Physical and functional fitness changes in older adults in response to a traditional training program and a Wii enhanced training program

The Wii Fit Plus Balance program has been recommended as an alternative training tool for older adults to improve physical and functional fitness. However, the effectiveness of the Wii Fit Plus in combination with traditional training approaches in older adults is unclear. PURPOSE: To compare changes in physical fitness measures in older adults (OA) engaging in two different training programs: 1) traditional exercises performed by the control group (CG) and 2) traditional exercises complemented by Wii balance games performed by the experimental group (EG). METHODS: 35 untrained OA (mean ± SD Age: 68.86 ± 6.13; BMI: 28.89 ± 5.32) with no exercise history were recruited and randomly assigned to either the CG or EG group. CG and EG programs both included cardio, strength, flexibility, and balance training exercises. However, subjects in the EG group performed additional balance exercises using Wii fit plus program. Both CG and EG subjects exercised twice per week for twelve weeks. Fitness assessments were based on standard procedures including the chair stand, gallon jug transfer, 8 foot up-and-go tests, as well as a long ramp walk and medicine ball throw tests. Data were collected at weeks 1, 6, and 12. Data analysis was conducted using the general linear mixed model with alpha level set at p\u3c0.05. RESULTS: A significant time effect was found for all fitness measures in both groups from week 1 to 6 (p\u3c0.001) and week 1 to 12 (p\u3c0.001). In general CG and EG subjects made 5.5% to 31.7% improvement from Week 1 to 6 and 8.1% to 52.5% improvement from Week 1 to 12. No significant group effects were observed between the CG and EG groups (p\u3e0.370). Also, no significant group by time interactions were observed for any of the fitness measures (p\u3e0.290). CONCLUSION: It appears that the use of the Wii Fit Plus Balance in conjunction with a traditional exercise program does not provide added significant fitness benefits for older adults. While additional fitness benefits are not evident, it appears that both a traditional exercise program alone and a traditional exercise program combined with the Wii Fit Plus Balance training may elicit significant fitness improvements

The Effects of Two Different Sprint Training Modalities on Sprint Speed, Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition

Previous studies on sprint training have shown subjects to improve not only sprint speed, but also aerobic fitness and body composition. However, it is unclear whether sprint training on the track is more effective in improving these variables compared to training on a high-speed treadmill. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-week track (TR) vs. high-speed treadmill (TM) sprint training on maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), sprint speed and body composition. Twelve subjects were randomly assigned to the TR (n=6; 3 males, 3 females) or TM training group (n=6; 3 males, 3 females). All subjects performed 2 training sessions weekly, performing 4 maximal sprints with 3-4 minutes rest in between attempts. Four cones were placed along the track to simulate progression of speed to replicate treadmill conditions. TR started from an upright jog position and progressively increased speed at each cone (60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%) of maximal speed and 100% maximal speed through the recording zone (5-6 seconds). A treadmill speed test was applied increasing treadmill speed to the subjects’ loss of control, while suspended in a safety harness. VO2max was measured by Parvomedics True Max 2400 metabolic cart and body composition was measured by Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline and after the 6 weeks of training. Treadmill sprint speed improved significantly in both groups (TR 16.36±0.54 to 17.79±0.52 miles/hr, p=0.0003; TM 17.13±0.84 to 18.63±0.93 miles/hr, p=0.0018). VO2 max was improved in both groups (TR 46.60±2.03 to 49.54±1.71 ml/kg/min, p=0.03; TM 47.59±4.152 to 51.05±4.445 ml/kg/min, p=0.04). There was no significant change in body mass index (TR 24.1±1.0 to 24.0±1.0 kg/m2; p=0.51; TM 24.5±0.7 to 24.1±0.8; p=0.30) or in lean mass (TR 44.08±3.12 to 43.80±2.62 kg; p=0.73; TM 48.41±5.29 to 44.55±7.49 kg; p=0.36) in either group. There was a significant decrease in percent body fat in the TR group (30.36±3.75 to 29.20±3.75%; p=0.01) but not in the TM group (27.83±5.50 to 27.20±5.95%; p=0.38). In summary, both the track and treadmill sprint training modalities appear to be effective to improve sprint speed and aerobic power after only 6 weeks of training. However, only track sprint training appears to be beneficial towards decreasing body fat

