Strength training effects in prepubescent boys

Possible changes in muscle size and function due to resistance training were examined in prepubertal boys. Thirteen boys (9-11 yr) volunteered for each of the training and control groups. Progressive resistance training was performed three times weekly for 20 wk. Measurements consisted of the following: 1 repetition maximum (RM) bench press and leg press; maximal voluntary isometric and isokinetic elbow flexion and knee extension strength; evoked isometric contractile properties of the right elbow flexors and knee extensors; muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) by computerized tomography at the mid-right upper arm and thigh; and motor unit activation (MUA) by the interpolated twitch procedure. Training significantly increased 1 RM bench press (35%) and leg press (22%), isometric elbow flexion (37%) and knee extension strength (25% and 13% at 90 degrees and 120 degrees, respectively), isokinetic elbow flexion (26%) and knee extension (21%) strength, and evoked twitch torque of the elbow flexors (30%) and knee extensors (30%). There were no significant effects of training on the time-related contractile properties (time to peak torque, half-relaxation time), CSA, or %MUA of the elbow flexors or knee extensors. There was, however, a trend toward increased MUA for the elbow flexors and knee extensors in the trained group. Strength gains were independent of changes in muscle CSA, and the increases in twitch torque suggest possible adaptations in muscle excitation-contraction coupling. Improved motor skill coordination (especially during the early phase of training), a tendency toward increased MUA, and other undetermined neurological adaptations, including better coordination of the involved muscle groups, are likely the major determinants of the strength gains in this study.     

青年男性膝关节等速向心测力研究

目的研究绳肌和股四头肌在不同测试速度下其肌力各指标的变化规律 ,同时为力量素质的评价提供正常值参考。方法利用REV90 0 0等速测力及康复系统对 30名健康男性双侧膝关节的等速向心收缩数据进行测试。结果峰力矩 (PT)及相对峰力矩 (PT/BW )均表现为股四头肌大于绳肌 ,慢速大于快速 ;惯用肢与非惯用肢峰力矩的差异 (Di)在 1 0 %左右 ;到达峰力矩的时间 (TPT)随测试速度增加而显著缩短 ;股四头肌和绳肌峰力矩角 (APT)分别为 50°～ 70°、32°～ 45°。绳肌与股四头肌峰力矩比率 (H/Q)在 50 %～ 60 %之间 ;耐力指数 (WF)在 65%左右。结论此结果为中国航天医学和生理学特别是模拟失重或微重力条件下的肌肉功能评定提供了一个新的思路。     

Effect of cooling during inter‐exercise periods on subsequent intramuscular water movement and muscle performance

To evaluate the effects of cooling between exercise sessions on intramuscular water movement and muscle performance, the lower extremities of nine untrained men were assigned to either a cooling protocol (20‐min water immersion, 15 °C) or a noncooling protocol. Each subject performed two exercise sessions involving maximal concentric knee extension and flexion (three repetitions, 60°/s; followed by 50 repetitions, 180°/s). The peak torque at 60°/s and total work, mean power, and decrease rate of torque value at 180°/s were evaluated. Axial magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted images of the mid‐thigh were obtained before and after each exercise session. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for the quadriceps and hamstrings were calculated for evaluating intramuscular water movement. Both groups exhibited significantly increased ADC values for the quadriceps and hamstrings after each exercise session. These ADC values returned to the pre‐exercise level after water immersion. No significant difference was observed in muscle performance from first exercise session to the next in either group, except for increased total work and mean power in knee flexion in the cooled group. Cooling intervention between exercise sessions decreased exercise‐induced elevation of intramuscular water movement and had some beneficial effects on muscle endurance of knee flexors, but not knee extensors.     

Muscle activation and torque development during maximal unilateral and bilateral isokinetic knee extensions

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not a bilateral strength deficit occurs during bilateral (BL) velocity controlled dynamic knee extensions and if the neural control of the knee extensors and flexors is altered during homologous muscle BL efforts. METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy and habitually active subjects, 13 female and 15 male, performed maximal unilateral (UL) and BL isokinetic leg extensions at a velocity of 60 degrees.s-1 through a 90 degrees range of motion of the knee joint (90 to 180 degrees). Knee extension torque and electromyographic activity (EMG) of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles were recorded. RESULTS: The mean knee extensor torque produced in the BL condition (168 +/- 52 Nm) was 17% less than the sum of the two UL conditions (Sigma=202 +/- 56 Nm). During BL conditions, quadriceps EMG activity was less in both legs (left, 8.2 +/- 7.4% less and right, 13.9 +/- 9.1% less, respectively). There were no significant differences between BL and UL efforts for either left or right hamstrings activity. Eighteen subjects, who when asked to perform a maximal knee extension simultaneously activated their contralateral hamstrings, had significantly higher bilateral deficits (21%) compared to those who exhibited little or no contralateral hamstrings EMG activity (14%). CONCLUSIONS: The main findings of the study were that a bilateral strength deficit occurred when simultaneously maximally activating the homologous knee extensor muscles. This deficit was in all likelihood due to a less than maximal efferent drive to the quadriceps muscles. Hamstrings EMG activity was not greater during the BL knee extensions, which supports the notion that antagonistic muscle activity was not primarily responsible for the observed bilateral deficit.     

