James E. Graves

The Ringelmann effect: Studies of group size and group performance ☆

Abstract Ringelmanns classic finding—that the addition of co-workers in a rope-pulling task leads to a linear decrement in the individual group members average performance—was reexamined experimentally. Study I attempted to replicate the effect, using groups of subjects ranging in size from 1 to 6. Performance dropped significantly as group size was increased from one individual to two or to three, but the addition of a fourth, fifth, or sixth member produced insignificant additional decrements; thus, the effect was not linear but curvilinear. Study II was designed to examine possible sources of performance loss, separating the factors of “coordination” and “motivation” loss ( Steiner, 1972 ). The possibility of intermember incoordination was eliminated, while motivation loss remained free to vary: Each experimental subject pulled alone, and in “groups” where he believed there were from one to five other members. Once again, individual performance declined significantly with the addition of the first and second perceived co-worker, but then leveled off for perceived group sizes three to six. Some implications are discussed.

Injuries and adherence to walk/jog and resistance training programs in the elderly.

To evaluate the effects of 26 wk of aerobic and resistance training on the incidence of injury and program adherence in 70- to 79-yr-old men and women, 57 healthy volunteers (25 males, 32 females) were randomly assigned to a walk/jog (W/J, N = 21), strength (STREN, N = 23), or control (CONT, N = 13) group. Walk/jog training was for 30-45 min, 3 d.wk-1 with intensity equal to 40-70% heart rate max reserve (HRmax reserve) during the first 13 wk, and 75-85% HRmax reserve for weeks 14-26. STREN training consisted of one set (10-12 repetitions) each of 10 variable resistance exercises performed to volitional fatigue. Forty-nine of the original participants completed the training program. Walk/jog training increased VO2max from 22.5 to 27.1 ml.kg-1.min-1 (P less than or equal to 0.05) while STREN and CONT showed no change. STREN improved significantly in chest press and leg extension strength (P less than or equal to 0.05) while W/J and CONT showed no change. Adherence to training was 20/23 (87%) and 17/21 (81%) in STREN and W/J, respectively. One repetition maximum (1-RM) strength testing resulted in 11 injuries in the 57 subjects (19.3%) while STREN training resulted in only two injuries in 23 subjects (8.7%). Walk training during weeks 1-13 resulted in one injury in 21 subjects (4.8%). Eight of 14 subjects (57%) who began jogging intervals at week 14 incurred an injury: two of eight (25%) of the men and all of the women (6 of 6). All W/J training injuries were to the lower extremity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lumbar strengthening in chronic low back pain patients. Physiologic and psychological benefits.

The effects of exercise for isolated lumbar extensor muscles were examined in 54 chronic low-back pain patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to a 10-week exercise program (N =31) or a wait-list control group (N = 23). Results indicated a significant increase in isometric lumbar extension strength for the treatment group and a significant reduction in reported pain compared with the control group (P 0.05). Treated subjects reported less physical and psychosocial dysfunction whereas the control group increased in pain, and physical and psychosocial dysfunction. There were no concomitant changes in reported daily activity levels. These results show that lumbar extension exercise is beneficial for strengthening the lumbar extensors and results in decreased pain and improved perceptions of physical and psychosocial functioning in chronic back pain patients. However, these improvements were not related to changes in activities or psychological distress.

Effect of exercise training on blood pressure in 70− to 79-yr-old men and women

Men and women 70-79 yr of age (N = 49) were studied to assess the effect of 6 months of resistance or endurance exercise training on their blood pressure, hemodynamic parameters, and pressor hormone levels. Resistance training consisted of one set of 8-12 repetitions on ten Nautilus machines three times per week. The endurance training group progressed to training at 75-85% VO2max for 35-45 min three times per week for the last 2 months of training. No changes in body weight or estimated lean body mass occurred; however, the sum of seven skinfolds, as an index of percent body fat, decreased in both exercise groups. Upper and lower body strength increased with resistance training, while VO2max increased by 20% in the endurance training group. Blood pressure did not change with resistance training in individuals with normal or somewhat elevated blood pressures. Diastolic and mean blood pressure decreased significantly, by 5 and 4 mm Hg, with endurance training. Subjects with blood pressure greater than 140/90 reduced their systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure by 8, 9, and 8 mm Hg, respectively, with endurance exercise training. Cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance, and plasma levels of angiotensin I and II and epi- and norepinephrine did not change in any of the groups. Thus, resistance exercise training does not adversely affect, or reduce, blood pressure, while endurance exercise training produces modest reductions in blood pressure in 70-79-yr-old individuals with somewhat elevated blood pressures.

