Leg press exercise can reduce functional hamstring:quadriceps ratio in the elderly

The aim of this study was to investigate whether 12 weeks of leg press strength training exercise could affect the conventional and functional hamstring:quadriceps ratios in the elderly. Twelve elderly participants were submitted to a 12 week progressive training protocol (two sessions/week) using a 45° leg press exercise. A significant increase in the one repetition maximum was observed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively) compared to week 0 and after 8 (p = 0.011) and 12 weeks (p = 0.001) compared to week 4. The concentric knee extensor peak torque was significantly higher at weeks 8 (p = 0.001) and 12 (p = 0.024) compared to week 0. There was no change in the concentric and eccentric knee flexor peak torques (p = 0.629 and 0.274, respectively) and conventional ratio (p > 0.314) after 12 weeks of training. The functional ratio (eccentric knee flexor peak torque:concentric knee extensor peak torque) reduced significantly after 8 (p = 0.034) and 12 (p = 0.036) weeks of strength training. Although the 45° leg press exercise requires knee extensor and flexor, hip extensor, and plantar flexor muscle strength, our findings suggest that the isolated use of the 45° leg press exercise reduces the knee functional ratio after 8 weeks of training. Therefore, 45° leg press exercise alone, without a hamstring exercise, should not be recommended for elderly individuals.     

Postexercise blood flow restriction does not enhance muscle hypertrophy induced by multiple‐set high‐load resistance exercise

To test the applicability of postexercise blood flow restriction (PEBFR) in practical training programmes, we investigated whether PEBFR enhances muscle hypertrophy induced by multiple‐set high‐load resistance exercise (RE). Seven men completed an eight‐week RE programme for knee extensor muscles. Employing a within‐subject design, one leg was subjected to RE + PEBFR, whereas contralateral leg to RE only. On each exercise session, participants performed three sets of unilateral knee extension exercise at approximately 70% of their one‐repetition maximum for RE leg first, and then performed three sets for RE + PEBFR leg. Immediately after completion of the third set, the proximal portion of the RE + PEBFR leg was compressed with an air‐pressure cuff for 5 min at a pressure ranging from 100 to 150 mmHg. If participants could perform 10 repetitions for three sets in two consecutive exercise sessions, the work load was increased by 5% at the next exercise session. Muscle thickness and strength of knee extensor muscles were measured before and after the eight‐week training period and after the subsequent eight‐week detraining period. There was a main effect of time but no condition × time interaction or main effect of condition for muscle thickness and strength. Both muscle thickness and strength increased after the training period independent of the condition. This result suggests that PEBFR would not be an effective training method at least in an early phase of adaptation to high‐load resistance exercise.     

The effects of exercise training on arterial stiffness in coronary artery disease patients: a state‐of‐the‐art review

The purpose of this state‐of‐the‐art review was to examine the effects of exercise training on arterial stiffness (AS) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A PubMed and SCOPUS literature search was conducted up to March of 2013. Two authors performed the selection of the studies and the subsequent data extraction (e.g. information on study design, exercise programme characteristics and outcome measures). Of 34 papers identified, only five studies met the inclusion criteria, with no one being a randomized controlled trial. Within the selected studies, the sample size varied between 28 and 119 patients, with mean ages ranging from 48 to 67 years old in patients with CAD after an acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Although all studies utilized the aerobic exercise mode, the other characteristics of the exercise programmes varied largely between the studies: programme length (from 6 to 20 weeks), exercise duration (15–20 to 50 min) and exercise intensity, which was based on heart rate reserve (40 to 85%) or heart rate at anaerobic threshold or ventilatory threshold. All the three studies evaluating pulse wave velocity, as well as one of two studies that assessed the augmentation index, reported significant reductions on those variables after exercise training. Results indicated that the majority of the AS and related measures improved after the different exercise training programmes. However, these results need to be confirmed in future randomized clinical studies controlling potential confounders.     

Effect of caffeine on perceptions of leg muscle pain during moderate intensity cycling exercise.

