Search results for " Exercise"

2020

Introduction Adolescents have experienced decreased aerobic fitness levels and insufficient physical activity levels over the past decades. While both physical activity and aerobic fitness are related to physical and mental health, little is known concerning how they manifest in the brain during this stage of development, characterized by significant physical and psychosocial changes. The aim of the study is to examine the associations between both physical activity and aerobic fitness with brains' functional connectivity. Methods Here, we examined how physical activity and aerobic fitness are associated with local and interhemispheric functional connectivity of the adolescent brain (n = 59…

Interaction between muscle stiffness and stretch reflex sensitivity after long-term stretch-shortening cycle exercise

1998

The short latency stretch-reflex component (M1) and its interactions with muscle stiffness and with muscle performance were investigated before and after long-term stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercise. Dramatic fatigue induced reduction in maximal SSC performance capability, and electromyographic activity was accompanied by a consistent decrease in the M1 reflex component and eccentric peak stiffness of the muscle. It can be suggested, therefore, that the decreased muscle performance is not simply a direct effect of central or peripheral fatigue, but is partly due to impairment of the ability to utilize stiffness-related elastic energy.

Changes in electromyographic activity, muscle fibre and force production characteristics during heavy resistance/power strength training in middle-ag…

2001

The effects of a 6-month resistance training (2 day/week) designed to develop both strength and power on neural activation by electromyographic activity (EMG) of the agonist and antagonist knee extensors, muscle fibre proportion and areas of type I, IIa, and IIb of the vastus lateralis (VL) as well as maximal concentric one repetition maximum (1 RM) strength and maximal and explosive isometric strength of the knee extensors were examined. A total of 10 middle-aged men (M40; 42 +/- 2), 11 middle-aged women (W40; 39 +/- 3), 11 elderly men (M70; 72 +/- 3) and 10 elderly women (W70; 67 +/- 3) served as subjects. Maximal and explosive strength values remained unaltered during a 1-month control p…

Neuromuscular function during prolonged pedalling exercise at different cadences

2005

Aim: The purpose of the present work was to assess the strategies set by the central nervous system in order to provide the power output required throughout a prolonged (1-h) pedalling exercise performed at different cadences (50 rpm, 110 rpm and the freely chosen cadence). Methods: Neuromuscular (NM) activity of vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles was studied quantitatively [root-mean square (RMS) and mean power frequency (MPF)] and qualitatively (timing of onset and offset of muscle bursts during crank cycle). Results: The present results showed that increased cadence resulted in earlier muscle activation in crank cycle. The influence of ca…

Strength training and neuromuscular function in elderly people with total knee endoprosthesis

2007

The effects of 1 year of intensive strength training on neuromuscular function were studied in elderly people operated for total endoprosthesis (n=30) divided into 3 groups: training pup 1 (TG1, n=11), training pup 2 (TG2, n=10) and control group (CG, n=9). After the operation, TG1 and TG2 trained every second day and the training was controlled by training diaries, and CG performed only conventional exercises by themselves. The overall volume of training in TG2 was 30% greater than in TG1. Neuromuscular function was examined by measuring maximal electromyography (EMG) and maximum voluntary isometric and dynamic strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles. The range of motion of the kn…

Die Aktivität der Rückenstreckmuskulatur beim aufrechten Stehen und beim Sitzen mit standidentischer Rumpfhaltung - eine elektromyographische Studie

2001

Problem: There is a controversial discussion about the loading of the spine by the force of the extending muscles of the back in upright sitting with the back curved as in upright standing. Experimental studies investigating this issue are still lacking. Methods: In the study presented in this paper we measured in 30 subjects the activity of the extending back muscles both in a natural upright standing posture and in sitting with identical posture of the back as recommended in some back training programs. To this end we recorded the electromyographical surface activity of the back muscles at four levels of the spine in both postures. The EMG activities were intraindividually normalized with…

Abdominal Muscle Response During Curl-ups on Both Stable and Labile Surfaces

2000

Abstract Background and Purpose. With the current interest in stability training for the injured low back, the use of labile (movable) surfaces, underneath the subject, to challenge the motor control system is becoming more popular. Little is known about the modulating effects of these surfaces on muscle activity. The purpose of this study was to establish the degree of modulating influence of the type of surface (whether stable or labile) on the mechanics of the abdominal wall. In this study, the amplitude of muscle activity together with the way that the muscles coactivated due to the type of surface under the subject were of interest. Subjects. Eight men (mean age=23.3 years [SD=4.3], me…

Muscle conduction velocity, strength, neural activity, and morphological changes after eccentric and concentric training

2014

This study compared the effects of concentric and eccentric training on neuromuscular adaptations in young subjects. Twenty-two men and women were assigned to one of two groups: concentric (CON, n = 11) and eccentric (ECC, n = 11) training. Training consisted of 6 weeks of isokinetic exercise, performed twice weekly, starting with two sets of eight repetitions, and progressing to five sets of 10 repetitions. Subjects were tested in strength variables [concentric, eccentric, and isometric peak torque (PT), and rate of force development (RFD)], muscle conduction velocity (CV), neuromuscular activity, vastus lateralis (VL) muscle thickness, and echo intensity as determined by ultrasonography. …

Effects of Different Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Parameters on Quadriceps Neuromuscular Performance in Competitive Athletes

2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of six weeks of training with two different types of neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) currents on muscle performance in competitive athletes. METHODS: This controlled and randomized clinical trial included 20 athletes, equally divided into three groups: medium frequency current group with 500 μs (MF-500) (n=7), low frequency current group of with 500 μs (PC-500) (n=5) and control group (CG) (n=8). Each group had evaluated, before and after the intervention: the peak torque of knee (PT), muscle thickness and signs of electromyography (EMG) of the vastus lateralis (VL), and the sensory discomfort level (VAS). The training with NMES was performed 3 times…

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in COVID-19 patients at 3 months follow-up☆

2021

Abstract Background Long-term effects of Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are of utmost relevance. We aimed to determine: 1) the functional capacity of COVID-19 survivors by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET); 2) the characteristics associated with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) performance; 3) the safety and tolerability of CPET. Methods We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Azienda Sanitaria Locale 3, Genoa. Three months after hospital discharge a complete clinical evaluation, trans-thoracic echocardiography, CPET, pulmonary function tests, and dominant leg extension (DLE) maximal strength measurement were performed. Res…