Publications by authors named "Neil A Schwarz"

Background: Rhodiola rosea extract is purported to improve physical performance and support resilience to stress. Salidroside is considered to be one of the main constituents responsible for the ergogenic actions of R. rosea.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Women exhibit an attenuated exercise pressor reflex (EPR) when compared to men. The influence of sex-specific mechanisms related to the EPR and performance fatigability remain to be fully elucidated. The purpose was to determine the impact of oxygenation and metabolic efficiency on sex-specific performance fatigability and increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) resulting from a fatiguing isometric handgrip (IHG).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

(-)-Epicatechin is a polyphenol previously shown to enhance vascular health. The purposes of the current studies were to determine the effect of acute (-)-epicatechin supplementation on local vasodilation in conjunction with resistance exercise (study 1) and on high-intensity exercise performance (study 2). For study 1, 11 men participated in two resistance exercise sessions, where they performed three sets of barbell curls while consuming 200 mg of 98% pure (-)-epicatechin or placebo.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The aim of the current study was to determine if 4 weeks of consumption of Bang® Pre-Workout Master Blaster® (BMB; Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc., Weston, FL) combined with resistance training resulted in greater increases in muscle mass and maximal strength compared with resistance training combined with placebo (PLA). Additionally, we aimed to determine if BMB ingestion combined with resistance training preferentially altered resting skeletal muscle expression of microRNAs (miRs) or resting serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The purpose of this study was to examine differences between a free-weight squat (FWS) and machine squat (MS) during an initial resistance training phase for augmentation of performance tests in recreationally active women. Twenty-seven women (22.7 ± 3.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ankle sprain is the most commonly diagnosed injury experienced by ballet dancers with few studies investigating preventive support measures such as Kinesio taping. The need exists to examine the mechanical support characteristics of Kinesio taping and effect of application on ankle motion and performance. This may be important to understanding the mechanical mechanisms attributed to Kinesio ankle taping and justify its use in the prevention and treatment of jump landing injuries in ballet dancers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The purpose of the study was to determine if cycling exercise combined with (-)-epicatechin supplementation was more effective at increasing training adaptations than cycling combined with a placebo. Blood and muscle samples were obtained at rest before and after training to determine the effects of (-)-epicatechin supplementation on total serum antioxidant capacity, skeletal muscle mitochondrial protein content, and skeletal muscle myostatin gene expression. Participants ( = 20) completed two testing sessions separated by 4 weeks of cycle training, with supplementation of 100 mg (200 mg total daily) of (-)-epicatechin or a placebo, twice daily.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Multi-ingredient preworkout supplements (MIPS) are marketed as a means to increase exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a single serving of Bang Pre-Workout Master Blaster (BMB) on upper- and lower-body power output and local muscular endurance. Ten resistance-trained males participated in two exercise testing sessions consisting of the vertical jump (VJ), seated medicine ball throw (SMBT), and local muscular endurance tests for the bench press (BP) and leg extension (LE) exercises at 70% of one-repetition maximum.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Ursolic acid administration following resistance exercise increases mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity and skeletal muscle IGF-1 concentration in murines in a manner similar to l-leucine yet remains unexamined in humans. This study examined serum and skeletal muscle insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Akt/mTORC1 signaling activity following ingestion of either ursolic acid or l-leucine immediately after resistance exercise.

Methods: Nine resistance-trained men performed 3 lower-body resistance exercise sessions involving 4 sets of 8-10 repetitions at 75%-80% one repetition maximum (1-RM) on the angled leg press and knee extension exercises.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute messenger (mRNA) expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) isoforms, insulin-like growth factor-1Ea (IGF-1Ea), and myostatin in response to 2 resistance exercise intensities. In a uniform-balanced, crossover design, 10 participants performed 2 separate testing sessions involving a lower body resistance exercise component consisting of a lower intensity (50% of 1-repetition maximum; 1RM) protocol and a higher intensity (80% of 1RM) protocol of equal volumes. Muscle samples were obtained at before exercise, 45 min, 3 h, 24 h, and 48 h postexercise.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The purpose of this study was to determine if resistance exercise intensity, in the context of equal volume load, differentially affected myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in resistance-trained men. In a crossover, uniform-balanced design, 10 male participants (23.7 ± 2.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Capsaicin and evodiamine are 2 thermogenic agents recognized for their ability to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. We hypothesized that both capsaicin and evodiamine would be effective at increasing thermogenesis and lipid oxidation during rest and exercise. In a randomized, cross-over design, 11 men ingested 500 mg of cayenne pepper (1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The estimated prevalence of obesity in the USA is 72.5 million adults with costs attributed to obesity more than 147 billion dollars per year. Though caloric restriction has been used extensively in weight control studies, short-term success has been difficult to achieve, with long-term success of weight control being even more elusive.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Context: Valid and reliable measurements of ankle-complex motion have been reported using the Hollis Ankle Arthrometer. No published normative data of ankle-complex motion obtained from ankle arthrometry are available for use as a reference for clinical decision making.

Objective: To describe the distribution variables of ankle-complex motion in uninjured ankles and to establish normative reference values for use in research and to assist in clinical decision making.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF