Efficacy of a 6-Week Suspension Training Exercise Program on Fitness Components in Older Adults.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a 6-week suspension training exercise program on fitness components in older adults. Eleven participants (age = 80 ± 5 yrs) completed a 6-week suspension training exercise program. Pre- and post-fitness assessments comprised of body composition, handgrip dynamometer, functional reach, and balance. The 6-week suspension training intervention required individuals to perform suspension training exercises for fifty minutes, twice per week. A paired sample t-test was used to determine differences from pre-and post-assessments. An improvement was observed in functional reach (57.2 ± 6.4 cm vs 68.6 ± 4.3 cm; p = 0.02) and overall balance score (67.5 ± 2.4 vs 72.2 ± 2.2; p = 0.02). A 6-week suspension training exercise program can be adequate to enhance core stability and overall balance amongst older adults. This paradigm should be explored further to determine the effects on fall-risk and fall prevention.

Efficacy of Army Combat Fitness Test 12-Week Virtual Exercise Program.

INTRODUCTION: The Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) is the fitness assessment used by the Army launched in April of 2022. The ACFT consists of six physically demanding motor movements that parallel to the stressors experienced by the modern-day combat soldier. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of a 12-week virtual exercise program on the individual and their overall ACFT scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen soldiers from the Army National Guard (age = 29.8 ± 6.2 years; height = 175.7 ± 6.1 cm; service experience ≥ 18 months to 18 years) volunteered to complete three sessions. In session 1, baseline height, body mass, body composition, and ACFT scores were collected. Session 2 consisted of a suspension trainer (ST) tutorial in which all participants familiarized themselves with the set-up and utilization of the suspension training tool kit. Upon completion of session 2, a TRX Elite ACFT Kit containing one suspension trainer, four resistance bands, and the 12-week virtual exercise training program available via iphone operating system and Android were given to all participants. In session 3, post-assessments of body mass, body composition, and ACFT scores were collected. Data were statistically analyzed using a paired-sample t-test with a Bonferroni correction (P < .00065) to adjust for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in mean body mass (83.8 ± 16.5 kg vs. 83.9 ± 16.6 kg; P = .752); however, there was a significant reduction in mean percentage body fat (19.5 ± 6.4% vs. 18.3 ± 6.5%; P < .0001). Mean scores from four of the six individual ACFT assessments, specifically, deadlift, standing power throw, hand-release push-ups, and sprint-drag-carry, displayed improvements, but did not attain statistical significance. The overall mean ACFT scores displayed significant improvements (319.4 ± 39.9 vs. 390.4 ± 68.5; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The TRX Elite ACFT Kit which includes one suspension trainer, four varying resistance bands, and on-demand access to a stepwise 12-week virtual exercise program was deemed effective by increasing the overall mean ACFT scores among participants. From a practitioner's perspective, the TRX Elite ACFT Kit should be widely distributed to all Army units and recruiting commands to provide vital assistance for recruits and soldiers to train and prepare for the ACFT. Moreover, given the ease and portability of the TRX Elite ACFT Kit, recruits and soldiers will be able to effectively train anytime, anywhere.

The effects of acute water ingestion on body composition analyses via Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To assess the influence of acute water ingestion on body composition analyses via Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). METHODS: One hundred (44 females; 56 males; Age = 24.2 ± 6.7 yrs; Height = 175.8 ± 12.1 cm; Body Mass = 76.1 ± 16.5 kg) volunteers took part in this study. Participants underwent an initial DXA scan. Immediately following the DXA scan, each participant consumed 500 ml of water. Participants body mass was assessed again and immediately completed a second DXA scan. Total body fat mass, fat free mass, and percent body fat were quantified. Paired sample t-test and Pearson correlations were utilized to determine mean differences and the relationship between initial and secondary measures. RESULTS: Paired sample t-test analyses revealed significant a increase in body mass of 0.46 ± 0.1 kg [t(99) = 42.6, p < .0001]. There were no significant changes in fat mass (-10.6 ± 493.4g). In contrast, there was a significant increase in lean mass (524.9 ± 615.1g) [t(99) = 8.5, p < .001]. Overall, there was a significant decrease in percent body fat of -0.16% [t(99) = 2.4, p = .02]. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that acute water ingestion before a DXA analysis will significantly influence body composition. More precisely, acute ingestion of 500 ml of water will significantly inflate fat free mass as well as lower percent body fat. While the values were of small magnitude, these results highlight the importance of the control of liquid ingestion prior to DXA scans for body composition measurement.

Fitness-related benefits: land-based versus aqua-base.