Manual Resistance versus Conventional Resistance Training: Impact on Strength and Muscular Endurance in Recreationally Trained Men

Manual resistance training (MRT) has been widely used in the field of physical therapy. It has also been used as a strength training method due to the accommodating resistance nature of this modality. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of an 8-week MRT program on maximum strength and muscular endurance in comparison to conventional resistance training in recreationally trained men. Twenty healthy recreationally trained male subjects were recruited and divided into a MRT training group and a conventional training (CT) group. CT group performed bench press and lat pull-down exercises, and the MRT group performed similar movements with resistance provided by a personal trainer. Both groups completed similar training protocol and training load: 2 training sessions weekly for 3 sets of 8 repetitions at an intensity of 8 to 10 on the perceived exertion scale of 0-10. Initial maximum strength differences were not significant between the groups. Neither group showed significant changes in muscular strength or endurance. Despite the statistically non-significant pre- to post differences, a trend for improvement was observed and effect size (ES) calculations indicated greater magnitude of effects for strength and endurance changes in the MRT group in lat pulldown (g=0.84) compared to CT group. Effectiveness of MRT is similar to CT for improving muscular strength and endurance. MRT can be used as a supplemental or alternative strength training modality for recreationally trained subjects, or be considered by personal trainers especially in low equipped facility conditions

Retirement village physical activity and nutrition intervention process evaluation:Informing practice

© 2018 AJA Inc. Objective: This process evaluation aimed to determine participants’ perceptions of the strategies utilised in a six-month intervention that set out to improve physical activity and nutrition in retirement village (RV) residents. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from intervention participants residing in 17 RVs located in Perth, Western Australia, via self-report questionnaires (n = 139) and semi-structured interviews (n = 16). Results: Intervention resources were moderately useful and suitable. Program ambassadors were encouraging (86%), but more frequent, and more direct, contact were preferred. The main reason for withdrawing from the program was health-related conditions (aches, pains, injuries). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the intervention was reasonably appropriate for older adults residing in RVs. Program ambassadors were well accepted, a successful strategy that should be considered for future interventions in RVs. Increased face-to-face engagement was preferred, but such an approach will require greater investment. The findings contribute to a small research base concerned with health behaviour interventions in RVs

The Comparison of Time to Peak Rapid Force Production in Division One Collegiate Male Football, Track, and Basketball Players

Sports such as football (FB), track (TR), and basketball (BB) use movements that require rapid force development in order to be successful. An athlete’s ability to generate power is vital for performance in these sports. While many studies have looked at rapid force development in one sport, there is a paucity of research when comparing athletes across different sports for their time to peak force development. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare male FB, BB, and TR athletes’ time to peak force and rate of development performance. METHODS: A total of 138 athletes (n=14 BB, n=108 FB, n=16 TR) completed two trials of the isometric mid-thigh pull with force platforms used for measuring ground reaction data. Measures from the isometric mid-thigh pull included time to peak force and rate of force development (RFD) at epochs of 50ms, 100ms, 150ms, 200ms, 250ms. Individual linear mixed-models were constructed for each dependent variable (time to peak force and RFD 50,100,150,200,250 ms) with Sport and Trial as a Fixed Factor and an interaction of Sport*IMTP Trial with each athlete as a random intercept. More specifically, a generic model was constructed as y=Sport*Trial + (1|Athlete). Models met all the statistical assumptions and model performance was determined using AIC, BIC, and R2. RESULTS: There were no differences found in either time to peak force (BB =2.87 ±1.98s, FB =3.40 ±1.56s, TR =3.14 ±1.31s, p\u3e0.05), rate of force development at 50ms (BB M=6895.74 ±4155.87 N/s, FB M=6000.91 ±7143.80 N/s, TR M=6948.25 ±5957.56 N/s), 100ms (BB M=7389.82 ±4170.42 N/s, FB M=5138.16 ±4906.71 N/s, TR M=6832.68 ±4852.58 N/s), 150ms (BB M=6043.04 ±2363.08 N/s, FB M=4679.04 ±4053.51 N/s, TR M=6440.04 ±4001.19 N/s), 200ms (BB M=5577.99 ±2041.35 N/s, FB M=4285.77 ±3476.65 N/s, TR M=5778.63 ±2881.08 N/s), and 250ms (BB M=4899.58 ±1996.59 N/s, FB M=3796.88 ±2913.15 N/s, TR M=4917.58 ±2184.59 N/s) CONCLUSION: There were no differences in rapid force production between the athletes of the examined three sports. Practical Applications: Rapid force production is a vital aspect of these three sports, regardless of the different demands that each sport requires, which could explain the lack of differences found in this investigation

