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THE INFLUENCE OF AN(AEROBIC) TRAINING ON ANKLE PROPRIOCEPTION, ANKLE LAXITY, BALANCE
No full textAthletic training modalities isolate specific physiological processes to enhances performance. Aerobic training emphasizes endurance, sustained performance over extended periods of time whereas anaerobic training emphasizes high-magnitude, low-repetition output. Training modality may lead to increased likelihood of injury, dependent upon athlete specialization and demands of a task. The comparison of aerobic (AE) and anaerobically (AN) trained athletes may provide insight into training-related injury predisposition. PURPOSE: To determine the influence of training on lower extremity sensation, balance, and strength in college-aged athletes trained aerobically or anaerobically. METHODS: 37 unimpaired young adults (21 AE, 16 AN) completed sensory assessments including plantar cutaneous sensation, proprioception (ankle), and peak torque (PT) production at the ankle with an isokinetic dynamometer. Static balance was assessed before and after exercise under four conditions standing on a force plate. Differences between groups were determined using a mixed-model ANOVA (p\u3c0.05). RESULTS: AE trained participants had greater proprioception (59.5 ± 15.8 vs. 68.9 ± 10.5%, p \u3c 0.05) compared to AN participants. AN participants produced greater PT (95.1 ± 30.3 vs. 69.0 ± 23.9Nm, p \u3c 0.05) than AE. AE males had greater positive active range of motion (AROM) (59.0 ± 9.4 vs. 50.0 ± 7.6°, p \u3c 0.05), PF PT (108.3 ± 23.9 vs. 74.6 ± 22.1Nm, p \u3e 0.05), and PF work (1356.8 ± 428.6 vs. 868.9 ± 377.1J, p \u3e 0.05) than AN males. Center of pressure (COP) displacement differed due to base of support (two feet compared to one (p\u3c0.001), with or without visual feedback (p\u3c0.001), and following exercise (p=0.019). COP displacement did not differ between groups (p=0.632). CONCLUSION: Training modality influences ankle neuromuscular function (sensation and force production). These findings suggest aerobic training may enhance sensory feedback and joint stability, whereas anaerobic training improves strength and power output. Optimization of training programs should include activities to limit development of deficits related to training modality to mitigate injury risk. Future research should explore potential benefits of hybrid training to enhance both neuromuscular control and strength
EFFECT OF A STUDENT-LED EXERCISE CLINIC ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND FITNESS AMONG COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
No full textAccording to the CDC, more than 75% of US adults do not meet physical activity guidelines. Physical inactivity increases cardiovascular disease risk, while engaging in exercise substantially lowers that risk. Experiential learning projects, like Washington State University’s Health and Fitness Clinic, allow undergraduates to apply exercise training skills in a real-world setting to promote health in the community. PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to assess cardiovascular health and fitness outcomes after a 2-month student-led nutrition and exercise clinic. METHODS: Students led clients through a bi-weekly personalized fitness program for 8 weeks based on the clients’ individual needs and goals. Eligible participants were consented to take part in the research study and had their fitness and vascular health assessed before and after the 8-week program. Vascular function was assessed by Doppler ultrasound-measured femoral artery blood flow during a passive leg movement (PLM) test. Vascular stiffness and blood pressure (BP) were measured with SphygmoCor XCEL, including large artery pulse wave velocity (PWV) and both brachial and central BP. General fitness was assessed using a stationary bike test for aerobic fitness, a push-up test for muscular endurance, and a single-leg balance test. Clinic attendance was tracked, and a clinic satisfaction survey was completed at the end of the study. RESULTS: Eleven clients (7 women, 4 men) were consented and completed the 8-week study, with an average clinic attendance rate of 81%. The participants’ rated clinic satisfaction positively, with a score of 4.6 out of 5. There were significant improvements in both aerobic fitness and push-up test score (p\u3c0.05). No significant changes were observed for BP, PLM and PWV tests of vascular health. Despite non-significant changes in blood pressure measurements, 9 participants had clinically meaningful improvements. This included lowering BP categories from high to elevated BP or elevated to normal BP. Similarly, for the balance test, 5 participants raised their scores from below average to above average. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results demonstrate the health benefits of a student-led clinic. This is the first year of a 3-year annual study in which we hope to see continued expansion and improvement
PROFILING KINETICS AND KINEMATICS OF COLLEGIATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS BASED ON POSITION GROUP AND DIVISION
