The use of a cold pack during resistance exercises is effective for reducing intramuscular oxygenation and increasing myoelectric activity.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of using a cold pack while doing resistance exercises for enhancing muscle strength and muscle hypertrophy through decreased intramuscular oxygenation and/or increased myoelectric activity. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-four resistance-trained males (age: 26.4 ± 8.4 years, height: 169.3 ± 5.2 cm, body weight: 74.7 ± 8.8 kg) involved in this study. All the participants completed two experimental sessions in random order (cold pack resistance exercise and resistance exercise) with a 3-day interval. Four types of resistance exercises (4 sets × 8 repetitions with an 8-repetition maximum) targeting the right triceps brachii muscle were performed in both the experimental sessions. [Results] The percentage baseline oxyhemoglobin/myoglobin level during resistance exercise was significantly lower, the half-recovery time of muscle oxygenation in intervals between sets was significantly longer, and the myoelectric activity was significantly higher in the cold pack resistance exercise than in the resistance exercise session. [Conclusion] The results suggest that using a cold pack with resistance exercises is effective in inducing intramuscular deoxygenation and increasing myoelectric activity and may be useful for increasing muscle strength and inducing hypertrophy.

Long-term changes of psychological factors regarding exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes after discharge and the effect of these changes on glycemic control.

[Purpose] In the medical treatment guidelines for type 2 diabetes, the utility of the approach using self-efficacy and stage of change has been previously demonstrated. Although the effects of short-term approaches have been shown, a few studies have examined long-term changes over time. The purpose of the present study was to investigate longitudinally the factors that affect the stage of change, self-efficacy for exercise, and glycemic control for 12 months in patients with type 2 diabetes after the intervention of the disease by receiving diabetes and glycemic control education. [Participants and Methods] The study included 29 patients with type 2 diabetes as participants who were able to follow up for 12 months after the intervention. The changes over time were investigated using stage of change and self-efficacy as psychological indicators of exercise. Factors affecting HbA1c values after 12 months of intervention were examined with information on diabetes and social background. [Results] There was no significant difference in self-efficacy for exercising at 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge. In contrast, participants in the stage of change showed a significant improvement at 6 and 12 months after discharge in comparison to 3 months after discharge. HbA1c values decreased at 12 months while comparing patients after 3 months and 12 months after discharge. The only factor affecting HbA1c value 12 months after discharge was the duration of diabetes. [Conclusion] The results suggested that stage of change and self-efficacy for exercise might have a little long-term effect on glycemic control.

Exercise-related fatigue affects joint-driven resistance: comparison of flexor and extensor.

[Purpose] Muscle fatigue can affect the inherent properties of muscles. It is important to know how muscle stiffness changes with muscle fatigue and the different effects of the initial and terminal stages of exercise. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effects of bicep and tricep contraction tasks that lead to fatigue on joint-driven resistance of the elbow joint. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-five healthy men were included. Joint-driven resistance of the elbow joint was measured before and after the muscle contraction task. The slope of the regression line of the angle torque at the time of passive movement was calculated as an elastic coefficient and the entire movable range, proximal range, and distal range were compared. [Results] Owing to the muscular contraction of the biceps and triceps, the elastic coefficient increased in the elbow joint during both flexion and extension. The rate of change in the elastic coefficient was lower during the tricep contraction task than during the bicep contraction task. For both tasks, the change in the elastic coefficient varied depending on the range of exercise. [Conclusion] Resistance exercise increased the driven resistance of the joint during passive movement, and this effect was greater during terminal exercises.