Facilitation of quadriceps activation is impaired following eccentric exercise

Contracting the knee flexor muscles immediately before a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of knee extension increases the maximal force that the extensor muscles can exert. It is hypothesized that this phenomenon can be impaired by muscle fiber damage following eccentric exercise [delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)]. This study investigates the effect of eccentric exercise and DOMS on knee extension MVC immediately following a reciprocal‐resisted knee flexion contraction. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the knee extensors and flexors of 12 healthy men during knee extension MVCs performed in a reciprocal (maximal knee extension preceded by resisted knee flexion), and nonreciprocal condition (preceded by relaxation of the knee flexors). At baseline, knee extension MVC force was greater during the reciprocal condition (P < 0.001), whereas immediately after, 24 and 48 h after eccentric exercise, the MVC force was not different between conditions. Similarly, at baseline, the EMG amplitude of the quadriceps during the MVC was larger for the reciprocal condition (P < 0.001). However, immediately after, 24 and 48 h postexercise the EMG amplitude was similar between conditions. In conclusion, eccentric exercise abolished the facilitation of force production for the knee extensors, which normally occurs when maximum knee extension is preceded by activation of the knee flexors.     

Muscle fatigue during repetitive voluntary contractions: A comparison between children with cerebral palsy,typically developing children and young healthy adults

AimTo combine peak torque and EMG analyses to investigate the hypothesis that 1) children with cerebral palsy (CP) have lower muscle fatigability than typically developing children (TD) and whether 2) muscle fatigue correlates with muscle strength.MethodsSeven CP children, eight TD children and ten young healthy adults (YHA) performed an all-out fatigue test of 35 maximal concentric knee extension and flexion contractions on an isokinetic dynamometer. Angular velocity was set at 60°/s. Peak torque (PT) was determined per repetition and either normalized to bodyweight or maximum voluntary torque. Surface-EMG of quadriceps and hamstring muscles was measured to obtain changes in median frequency (EMG-mf) and smooth rectified EMG amplitude per contraction.ResultsDecline in PT differed between all groups for extensors and flexors, where YHA showed the largest decline and CP children the smallest decline over the course of the test. YHA showed a larger decline in EMG-mf of all quadriceps and hamstrings than TD and CP children, while TD children showed a larger decline in EMG-mf of m.rectus femoris and m.vastus lateralis than CP children.InterpretationResults confirm that children with CP show lower fatigability than TD children and that the lower fatigability coincides with lower maximal muscle strength.     

Isometric and isokinetic knee joint performance in Japanese alpine ski racers.

Isometric and isokinetic (concentric and eccentric, strength of alpine skiers with different performance levels were measured. Nine national (elite, EG) and 10 collegiate (trained, TG) female alpine skiers (16 to 23 years of age) performed maximal voluntary knee extension and flexion. Peak torque was measured at an angular velocity of 30 deg.s-1. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of thigh muscles (quadriceps and hamstring muscles) was determined by an ultrasonic method. No significant differences in anthropometric variables and CSA were observed between EG and TG. EG had significantly greater (p < 0.01 for extensors and p < 0.05 for flexors) eccentric knee extensor and flexor strength than that of TG whereas no significant differences were noted in isometric and concentric strength. Eccentric strength/CSA ratio was also higher for EG than for TG. It was suggested that knee extension and flexion strength during eccentric muscle action might be related to the performance level of alpine skiers.     

Knee joint muscle function after patellectomy: how important are the hamstrings?

Twenty-three patients who had undergone unilateral patellectomy were tested using the Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer 9 years postoperatively. The results were compared with the performance of the uninvolved joint. There was a good correlation between loss of the quadriceps muscle function and loss of the hamstrings muscle function at 60 deg/s (R=0.7,P<0.001). Patients who showed a loss of quadriceps function of less than 40% also maintained good hamstrings function. A good or excellent functional result could be expected in these patients. If the loss of quadriceps function was more than 40%, a proportional loss of flexion torque was seen, indicating a functional impairment of the knee joint muscles not solely attributable to the loss of the lever arm. Furthermore, all patients with a loss of peak flexion torque of more than 30% showed an unsatisfactory clinical result. The evaluation of the hamstrings muscles by measuring the peak flexion moment at 60 deg/s can therefore be used as a preoperative assessment and as a guideline for rehabilitation after patellectomy.     