THE EFFECTS OF ECCENTRIC PHASE DURATION ON CONCENTRIC PHASE FORCE PRODUCTION DURING DEPTH JUMPS

The purpose of the study was to test the yet unproven theory, which states that the faster a muscle is stretched the greater force it produces in the subsequent concentric phase during plyometric exercises. Thirty-three trained male athletes performed plyometric depth jumps from two heights (trial A=33.02cm, trial B=47.94cm) landing on a force platform, followed by an immediate counter jump. Researchers determined the duration of eccentric phase and the relative peak concentric force of each jump using the data from the force platform. Results indicated a significant inverse relationship between eccentric duration and relative peak concentric force in both trials (p=0.019 and

A Comparison of Morphological, Jump, and Sprint Kinematic Asymmetries in Division I Track and Field Athletes

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(1): 1306-1319, 2023. Inter-limb asymmetries are the difference in performance in one limb with respect to the other. Running events in track and field are considered symmetrical while jumping and throwing events are considered asymmetrical. It is unknown if competing in these different events result in differences in inter-limb asymmetries, thus, this study compared the magnitude of jump, sprint, and morphological asymmetries in track and field athletes who compete in symmetrical and asymmetrical events. Forty-six Division I track and field athletes performed a series of vertical jumps (VJ) and broad jumps (BJ) with force platforms measuring peak force of each limb, and 30-meter fly sprints with kinematics (step length (SL), flight time (FT), and contact time (CT)) recorded during the sprints. Additionally, thirty-eight of these subjects underwent body composition analysis via dual x-ray absorptiometry to determine morphological asymmetries. Asymmetries were calculated using the symmetry index and the asymmetry measures were compared between sprinters, distance runners, throwers, and jumpers utilizing a one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis tests with post-hoc comparisons as necessary. There were no differences in VJ, BJ, and sprint kinematic asymmetries found between groups but there were differences in leg fat mass asymmetries (H(3)=8.259, p=0.041, eta2= 0.101) as well as arm lean mass (H(3)=9.404, p=0.024, eta2=0.152), fat mass (H(3)=17.822,

Validity of Vertical Jump Measuring Devices

The vertical jump has been used to assess athleticism in explosive sports. Field measuring methods have been recently introduced to the market. Some of these devices have been previously validated, however, they have not been validated by an independent research institute nor have been concurrently validated in the same training session. PURPOSE: This research intends to conduct an independent validation of alternative vertical jump devices and to validate multiple devices within the same training session. METHODS: 50 physically active University students were recruited for this study. The subjects performed a self-paced 5 minute jog on a treadmill as part of the general warm-up followed by an 8 minute specific dynamic warm up. Subjects then performed a familiarization phase on the force plates, which consisted of 3 repetitions of the countermovement jump (CMJ); in order to control for individual technical differences and intra-subject variability, subjects were instructed to perform a CMJ at a 90 degree angle squat for each repetition. Subjects then performed a CMJ at the researchers signal for 3 repetitions. We placed an accelerometer based device (Push-Band) on the subjects waist, an Iphone 7plus was used to record and analyze the subject’s CMJ on two video apps (MyJump2 and What’sMyVert), and a photoelectric cells system (optojump) bars were placed next to the force plates; the later were used as the gold standard for the vertical jump measure. 3 researchers measured synchronically each CMJ. A data analysis was conducted on IBM SPSS 23. An Intra-class correlation was used to analyze the correlation between devices. RESULTS: Compared to the force plates, the MyJump2 app showed a nearly perfect correlation (r=.968). The Whats’myVert video app and PushBand showed a moderate-large correlation (r=.619 and r=.641 respectively). Lastly, the Optojump showed a moderate correlation of r= .492. CONCLUSION: We observed a nearly perfect correlation of the MyJump2 app, this correlation appears to be consistent to a previous validation study. The What’sMyVert app showed a large correlation to the force plates, and to our knowledge, this is the first study looking at the validation of this app. We found some inconsistency between our data from the PushBand accelerometer and the Optojump to what has been previously published. In summary, based on our data, the video apps appear to be an excellent alternative to costly laboratory and field devices

