Journal of strength and conditioning research
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J Strength Cond Res · Apr 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialResponse time to stimuli in division I soccer players.
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of auditory stimuli (AS) and visual stimuli (VS) on sprint time, sprint speed, and reaction time in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I male soccer players. Fifteen healthy subjects (mean age 22.1 ± 1.6 years) volunteered for the study. This experiment was conducted on a regulation soccer field, using a wireless timing system. ⋯ Sprint speed (distance covered) was greater in VS compared to AS (5.3 ± 0.21 m · s vs. 5.1 ± 0.19 m · s, p < 0.001), and reaction time was reduced in VS compared to AS (0.53 ± 0.048 seconds vs. 0.61 ± 0.044 seconds, p = 0.001). These data show that VS rather than AS improve sprint response times in collegiate male soccer athletes. The data suggest that performance on the field may be improved if coaches and players strategize to integrate visual cues (e.g., gestures and signals) during practices and games.
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J Strength Cond Res · Feb 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyPrehabilitation before total knee arthroplasty increases strength and function in older adults with severe osteoarthritis.
Preparing for the stress of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery by exercise training (prehabilitation) may improve strength and function before surgery and, if effective, has the potential to contribute to postoperative recovery. Subjects with severe osteoarthritis (OA), pain intractable to medicine and scheduled for TKA were randomized into a usual care (UC) group (n = 36) or usual care and exercise (UC + EX) group (n = 35). The UC group maintained normal daily activities before their TKA. ⋯ Prehabilitation increased leg strength and the ability to perform functional tasks for UC + EX when compared to UC before TKA. Short term (4-8 weeks) of prehabilitation was effective for increasing strength and function for individuals with severe OA. The program studied is easily transferred to a home environment, and clinicians working with this population should consider prehabilitation before TKA.
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J Strength Cond Res · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialThe influence of periodized resistance training on recreationally active males with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
The most common musculoskeletal health issue is chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP). CLBP increases pain and disability, which reduces quality of life (QoL). Generally, pain, disability, and QoL are improved with a moderate volume and intensity of physical activity. ⋯ The results indicate that middle- and old-age recreationally active males with CLBP respond similarly in magnitude to PRT, with improvements in all outcome measures (strength, pain, disability, QoL) across all time points of the study. Clinical significance (≥ 25%) in outcome measures was reached on most variables for the ME and OE groups. The results suggest that PRT may be effectively applied as rehabilitation for moderately trained recreational athletes with CLBP.
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J Strength Cond Res · Jan 2011
Relationships between competitive wrestling success and neuroendocrine responses.
Previous research on wrestling suggests winning wrestlers will have a greater increase in testosterone (Tes) than losing wrestlers, although the physiological mechanism is unknown. To determine the role of the sympathetic nervous system in this phenomenon, 12 male wrestlers from an National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I program wrestled 5 matches over a 2-day period. Serum samples were collected pre (Pre) and immediately postmatch (Post) for the determination of Tes, cortisol (Cort), Tes/Cort, and epinephrine (Epi). ⋯ Relative changes in the Epi response (%Δ) for losers were correlated to %ΔTes (r = 0.91), whereas winners did not exhibit similar relationships (r = 0.09). These data suggest that winning wrestlers may use a different regulatory mechanism for their acute Tes responses than losers who appear to depend on sympathetic regulation. Additionally, these data from humans support the biosocial theory of status and the challenge hypothesis developed for competing males in other species.
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J Strength Cond Res · Jan 2011
Correlation between rating of perceived exertion and physiological variables during the execution of stationary running in water at different cadences.
The purpose of the present study was to correlate the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) with cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular variables during the execution of stationary running in water at different cadences. The sample consisted of 12 apparently healthy women (age: 22.33 ± 0.57 years). During the assessment session, the subjects performed the stationary running exercise in water at 3 different cadences: 60, 80, and 100 bpm. ⋯ With regard to the regression, the model was significant (p < 0.001) with an r2 = 0.79, whereas the variables that explained better the RPE were %V(O2) maximal and Ve. Hence, these results suggest an association between the perception of exertion and cardiorespiratory variables, which was not the case with the neuromuscular variables evaluated in this study. Therefore, the Borg scale of RPE can be used when prescribing stationary running exercise in water for young women.