The effect of joint velocity on the contribution of the antagonist musculature to knee stiffness and laxity

The electromyographic (EMG) coactivation patterns of the knee flexors and extensors when acting as antagonists were studied as a function of limb velocity to assess their contribution to joint stiffness and laxity. Normalized antagonist coactivation patterns developed from surface EMG recordings from the hamstrings and quadriceps during maximal effort isokinetic extension and flexion, respectively, demonstrated characteristic variations as the joint velocity increased from 15 deg/sec up to 240 deg/sec. The two-tailed t-test (P less than 0.01) was performed on the data obtained from eight normal knees. The results indicate that both hamstrings and quadriceps demonstrate a significant increase (greater than 100%) in their antagonist coactivation pattern during the final 40 degrees of fast extension and flexion movements, respectively, as limb velocity increases. A minor decrease in antagonist activity of the hamstrings (24%) and quadriceps (8%) was evident during the initial phase of the extension and flexion movements, respectively, as joint velocity increased. We concluded that as limb velocity is increased, there is a substantial reflexive (unintentional) increase in the contribution of the antagonist musculature to joint stiffness and reduction of laxity. The results also suggest that strength training of the hamstrings (rather than quadriceps) should be considered as a modality for conservative treatment of ACL deficiencies, as well as an adjunct to surgical reconstruction. Such training can also reduce the risk of high performance athletes in a reflexive manner by increasing joint stiffness.     

Cross-training effects of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise programme on knee musculature

ObjectivesTo examine the cross-training effects of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation training (PNF) program on peak torque and endurance.DesignFactorial design.ParticipantsTwenty-three males were assigned to a PNF group (n=12) or a control group (n=11).InterventionsThe PNF program included training of the knee extensor and flexor muscles for a period of 8 weeks, exercising three times a week. PNF training included performance of knee movements through range of motion against manual resistance.Main outcome measuresIsokinetic torque and fatigue of the knee flexors and extensors at 60, 180 and 300° s⁻¹ were assessed prior to and immediately after the training period.ResultsAnalysis of variance designs indicated that the PNF group demonstrated significant gains (9.9%) in knee extension torque of the contralateral leg. In contrast, no cross-training effects on peak flexion torque was observed.ConclusionsCross-training effects after PNF exercise were restricted to the knee extensor muscles. Such effects may be important when the aim of a rehabilitation program is to improve the knee extensor muscle function of an immobilized contralateral leg.     

Females recruit quadriceps faster than males at multiple knee flexion angles following a weight-bearing rotary perturbation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of knee angle on muscle response times and neuromuscular recruitment patterns between sexes following a perturbation in single leg stance at 10 degrees, 20 degrees, and 30 degrees. We hypothesized that response times would be faster at lesser knee flexion angles and that females would recruit their quadriceps faster than males at all angles. DESIGN: A repeated-measures design. SETTING: Motion analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty (10 female; 10 male) healthy, recreationally active volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: A rotary perturbation in single leg stance. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Response times of the medial and lateral quadriceps, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius. RESULTS: There was a trend toward faster response times for all muscles closer toward extension. A consistent neuromuscular recruitment pattern for both males and females was evident for each knee angle tested. Females, however, contracted their quadriceps faster than males at all knee flexion angles. CONCLUSIONS: Small changes in knee angle near extension do not alter muscle response times and hence neuromuscular recruitment patterns in males and females. Regardless of knee flexion angle, following a perturbation in single leg stance, females contract their quadriceps faster than males. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Earlier contraction of the quadriceps in females may increase anterior tibial translation and hence anterior cruciate ligament strain, thereby heightening injury risk.     

