Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription

Recent advances in different modal imaging-guided photothermal therapy.

Objectives To quantify age, sex, sport and training type-specific effects of resistance training on physical performance, and to characterise dose–response relationships of resistance training parameters that could maximise gains in physical performance in youth athletes. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. Data sources Studies were identified by systematic literature search in the databases PubMed and Web of Science (1985–2015). Weighted mean standardised mean differences (SMD wm ) were calculated using random-effects models. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Only studies with an active control group were included if these investigated the effects of resistance training in youth athletes (6–18 years) and tested at least one physical performance measure. Results 43 studies met the inclusion criteria. Our analyses revealed moderate effects of resistance training on muscle strength and vertical jump performance (SMD wm 0.8–1.09), and small effects on linear sprint, agility and sport-specific performance (SMD wm 0.58–0.75). Effects were moderated by sex and resistance training type. Independently computed dose–response relationships for resistance training parameters revealed that a training period of >23 weeks, 5 sets/exercise, 6–8 repetitions/set, a training intensity of 80–89% of 1 repetition maximum (RM), and 3–4 min rest between sets were most effective to improve muscle strength (SMD wm 2.09–3.40). Summary/conclusions Resistance training is an effective method to enhance muscle strength and jump performance in youth athletes, moderated by sex and resistance training type. Dose–response relationships for key training parameters indicate that youth coaches should primarily implement resistance training programmes with fewer repetitions and higher intensities to improve physical performance measures of youth athletes.

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/50/13/781.full.pdf

Effects and dose–response relationships of resistance training on physical performance in youth athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three hydrotherapy interventions on the physiological and functional symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). A total of 38 strength trained males completed two experimental trials separated by eight months in a randomised crossover design; one trial involved passive recovery (PAS, control), the other a specific hydrotherapy protocol. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups differing only in recovery intervention: 1) cold water immersion (CWI, 15◦C), 2) hot water immersion (HWI, 38◦C) or 3) contrast water therapy (CWT, 15◦C/38◦C). For each trial subjects performed a DOMS-inducing leg press protocol consisting of 5x10 eccentric contractions at 120% one repetition max (1RM), followed by 2x10 eccentric contractions at 1RM, with three minutes rest between sets. Weighted squat jump, isometric squat, perceived pain, thigh girths and blood variables were measured prior to, immediately after, then 24, 48 and 72 hours post-exercise. Following testing on each day subjects completed one of the recovery interventions (CWI, HWI, CWT or PAS) for 14 minutes. Recovery of squat jump performance was significantly enhanced (P<0.05) at 24, 48 and 72 hours post exercise following CWT (mean difference from baseline expressed as a percentage; -6.2, -3.1, 0.3%) when compared to PAS (-14.5, -12.3, -7.5%) and at 48 and 72 hours post-exercise following CWI (-5.8, -1.9%) when compared to PAS (-15.9, -7.3%). Additionally, recovery of isometric force was significantly greater at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise following CWT (-10.3, -7.4, -2.8%) and HWI (-12.8, -10.1, -3.2%) and also significantly improved at 48 and 72 hours post-exercise following CWI (-7.3, -4.3) compared to PAS. Significant decreases in mid thigh girth were observed at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise following both CWI (0.7, 0.4, 0.3%) and CWT (0.5, 0.2, 0.1%) compared to girth measurements following PAS (≈ 0.81.5%) and HWI (≈ 0.5-1.3%). Perceived pain was only improved (P<0.01) following CWT at 24, 48 and 72 hours post-exercise. The only significant reduction (P<0.05) in any of the blood markers monitored was observed in Creatine Kinase concentration at 24 and 72 hours post-exercise following CWI. Both CWT and CWI were associated with a smaller reduction and faster restoration of isometric force and squat jump performance. While HWI improved isometric force production, no beneficial effects were observed in squat jump performance over time. Compared to PAS and HWI, CWT and CWI appeared to reduce localised oedema that has been associated with DOMS. In conclusion, CWT and CWI recovery interventions appear able to reduce, and improve recovery from, the physiological and function symptoms associated with DOMS.

/pdf/effect-of-hydrotherapy-on-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-delayed-5e2yzn3uum.pdf

Effect of hydrotherapy on the signs and symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (vol 103, 2008)

OBJECTIVES
To test the hypothesis that peak power of the ankle flexors is related to physical functioning in older women with functional limitations.


DESIGN
A cross-sectional study.


SETTING
University-based human physiology laboratory.


PARTICIPANTS
Thirty-four older women (75.4 +/- 5.1 years, 67.8 +/- 11.3 kg, body mass index 27.4 +/- 4.5) with self-reported functional limitations.


