Sex Differences in Test-Retest Reliability of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy During Postocclusive Reactive Hyperemia of the Vastus Lateralis.

ABSTRACT: Shoemaker, ME, Smith, CM, Gillen, ZM, and Cramer, JT. Sex differences in test-retest reliability of near-infrared spectroscopy during postocclusive reactive hyperemia of the vastus lateralis. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): e40-e48, 2024-The purpose of this study was to determine test-retest reliability for vascular reactivity measures and ranges for normalization of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) variables from the vastus lateralis using postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) procedure in male subjects, female subjects, and combined. Concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) + myoglobin (Mb) (O 2 Hb) and deoxygenated Hb + Mb (HHb) to derive total Hb + Mb (THb), difference in Hb + Mb signal (Hbdiff), and muscle tissue oxygen saturation (StO 2 ) from the vastus lateralis were measured during the PORH in 12 male subjects (age: 23.17 ± 1.77 years; stature: 180.88 ± 4.59 cm; and mass: 81.47 ± 9.68 kg) and 10 female subjects (age: 23.80 ± 2.07 years; stature: 165.95 ± 4.92 cm; and mass: 70.93 ± 10.55 kg) on 2 separate days. Adipose tissue thickness at the NIRS site was measured with ultrasonography. There were no significant differences between the mean values from visit 1 to visit 2 ( p > 0.076-0.985). In the composite sample, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 0.35 to 0.91 and 4.74 to 39.18%, respectively. In male subjects, ICC and CV values ranged from 0.57 to 0.89 and 2.44 to 28.55%, respectively. In female subjects, ICC and CV values ranged from -0.05 to 0.75 and 7.83 to 61.19%, respectively. Although NIRS variables were overall reliable during PORH, when separated by sex, reliability in male subjects generally increased, whereas female subjects were not reliable, suggesting adipose tissue thickness may be a contributing factor. Understanding sex differences in reliability is important when using this technique for normalization or examining vascular reactivity during athletic performance. With greater utilization of NIRS monitoring in athletes to examine training adaptations, it is important for practitioners to understand the capabilities and potential limitations of the tool.

PEAR1 is a potential regulator of early hematopoiesis of human pluripotent stem cells.

Hemogenic endothelial (HE) cells are specialized endothelial cells to give rise to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells during hematopoietic development. The underlying mechanisms that regulate endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) of human HE cells are not fully understand. Here, we identified platelet endothelial aggregation receptor-1 (PEAR1) as a novel regulator of early hematopoietic development in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). We found that the expression of PEAP1 was elevated during hematopoietic development. A subpopulation of PEAR1+ cells overlapped with CD34+ CD144+ CD184+ CD73- arterial-type HE cells. Transcriptome analysis by RNA sequencing indicated that TAL1/SCL, GATA2, MYB, RUNX1 and other key transcription factors for hematopoietic development were mainly expressed in PEAR1+ cells, whereas the genes encoding for niche-related signals, such as fibronectin, vitronectin, bone morphogenetic proteins and jagged1, were highly expressed in PEAR1- cells. The isolated PEAR1+ cells exhibited significantly greater EHT capacity on endothelial niche, compared with the PEAR1- cells. Colony-forming unit (CFU) assays demonstrated the multilineage hematopoietic potential of PEAR1+ -derived hematopoietic cells. Furthermore, PEAR1 knockout in hPSCs by CRISPR/Cas9 technology revealed that the hematopoietic differentiation was impaired, resulting in decreased EHT capacity, decreased expression of hematopoietic-related transcription factors, and increased expression of niche-related signals. In summary, this study revealed a novel role of PEAR1 in balancing intrinsic and extrinsic signals for early hematopoietic fate decision.