This double-blind, within-subjects experiment examined the effect of ingesting a large dose of caffeine on perceptions of leg muscle pain during moderate intensity cycling exercise. Low-caffeine-consuming college-aged males (n = 16) ingested either caffeine (10 mg x kg(-1) body weight) or placebo and 1 hour later completed 30 minutes of moderate intensity cycling exercise (60% VO(2peak)). The order of drug administration was counter-balanced. Perceptions of leg muscle pain as well as work rate, heart rate, and oxygen uptake (VO(2)) were recorded during exercise. Leg muscle pain ratings were significantly and moderately reduced after a high dose of caffeine. This observation suggests that prior reports showing caffeine improves endurance exercise performance might be partially explained by caffeine's hypoalgesic properties. It also suggests that moderate intensity cycling exercise has promise as a useful experimental model for the study of naturally occurring muscle pain.     

Physical performance in individuals with late effects of polio

The aim of this study was to evaluate physical performance in individuals with late effects of polio; specifically, to evaluate the effects of reduced muscle strength in the lower limbs. Thirty-two individuals seen at the polio clinic at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, G?teborg, Sweden, participated in the study. Each subject performed a bicycle exercise test in which peak oxygen uptake and anaerobic threshold were determined. Muscle strength in the quadriceps and the hamstrings were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer. Reductions in peak workload, peak oxygen uptake and predicted heart rate were seen. The anaerobic threshold was within or slightly lower than normal limits in relation to predicted maximal oxygen uptake, indicating that the cardio-respiratory system was not limiting performance. The muscle testing demonstrated a significantly lower ability to perform muscle actions compared with individuals from a reference group, and strong correlations were found between muscle strength peak VO2 and peak workload, respectively. Adjusted peripheral muscle endurance training might improve the work capacity in those individuals with weak leg muscles and low oxygen uptake, while individuals with relatively good muscle strength would improve their aerobic fitness in a general fitness program.     

Physical fitness of lower limb amputees

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cardiorespiratory endurance of the physical fitness of amputees and able-bodied subjects of the same ages and to demonstrate deterioration of the physical fitness of the amputees. DESIGN: The test subjects were 31 amputees. Eighteen able-bodied persons served as controls. The incremental exercise test was performed to evaluate physical fitness. Sixteen of 31 amputees underwent endurance training by using a cycle ergometer driven by the intact leg, and their physical fitness was evaluated after completion of the endurance training program. RESULTS: The Vo2max, anaerobic threshold, and maximum workload for the amputees were significantly lower than those of the able-bodied group. The equivalent values for the endurance training group before exercise treatment were 18.0, 12.1, and 63.9, respectively. After exercise treatment, these values significantly increased, and there was no significant difference from the able-bodied subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the physical fitness of amputees was clearly lower than that of the able-bodied subjects and that the amputees were able to recover from a poorly conditioned status after endurance training.     

Short-term progressive resistance exercise may not be effective at increasing wrist strength in people with tetraplegia: a randomised controlled trial

QUESTIONS: Is an 8-week progressive resistance exercise program effective for increasing strength in the wrist muscles of people with tetraplegia? Is it effective for improving muscle endurance and participants' perceptions about use of their hands for activities of daily living? DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two people with tetraplegia and neurological weakness of their wrist flexor or extensor muscles. INTERVENTION: The wrist muscles of one randomly-chosen hand were trained 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was strength measured as maximal voluntary isometric torque in Nm. The secondary outcomes were muscle endurance measured as fatigue resistance and participants' perceptions about use of their hands using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. RESULTS: The mean effect on maximal voluntary isometric torque was 0.2 Nm (95% CI -0.5 to 0.8). This represents an 8% increase of mean initial strength; less than the 20% deemed clinically worthwhile at the commencement of the study. The mean effect on fatigue resistance was 0.1 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.2). The mean effect on participants' perceptions of performance was -0.3 (95% CI -1.9 to 1.2) and satisfaction was -0.3 (95% CI -1.6 to 1.0). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that progressive resistance exercise has no effect on participants' perceptions about hand function. However, it is not yet clear whether progressive resistance exercise programs improve strength and endurance in muscles with neurologically-induced weakness following tetraplegia.     

Impaired skeletal muscle function in patients with congestive heart failure. Relationship to systemic exercise performance.

In patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), the poor relationship between systemic exercise performance and cardiac function, together with morphologic and metabolic abnormalities in skeletal muscle, raises the possibility that skeletal muscle function may be impaired and limit systemic exercise performance. We assessed strength and endurance of the knee extensors during static and dynamic exercise in 16 patients with Class I-IV CHF and eight age-matched sedentary controls and related these measurements to systemic exercise performance. To assess skeletal muscle function independent of peripheral blood flow, endurance was repeated under ischemic conditions. Strength was not significantly different in the two groups. Dynamic endurance, quantified as the decline in peak torque during 15 successive isokinetic knee extensions, was significantly reduced in the patients compared to controls during aerobic (peak torque 65 vs. 86% of initial for exercise at 90 deg/s and 60 vs. 85% for exercise at 180 deg/s; P less than 0.002 for both), and during ischemic exercise (56 vs. 76% of initial torque; P less than 0.01). Static endurance, defined as the time required for force during a sustained maximal voluntary contraction to decline to 60% of maximal, was reduced in the patients compared to controls (40 +/- 14 vs. 77 +/- 29 s; P less than 0.02). There were highly significant relationships between systemic exercise performance and skeletal muscle endurance at 90 and 180 deg/s in the patients with CHF (r = 0.90 and 0.66, respectively). These findings indicate that skeletal muscle endurance is impaired in patients with CHF, that this abnormality is in part independent of limb blood flow, and that these changes may be important determinants of systemic exercise performance.     

Effects of an aquatic fitness program on the muscular strength and endurance of patients with multiple sclerosis

This study quantified the effects of an aquatic exercise program on muscular strength, endurance, work, and power of patients with multiple sclerosis. Ten individuals with a mean age of 40 years participated in a 10-week aquatic exercise program. Two types of isokinetic dynamometers were used to assess the muscular variables studied. A Cybex II dynamometer was used to measure peak torque, work, and fatigue in the knee flexor and extensor muscles and a biokinetic swim bench was used to measure muscular force, work, fatigue, and power in the upper extremities. Five velocity settings were selected for each of three testing trials (pretrial, midtrial, and posttrial). For the lower extremities, analysis of variance indicated a significant improvement of peak torque for knee extensor muscles from the pretrial to midtrial (p less than .05). Peak torque values from pretrial to midtrial for knee flexors and from midtrial to posttrial for both the knee extensor and flexor muscles indicated a nonsignificant difference at each velocity studied. Fatigue and work values in the lower extremities improved significantly between the pretrial and posttrial (p less than .05). For the upper extremities, an analysis of variance indicated a significant increase in all force measurements from pretrial to posttrial (p less than .05). Power and total work values also improved significantly (p less than .05). No significant difference in fatigue measurements for the upper extremities was found. The results of this investigation indicated that an aquatic exercise program may induce positive changes in muscular strength, fatigue, work, and power in patients with multiple sclerosis.     

The importance of potassium and lactate for maximal exercise performance during beta blockade

Changes in femoral vein pH, lactate, glucose and potassium were studied in a double-blind randomized, short-term, dynamic cycle ergometry exercise test on six healthy male subjects after administration of non-selective (timolol), beta-1-selective (atenolol) beta blocker or placebo. The exercise intensity was increased in steps of 200 kpm/min every 2 min until exhaustion. During submaximal exercise, potassium concentrations in blood from the exercising leg muscles increased progressively with increasing exercise intensity, and was significantly higher for any given exercise level following timolol as compared to placebo administration. The potassium concentrations following atenolol were in-between those of timolol and placebo. Despite reduced working capacity after non-selective beta blockade, almost identical potassium concentrations were reached at exhaustion irrespective of treatment regimens (placebo: 6.3, range 5.8-6.8 mmol/l; atenolol: 6.5, range 6.1-7.3 mmol/l and timolol: 6.4, range 6.2-6.8 mmol/l). The increase in s-lactate concentrations was similar across all treatments, and rose in proportion to the increase in the exercise intensity. A biphasic increase in lactate was observed with identical breaking points (anaerobic threshold) irrespective of treatment regimens. There was no difference in glucose concentrations between the treatment regimens. The marked increase in serum potassium during maximal exercise coincides with leg muscle fatigue and may, by its effect on the muscle cell membrane potential, limit the maximal working capacity following beta blockers. The rise in serum potassium may curtail the use of maximal exercise test as an index of cardiac performance in healthy young subjects.     

