[Optimization of training: development of a new partial load mode of strength training].

Hypertrophic effect of strength training is known to originate from mechanical and metabolic stimuli. During exercise with restricted blood supply ofworking muscles, that is under conditions of intensified metabolic shifts, training effect may be achieved with much lower external loads (20% of one repetition maximum (1 RM)). The aim of the study was to compare the effects of 8 wks high-intensity (80-85% MVC) strength training and low-intensity (50% 1 RM) training without relaxation. The high-intensity strength training leads to somewhat higher increments in strength and size of trained muscles than training without relaxation. During high-intensity training an increase of area occupied by type II fibers at muscle cross section prevails while during training without relaxation - an increase of area occupied by type I fibers takes place. An exercise session without relaxation leads to a more pronounced increase in secretion of growth hormone, IGF-1 and cortisol. Expression of gene regulating myogenesis (Myostatin) is changed in different ways after high-intensity strength exercise session and after exercise session without relaxation. Low-intensity strength training (50% 1 RM) without relaxation is an effective way for inducing increases of strength and size of trained muscles. This low intensive type of training may be used in restorative medicine, sports and physical culture.

[Evaluation of training efficacy for improving maximal voluntary contraction without noticeable hypertrophy].

The aim of the study was to estimate efficiency of the strength training protocol designed to improve maximal voluntary contraction without development of muscle hypertrophy. The principal difference between chosen training protocol and classical strength training was that the number of training movements during training session was increased to improve the motor skill, and rest periods between the training movements were increased as well to minimize damage of muscle fibers, which is one of the factors inducing muscle hypertrophy. Knee extensors of right leg in 11 physically active males were trained 4 times a week for 4 weeks. Evaluation of force-velocity characteristics with simultaneous recording of EMG-activity was performed in both trained and untrained legs immediately before, during and several times after the 4 wks training period. Before and after training the size and contractile properties ofipsi- and contralateral knee extensors were evaluated by MRI and twitch interpolation technique. Maximum strength gains after 4 week of training were about 17% in both trained and untrained legs and did not differ significantly from each other. A noticeable increase of EMG-activity during contraction was also found for both legs after 4-wks training period. The observed changes were not accompanied by any significant changes of muscle size, demonstrating the "neural" nature of the training effects.

[Effect of strength-building training on manifestation of pressor reflex from working muscles receptors].

Ten young normal volunteers and 8 armrestlers worked with forearm muscles till refusal at 30% of maximal arbitrary force. Work was either static or rhythmic with alternation of 20-s period of contraction and relaxation and followed by post-work arterial occlusion of the forearm muscles (PWAO). Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and muscular vessels-related sympathetic activity (MRSA) were measured continuously. MRSA was registered in n. peroneus using the microneurographic technique. Static work and subsequent PWAO produced different BP and MRSA neither in sportsmen nor amateurs. On the contrary, rhythmic work followed by PWAO suppressed the muscle pressor reflex in sportsmen significantly. The authors consider possible origination of the effect by change in energy supply to working muscles, enhanced extraction of metabolites, and sensory decrement of sportsmen's muscular receptors.

[Dry immersion effects on the mechanisms of metabolic-reflex regulation of hemodynamics during muscular work].

Effects of 4-d dry immersion on metabolic-reflex regulation of hemodynamics were evaluated during local static work (30% of maximum voluntary effort) of the talocrural extensors. One group of immersed test-subjects received low-frequency electrostimulation of leg muscles to offset the immersion effect on EMG of working muscles. Metabolic-reflex regulation was evaluated through comparison of cardiovascular responses to physical tests with and w/o post-exercise vascular occlusion. Immersion vaguely increased heart rate and reduced systolic arterial pressure in resting subjects; however, it did not have a distinct effect on arterial pressure and HR during muscular work or metabolic-reflex potentiation of hemodynamic shifts.

[Ergoreflex: the essence and mechanisms].

Physical loading raises the sympathetic nervous activity which results in increased minute volume, constriction of peripheral vessels, and elevated blood pressure. These reactions are an outcome of two mechanisms: 1) the central command from cerebral structures that trigger voluntary movements to activate the vasomotor center and 2) the reflexes initiated by mechanic and metabolic changes in a working muscle. The second mechanism of the sympathetic system activation was termed ergoreflex. Ergoreflex controls hemodynamics primarily through activation of mechanosensitive afferents to first of all inhibit the tonic vagal effects on the heart manifested by a leap of heart rate during loading. Activation of chemosensitive afferents comes with some delay in pace with metabolites accumulation in muscles and leads to growth of the efferent sympathetic activity and rise of blood pressure. The metabolic reflex effect is particularly high in the event of muscle fatigue. This review deals with the mechanisms underlying the ergoreflex and their adaptation to hypodynamia, physical loading, and also some pathologies.

[Physiological effects of using the low intensity strength training without relaxation in single-joint and multi-joint movements].

The effects of classical strength training (CT) and low intensity strength training without relaxation (TwR) upon size, strength and fatigability of leg muscles in men were compared. A 8-10-week strength training led to an increase of size and maximal voluntary contraction of trained muscles. After the CT, the increment of strength was higher; on the other hand, strength increments related to total work performed increased after the TwR noticeably higher than after the CT. Two training programs influenced the size of total muscle and of muscle fibers (MF) differently: the volume of m. quadriceps femoris increased more after the CT than after the TwR. The CT induced a significant increase of cross sectional area (CSA) of fast MF, and the TwR induced an increase of CSA of slow MF. Resistance to fatigue after the TwR was higher than after the. The effects of TwR were more pronounced in single-joint movements training than in multi-joint movement.