Neuromuscular and Muscle Tissue Hemodynamic Responses When Exposed to Normobaric Hypoxia during Lower-Body Fatiguing Muscle Actions.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined effects of acute hypoxia on the neuromuscular responses (electromyographic (EMG) amplitude and EMG frequency) and localized muscle tissue oxygenated hemoglobin (oxygenated hemoglobin (OxyHb), deoxygenated hemoglobin (DeoxyHb), total hemoglobin (TotalHb), and muscle tissue oxygenation saturation (StO2) during the process of fatigue. METHODS: Fifteen male participants (21.4±2.8yr) performed leg extension repetitions to failure at 70% 1-repetition maximum until volitional exhaustion under Normoxic (FiO2:21%) and Hypoxic (FiO2:12.9%) conditions. Electromyographic amplitude, EMG frequency, OxyHb, DeoxyHb, TotalHb, and StO2 were measured from the vastus lateralis at Initial, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of the repetitions to failure. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the patterns of responses for EMG amplitude, OxyHb, or DeoxyHb between Normoxia and Hypoxia. For EMG frequency, Hypoxia was greater than Normoxia and decreased with fatigue. TotalHb and StO2 were greater under Normoxia compared to Hypoxia. The patterns of responses for EMG amplitude, DeoxyHb, and TotalHb increased throughout the repetitions to failure. OxyHb and StO2 exhibited decreases throughout the repetitions to failure for Normoxic and Hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSION: The EMG and oxygenation measurements non-invasively suggest a sympathoexcitatory response (indicated by EMG frequency) and provided complimentary information regarding the process of fatigue in normoxic and hypoxic states.

The impact of cold, hypoxia, and physical exertion on pistol accuracy and tactical performance.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of independent cold and combined cold and hypoxic exposures on operational-specific task performance including pistol marksmanship, pistol magazine reload ability, and subjective and objective thermal indices before and after a whole-body physical exertional task. Twelve participants were exposed to Thermoneutral Normoxic (24 °C; FiO2 21%), Cold Normoxic (10 °C; FiO2 21%), and Cold Hypoxic (10 °C; FiO2 14%) conditions for 30min before performing pistol marksmanship at distances of 6.40 and 13.72m and a pistol magazine reload task before and after 3 sets of sandbag deadlifts at 50% body mass. Thermal perception and hand temperatures were collected before and after the physical exertion task. There were no significant differences in Pistol Accuracy performance at distances of 6.40 and 13.72m due to physical exertion, cold, or hypoxia. Following physical exertion, Pistol Accuracy was similar between Thermoneutral and Cold Normoxic conditions but lead to 17% and a 10% reduction in performance during the Cold Hypoxic condition, compared to Thermoneutral and Cold Normoxic conditions. There was no change in Pistol Accuracy for the Thermoneutral Normoxic condition. The pistol magazine reload task was not impacted by physical exertion, but there was a reduction in performance in Cold Normoxic 21% (4.04s) and Cold Hypoxic 16% (3.08s) conditions. Physical exertion did not impact hand temperature but did increase thermal perception scores for all conditions. These findings indicate that cold exposure reduced both tactical dexterity and pistol marksmanship, however, physical exertion may offset these deficits via an increase in thermal perception. Additionally, hypoxemia was the primary mediator of marksmanship performance in cold hypoxic environments following an acute bout of physical exertion. Thus, in cold mountainous environments, marksmen should be aware of their elevation and utilize brief episodes of physical activity to enhance their thermal state when marksmanship is a priority for operational success.

Changes in Neuromuscular Response Patterns After 4 Weeks of Leg Press Training During Isokinetic Leg Extensions.

ABSTRACT: Salmon, OF, Housh, TJ, Hill, EC, Keller, JL, Anders, JPV, Johnson, GO, Schmidt, RJ, and Smith, CM. Changes in neuromuscular response patterns after 4 weeks of leg press training during isokinetic leg extensions. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): e405-e412, 2023-The purpose of this study was to identify velocity-specific changes in electromyographic root mean square (EMG RMS), EMG frequency (EMG MPF), mechanomyographic RMS (MMG RMS), and MMG MPF during maximal unilateral isokinetic muscle actions performed at 60° and 240°·s -1 velocities within the right and left vastus lateralis (VL) after 4 weeks of dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) bilateral leg press training. Twelve resistance-trained men (age: mean ± SD = 21.4 ± 3.6 years) visited the laboratory 3d·wk -1 to perform resistance training consisting of 3 sets of 10 DCER leg presses. Four, three-way analysis of variance were performed to evaluate changes in neuromuscular responses (EMG RMS, EMG MPF, MMG RMS, and MMG MPF) from the right and left VL during 1 single-leg maximal isokinetic leg extension performed at 60° and 240°·s -1 before and after 4 weeks of DCER leg press training ( p < 0.05). The results indicated a 36% increase in EMG RMS for the right leg, as well as a 23% increase in MMG RMS and 10% decrease in MMG MPF after training, collapsed across velocity and leg. In addition, EMG RMS was 65% greater in the right leg than the left leg following training, whereas EMG MPF was 11% greater for the left leg than the right leg throughout training. Thus, 4 weeks of DCER leg press training provides sufficient stimuli to alter the neuromuscular activation process of the VL but not velocity-specific neuromuscular adaptations in trained males.