"XOS"综合运动反馈仪训练对青年四肢肌力的影响

观察“XOS”综合运动反馈仪训练对正常人肘、膝关节屈伸肌力的影响。方法:对22例健康人进行30天“XOS”反馈仪训练,分别在训练前、后采用等速测试仪进行双侧肘、膝关节肌力测试。结果:“XOS”运动反馈训练后肘、膝关节屈伸肌群峰力矩、耐力比均有提高,与对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05);训练前后肘、膝屈/伸峰力矩比值变化不大,与对照组比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论:“XOS”综合运动反馈仪训练能明显提高肘、膝关节肌肉力量,并维持关节稳定性。     

Changes in muscle strength and endurance of professional cyclists due to PycnoRacerTM

[Purpose] Changes in the muscle performance of professional motorized athletes using pycnogenol-containing supplements have not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in muscle strength and endurance of professional cyclists during 4 weeks of training with the use of PycnoRacer^TM. [Participants and Methods] Eight professional cyclists were requested to consume PycnoRacer^TM twice/day for 4 weeks. The muscle endurance test consisted of 50 consecutive knee flexion and extension exercises at 180°/sec using an isokinetic torque machine before and after PycnoRacer^TM administration. The athletes’ body composition, including leg muscle mass, was also measured. [Results] The maximum flexor muscle torque and 41st–50th flexion muscle torque values significantly improved after supplement consumption (average improvement of 8.5%; range, 13.3–67.2%). The leg muscle mass and body composition did not differ significantly between the two conditions. The participants showed an average improvement of 31.8% (range, 0.9–67.8%) in their total work with cycling training. No adverse events were observed. [Conclusion] The use of PycnoRacer^TM may improve training, muscle strength, and endurance, but not muscle mass.Key words: Cyclist, Pycnogenol, Muscle endurance     

Lower-limb extensor power and lifting characteristics in disabled elders

Few reports address lifting in disabled elders. Resistance training may facilitate function by improving coordination and muscular recruitment in common lifting tasks. Subjects were considered "functionally limited" if they reported a limitation in at least 1 of 9 possible functional areas listed on the Short-Form Health Survey physical function scale (SF-36), excluding the vigorous activity item. Eighty-nine functionally limited elders (60.3 to 89.8 years old) consented to participate in an intervention trial consisting of a 6-month in-home video-facilitated resistance exercise program using elastic bands. Biomechanical variables (leg extensor power, work, squared jerk), temporal outcomes (lift time and time to peak leg powers), and leg extensor strength were analyzed with the use of analysis of variance (ANOVA) between the (1) experimental group versus control group and the (2) subgroup of the weakest third of subjects (pretest leg extensor strength as percent of body weight [BW]). The experimental group had significant improvements in strength in knee extension (16.7%) and hip extension (20.5%). Resistance-trained weak subjects significantly increased hip extension strength compared to controls. A trend toward improved performance in lifting--decreased total lift time--was noted in the resistance-trained subjects. Significant correlations were found between total leg extension power, total leg extension strength, total work, and lift time. Resistance-trained disabled elders demonstrated strength benefits and several trends consistent with improved coordination and more efficient lifting. Leg-muscle power was related to better functional performance in lifting.     

髌腱末端病运动员膝关节屈伸峰力矩和表面肌电图的特征（英文）

背景：髌腱末端病是腱止点部位的微细损伤,股四头肌群中的股内侧肌与股外侧肌之间的力量平衡发生变化,可直接导致髌骨产生异常运动从而对腱止点部位产生影响。目的：分析髌腱末端病发生机制和髌腱末端病对膝关节及其周围肌肉活动产生的影响。方法：选择10名患有髌骨肌腱病的男运动员及10名运动项目、身高和年龄匹配的正常男运动员,采用瑞士CON-TREX等速肌力测试与训练系统,分别进行膝关节力量和表面肌电图的测试,比较与分析膝关节屈肌力矩、伸肌力矩和股四头肌表面肌电图的变化。结果与结论：发现在等长运动时,末端病组的伸肌伸肌峰力矩明显小于对照组、峰值转矩比比值明显大于对照组;在等速运动时,末端病组的伸肌伸肌峰力矩明显小于对照组,并随着运动角速度增加而变化显著,而峰值转矩比比值均不同程高于对照组;末端病组的股内侧肌/股外侧肌的整合肌电图比值在等长运动和等速运动时,均明显低于对照组。提示髌腱末端病运动员膝关节屈肌与伸肌的力量差距较为突出,存在股内侧肌活动低下和股内侧肌与股外侧肌之间不平衡的现象。     

