Motoneuron persistent inward current contribution to increased torque responses to wide-pulse high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Purpose: To assess the effect of a remote handgrip contraction during wide-pulse high-frequency (WPHF) neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the magnitude of extra torque, progressive increase in torque during stimulation, and estimates of the persistent inward current (PIC) contribution to motoneuron firing in the plantar flexors.

Methods: Ten participants performed triangular shaped contractions to 20% of maximal plantar flexion torque before and after WPHF NMES with and without a handgrip contraction, and control conditions. Extra torque, the relative difference between the initial and final torque during stimulation, and sustained electromyographic (EMG) activity were assessed.

Effects of stretch-shortening cycle fatigue protocol on lower limb asymmetry and muscle soreness in judo athletes.

This study aimed to analyse unilateral countermovement jumps (CMJ) performance and muscle soreness in lower limbs, as well as to compare lower limb asymmetry over 48h after a stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) fatigue protocol. Fourteen judo athletes performed unilateral CMJ on each leg before, and after the 5 and 10 sets over 24h and 48h of an SSC-fatigue protocol. The SSC protocol reduced CMJ performance after the 5 set and 10 sets, especially in the weaker limb (p < 0.

Effect of push-up variations performed with Swiss ball on muscle electromyographic amplitude in trained men: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To compare the use of three variations of push-ups: traditional (stable surface), performed with hands on the Swiss ball (Swiss ball-hands), and performed with feet on the Swiss ball (Swiss ball-feet) on surface electromyography activity (sEMG) in the agonist and stabilizer muscles.

Methods: Ten trained men (26 ± 5 years, 76.8 ± 8.

Effects of resistance training concentric velocity on older adults' functional capacity: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Reduced levels of functional capacity in older adults are related to lower quality of life, frailty, and sarcopenia, and can increase risk of falling, fractures and hospitalisation. Resistance training is an effective method to attenuate age-related functional declines. Based on the findings that muscle power and explosive strength are strongly associated with functional performance in older adults, it has been suggested that fast-intended-velocity resistance training may elicit greater improvements in functional capacity when compared to moderate-velocity resistance training.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Does Not Attenuate Fatigue and Muscle Damage in Judo Athletes: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Fatigue and muscle damage negatively affect performance in lower limb exercises involving the stretch-shortening cycle in judo athletes during competition and training sessions. Photobiomodulation therapy has emerged as an effective non-invasive strategy to attenuate fatigue and muscle damage when applied before different types of exercises. Our objective was to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation therapy on fatigue and muscle damage in judo athletes.

Functional resistance training can increase strength, knee torque ratio, and functional performance in elderly women.

Functional resistance training can increase strength, knee torque ratio, and functional performance in elderly women. The aim of the present study was to understand the effects of closed kinetic chain exercises with constant load on muscular strength, the knee torque conventional ratio (hamstring:quadriceps - H:Q), and functional capacity in the elderly. Nine untrained healthy elderly women participated in experimental resistance training.

Leg press exercise can reduce functional hamstring:quadriceps ratio in the elderly.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether 12 weeks of leg press strength training exercise could affect the conventional and functional hamstring:quadriceps ratios in the elderly. Twelve elderly participants were submitted to a 12 week progressive training protocol (two sessions/week) using a 45° leg press exercise. A significant increase in the one repetition maximum was observed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks (p = 0.

Estimating bone mineral content based on different types of muscle strength tests.

The aims of this pilot study were to verify which muscle strength tests better explain bone mineral content (BMC) of the femoral neck and lumbar spine and to develop predictive equations to estimate femoral neck and lumbar spine BMC. Twenty-nine subjects aged 56-76 years old (12 women and 17 men) participated in the study. Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMC was evaluated by Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Mixed Session Periodization as a New Approach for Strength, Power, Functional Performance, and Body Composition Enhancement in Aging Adults.

Berzerra, ES, Orssatto, LBR, Moura, BM, Willardson, JM, Simão, R, and Moro, ARP. Mixed session periodization as a new approach for strength, power, functional performance, and body composition enhancement in aging adults. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2795-2806, 2018-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mixed session periodization (MSP) vs.

Neural and musculotendinous mechanisms underpinning age-related force reductions.

Ageing leads to substantial force production capacity reductions, which is an indicator of frailty and disability, and a mortality predictor in elders. Understanding the age-dependent neuromuscular mechanisms underlying force reductions can optimize healthcare professionals' exercise protocol choices for patients and allows researchers to investigate new interventions to mitigate these reductions. Our primary goal was to provide an updated review about the main neural and musculotendinous mechanisms underpinning age-related reductions in force capacity.

Effects of resistance training, detraining, and retraining on strength and functional capacity in elderly.

Background: The interruption of training (detraining) results in loss of the gains acquired. Partial retention could occur after detraining, and variation in training stimuli may optimize retraining adaptations.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of a resistance-retraining program on strength and functional capacity performance after a detraining period.

Muscular performance and body composition changes following multi-joint versus combined multi- and single-joint exercises in aging adults.

The aim of the present study was to compare muscular performance and body composition changes following low-volume resistance-training programs consisting of multi-joint (MJ) exercises (cable chest press and seated row) versus a combination of multi- and single-joint (MJ+SJ) exercises (cable chest press, seated row, biceps curl, and triceps extension). Thirty untrained healthy aging adults were randomly assigned to 3 groups: MJ (n = 11), MJ+SJ (n = 11), and control (n = 8). Twelve-repetition maximums (12-RMs) for the cable chest press and seated row, localized muscular endurance for the elbow flexors handgrip strength, and body composition were assessed before and after the 8-week training program.

Functional capacity improves in-line with neuromuscular performance after 12 weeks of non-linear periodization strength training in the elderly.

Background: While it is accepted that resistance training can improve functional capacity in older individuals, the neuromuscular source of this improvement has yet to be identified.

Aim: This study investigated the link between improved neuromuscular performance and functional capacity after a 12-week resistance training period in untrained healthy older individuals.

Methods: Fifteen older men and women (60-71 years) adhered to a 4-week control period, followed by 12 weeks of non-linear resistance training for the lower limbs.

Reducing measurement errors during functional capacity tests in elders.

Background: Accuracy is essential to the validity of functional capacity measurements.

Aim: To evaluate the error of measurement of functional capacity tests for elders and suggest the use of the technical error of measurement and credibility coefficient.

Methods: Twenty elders (65.