No full textThe countermovement jump (CMJ) is an athletic test that can be used to derive meaningful metrics to assess player performance, especially in volleyball. This data can be used to inform player differences in relation to position, divisions, and overall movement strategies. PURPOSE: To profile CMJ kinetics and kinematics of NCAA volleyball players based on position, as well as to compare D3 CMJ metrics to DI. METHODS: NCAA D3 and D1 women’s volleyball players (n = 99, 23 + 2.3 years, 175.4 + 8.4 cm, 71.3 kg + 11.7) completed 3 maximal effort CMJs on force plates during their preseason testing. The participants’ highest jump height (JH) of their 3 trials, and its corresponding 6 kinetic metrics, were used in the analyses. ANOVAs were conducted to compare jump metrics across positions and level of play with the alpha being set to p \u3c 0.05. A Bonferroni post-hoc analysis was used to identify specific statistical differences between jump metrics, positions, and level of play. RESULTS: Significant differences resulted in Right Side Hitters creating higher braking rate of force development (BRFD) than Defensive Specialists (p \u3c 0.005), and both Right Side Hitters and Middle Blockers displayed greater peak propulsive force (PPF) than Defensive Specialists (p \u3c 0.005). Between divisions, D1 athletes exhibited significantly higher jump height (JH) compared to D3 athletes (p \u3c 0.005). D1 athletes achieved higher JH due to deeper countermovement depth (CMD), higher reactive strength index-modified (mRSI), higher peak PPF, and greater relative propulsive impulse (RPI) (p \u3c 0.005). CONCLUSION: Significant positional differences in jump strategy were presented, particularly for defensive specialists. When compared level of play, D1 volleyball players displayed greater values across multiple CMJ metrics, meaning they have enhanced neuromuscular abilities than D3. The jump data has implications for profiling, recruiting, and training adaptations. Future research should expand participant age, gender, include other divisions of play, and compare volleyball athletes to other sports
METABOLIC EQUIVALENTS FOR OUTRIGGER CANOE PADDLING FOR ADULTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY: AN ACCESSMETS PROJECT
No full textIt is well established that regular physical activity (PA) can reduce the risk for chronic disease, dementia, and all-cause mortality. This risk, however, tends to be much higher in some groups, such as people with disabilities (PWD) and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) who also consistently self-report lower levels of PA. The current study sought to investigate the efficacy of using outrigger canoe paddling (i.e., paddling) as a PA intervention tool because of the activity’s popularity in Hawai’i, it’s cultural relevance as a PA to NHPIs, and because paddling is practiced by those with spinal cord injuries (SCI). As such, the present study sought to determine the metabolic intensities (i.e., metabolic equivalents, or METs) that characterize on-water paddling for adults with SCI. The evaluation of METs for PA interventions targeting adults with SCI is an understudied topic. PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether measured MET values would exceed the 3.0 “moderate intensity” and/or 6.0 “vigorous intensity” MET PA thresholds, both of which are used to promote improved health outcomes and decreased risk for many chronic diseases. METHODS: Six adults with diagnosed SCI – 2 women (Mean±SD: 44±4 years age) and 4 men (53±2 years) – were recruited to paddle as part of a 6-person outrigger canoe (i.e., OC6) session on the ocean while having metabolic intensity measured using standard indirect calorimetry procedures. Sessions included a 5-minute semi-standardized paddling warm-up followed by paddling at steady-state intensities equivalent to “light”, “moderate”, and “hard” for 5-minutes each. RESULTS: Average MET values for light (4.3±1.2 METs; P=0.023), moderate (5.2±1.1 METs; P=0.003), and hard (6.0±0.9 METs; P\u3c0.001) paddling intensities (82.5, 88.1, and 93.45% of age-predicted maximal heart rate, respectively) all exceeded the 3.0 MET PA threshold, while none of these intensities (P=0.53-0.99) exceeded the 6.0 “vigorous intensity” MET threshold. CONCLUSION: These results support the use of outrigger canoe paddling in adults with SCI as an intervention tool to promote lower risk for chronic disease and positive health and fitness outcomes
ASSOCIATIONS OF DAILY STEP COUNT AND STEP RATE WITH QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS
No full textAssociations between daily step count and quality of life are well established in older adults. There is less evidence about the impact of average step rate, a marker of intensity, on quality of life, and the role of body composition, a key cardiometabolic disease risk factor, as a potential mediator. PURPOSE: To determine associations of daily step count and average step rate with physical quality of life (PQL) and mental quality of life (MQL) in older adults. METHODS: Daily step count and average step rate data were recorded via accelerometry worn over 7 days from 37 older adults (mean ± SD: age = 67.9 ± 6.7 yrs; 64.9% women) who were free from injury preventing typical physical activity levels. PQL and MQL data were collected via survey and scored on a 0 to 100 scale. Body fat percentage (%BF) was assessed via BOD POD. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to evaluate associations of step count and step rate with PQL and MQL, controlling for accelerometer wear time, age, and %BF. RESULTS: Daily step count (8603 ± 3186 steps/d) and average step rate (9.6 ± 3.5 steps/min) were associated with PQL (82.2 ± 10.4; β = 0.37, p = 0.03 and β = 0.35, p = 0.05, respectively) independent of accelerometer wear time (903.1 ± 70.9 min/d) and age. The associations of daily step count and average step rate with PQL were attenuated by %BF (30.6 ± 7.2%; β = 0.17, p = 0.45 and β = 0.12, p = 0.59, respectively). There were no significant associations between daily step count or average step rate and MQL (80.0 ± 13.2, p\u3e0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that daily step count and average step rate are positively associated with PQL but not MQL in older adults, with the associations attenuated by %BF. Increasing daily step count and average step rate while maintaining healthy body composition may be meaningful objectives for multifaceted intervention strategies for improving PQL in older adults