髌腱末端病运动员膝关节屈伸峰力矩和表面肌电图的特征(英文)

背景:髌腱末端病是腱止点部位的微细损伤,股四头肌群中的股内侧肌与股外侧肌之间的力量平衡发生变化,可直接导致髌骨产生异常运动从而对腱止点部位产生影响。目的:分析髌腱末端病发生机制和髌腱末端病对膝关节及其周围肌肉活动产生的影响。方法:选择10名患有髌骨肌腱病的男运动员及10名运动项目、身高和年龄匹配的正常男运动员,采用瑞士CON-TREX等速肌力测试与训练系统,分别进行膝关节力量和表面肌电图的测试,比较与分析膝关节屈肌力矩、伸肌力矩和股四头肌表面肌电图的变化。结果与结论:发现在等长运动时,末端病组的伸肌伸肌峰力矩明显小于对照组、峰值转矩比比值明显大于对照组;在等速运动时,末端病组的伸肌伸肌峰力矩明显小于对照组,并随着运动角速度增加而变化显著,而峰值转矩比比值均不同程高于对照组;末端病组的股内侧肌/股外侧肌的整合肌电图比值在等长运动和等速运动时,均明显低于对照组。提示髌腱末端病运动员膝关节屈肌与伸肌的力量差距较为突出,存在股内侧肌活动低下和股内侧肌与股外侧肌之间不平衡的现象。     

Measurement of maximal isometric torque and muscle quality of the knee extensors and flexors in healthy 50‐ to 70‐year‐old women

Muscle quality is defined as strength per unit muscle mass. The aim of this study was to measure the maximal voluntary isometric torque of the knee extensor and flexor muscle groups in healthy older women and to develop an index of muscle quality based on the combined knee extensor and flexor torque per unit lean tissue mass (LTM) of the upper leg. One hundred and thirty‐six healthy 50‐ to 70‐year‐old women completed an initial measurement of isometric peak torque of the knee extensors and flexors (Con‐Trex MJ; CMV AG, Dubendorf, Switzerland) that was repeated 7 days later. Subsequently, 131 women returned for whole‐ and regional‐body composition analysis (iDXA^?; GE Healthcare, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, UK). Isometric peak torque demonstrated excellent within‐assessment reliability for both the knee extensors and flexors (ICC range: 0·991–1·000). Test–retest reliability was lower (ICC range: 0·777–0·828) with an observed mean increase of 5% in peak torque [6·2 (17·2) N m] on the second day of assessment (P<0·001). The relative mean decrease in combined isometric peak torque (?12·2%; P = 0·001) was double that of the relative, non‐significant, median difference in upper leg LTM (?5·3%; P = 0·102) between those in the 5th and 6th decade. The majority of difference in peak isometric torque came from the knee extensors (15·1 N m, P<0·001 versus 2·4 N m, P = 0·234). Isometric peak torque normalized for upper leg LTM (muscle quality) was 8% lower between decades (P = 0·029). These findings suggest strength per unit tissue may provide a better indication of age‐related differences in muscle quality prior to change in LTM.     

The effects of β-blockade on electrically stimulated contraction in fatigued human triceps surae muscle

Summary. The contractile characteristics of the triceps surae muscle group were examined before and after repeated isometric contractions in two groups of eight healthy young males. Single twitches and trains of stimuli at 10, 20, 50 and 100 Hz were delivered to the muscle using supramaximal voltages. Subjects were treated with β-blockade (2×80 mg oral propranolol, β-b) or matched placebo in a double-blind crossover design. Four different exercise conditions were studied: (I) maximal voluntary contraction (MVC); (II) MVC during circulatory occlusion; (III) electrical stimulation at 20 Hz using 50% of voltage required for maximal torque production; and (IV) electrical stimulation with occlusion. Each contraction was for 5 s with 5 s recovery. Total duration of exercise was 10 min for non-occluded contractions and to a 50% decline in torque output with occlusion. At rest prior to exercise, maximal voluntary contraction was significantly reduced (5·7%) by β-b during 40 observations in 16 subjects. Following exercise without occlusion (I and III), the reduction in torque output of the muscle at 10 and 20 Hz stimulation was generally greater during β-b than placebo. This low frequency fatigue was longer-lasting with β-b. The shorter lasting reduction in torque at 50 and 100 Hz was generally not different between β-b placebo. After exercise with occlusion (II and IV), the torque output at all stimulation frequencies was reduced to a similar extent in both placebo and β-b at most comparison points. Twitch responses after exercise with occlusion showed decreases in peak tension and time to peak tension and a lengthening of one-half relaxation time in both placebo and β-b. It was concluded that the greater reduction in torque output of the triceps surae muscle group at low frequencies during β-b was probably a consequence of a reduction in blood flow relative to the placebo treatment. This relative low frequency fatigue could be responsible for the increased perception of effort in patients exercising during β-blocker therapy.     