MEASUREMENTS
Plantarflexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) peak power and isometric strength with physical performance (stair climb time, repeated chair rise time, maximal and habitual gait velocity) were determined. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure isometric strength, isokinetic peak torque and power of PF and DF at five angular velocities (30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, and 180 degrees.sec-1), and isometric strength.


RESULTS
Peak torque for both PF and DF declined with increasing velocity of movement (PF: P <.0001; DF: P <.0001), whereas peak power increased with increasing velocity up to 120 degrees.sec-1. The strongest univariate associations were found between chair rise time and DF peak power (r = 0.50; P <.002), stair climb time and DF peak power (r = 0.49; P <.003), habitual gait velocity and PF isometric strength (r = 0.53; P <.001), and maximal gait and PF isometric strength (r = 0.47; P <.005). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that DF and PF peak power along with the physical functioning and general health scores from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form were independent predictors of chair and stair climb performance.


CONCLUSION
These data suggest that ankle muscle power together with self-reported measures of health and physical functioning are essential components of functional mobility in older women with functional limitations.

Muscle power of the ankle flexors predicts functional performance in community dwelling older women

Studies suggest that skin temperature behavior varies according to the type of exercise, intensity, duration, muscle mass and subcutaneous fat layer. In this sense, the aim of this study was to investigate the skin temperature behavior in the active muscles and other body segments, during and after exercise, according to the type and intensity of the exercise. A systematic literature review was conducted between November 2014 and March 2015 in the Web of Science database, using the terms “thermography” and “exercise” and “muscle” to achieve the objective of this study. During the research were found 55 scientific articles which were subjected to a selection process. Inclusion criteria were: Studies in human beings and original research. The exclusion criterion was the presence of subjects with some kind of disease. The seven papers that make up the present review are dated between 2008 and 2015. From all analyzed studies, it was possible to understand the general behavior of the active muscle skin temperature during the exercise, immediately after and in the 48h after exercise, according to the type and intensity of the exercise performed, which are illustrated in two figures. It can be concluded that the skin temperature over active muscles increases during high intensity anaerobic exercise, decreases slowly after exercise and increases again in the days after the exercise. On the other hand, during low intensity aerobic exercise, skin temperature over active muscles decreases, returning to normal values a few minutes after it and present a small rise in the following days. With regard to the skin temperature over non-active muscles, it can be seen that it decreases during exercise, returning to normal values a few minutes after it and rise similarly to the skin temperature over active muscles in the following days, in all types of exercises studied.

Different responses of the skin temperature to physical exercise: Systematic review

PURPOSE To compare functional fitness (FF) levels among independent-living (IL) and day care (DC) elderly women of different age groups and to analyze changes in FF after 8 months of participation in an exercise program intervention for the IL elderly women. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 674 elderly women were divided into four IL groups with age in the range of 60-64 years (IL60-64, n=149), 65-69 years (IL65-69, n=138), 70-74 years (IL70-74, n=135), and 75-79 years (IL75-79, n=83), and four DC groups with age in the range of 60-64 years (DC60-64, n=35), 65-69 years (DC65-69, n=34), 70-74 years (DC70-74, n=47), and 75-79 years (DC75-79, n=53). The intervention consisted of a multimodal exercise training, 3 days per week for 8 months. Senior Fitness Test battery performances were obtained at baseline and after 8-month intervention. RESULTS Significant differences were identified between all IL groups and DC groups in all FF tests (P<0.001), except between IL70-74 and DC70-74 in the chair sit-and-reach. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) identified significant improvements in all FF tests between pre- and posttests in the IL groups (P<0.001), except in the chair sit-and-reach for the IL70-74. ANCOVA also showed a significant declining performance in all FF tests for DC groups (P<0.001), except in the chair sit-and-reach for the DC70-74 and DC75-79. CONCLUSION IL women are more fit than institutionalized DC elderly women. The multimodal training was effective in improving all FF components related to daily living activities, in all age groups. In contrast, institutionalized elderly showed a clear tendency to worsen their FF over the time.

https://www.dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=24788

Physical exercise and functional fitness in independently living vs institutionalized elderly women: a comparison of 60- to 79-year-old city dwellers

One kind of medical images that has been developed in the last decades is thermal images. These images are assessed by infrared cameras and have shown an exponential development in recent years. In this sense, the aim of this study was to describe possibilities of thermography usage in the neurologic practice. It was performed a systematic review in Web of Knowledge (Thompson Reuters), set in all databases which used two combination of keywords as “topic”: “thermography” and “neurology”; and “thermography” and “neurologic”. The chronological period was defined from 2000 to 2014 (the least 15 years). Among the studies included in this review, only seven were with experimental design. It is few to bring thermography as a daily tool in clinical practice. However, these studies have suggested good results. The studies of review and an analyzed patent showed that the authors consider the thermography as a diagnostic tool and they recommend its usage. It can be concluded that thermography is already used as a diagnostic and monitoring tool of patients with neuropathies, particularly in complex regional pain syndrome, and stroke. And yet, this tool has great potential for future research about its application in diagnosis of other diseases of neurological origin.