Associations Between Jump Performance and Asymmetries with 30-m Sprint Completion Time

Asymmetries of the lower body during jumping have been examined as a method to predict risk for injury and guide training program development. Studies have primarily focused on how these asymmetries affect jump performance, but none have examined this in Division I track athletes nor how these are related to sprint performance. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between jump performance and asymmetries of the vertical and broad jumps with 30-m sprint completion times. METHODS: Twenty-five Division I Track and Field athletes (12 sprinters and 13 non-sprinters) (height = 177.21 ± 10.43 cm; weight = 78.67 ± 24.15 kg) participated in this study. These subjects performed two trials of both the vertical jump (VJ) with their hands on their hips while standing on force platforms. Subjects also performed two trials of the broad jump (BJ) while standing on force platforms and the distance of the BJ was measured using a 100-m tape measure. Following the jump tests, subjects performed two trials of 30-m sprints in which time was recorded using timing gates and the trial with the shortest completion time was used for analysis. Force data from the VJ was used to determine jump height and inter-limb asymmetries and the trial with the greatest jump height was used for analysis. Force data from the BJ was used to determine inter-limb asymmetries from each trial and the trial with the greatest jump distance was used for analysis. Asymmetries were calculated with the symmetry index equation [(high value-low value)/total*100]. Spearman rank correlations were then conducted to determine if the jump performance and asymmetries were associated with sprint completion times. Significance was set at an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: Spearman rank correlations determined that both the VJ and BJ were negatively associated with 30-m sprint completion time (rs= -0.644 p=0.001 and rs=-0.563 p=0.003, respectively). Additionally, both the VJ height and BJ distance were positively correlated (rs=0.643 p=0.001). The VJ and BJ asymmetries were not significantly correlated with 30-m sprint performance (p\u3e0.05) nor were they correlated with either the VJ height or BJ distance. CONCLUSION: The findings of study indicate that coaches may want to monitor jump performance as it is related to sprint performance. On the other hand, the asymmetries measured were not associated with jump or sprint performance and this may be due to the sample as they were highly trained individuals with low levels of asymmetries during both jumps

Randomized controlled resistance training based physical activity trial for central European nursing home residing older adults

AIM: Nursing home residing older adults often experience fear of sickness or death, functional impairment and pain. It is difficult for these older adults to maintain a physically active lifestyle and to keep a positive outlook on life. This study evaluated the changes in quality of life, attitude to aging, assertiveness, physical fitness and body composition of nursing home residing elderly through a 15-week organized resistance training based physical activity program. METHODS: Inactive older adults living in a state financed nursing home (N=45) were randomly divided into two intervention groups and a control group. Both intervention groups were assigned to two physical activity sessions a week, but one of these groups also had weekly discussions on health and quality of life (MENTAL group). Data on anthropometric measures, fitness performance, as well as quality of life and attitudes to aging survey data were collected. Due to low attendance rate 12 subjects were excluded from the analyses. Statistical analysis included Paired Samples t-tests and Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance. RESULTS: Both intervention groups significantly improved their social participation, and their upper- and lower-body strength scores. Also, subjects in the MENTAL group showed improvement in agility fitness test and certain survey scales. No positive changes were detected in attitude towards aging and body composition measures in any groups. The post hoc results suggest that MENTAL group improved significantly more than the CONTROL group. CONCLUSIONS: Regular physical activity with discussions on health and quality of life made a more meaningful difference for the older adults living in nursing home than physical activity alone. Due to the fact that all participants were influenced by the program, it is suggested to further explore this area for better understanding of enhanced quality of life