Enabling large-scale genome editing at repetitive elements by reducing DNA nicking.

To extend the frontier of genome editing and enable editing of repetitive elements of mammalian genomes, we made use of a set of dead-Cas9 base editor (dBE) variants that allow editing at tens of thousands of loci per cell by overcoming the cell death associated with DNA double-strand breaks and single-strand breaks. We used a set of gRNAs targeting repetitive elements-ranging in target copy number from about 32 to 161 000 per cell. dBEs enabled survival after large-scale base editing, allowing targeted mutations at up to ∼13 200 and ∼12 200 loci in 293T and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), respectively, three orders of magnitude greater than previously recorded. These dBEs can overcome current on-target mutation and toxicity barriers that prevent cell survival after large-scale genome engineering.

Are There Sex-Specific Neuromuscular or Force Responses to Fatiguing Isometric Muscle Actions Anchored to a High Perceptual Intensity?

ABSTRACT: Keller, JL, Housh, TJ, Hill, EC, Smith, CM, Schmidt, RJ, and Johnson, GO. Are there sex-specific neuromuscular or force responses to fatiguing isometric muscle actions anchored to a high perceptual intensity? J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 156-161, 2022-The purpose of this study was to use the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) clamp model to examine sex-specific changes in neuromuscular responses and force after a sustained isometric leg extension muscle action anchored to RPE = 8. Twenty adults (10 men and 10 women) performed sustained, isometric leg extension muscle actions at RPE = 8. Electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic signals were recorded from the dominant leg. Neuromuscular and force values resulting from the sustained muscle action were normalized to pretest maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs). The level of significance set for the study was p ≤ 0.05. The pretest MVIC was significantly (p < 0.001) greater (averaged across sex) than posttest MVIC force (55.5 ± 10.0 vs. 47.6 ± 11.1 kg). There was a significant (p < 0.01) decrease from pretest (95.4 ± 7.7 Hz) to posttest (76.2 ± 5.9 Hz) in EMG mean power frequency (MPF) for the men. The normalized force (averaged across sex) decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from the initial timepoint (57.1 ± 16.4%) to the final timepoint (44.3 ± 15.7%) of the sustained muscle action. Normalized EMG MPF (averaged across sex) decreased significantly (p = 0.001) from the initial timepoint (96.4 ± 17.5%) to final timepoint (87.8 ± 18.1%). The men and women exhibited similar fatigue-induced changes in force and neuromuscular parameters; therefore, these findings did not indicate different sex-specific responses after the fatiguing task anchored to a high perception of exertion. The force corresponding to RPE = 8 did not match the anticipated value; so, RPE and percentages of MVIC cannot be used interchangeably, and sustained isometric muscle actions anchored to RPE may elicit unique neuromuscular adaptations.

Pincer-Supported Gallium Complexes for the Catalytic Hydroboration of Aldehydes, Ketones and Carbon Dioxide.

Gallium hydrides stabilised by primary and secondary amines are scarce due to their propensity to eliminate dihydrogen. Consequently, their reactivity has received limited attention. The synthesis of two novel gallium hydride complexes HGa(THF)[ON(H)O] and H2 Ga[µ2 -ON(H)O]Ga[ON(H)O] ([ON(H)O]2- =N,N-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxy)amine) is described and their reactivity towards aldehydes and ketones is explored. These reactions afford alkoxide-bridged dimers through 1,2-hydrogallation reactions. The gallium hydrides can be regenerated through Ga-O/B-H metathesis from the reaction of such dimers with pinacol borane (HBpin) or 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN). These observations allowed us to target the catalytic reduction of carbonyl substrates (aldehydes, ketones and carbon dioxide) with low catalyst loadings at room temperature.

C-N and C-H Activation of an N-Heterocyclic Carbene by Magnesium(II) Hydride and Magnesium(I) Complexes.