Association among social-networking service usage via smartphone, internet addiction, and psychological stress in Japanese physical therapy university students: a single-university cross-sectional study.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the influence of social-networking service usage via smartphone on internet addiction and psychological stress in Japanese university students studying physical therapy. [Participants and Methods] This single-university cross-sectional study involved 247 physical therapy students in the second to fourth years (ages 19 to 22). By use of self-administered questionnaires, we collected information on daily time of smartphone usage, social-networking service usage via smartphone, and daily self-learning time outside of class hours. We assessed internet addiction and psychological stress using the Internet Addiction Test and Stress Response Scale-18, respectively. After excluding twelve participants, we analyzed the data collected for the other 235. [Results] Multiple regression analysis showed an association of the Internet Addiction Test score with gender and daily time of smartphone usage. "Surfing without any purpose", which is one of the purposes of social-networking service usage, and the Internet Addiction Test score were associated with the Stress Response Scale-18 score. Other variables were not associated with the Internet Addiction Test or Stress Response Scale-18 scores. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that gender (males), longer time of smartphones usage, or using social-networking service usage passively cause internet addiction or psychological stress in Japanese physical therapy university students.

Range of motion of the ankle joint in male Japanese patients undergoing hemodialysis: influence of diabetes and hemodialysis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to analyze ankle range of motion in patients undergoing hemodialysis and those with diabetes. [Participants and Methods] Eight male kidney disease patients without diabetes undergoing hemodialysis and 10 male kidney disease patients with diabetes undergoing hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. For comparison, 27 patients with diabetes not undergoing hemodialysis and 10 healthy participants were included. All participants were divided into 4 groups: patients without diabetes undergoing hemodialysis, patients with diabetes undergoing hemodialysis, patients with diabetes not undergoing hemodialysis, and control group. The measured parameter was the passive range of motion of the ankle joint. [Results] Patients with diabetes not undergoing hemodialysis demonstrated the greatest joint restriction, followed by patients with diabetes undergoing hemodialysis. The main effect of diabetes was observed in ankle range of motion, rather than hemodialysis. There was a significant difference between both the diabetes undergoing hemodialysis and the diabetes not undergoing hemodialysis groups and the other groups. [Conclusion] Limited joint mobility of the ankle in patients undergoing hemodialysis may be affected by diabetes rather than hemodialysis.

Comparison of respiratory muscle strength in individuals performing continuous and noncontinuous walking exercises in water after the 6-week program.

This study aimed to compare respiratory muscle strength in individuals performing continuous and noncontinuous walking exercises in water after the 6-week program. Twenty-nine healthy men were randomly divided into a continuous group (CG, n=14) and a noncontinuous group (NG, n=15). Firstly, both groups executed the 6-week program which set them to walk for 30 min, 4 times per week, over 6 weeks in a pool with the adjusted intensity that their walking speed increased the heart rate to 60% of the predicted maximum. After the 6-week program, participants in the CG continued the water-walking program for 4 weeks while those in the NG discontinued the water-walking program. In both groups, respiratory muscle strength evaluated by maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax) increased significantly after the 6-week program compared with pre-exercise value. Compared to the value after the 6-week program, PEmax increased significantly in the CG after 10 weeks (P<0.05), but the PImax showed no significant change. Compared to the value after the 6-week program, after 10 weeks, in the NG, PEmax decreased significantly, with a considerable decrease after 9 and 10 weeks compared to the CG (P<0.05). The PImax in the NG significantly decreased after 10 weeks from the value observed after the 6-week program. We demonstrated that 6 weeks of walking in water at 60% of the predicted maximum heart rate enhances PImax and PEmax, and that PImax and PEmax decrease in 4 weeks without a water-walking program.

Partial Range of Motion Exercise Is Effective for Facilitating Muscle Hypertrophy and Function Through Sustained Intramuscular Hypoxia in Young Trained Men.

