C. A. Dennehy

Effects of physical activity on creatine phosphokinase and the isoenzyme creatine kinase-MB.

Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) have been used extensively as diagnostic markers for myocardial infarction and skeletal muscle injury. Many factors affect the variability of serum CPK and serum CK-MB activity, especially physical activity. We discuss the influence of physical activity on muscle and serum CPK and CK-MB. The effect of acute and chronic exercise on CPK and CK-MB activity emphasizes the need to use measurements of serum CPK and CK-MB with caution when evaluating and diagnosing acute myocardial infarctions and skeletal muscle injury.

Exercise physiology principles applied to vocal performance: The improvement of postural alignment

Postural alignment is not an inherent trait. Proper alignment is acquired through training postural muscle groups. This training is based on scientific principles associated with improving the physiological parameters of muscle mechanics. The purpose of this report is to describe and demonstrate the application of exercise physiology training principles to the improvement of postural alignment, which may enhance vocal performance. Specific exercise principles are explained and key concepts highlighted. Selected exercises for training postural muscles are presented to assist in establishing techniques that result in the expected adaptations. The application of training principles to postural muscles has been shown to improve postural alignment by strengthening synergistic muscles and establishing a balance between the agonistic and antagonistic activity of these muscles. Since posture has been well established as an important component of vocal performance, the application of these principles to vocal training seems to warrant the attention of vocal trainers and performers.

A model program: exercise intervention for cancer rehabilitation.

Recent advances in cancer detection and treatment have re sulted in an increase in the survival rate of individuals diagnosed with cancer. The increased survival rate brings new challenges for increasing the quality of life for cancer survivors. Debilitating side effects can result from the cancer itself and the cancer treatment. The negative effects lead to decreased functional (work) capacity, increased fatigue, and debilitating muscular weakness. There have been very positive benefits seen from the use of individualized prescriptive exercise intervention in alleviating these cancer treatment related symptoms. The role of exercise intervention as a complementary therapy is just emerging. Studies have shown that exercise decreases the amount of fatigue, improves functional capacity, increases immune function, and leads to improved quality of life. The effects of cancer and cancer treatments require that an exercise intervention program be well based in sound scientific principles. The exercise inter vention needs to be carefully structured and controlled. All patients should be assessed and reassessed to evaluate progress. A cancer exercise specialist should closely monitor the exercise regime. Exercise should involve a whole-body approach that emphasizes all areas of fitness. Exercise therapy for cancer patients is a new and exciting area that will con tinue to grow as medical professionals realize the necessity for post-cancer treatment intervention to improve quality of life.

Serum creatine kinase, CK‐MB, and perceived soreness following eccentric exercise in oral contraceptive users

Estrogen ingestion has been suggested as a protective mechanism of muscle membrane integrity against an exercise‐induced muscle inflammatory response. Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration and the heart muscle isoenzyme CK‐MB have been used as diagnostic markers of muscle disruption following exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in serum CK, CK‐MB, and perceived soreness following exercise‐induced muscle disruption in females taking an oral contraceptive (OC) and those not. Subjects included sixteen females, eight in the experimental group and eight in the control group. Estrogen concentration, determined pre‐exercise, was 181 ± 45 pg/ml for the OC group and 124 ± 25 pg/ml for the controls, respectively. Subjects participated in an eccentric hamstring exercise which consisted of six sets of ten repetitions at 110% of concentric 1RM. Serum CK, CK‐MB concentration and perceived soreness were assessed pre‐exercise and immediately, 24,48,72 and 96 hours post‐exercise. Serum C...