Reactions of the hindered N-heterocyclic carbene, :C{(MesNCH)2} (IMes; Mes = mesityl), with a series of ß-diketiminatomagnesium(II) hydride and dimagnesium(I) complexes were carried out at 80 °C. The reactions involving the magnesium hydrides, [{(ArNacnac)Mg(µ-H)}2] [ArNacnac = [(ArNCMe)2CH]-, where Ar = 2,6-diethylphenyl (Dep) or 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dip)], proceeded via activation of an exocyclic C-N bond of IMes, giving magnesium imidazolyl compounds [(ArNacnac)Mg(µ-H)(µ-Imid)Mg(ArNacnac)] (Imid = [NC2H2N(Mes)C]-) and mesitylene. A low-yield IMes methyl C-H activation product, [(DepNacnac)Mg(IMes-H)], was also obtained, via H2 elimination, from the reaction between IMes and [{(DepNacnac)Mg(µ-H)}2]. Reactions between IMes and dimagnesium(I) compounds [{(ArNacnac)Mg}2] [Ar = 2,6-dimethylphenyl (Xyl) or Mes] afforded isostructural C-H activation products [(ArNacnac)Mg(IMes-H)] but in higher yields. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the reactions do not progress via stable adduct complex intermediates, which are sterically inaccessible.

Rapid in vitro production of single-stranded DNA.

There is increasing demand for single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) of lengths >200 nucleotides (nt) in synthetic biology, biological imaging and bionanotechnology. Existing methods to produce high-purity long ssDNA face limitations in scalability, complexity of protocol steps and/or yield. We present a rapid, high-yielding and user-friendly method for in vitro production of high-purity ssDNA with lengths up to at least seven kilobases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a forward primer bearing a methanol-responsive polymer generates a tagged amplicon that enables selective precipitation of the modified strand under denaturing conditions. We demonstrate that ssDNA is recoverable in ∼40-50 min (time after PCR) with >70% yield with respect to the input PCR amplicon, or up to 70 pmol per 100 µl PCR reaction. We demonstrate that the recovered ssDNA can be used for CRISPR/Cas9 homology directed repair in human cells, DNA-origami folding and fluorescent in-situ hybridization.

Effects of 4-weeks of elastic variable resistance training on the electrochemical and mechanical components of voluntary electromechanical delay durations.

PURPOSE: Literature is conflicted on whether electromechanical delay durations decrease following resistance training programs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the contributions and durations of the electrochemical (EMDE-M) and mechanical (EMDM-F) components to the overall electromechanical delay (EMDE-F) during step isometric muscle actions following 4-weeks of structured, multi-joint, lower-body variable resistance training (VRT) program. METHODS: Twelve men performed 4-weeks of VRT leg press training utilizing combination of steel plates (80% total load) and elastic bands (20% total load). Training consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at a 10 repetition maximum load, 3 day week-1 for 4-weeks. EMDE-M, EMDM-F, and EMDE-F was measured at Baseline, Week-2, and Week-4 during voluntary step isometric muscle actions (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction) from the vastus lateralis using electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and force signals. RESULTS: The EMDE-M, EMDM-F, and EMDE-F exhibited decreases in duration following 4-weeks of VRT. In addition, EMDE-M contributed significantly less (42-47%) than EMDM-F (53-58%) to the total duration of EMDE-F across the 4-weeks of VRT. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that a structured, VRT program utilizing multi-joint exercise was sufficient to induce decreases in the electrochemical and mechanical processes associated with step isometric muscle contractions. In addition, the utilization of the electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and force signals were capable of quantifying electrochemical and mechanical component changes associated with voluntary muscle contraction. Thus, EMDE-M, EMDM-F, and EMDE-F can be useful in quantifying physiological changes in athletic, clinical, and applied research interventions.

