Ankle dorsiflexion asymmetry and the relationship with walking performance in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease characterized by demyelination disrupting the central nervous system. Persons with MS may exhibit symptomatic strength asymmetry (SA) that impacts motor gait and ankle mobility. The purpose of the present study was to investigate ankle dorsiflexion SA in people with MS and its relationship to functional performance.

Circulating microRNA responses to acute whole-body vibration and resistance exercise in postmenopausal women.

Evaluating alterations in circulating microRNA (c-miRNA) expression may provide deeper insight into the role of exercise in the attenuation of the negative effects of aging on musculoskeletal health. Currently, there are sparse data on c-miRNA responses to acute exercise in postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of acute bouts of resistance exercise and whole-body vibration on expression of selected c-miRNAs in postmenopausal women aged 65-76 years (n=10).

Acute and Chronic Bone Marker and Endocrine Responses to Resistance Exercise With and Without Blood Flow Restriction in Young Men.

In this study, we compared acute and chronic bone marker and hormone responses to 6 weeks of low intensity (20% 1RM) blood flow restriction (BFR20) resistance training to high intensity (70% 1RM) traditional resistance training (TR70) and moderate intensity (45% 1RM) traditional resistance training (TR45) in young men (18-35 years). Participants were randomized to one of the training groups or to a control group (CON). The following training programs were performed 3 days per week for 6 weeks for knee extension and knee flexion exercises: BFR20, 20%1RM, 4 sets (30, 15, 15, 15 reps) wearing blood flow restriction cuffs around the proximal thighs; TR70, 70% 1RM 3 sets 10 reps; and TR45, 45% 1RM 3 sets 15 reps.

Associations of serum IL-6 with muscle, bone, and adipose tissue in women.

This cross-sectional study examined the associations between serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and muscle, bone, and fat parameters in recreationally active women. One-hundred forty-five women (48.7 ± 17.

Site-Specific Bone Differences and Energy Status in Male Competitive Runners and Road Cyclists.

The interaction between mechanical loading and energy availability on bone health in male endurance athletes merits further investigation. The purpose of this study was to compare bone status in male competitive runners and road cyclists and to investigate the influence of energy availability (EA) on bone mineral density (BMD). 18 competitive runners and 19 road cyclists (20-50 years) participated in this study.

Sclerostin and Dickkopf-1 Characteristics According to Age and Physical Activity Levels in Premenopausal Women.

We aimed to compare serum concentrations of sclerostin and DKK-1 in young (20-30 yrs, n = 25) and middle-aged (35-45 yrs, n = 25) premenopausal women and based on physical activity (PA) status. PA status was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (low-moderate (≤ 2999 MET-min/week) and high (≥ 3000 MET-min/week). Serum sclerostin and DKK-1 levels were measured in fasting morning blood samples by ELISA.

Sex-Specific Associations Between Bone-Loading Score and Adiposity Markers in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

The authors examined sex-specific relationships between fat mass index (FMI), android/gynoid (A/G) fat ratio, relative skeletal muscle mass index, and Bone-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire derived bone-loading scores (BLSs) in middle-aged and older adults (men, n = 27; women, n = 33; age = 55-75 years). The FMI, A/G fat ratio, and relative skeletal muscle mass index were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The Bone-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess: (a) BLSpast (age 1 until 12 months before the study visit), (b) BLScurrent (last 12 months), and (c) BLStotal (average of [a] and [b]) scores.

Bone, Biomarker, Body Composition, and Performance Responses to 8 Weeks of Reserve Officers' Training Corps Training.

Context: Military personnel engage in vigorous exercise, often resulting in higher bone mineral density; however, leg bone injuries occur frequently in this population. Predictors of change in tibial bone quality and strength need to be characterized in this high-risk population.

Objectives: To examine the effects of an 8-week military training intervention on total body and site-specific bone density and tibial bone quality, serum biomarkers (parathyroid hormone and sclerostin), body composition, and physical performance and to investigate which outcome variables (biomarkers, body composition, and physical performance) predict estimated tibial bone strength in college-aged Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) participants.

Muscle Performance Changes with Age in Active Women.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to examine age-related differences in muscle performance in women divided into young (YW, 20-39 years, = 29) middle-aged (MAW, 40-59 years, = 33), and older (OW, ≥60 years, = 40) age groups.

