loads.     

Relationships between clubshaft motions and clubface orientation during the golf swing

Since clubface orientation at impact affects ball direction and ball spin, the ability to control clubface orientation is one of the most important skills for golfers. This study presents a new method to describe clubface orientation as a function of the clubshaft motions (i.e., swing plane orientation, clubshaft angle in the swing plane, and clubshaft rolling angle) during a golf swing and investigates the relationships between the clubshaft motions and clubface orientation at impact. The club motion data of driver shots were collected from eight skilled golfers using a three-dimensional motion capture system. The degrees of influence of the clubshaft motions on the clubface orientation were investigated using sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the swing plane horizontal angle affected the clubface horizontal angle to an extent of 100%, that the clubshaft angle in the swing plane affected both the clubface vertical and horizontal angles to extents of 74 and 68%, respectively, and that the clubshaft rolling angle affected both the clubface vertical and horizontal angles to extents of -67 and 75%, respectively. Since the method presented here relates clubface orientation to clubshaft motions, it is useful for understanding the clubface control of a golfer.     

Mechanical properties of the take-off leg as a support mechanism in the long jump

The aim of this study was to establish the functions of the support leg in the long jump take-off with a three-element mechanical model spring, damper, and actuator The take-off motions of eleven male long jumpers, with personal bests from 6.45 to 7.99 m, were videotaped at 250 Hz and ground reaction forces were simultaneously recorded at 1 kHz. A two-dimensional 14-segment linked model was used to collect basic kinematic parameters. The spring, damper and actuator forces were determined from the displacement and velocity of the centre of mass and from ground reaction forces. Large spring and damper forces were exerted, and absorbed the impact force immediately after the touch-down. The spring force was also exerted from 25 to 75% of the take-off phase. The actuator force was dominant in the latter two-thirds of the take-off phase. Statistically significant correlations were found between the spring force impulse and the knee flexion during the take-off phase (r = 0.699, p < 0.05), and between the knee flexion and the angular velocity of the thigh at the touch-down (r = 0.726, p < 0.05). These results indicated that the jumper should retain less flexion of the take-off leg knee to increase the spring force, after a fast extension of the hip, and use a more extended knee at the touch-down to prevent excessive knee flexion.     

Joint torque and mechanical energy flow in the support legs of skilled race walkers

This study analyzed the joint torque and the mechanical energy flow in the support legs of skilled male race walkers. Twelve race walkers were videotaped using a high-speed camera at a frame rate of 250 Hz set perpendicular to the sagittal plane of motion; their ground reaction forces were measured with two force platforms. A two-dimensional, 14-segment, linked model was used to calculate the kinetics of the support leg joints. In the initial part of the support phase, the mechanical energy flowed into the thigh and shank by the torque of the large hip extensors and knee flexors. In the middle part, the mechanical energy generated by the torque of the large plantar flexors flowed to the foot and from the foot to the shank by the ankle joint force. The mechanical energy flow by the forward joint force of the support hip was significantly related to the walking speed in the final part of the support phase. Our findings suggest that race walkers in the final part of the support phase should exert the torque of the knee extensors and hip flexors to transfer the mechanical energy more effectively to the support thigh and shank.