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that individuals participating in land-based aerobic activities receive several fitness-related benefits. Given its virtual weightlessness, thermoregulatory comfort, and ease of movements, aqua-based aerobic activities are commonly perceived as a simpler form of exercise, therefore, lacking the fitness-related benefits equivalent to that of land-based aerobic activities. The purpose of this study was to compare fitness-related benefits between land-based (LAND) versus aqua-based (AQUA) aerobic activity classes within a 15-week period. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four volunteers participating in LAND (N.=76) and AQUA (N.=78) exercise groups were required to exercise 2 days per week, 50 minutes per day, for 15 weeks. Pre- and post-fitness assessments obtained were body composition, muscular endurance, muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility. RESULTS: Mixed ANOVA showed a main effect and interaction for body composition in which, overall, participants decreased more body fat percentage in the land group. A main effect for both muscular strength and muscular endurance was revealed, but no interactions. There were no significant main effects or interactions for neither cardiorespiratory endurance nor flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals participating in land-based aerobic activities displayed greater decreases in percent body fat when compared to aqua-based aerobic activities, whereas both land- and aqua-based displayed improvements in muscular strength and muscular endurance. There were no changes in cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility within both groups.

Ergogenic Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation During Rest and Submaximal Exercise.

The primary aim of this investigation was to determine the ergogenic effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) amongst twenty apparently healthy males during submaximal exercise. In Session 1, 20 participants (Age = 35.0 ± 15.0 yrs; Height = 179.9 ± 8.5 cm; Body Mass = 85.4 ± 12.0 kg) were familiarized with all equipment. Sessions 2-4 included the following randomized 5-min trials a) Rest and Rest+NMES, b) Rest, Arms-Only, Arms+NMES, and c) Rest, Arms+Legs, Arms+Legs+NMES. Physiological variables collected during rest and submaximal exercise were volume of oxygen (VO2), heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rate pressure product (RPP). Paired sample t-test was used to determine significant mean differences between the NMES and non-NMES trials. Bonferroni post-hoc analysis established alpha at 0.008. From the 18 paired t-tests, the only observed significant mean difference (t(19) = -6.4, p < 0.001) was RER values between the Arms-Only trial compared to the Arms+NMES trial (0.94 and 1.00, respectively). While RER displayed a significant difference, from a practical perspective, however, these differences were deemed non-physiologically significant. Viewed in concert, findings from this study suggests that NMES utilization does not evoke an acute ergogenic effect amongst an apparently healthy male population.

Influence of gait manipulation on running economy in female distance runners.

The aim of this investigation was to determine if gait manipulation influences running economy. Following 30 minutes of accommodation to level treadmill running at 3.35 m·s(-1) and determination of VO2peak, nine female distance runners (age = 23.3 ± 4.2 years; body mass = 57.5 ± 5.2 kg; height = 1.64 ± 0.10 m; body fat = 11.4 ± 2.4 %; VO2peak = 54.9 ± 4.1 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) completed two treadmill running sessions. In each session, standing VO2 was measured and subjects ran for 6 minutes at 3.35 m·s(-1) under 4 randomly-selected conditions: a) normal running (NL), b) hands behind back (BK), c) hands on head (HD), and d) running with exaggerated vertical oscillation (VOSC). During the last 2 minutes of each running bout, samples of expired air were analyzed to determine oxygen uptake (VO2). Data obtained by averaging gross VO2 values across sessions indicated that VOSC (51.0 ± 2.5 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) and HD (46.1 ± 2.0 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) elevated VO2 values compared to BK (43.9 ± 2.4 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) and NL (43.4 2.6 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)). VO2 measured during VOSC was also higher compared to HD. Viewed in concert, these results suggest that specific gait manipulations can produce marked decrements in running economy among trained female distance runners. Key pointsThis investigation demonstrates that specific biomechanical manipulations can produce substantive increases in the oxygen cost (VO2) of submaximal running in female distance runners.The magnitude of increases in VO2 reported in this study raises the intriguing possibility that meaningful improvements in running economy might be achieved by manipulating the gait of distance runners who exhibit specific aspects of running style that deviate markedly from the optimum.

Rollers Versus Trainers: 10-Km Time Trial.