Predonation hydration and applied muscle tension combine to reduce presyncopal reactions to blood donation

BACKGROUND: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the effects of hydration and applied muscle tensing on presyncopal reactions to blood donation. Both interventions are designed to prevent the decreases in blood pressure that can contribute to such reactions, but due to the distinct physiologic mechanisms underlying their pressor responses it was hypothesized that a combined intervention would yield the greatest benefit. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Before blood donation, first‐ and second‐time blood donors (mean age, 20.2 years; SD, 4.9) were randomly assigned to 1) standard donation, 2) placebo (leg exercise before venipuncture), 3) predonation water, or 4) predonation water and leg exercise during donation. RESULTS: Main effects of group were observed for phlebotomist classification of vasovagal reactions (χ²(3) = 8.38, p < 0.05) and donor reports of presyncopal reactions (χ²(3) = 13.16, p < 0.01). Follow‐up analyses of phlebotomist classifications revealed fewer reactions in the predonation water and predonation water and leg exercise groups relative to placebo but not standard donation. Follow‐up analyses of self‐reported reactions revealed that women, but not men, had lower scores in both the predonation water and the predonation water and leg exercise groups relative to both placebo and standard donation. CONCLUSIONS: Predonation hydration and a combination of hydration and leg exercise may help attenuate presyncopal reactions in relatively novice donors, although future studies with larger samples are required to confirm this effect.     

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: Their effect on high-intensity exercise performance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the neuromuscular and performance effects of acute and long-term exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). DESIGN: Two randomized, double-blind, crossover studies. SETTING: Departments of Kinesiology and Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven healthy, college-aged men in the acute study; 12 healthy, college-aged men in the chronic study. INTERVENTIONS: In the acute study, subjects were given a placebo and fluoxetine (40 mg) 6 hours before testing, in the chronic study, they were given fluoxetine (40mg/d) and an identical placebo for 2 weeks before testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Target measures were maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs), evoked peak torque, and percentage of motor unit activation for muscle strength and central drive. Repeated Wingate cycle ergometer tests were used to measure anaerobic power, capacity, and fatigue index. VO2max tests (80%, 90%) were used to measure time to exhaustion and cardiorespiratory responses. RESULTS: In the acute study phase, MVC was lower for fluoxetine versus placebo (p =.05) and a slight fatigue resistance was measured in the repeated Wingate tests for the fluoxetine group; however, there were no affects on any other measured variable. In the chronic study phase, minute ventilation was lower for the fluoxetine trial (p <.05); however, there were no treatment affects on any of the other measurements. CONCLUSION: Acute and chronic SSRI intake does not effect strength or high-intensity exercise performance in young adult men.     

Efficacy of isokinetic exercise on functional capacity and pain in patellofemoral pain syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of an isokinetic exercise program on symptoms and functions of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. DESIGN: A total of 22 consecutive patients with the complaint of anterior knee pain who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to assess the efficacy of isokinetic exercise on functional capacity, isokinetic parameters, and pain scores in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. A total of 37 knees were examined. Six-meter hopping, three-step hopping, and single-limb hopping course tests were performed for each patient with the measurements of the Lysholm scale and visual analog scale. Tested parameters were peak torque, total work, average power, and endurance ratios. RESULTS: Statistical analyses revealed that at the end of the 6-wk treatment period, functional and isokinetic parameters improved significantly, as did pain scores. There was not statistically significant correlation between different groups of parameters. CONCLUSION: The isokinetic exercise treatment program used in this study prevented the extensor power loss due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, but the improvement in the functional capacity was not correlated with the gained power.