强化循环训练对新兵膝屈伸肌功能影响的等速测试研究

目的　研究强化循环训练对新兵膝屈伸肌功能的影响。方法　 16 0名新兵进行 8周强化循环训练 ,训练前后采用Cybex 6 0 0 0型等速运动测试仪对膝屈伸肌肌力、肌爆发力及肌耐力进行等速测试并加以比较。结果　新兵训练后双膝屈伸肌的峰力矩、力矩加速能和耐力比在不同测试速度 (6 0°/s,180°/s)时有不同程度的提高 ,训练前后相比差异有统计学意义 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　 8周的强化循环训练能达到全面发展新兵膝屈伸肌肌力、肌爆发力和肌耐力的目的。     

Progressive versus rapid rate of contraction during 7 wk of isometric resistance training.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of isometric training performed with progressive versus rapid rate of contraction on the knee extensor neuromuscular properties over a 7-wk period. METHODS: Sixteen healthy male subjects trained quadriceps femoris muscle in a leg extension machine three times a week during 7 wk. The training sessions consisted of six sets of six maximal isometric contractions. A first group trained by performing progressive contractions lasting 4 s, whereas a second group performed contractions with a rapid rate of contraction (i.e., ballistic contractions) lasting about 1 s. RESULTS: Both groups significantly increased the isometric and isokinetic voluntary torque, and the respective absolute or relative gains were comparable. Isometric training performed with progressive rate of contraction affected the evoked action potential (M wave) of the vastus lateralis muscle and not the related twitch properties. On the other hand, the isometric training completed with ballistic contractions significantly modified the twitch contractile properties of the knee extensors and not the associated M waves of both vastus medialis and vastus lateralis. CONCLUSION: Knee extensors adapted specifically their neuromuscular properties to the type of rate of contraction performed during 7-wk isometric resistance training. Progressive isometric contractions produced modifications of the nervous system at peripheral level (i.e., muscle membrane electrical activity), whereas ballistic isometric contractions affected the knee extensor contractile muscle properties (i.e., excitation-contraction coupling).     

Reliability of isokinetic normalized peak torque assessments for knee muscles in post-stroke hemiparesis

The purpose of this study was to establish test–retest reliability of measurement procedures for quantifying isokinetic concentric peak torque (PT) at the knee using normalization methods post-stroke. A second aim was to estimate the change required to show clinically significant improvements in knee muscles strength. The isokinetic normalized PT (NPT) values for the knee extensors and flexors were measured in each participant at two different angular velocities during two sessions 1 day apart. Thirty participants with mild to moderate hemiparesis after stroke who were able to walk were tested. The normalized PT measures for the knee muscles of the affected lower extremity were highly reliable (intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.85 to 0.98; p < 0.05). Size of relative changes (the percent smallest real difference, SRD%) for extensors NPT (ranged from 22.35% to 25.68%) were lower than flexors NPT (ranged from 74.01% to 76.31%), indicating that the affected isokinetic knee flexors had more random variation than the knee extensors. This study supports the use of isokinetic dynamometers for the assessment of knee muscle strength in participants with chronic mild to moderate post-stroke hemiparesis and to measure clinical improvements. Established measurement error and smallest real differences in normalized PT will aid interpretation of real changes in muscle strength in this clinical population.     

Gains in flexibility related to measures of muscular performance: impact of flexibility on muscular performance.

OBJECTIVE: Studies that investigated possible correlations between flexibility and muscular performance are scarce in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a program of static stretching on the flexibility of the hamstrings and on muscular performance of the knee flexors and extensors. DESIGN: Pre-post experimental design. SETTING: University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty subjects aged 22.8 +/- 4.9 years with bilaterally shortened hamstrings. INTERVENTION: Using a protocol that has been previously described, the intervention consisted of 30 sessions of static stretching, performed bilaterally five times a week for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Measures of knee range of motion and isokinetic muscular performance (peak torque, angle of peak torque, and work) of knee flexors and extensors at speeds of 60 and 300 degrees/s. RESULTS: After intervention, significant gains in measures of flexibility (P < 0.0001) were observed, with an average gain of the knee-extension angle of 12.6 degrees, ranging from -1.2 to 30.7 degrees. In addition, we found significant increases in the following parameters of muscular performance: angle of peak torque of hamstrings at 60 and 300 degrees/s (P < 0.0001 and 0.018) and for work at 60 and 300 degrees/s for knee flexors (P = 0.012 and 0.005) and for knee extensors (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention resulted in gains in measures of flexibility, and these gains had a positive impact on some parameters of muscular performance.     

An in vivo analysis of the effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the quadriceps and hamstrings on anterior cruciate ligament deformation

Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TEMS) has been advocated as a method to rehabilitate the postoperative ACL repaired/reconstructed lower extremity. Isolated quadriceps contraction can potentially disrupt the ACL repair/reconstruction; to minimize this risk simultaneous quadriceps and hamstring stimulation has been used. This study measured the in vivo deformation of the ACL during TEMS of the quadriceps and hamstrings. Six legs in four Rhesus monkeys were immobilized in 0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees of flexion in neutral rotation using a Hoffman frame and pins placed through the proximal femur and distal tibia. The hamstrings and quadriceps muscles were stimulated with a dual channel electrical stimulator individually and simultaneously at each point of flexion, and ACL deformation was measured using a Hall effect device placed on the anterior medial fibers of the ACL. The following conclusions were made: 1) Isolated quadriceps contraction produces ACL elongation at 0 degrees and 45 degrees of knee flexion and produces ACL shortening at 90 degrees of knee flexion. 2) Isolated hamstrings contraction produces ACL shortening at 45 degrees and 90 degrees of knee flexion and negligible effects at full knee extension. 3) It is not possible to simultaneously contract the quadriceps and hamstrings using separate stimulator pads for each muscle group. 4) At 45 degrees of knee flexion when the quadriceps muscles are stimulated before the hamstring muscles and simultaneous contraction of both is then sustained, ACL lengthening occurs. 5) When the hamstring muscles are fired before the quadriceps muscles and simultaneous contraction of both is sustained, ACL shortening occurs.     

Clinical progress and quadriceps torque ratios during training of meniscectomy patients.

A prospective study of 21 patients after a meniscectomy is presented. During a standardized training program, consisting of static and dynamic exercises five times a week during 8 weeks, the following clinical signs were monitored: pain, swelling and limitation of the range of motion of the knee joint. Furthermore, isometric and isokinetic maximal torque of the knee extensors of both legs was determined in the patient group, as well as in a control group of healthy subjects (n = 11). We found that swelling of the knee joint seems to be the major cause of inhibition of muscle strength, resulting in low torque values in the initial phase of the training program. Mean maximal isometric torque of the operated knee increased from 151 Nm (SD = 50) to 282 Nm (SD = 50). Isokinetic mean maximal torque increased from 77 Nm (SD = 32) to 164 Nm (SD = 28). Isometric and isokinetic mean maximal torque of the nonoperated leg increased 15% and 10%, respectively. In the control group torque output of the knee extensors remained at about the same level. It appeared that the torque differences between both legs are more pronounced in the isokinetic tests than in the isometric tests. At the end of the training program isometric and isokinetic maximal torque of the knee extensors of the operated knee still showed a deficit of 12% and 21%, respectively. Isokinetic testing is more sensitive for small strength differences than isometric testing.     

Co-activation of sprinter and distance runner muscles in isokinetic exercise

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of co-activation of quadriceps and hamstring musculature in sprinters and distance runners. Nine female intercollegiate track athletes performed maximal knee extensions and flexions on a modified orthotron isokinetic dynamometer at two speeds (100 degrees and 400 degrees X s-1). Simultaneous recordings of torque, joint position, and agonist/antagonist electromyographic activity from the quadriceps and hamstrings were computer-processed. The results revealed the hamstrings to be considerably more active during knee extension than the quadriceps during flexion. The integrated electromyographic activity of co-contracting hamstrings and quadriceps, throughout the joint range, averaged 33 and 6%, respectively, of the same muscle group during its agonist phase. Hamstring co-activation increased sharply during the last 25% of knee extension, generating 58% of the integrated electromyographic agonist activity. Co-activation of the sprinters' hamstrings was four times that of distance runners (57/14%), however, the faster speed of movement (400 degrees X s-1) increased hamstring coactivation of distance runners more acutely than sprinters in the final phase of extension. The data suggest that the hamstrings are used to a much greater extent than quadriceps for limb deceleration and that the distraction of antagonist muscle tension should be considered when analyzing agonist isokinetic torques. Furthermore, the relatively high co-activation of the hamstrings, particularly during the last 25% of extension, may induce hamstring soreness or strain in vulnerable subjects.     

Influence of acute eccentric exercise on the H:Q ratio

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of an acute bout of eccentric exercise on maximal isokinetic concentric peak torque (PT) of the leg flexors and extensors and the hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratio. Sixteen male (mean±SD: age=20.9±2 years; stature=177.0±4.4 cm; mass=76.8±10.0 kg) volunteers performed maximal, concentric isokinetic leg extension and flexion muscle actions at 60°·sec?-?1 before and after (24-72 h) a bout of eccentric exercise. The eccentric exercise protocol consisted of 4 sets of 10 repetitions for the leg press, leg extension, and leg curl exercises at 120% of the concentric one repetition maximum (1-RM). The results indicated that the acute eccentric exercise protocol resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in isokinetic leg flexion (13-19%) and leg extension (11-16%) PT 24-72 h post-exercise. However, the H:Q ratios were unaltered by the eccentric exercise protocol. These findings suggest that an acute bout of eccentric exercise utilizing both multi - and single - joint dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) exercises results in similar decreases in maximal isokinetic strength of the leg flexors and extensors, but does not alter the H:Q ratio.