The primary aim of this investigation was to determine which cycling training device, Rollers or Trainers, was most effective in improving 10-km time trial. Eight male and 6 female volunteers (N = 14; age = 23.6 ± 4.6 yrs; height = 172.7 ± 9.9 cm; body mass = 68.4 ± 10.4 kg; % body fat = 16.9 ± 7.7; VO2max = 61.0 ± 9.4 ml·kg-1·min-1) provided informed consent prior to participation. Participants performed a10-km time trial at baseline and were then randomly assigned into one of three groups: Rollers (R), Trainers (T), or Control (C). Participants assigned to the R or T groups attended 24 supervised workout sessions throughout an 8-wk period (F: 3 days/week; I: 65-80% HRmax; D: 40 min; M: R or T). There were no significant differences in baseline 10-km time trial between R, T, and C groups [F(2,12) = 0.34, p = .72]. There was a significant difference in 10-km time trial improvement between groups post-assessment when controlling for baseline values (F = 17.04, p <.001). R participants improved by 20.4s [t(4) = 4.86, p = .008] and T participants improved by 12.8s [t(4) = 4.57, p = .01], while there was no significant improvement for subjects in C. Participants using R and T displayed significant decrements in time with respect to the 10-km time trial. However, R had a greater improvement in 10-km time trial when compared to T.

Within- and between-day stability of treadmill walking VO2 in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, stability of walking VO2 in children with CP.

Within- and between-day stability in locomotor energy use was quantified in 13 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). During testing, subjects were familiarized with the laboratory environment (Session 1), performed three 5 min level treadmill walks (Trials 1-3) at 0.67 m*s(-1) (Session 2), and completed a single 5 min walk (Trial 4) at 0.67 m*s(-1) (Session 3). In Sessions 2 and 3, heart rate (HR) was assessed and expired air was collected and analyzed to determine VO2. Data analyses revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in either net VO2 (ml kg(-1)*min(-1)) or EEI(HR) (b*m(-1)) across the three trials performed in Session 2 and between average measures of net VO2 and EEI(HR) quantified in Session 2 and those obtained in Session 3. Mean within-day coefficient of variation (CV) values for net VO2 and EEI(HR) were 8.6% +/- 8.5% and 13.9% +/- 7.8%, respectively. Analysis of between-day variability and energy expenditure revealed a between-day CV value of 13.1% for net VO2 and 24.0% for EEI(HR). In addition, significant inverse relationships between Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores and within- (r = -0.61) and between-day (r = -0.58) CV values for net VO2 were detected. Viewed in concert, these data suggest that fairly stable within- and between-day measures of locomotor energy expenditure during level treadmill walking can be achieved in subjects with hemiplegic CP if testing is preceded by a short period of treadmill accommodation. However, children with greater motor dysfunction may require an extended period of treadmill accommodation to reduce trial-to-trial variability in walking energy use.

Prediction of the aerobic demand of walking in children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a generalized equation to predict VO2 during level treadmill walking in young boys and girls. METHODS: On an annual basis from ages 6 to 10, 23 able-bodied children (14 girls, 9 boys) completed six 5-min walking bouts at speeds ranging from 40.2 to 107.2 m x min(-1). Before testing, each child received 60 min of treadmill walking practice. During the last 2 min of each walking trial, a 2-min sample of expired gas was collected in a meteorological balloon and analyzed to determine VO2. RESULTS: Stepwise regression analyses indicated that the following equation was best suited to predict walking VO2: VO2 = 24.852 + 0.003214 (walking speed in m x min(-1))2 - 0.995 (age in yr) - 0.263 (walking speed); R = 0.95; SEE = 1.74 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). Bland-Altman analysis revealed that 95% of the differences between actual and predicted VO2 values fell within a range of 3.39 to -3.43 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). CONCLUSION: We conclude that VO2 during level treadmill walking can be predicted accurately in healthy young children.

Longitudinal profiles of oxygen uptake during treadmill walking in able-bodied children: the locomotion energy and growth study.

The purpose of this study was to document age-related changes in walking V(O(2)) in able-bodied boys and girls. Beginning at age 6 and ending at age 10, 23 children (14 girls, 9 boys) performed six 5-min bouts of level treadmill walking at 0.67, 0.89, 1.12, 1.34, 1.56, and 1.79 m s(-1) on an annual basis. Prior to data collection, subjects received 60 min of treadmill walking practice. During the last 2 min of each walking bout, a 2-min sample of expired air was collected in a meteorological balloon and analyzed to determine V(O(2)). Averaged across age, interindividual variation in V(O(2)) ranged from 32 to 41%. Repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated a speed by age interaction for V(O(2)), such that mean V(O(2)) rose (P< or = 0.05) across the five fastest speeds for 6-, 7-, 8-, and 10-year olds and increased over the entire speed range for 9-year olds. For all speeds, V(O(2)) decreased yearly from the ages of 6 to 8. When averaged across speeds, V(O(2)) was 27% higher for 6-year olds compared with 10-year olds. From a clinical perspective, access to longitudinal measurements of walking V(O(2)) in able-bodied children should be helpful in interpreting gait energy use in children with movement disorders and evaluating treatment strategies designed to reduce the aerobic demand of locomotion in youth with impaired mobility.