Patterns of responses and time-course of changes in muscle size and strength during low-load blood flow restriction resistance training in women.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the individual and composite patterns of responses and time-course of changes in muscle size, strength, and edema throughout a 4 week low-load blood flow restriction (LLBFR) resistance training intervention. METHODS: Twenty recreationally active women (mean ± SD; 23 ± 3 years) participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to 4 weeks (3/week) of LLBFR (n = 10) or control (n = 10) group. Resistance training consisted of 75 reciprocal isokinetic forearm flexion-extension muscle actions performed at 30% of peak torque. Strength and ultrasound-based assessments were determined at each training session. RESULTS: There were quadratic increases for composite muscle thickness (R2 = 0.998), concentric peak torque (R2 = 0.962), and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque (R2 = 0.980) data for the LLBFR group. For muscle thickness, seven of ten subjects exceeded the minimal difference (MD) of 0.16 cm during the very early phase (laboratory visits 1-7) of the intervention compared to three of ten subjects that exceeded MD for either concentric peak torque (3.7 Nm) or MVIC (2.2 Nm) during this same time period. There was a linear increase for composite echo intensity (r2 = 0.563) as a result of LLBFR resistance training, but eight of ten subjects never exceeded the MD of 14.2 Au. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that the increases in muscle thickness for the LLBFR group were not associated with edema and changes in echo intensity should be examined on a subject-by-subject basis. Furthermore, LLBFR forearm flexion-extension resistance training elicited real increases in muscle size during the very early phase of training that occurred prior to real increases in muscle strength.

High- vs. Low-Intensity Fatiguing Eccentric Exercise on Muscle Thickness, Strength, and Blood Flow.

ABSTRACT: Hill, EC, Housh, TJ, Smith, CM, Keller, JL, Schmidt, RJ, and Johnson, GO. High- vs. low-intensity fatiguing eccentric exercise on muscle thickness, strength, and blood flow. J Strength Cond Res 35(1): 33-40, 2021-The purpose of this investigation was to examine the acute effects of equal volumes of fatiguing high- vs. low-intensity eccentric muscle actions on changes in muscle thickness, echo intensity, muscle blood flow, and adipose thickness. Eighteen men (mean ± SD = 23.2 ± 3.0 years) performed eccentric peak torque (PT) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) trials before (pretest), immediately after (posttest), and 5 minutes after (recovery) performing randomly ordered fatiguing eccentric, isokinetic (180°·s-1) muscle actions of the elbow flexors at 40% (72 repetitions) or 80% (36 repetitions) of eccentric PT. Muscle thickness, exercise-induced edema, muscle blood flow, and adipose thickness were also assessed via ultrasound at pretest, posttest, and recovery. There were no intensity-specific effects on the patterns of responses for eccentric PT, MVIC, muscle thickness, echo intensity, muscle blood flow, or adipose thickness. There were, however, effects across time that decreased from pretest to posttest and from pretest to recovery for eccentric PT (21.5 and 13.0%), MVIC (14.6 and 5.8%), and adipose thickness (10.0 and 6.0%), but increased for muscle thickness (7.6 and 5.9%), echo intensity (13.7 and 9.9%), and muscle blood flow (129.6 and 90.1%) (collapsed across 40 and 80%). These findings indicated that when matched for exercise volume, there were no intensity-related effects on the increases in muscle thickness, echo intensity, muscle blood flow, or the decreases in eccentric PT, MVIC, and adipose thickness after fatiguing eccentric muscle actions. Therefore, exercise volume, independent of exercise intensity and number of repetitions, may be a mediating factor of muscle fatigue and performance during eccentric muscle actions.

Mechanomyographic Amplitude Is Sensitive to Load-Dependent Neuromuscular Adaptations in Response to Resistance Training.

ABSTRACT: Jenkins, NDM, Miramonti, AA, Hill, EC, Smith, CM, Cochrane-Snyman, KC, Housh, TJ, and Cramer, JT. Mechanomyographic amplitude is sensitive to load-dependent neuromuscular adaptations in response to resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3265-3269, 2021-We examined the sensitivity of the mechanomyographic amplitude (MMGRMS) and frequency (MMGMPF) vs. torque relationships to load-dependent neuromuscular adaptations in response to 6 weeks of higher- vs. lower-load resistance training. Twenty-five men (age = 22.8 ± 4.6 years) were randomly assigned to either a high- (n = 13) or low-load (n = 12) training group and completed 6 weeks of leg extension resistance training at 80 or 30% 1RM. Before and after 3 and 6 weeks of training, mechanomyography signals were recorded during isometric contractions at target torques equal to 10-100% of the subjects' baseline maximal strength to quantify MMGRMS and MMGMPF vs. torque relationships. MMGRMS decreased from Baseline to weeks 3 and 6 in the high-load, but not low-load group, and was dependent on the muscle and intensity of contraction examined. Consequently, MMGRMS was generally lower in the high- than low-load group at weeks 3 and 6, and these differences were most apparent in the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris muscles at higher contraction intensities. MMGMPF was greater in the high- than low-load training group independent of time or muscle. The MMGRMS vs. torque relationship was sensitive to load-dependent, muscle-specific neuromuscular adaptations and suggest reductions in neuromuscular activation to produce the same absolute submaximal torques after training with high, but not low loads.