/pdf/thermography-in-neurologic-practice-26mnz3r0he.pdf

Thermography in Neurologic Practice

Complex training (CXT) is the result of a combination of strength and plyometric exercises in the same session. This method has recently been used in the preparation of athletes of different sports. The aim of the present study was to observe the acute effects of a CXT program of 6 weeks: i) on agility with the ball, sprinting and the efficiency of crossing and shooting in youth soccer players; ii) and the influence of the number of CXT sessions per week (one vs. two). Sixteen youth male soccer players were randomly divided into three groups: a group that performed one weekly CXT session (GCT1, n = 5, age: 13.80 ± 0.45 years); or a group that performed two weekly CXT sessions (GCT2, n = 5, age: 14.20 ± 0.45 years); or a control group that did not perform the CTX (n = 6, age: 14.20 ± 0.84 years). All groups maintained their regular soccer training sessions. No significant interactions were found between GCT1 and GCT2 in all variables. Significant statistical differences were identified (F = 1139, p = 0.02, μp2 = 0531) in the pre-test versus post-test, for both experimental groups, in shot effectiveness. In conclusion, the CXT program proved to be an effective method in boosting abilities and motor skills associated with soccer among young athletes, particularly in increasing shot effectiveness.

/pdf/short-term-effects-of-complex-training-on-agility-with-the-21sdh8yhx2.pdf

Short-Term Effects of Complex Training on Agility with the Ball, Speed, Efficiency of Crossing and Shooting in Youth Soccer Players

Introduccion:Varios estudios ya relataron la respuesta de muchos biomarcadores despues de entrenamiento de fuerza, pero los estudios que utilizan herramientas de diagnostico por imagen de bajo costo son raros.Objetivo:Evaluar el uso de la temperatura de la piel y del espesor del musculo (EM) para monitorear la respuesta muscular (hasta de 96 horas despues) al entrenamiento de fuerza de alta intensidad.Metodos:Este es un estudio longitudinal de corta duracion con 13 voluntarios entrenados y saludables del sexo masculino. Los voluntarios realizaron cinco conjuntos de ejercicios bi-set para biceps con el brazo dominante, con pesas, con carga de 70% de una repeticion maxima (1RM). Las imagenes de ultrasonido (US) y termicas fueron obtenidas antes e inmediatamente despues de la ultima serie, 24, 48, 72 y 96 horas despues del ejercicio.Resultados:El analisis fue dividido en dos etapas: respuesta muscular aguda (hasta 24 horas despues del entrenamiento) y respuesta muscular tardia (de 24 a 96 horas despues del entrenamiento). El espesor de los flexores del codo mostro el valor de pico inmediatamente despues del ultimo conjunto de entrenamiento. La temperatura de la piel (en los flexores del codo) y el espesor de los flexores del codo aumentaron continuamente de 24 a 96 horas despues del entrenamiento de fuerza. Existe una alta correlacion (r = 0,941, p = 0,017) entre la temperatura de la piel y el espesor del musculo desde el final del ejercicio hasta 96 horas despues del entrenamiento de fuerza.Conclusiones:Las imagenes de US mostraron alta sensibilidad para alteraciones fisiologicas en el musculo en las primeras 24 horas despues del ejercicio. Por otro lado, las imagenes termicas presentaron mayor sensibilidad para alteraciones fisiologicas que las imagenes de US entre 24 y 96 horas despues del entrenamiento.

/pdf/using-skin-temperature-and-muscle-thickness-to-assess-muscle-34wnibasaf.pdf

José Vilaça-Alves

Papers

Different responses of the skin temperature to physical exercise: Systematic review

Physical exercise and functional fitness in independently living vs institutionalized elderly women: a comparison of 60- to 79-year-old city dwellers

Thermography in Neurologic Practice

Short-Term Effects of Complex Training on Agility with the Ball, Speed, Efficiency of Crossing and Shooting in Youth Soccer Players

Using skin temperature and muscle thickness to assess muscle response to strength training