Methods: Hand grip strength, vertical jump performance, and knee extensor (KE) strength (0 deg/s, 60 deg/s, and 240 deg/s), speed of movement (SoM; at 1 Nm, 20%, 40%, and 60% isometric strength), and endurance (30-repetition test at 60 degs/s and 240 deg/s) were assessed. Computed tomography-acquired muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) was measured and included to determine specific strength (KE strength/mCSA).

Skeletal Muscle Adaptations Following 80 Weeks of Resistance Exercise in Older Adults.

Background And Purpose: We followed and documented skeletal muscle adaptations from 4 resistance exercise (RE) prescriptions in older adults over the course of a 2-year, 80-week training study.

Methods: Forty-three older men and women-65.2 (3.

The perceptual responses of individuals with multiple sclerosis to blood flow restriction versus traditional resistance exercise.

Background: Low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR-RE) has been shown capable of improving neuromuscular parameters in several clinical populations, however, its tolerability and effects on individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unknown.

Objective: To investigate the perceptual responses of individuals with MS to BFR-RE versus traditional high-load resistance exercise (HL-RE).

Methods: Four men and eleven women diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS randomly completed the following experimental trials: 1) BFR-RE four sets of 30-15-15-15 repetitions, at 20% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) of leg-press (LP) and knee-extension (KE), with 50% of BFR, and a 1-min rest interval between sets; 2) HL-RE- four sets of 8-10 repetitions, at 70% 1-RM of LP and KE, with the same rest intervals.

The influence of sex, training intensity, and frequency on muscular adaptations to 40 weeks of resistance exercise in older adults.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this investigation was to identify the influence that sex, training intensity, and frequency have on long-term resistance exercise (RE) outcomes in older adults.

Methods: One-hundred eleven older adults (men: 41, women: 70) completed either: high-intensity RE 2d/week (HI-2D; n = 29), low-intensity RE 2d/week (LI-2D; n = 32), high-intensity RE 3d/week (HI-3D, n = 20), or low-intensity RE 3d/week (LI-3D, n = 30). HI protocols completed 3 sets of 8 repetitions with 80% one-repetition maximum (1-RM) while LI completed 3 sets of 16 repetitions with 40% 1-RM.

Effects of Collagen Peptides on Recovery Following Eccentric Exercise in Resistance-Trained Males-A Pilot Study.

The authors sought to determine whether consuming collagen peptides (CP) enhances musculoskeletal recovery of connective tissues following a damaging exercise bout. Resistance-trained males consumed 15 g/day of CP (n = 7) or placebo (n = 8), and after 7 days, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), countermovement jump height, soreness, and collagen turnover were examined. Five sets of 20 drop jumps were performed and outcome measures were collected 24, 48, and 120 hr postexercise.

The Acute Physiological Responses to Traditional vs. Practical Blood Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise in Untrained Men and Women.

This study compared the acute physiological responses of traditional and practical blood flow restriction resistance exercise (tBFR and pBFR, respectively) and high- and low-load resistance exercise without BFR (HL and LL, respectively), as well as the potential sex differences within the aforementioned exercise methods. Fourteen men and fifteen women randomly completed the following experimental conditions: (1) tBFR, consisting of four sets of 30-15-15-15 repetitions of the bilateral horizontal leg press and knee extension exercises, at 30% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM), with a 13.5 cm wide pneumatic cuff placed at the most proximal portion of each thigh and inflated to a pressure equivalent to 50% of the participant's total occlusion pressure; (2) pBFR, which was the same as the tBFR condition, except that an elastic band wrapped around the proximal portion of each thigh at a tightness of 7 on a 0 to 10 perceived pressure scale was used to reduce blood flow; (3) LL, same as the tBFR and pBFR protocols, except that no BFR was applied; and (4) HL, consisting of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of 1-RM, with the same 1-min rest interval between sets and a 3-min rest period between exercises.

Perceptual responses: Clinical versus practical blood flow restriction resistance exercise.

The purpose of the current investigation was to compare the acute perceptual responses during low-load resistance exercise (RE) with clinical blood flow restriction (cBFR-RE) and practical blood flow restriction (pBFR-RE), and during conventional low- (LL-RE) and high-load resistance exercise (HL-RE), to determine if these responses differed between young males and females. Twenty-nine participants (14 males: 23.6±2.

Menstrual Cycle Effects on Exercise-Induced Fatigability.