Performance fatigability and neuromuscular responses for bilateral and unilateral leg extensions in men.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined performance fatigability and the patterns of neuromuscular responses for electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) during bilateral (BL) and unilateral (UL) maximal, isokinetic leg extensions. METHODS: Peak torque for each repetition and EMG and MMG signals from the non-dominant vastus lateralis were recorded in 11 men during 50 BL and UL maximal, concentric, isokinetic leg extensions at 60o·s-1 that were performed on separate days. Separate repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to examine the normalized isokinetic torque and neuromuscular parameters. RESULTS: Normalized isokinetic peak torque demonstrated a significant Conditions by Repetition interaction (p<0.001, η2p= 0.594). There were no interactions, but significant main effects for Repetition with increases in EMG AMP (p<0.001; η2p=0.255) and decreases in EMG MPF (p<0.001; η2p=0.650), MMG AMP (p<0.001; η2p=0.402), and MMG MPF (p<0.001; η2p=0.796). In addition, EMG MPF and MMG AMP demonstrated main effects for Condition (p=0.031; η2p=0.387 and p=0.002; η2p=0.64, respectively) with the BL exhibiting greater values than UL leg extensions for both parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings indicated greater performance fatigability during UL versus BL leg extensions, but similar patterns of neuromuscular responses consistent with the Muscle Wisdom Hypothesis.

Low-load blood flow restriction elicits greater concentric strength than non-blood flow restriction resistance training but similar isometric strength and muscle size.

PURPOSE: Low-load venous blood flow restriction resistance training (RT + BFR) has been demonstrated to increase muscle strength to a greater degree than low-load non-BFR resistance training (RT) during isotonic training, but no previous investigations have examined RT + BFR versus RT during isokinetic training. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of isokinetic low-load RT + BFR versus low-load RT on indices of muscle strength, muscle size, and neural adaptations. METHODS: Thirty women (mean ± SD; 22 ± 2 years) participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to 4 weeks of either RT + BFR (n = 10), RT (n = 10), or control (n = 10) group. Resistance training consisted of 75 reciprocal forearm flexion-extension isokinetic muscle actions of the forearm flexors performed at a velocity of 120°s-1. RESULTS: Concentric peak torque increased to a greater extent for RT + BFR after 4 weeks (36.9%) compared to RT (25.8%), but there were similar increases in isometric torque (23.3-42.1%). For both RT + BFR and RT, there were similar increases in muscle cross-sectional area and muscle thickness of the biceps brachii after 2 weeks (11.3-14.3% and 12.4-12.9%, respectively) and 4 weeks (18.7-21.9% and 19.0-20.0%, respectively). There were similar increases in mechanomyographic amplitude, mechanomyographic mean power frequency, and electromyographic mean power frequency, but no changes in electromyographic amplitude for all conditions (including control). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that low-load RT + BFR elicited greater increases in concentric strength than low-load RT, but elicited comparable increases in isometric strength and muscle size. There were also no differences in any of the EMG and MMG responses among conditions.

Variable resistance training versus traditional weight training on the reflex pathway following four weeks of leg press training.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in reflex-electromechanical delay (EMD) as a result of 2- and 4-wks of variable resistance training (VRT) or dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) leg press training. Material and Methods: Thirty-six men were randomised into either the Control, DCER, or VRT groups. The DCER and VRT groups performed 3 sets of 10 leg press repetitions 3-d·wk-1 for 4-wks. Reflex-EMD was measured at Baseline, Week-2, and Week-4. Results: The reflex-EMD durations decreased from Baseline at Week-2 and Week-4 for the VRT group, but not the DCER or Control groups. The reflex response < electrochemical process < mechanical process < total reflex-EMD for all groups. Conclusions: VRT elicited greater reflex adaptations compared to DCER training which indicated that VRT may be beneficial to incorporate into training or physical therapy programmes for pilots, soldiers, elderly, athletes, or professions that require quick reflexes and response times.