Goto, M, Chikako, M, Hirayama, T, Terada, S, Nirengi, S, Kurosawa, Y, Nagano, A, and Hamaoka, T. Partial range of motion exercise is effective for facilitating muscle hypertrophy and function through sustained intramuscular hypoxia in young trained men. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1286-1294, 2019-The acute response to and long-term effects of partial range of motion exercise (PRE) and full range of motion exercise (FRE) of elbow extensors were compared in young trained men. The PRE was expected to increase the intramuscular hypoxic environment, which was theorized to enhance muscular hypertrophy. Forty-four resistance-trained men were divided into 2 training groups, PRE (n = 22) or FRE (n = 22) group, and performed the PRE or FRE acute exercise protocol. The PRE (elbow range from 45° to 90°) and FRE (from 0° to 120°) acute protocols consisted of 3 sets of 8 repetitions, with an 8RM, and an equivalent workload. After the initial testing, the training program for each group, comprised 3 training sessions per week for 8 weeks, was started. The acute responses of area under the oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) curve, blood lactate concentration, and root mean square of electromyography were significantly higher both before and after PRE than FRE training. Long-term effects were produced by both PRE and FRE, with significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in cross-sectional area (CSA) of triceps brachii and isometric strength. The CSA increased significantly greater after PRE (48.7 ± 14.5%) than after FRE (28.2 ± 10.9%). Furthermore, during the PRE program, a positive correlation was detected between the percent increase in CSA and area under the Oxy-Hb curves before and after 8-week exercise training (before 8-week exercise training: r = 0.59, after 8-week exercise training: r = 0.70, p < 0.01). These results suggest that intramuscular hypoxia might facilitate muscular hypertrophy with PRE being more effective than FRE.

Effects of task-specific paretic ankle plantar flexor training on walking in a stroke patient: a single-case study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of task-specific plantar flexor training on walking ability indices in a patient with a paretic ankle. [Subject and Methods] The subject was a 65-year-old male patient with right hemiplegia due to a left medullary ventral infarction. An ABA' single-subject design was adopted. The independent variable was a task-specific plantar flexor training exercise, similar to that during walking, targeting the paretic ankle. The dependent variables were the isometric ankle plantar flexor strength, maximum walking speed, step length, and trailing limb angle in the paretic terminal stance phase. The B study phase was divided into B1 and B2 phases. A two standard-deviation-band method was used to evaluate improvement. [Results] Improvements in the paretic plantar flexor strength, maximum walking speed, step length, and trailing limb angle in the B2 phase were observed. The improvements in the maximum walking speed, step length, and trailing limb angle were sustained in the A' study phase. [Conclusion] These results suggest that task-specific plantar flexor training exercise is efficacious in improving the walking ability index of a paretic ankle.

Factors affecting the range of motion of the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joints in patients undergoing hemodialysis who walk daily.

[Purpose] Increased plantar pressure during walking is a risk factor for foot ulcers because of reduced range of motion at the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joints. However, the range of motion in patients undergoing hemodialysis has not yet been determined. A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the factors affecting the range of motion of the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joints in patients undergoing hemodialysis who walk daily. [Subjects and Methods] Seventy feet of 35 patients receiving hemodialysis therapy were examined. Measurements included the passive range of motion of plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle joint, and flexion and extension of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. [Results] Hemodialysis duration was not associated with ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Diabetes duration was significantly associated with limited ankle joint mobility. Finally, blood hemoglobin levels, body mass index, and age were associated with first metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion. [Conclusion] The present study identified age, diabetes, and decreased physical activity, but not hemodialysis duration, to be risk factors for limited joint mobility of the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joints in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Effects of isokinetic passive exercise and isometric muscle contraction on passive stiffness.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isokinetic passive exercise and motion velocity on passive stiffness. In addition, we also discuss the effects of the contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles on passive stiffness. [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy men with no bone or joint disease. [Methods] Isokinetic passive exercise and isometric muscle contraction were performed on an isokinetic dynamometer. The angular acceleration measured by the accelerometer was compared before and after each task. [Results] After the passive exercise, the angular acceleration increased in the phase of small damped oscillation. Moreover, the effect was higher at high-speed movement. The angular acceleration was decreased by the contraction of the agonist muscle. Conversely, the angular acceleration was increased by the contraction of the antagonist muscle. [Conclusion] Isokinetic passive exercise reduced passive stiffness. Our results suggest the possibility that passive stiffness is increased by agonist muscle contraction and decreased by antagonist muscle contraction.