Estrogen and progesterone have distinct concentrations across the menstrual cycle, each one promoting several physiological alterations other than preparing the uterus for pregnancy. Whether these physiological alterations can influence motor output during a fatiguing contraction is the goal of this review, with an emphasis on the obtained effect sizes. Studies on this topic frequently attempt to report if there is a statistically significant difference in fatigability between the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

Muscle-Bone Interactions in Chinese Men and Women Aged 18-35 Years.

To characterize bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength, muscle and fat mass, and muscle strength and power in Chinese women ( = 25) and men ( = 28) classified as in the bone accrual phase (18-25 years) or in the peak bone mass phase (26-35 years). Calcium intakes, physical activity levels, and serum vitamin D were measured. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) assessed body composition, lumbar spine, and hip areal BMD (aBMD) variables and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) assessed cortical and trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD) and bone strength.

Skeletal Health and Associated Injury Risk in Collegiate Female Rowers.

Baker, BS, Buchanan, SR, and Bemben, DA. Skeletal health and associated injury risk in collegiate female rowers. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 1125-1133, 2022-Rowing has been associated with low bone mass and stress fractures.

Sex differences in bone density, geometry, and bone strength of competitive soccer players.

Objectives: To examine sex differences in bone characteristics in competitive soccer players.

Methods: 43 soccer players (male, n=23; female, n=20), and 43 matched controls (males, n=23; females, n=20), completed the study. Areal BMD (aBMD) of the total body, lumbar spine, and dual femur and tibiae volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone geometry, and bone strength variables (pQCT) were measured.

Evaluation of Power Production Asymmetry during Cycling in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis.

Lower limb asymmetries have been observed in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), and have been associated with mobility impairment. An incremental cycling test was performed on a cycle ergometer to determine peak power output (PPO) and peak oxygen consumption (VOpeak). Then, participants cycled at 50%, 60%, and 70% of their PPO to assess the contribution of each lower limb to power production.

Can Blood Flow Restricted Exercise Improve Ham:Quad Ratios Better Than Traditional Training?

Muscular deficiencies between the quadriceps and hamstrings are prevalent among women and often lead to knee injury and ACL tears. The purpose of this study was to examine whether short term resistance training with or without blood flow restriction (BFR) could improve hamstring:quadricep ratios (H:Q) and reduce the chance for injury. Women ( = 14; 18-25 yrs) were randomly assigned to either a traditional resistance training (RT: = 8) or BFR resistance training in combination with traditional RT (RT+BFR: = 6) group.

Differential MicroRNA expression following head-down tilt bed rest: implications for cardiovascular responses to microgravity.

Head-down tilt bedrest (HDBR), an analog of spaceflight, elicits changes in cardiovascular function that adversely affect astronaut performance. It is therefore fundamental to elucidate the molecular regulators of these changes. Study aim was to determine if cardiovascular-related circulating microRNA (miRNA) are altered following HDBR and if they relate to changes in cardiac function and peak aerobic capacity.

Association of Vitamin D Status with Chronic Disease Risk Factors and Cognitive Dysfunction in 50⁻70 Year Old Adults.

Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency has been primarily associated with skeletal disorders, however, since vitamin D receptors are found on multiple types of cells, there is also a link to increased chronic disease risk and all-cause mortality. The aim of this study was to examine whether deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels are associated with risk factors of chronic diseases and cognitive dysfunction in 50 to 70 year old adults. Participants completed the health status, three-day dietary record and vitamin D food frequency, sun exposure, and international physical activity questionnaires.

Acute and Chronic Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Balance, Postural Stability, and Mobility in Women With Multiple Sclerosis.

The acute and chronic effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on balance, postural stability, and mobility were evaluated in 21 women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) randomly assigned to control (n = 9) or experimental (n = 12) groups. To assess acute responses, outcome variables were assessed before and immediately after a session of WBV (five 30-second bouts of vibration; frequency 30 Hz; amplitude 3 mm; 1-minute rest intervals) during their first visit (week 1) using field (Timed-Up and Go; 500-m walk; Berg Balance Scale) and laboratory tests (NeuroCom Balance Master and EquiTest System-Sensory Organization Test, Adaptation Test, Limits of Stability, Modified Clinical Test for Sensory Integration of Balance, Unilateral Stance, Tandem Walk, Step/Quick Turn). Acute responses were also measured after their fifth visit for only the Adaptation and Sensory Organization tests.