A biosignal analysis for reducing prosthetic control durations: a proposed method using electromyographic and mechanomyographic control theory.

OBJECTIVES: This project proposes a unique methodology utilizing electromyography and mechanomyography to determine the intensity of a desired movement which may be useful in further developing decomposition algorithms for prosthetic controls. METHODS: Ten males performed isometric leg extension muscle actions corresponding to 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of their maximal voluntary isometric contraction force. The duration and amplitude of the gross lateral movement of the mechanomyographic signal as well as electromechanical delay were measured during each contraction. RESULTS: The results indicated that the duration of the gross lateral movement decreased with increases in intensity (20<40=60<80<100% maximal voluntary isometric contraction) and that the amplitude of the gross lateral movement increased with increases in intensity (20<40=60<80<100% maximal voluntary isometric contraction). In addition, electromechanical delay decreased with each increase in intensity. These measurements occurred within 40 ms from the onset of the electromyographic signal. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, these measurements may be incorporated into existing prosthetic control algorithms to reduce grasp times and identify the intensity of a movement earlier. In addition, the gross lateral movement and electromechanical delay measurements may provide more intuitive controls for prosthetic users.

Eccentric and concentric blood flow restriction resistance training on indices of delayed onset muscle soreness in untrained women.

PURPOSE: Unaccustomed exercise can result in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), particularly as a result of the eccentric phase of the muscle contraction. Resistance training combined with venous blood flow restriction (vBFR) may attenuate DOMS, but the available information in this regard is conflicting. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of low-load eccentric vBFR (Ecc-vBFR) and concentric vBFR (Con-vBFR) resistance training on indices of DOMS. METHODS: Twenty-five previously untrained women completed seven days of either Ecc-vBFR (n = 12) or Con-vBFR (n = 13) forearm flexion resistance training at a velocity of 120° s-1 on an isokinetic dynamometer. The Ecc-vBFR group used a training load that corresponded to 30% of eccentric peak torque and the Con-vBFR group used a training load that corresponded to 30% of concentric peak torque. RESULTS: There were no differences between Ecc-vBFR and Con-vBFR at any of the seven training sessions on any of the indices of DOMS. There were no decreases in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque which increased at days 6 and 7. Similarly, there were no changes in perceived muscle soreness, pain pressure threshold, elbow joint angle, or edema (as assessed by echo intensity via ultrasound) across the seven training sessions. CONCLUSIONS: The Ecc-vBFR and Con-vBFR low-load training protocols were not associated with DOMS and there were no differences between protocols when performed using the same relative training intensity. These findings suggested that both unaccustomed eccentric and concentric low-load training did not result in DOMS when combined with vBFR.

Treadmill running using an RPE-clamp model: mediators of perception and implications for exercise prescription.

PURPOSE: The mediators of the perception of effort during exercise are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine physiological responses during runs using a rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-clamp model at the RPE corresponding to the gas exchange threshold (RPEGET) and 15% above GET (RPEGET+15%) to identify potential mediators and performance applications for RPE during treadmill running. METHODS: Twenty-one runners ([Formula: see text]max = 51.7 ± 8.3 ml kg-1 min-1) performed a graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen consumption and the RPE associated with GET and GET + 15% followed by randomized 60 min RPE-clamp runs at RPEGET and RPEGET+15%. Mean differences for [Formula: see text], heart rate (HR), minute ventilation ([Formula: see text]), respiratory frequency ([Formula: see text], respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and velocity were compared across each run. RESULTS: After minute 14, [Formula: see text], RER and velocity did not differ across conditions, but decreased across time (p < 0.05). There was a significant (p < 0.05) condition × time interaction for [Formula: see text], where values were significantly higher during RPE-clamp runs at RPEGET+15% and decreased across time in both conditions. There were no differences across condition or time for HR, and only small difference between conditions for [Formula: see text]. CONCLUSIONS: HR and [Formula: see text] may play a role in mediating the perception of effort, while [Formula: see text], RER, and [Formula: see text] may not. Although HR and [Formula: see text] may mediate the maintenance of a perceptual intensity, they may not be sensitive to differentiate perceptual intensities at GET and GET + 15%. Thus, prescribing exercise using an RPE-clamp model may only reflect a sustainable [Formula: see text] within the moderate intensity domain.