Effect of training frequency and specificity on isometric lumbar extension strength

To investigate the effects of training frequency and specificity of training on isolated lumbar extension strength, 72 men (age = 31 +/- 9 years) and 42 women (age = 28 +/- 9 years) were tested before and after 12 weeks of training. Each test involved the measurement of maximum voluntary isometric torque at 72 degrees, 60 degrees, 48 degrees, 36 degrees, 24 degrees, 12 degrees, and 0 degrees of lumbar flexion. After the pretraining tests, subjects were randomly stratified to groups that trained with variable resistance dynamic exercise every other week (1X/2 weeks, n = 19), once per week (1X/week, n = 22), twice per week (2X/week, n = 23) or three times per week (3X/week, n = 21); a group that trained isometrically once per week (n = 14); or a control group that did not train (n = 15). Analysis of covariance showed that all training groups improved their ability to generate isometric torque at each angle measured when compared with controls (P less than 0.05). There was no statistical difference in adjusted posttraining isometric torques among the groups that trained (P greater than 0.05), but dynamic training weight increased to a lesser extent (P less than 0.08) for the 1X/2 weeks group (26.6%) than for the groups that trained 1X/week, 2X/week, and 3X/week (37.2 to 41.4%). These data indicate that a training frequency as low as 1X/week provides an effective training stimulus for the development of lumbar extension strength. Improvements in strength noted after isometric training suggest that isometric exercise provides an effective alternative for developing lumbar strength.

Quantitative assessment of full range-of-motion isometric lumbar extension strength.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and variability of repeated measurements of isometric (IM)lumbar extension (LB EXT) strength made at differnt joint angles. Fifty-six men (age, 29.4 ± 10.7 years) and 80 women (age, 24.3 ± 9.1 years) completed IM LB EXT strength tests on 3 separate days (D1, D2, and D3). On D1 and D2, subjects completed two tests (T1 and T2) separated by a 20-to 30-minute rest interval. For each test, IM LB EXT strenth was measured at 72, 60, 48, 36, 24, 12, and 0° of lumbar extension. Mean IM strength values, within-day reliability coefficients, and test variability over the seven angles improved from D1 to D2 (D1: mean, 160.0 to 304.1 N · m, r=0.78 to 0.96, SEE = 37.6 to 46.9 N · m; D2: mean, 176.3 to 329.1 N · m, r = 0.94 to 0.98, SEE = 29.0 to 34.4 N · m). Mean strength values leveled off by D3 (174.5 to 317.0 N · m). The most reliable test results showed that the IM LB EXT strength curves were linear and descending from flexion to extension and ranged from 235.8 ± 85.2 to 464.9 ± 150.7 N · m for men (extension to flexion) and from 134.6 ± 53.2 to 237.3 ± 71.9 N. m for women. Lumbar extension strength was clearly greatest in full flexion, which is in contrat to previously reported results. One practice test was required to attain the most accurate and reliable results. These data indicate that repeated measures of IM LB EXT strength are highly reliable and can be used for the quantification of IM LB EXT strength through a range of motion.

Effect of resistance training on lumbar extension strength

Development of a new testing machine, which stabilizes the pelvis, allowed us to evaluate the lumbar extensor muscles before and after training. Fifteen healthy sub jects (29.1 ± 8 years of age) trained 1 day per week for 10 weeks and 10 healthy subjects (33.7 ± 16 years of age) acted as controls. Training consisted of 6 to 15 repetitions of full range of motion variable resistance lumbar extension exercise to volitional fatigue and periodic maximal isometric contractions taken at seven angles through a full range of motion. Before and after the 10 week training period, subjects completed a maximum isometric strength test at seven angles through a 72° range of motion (0°, 12°, 24°, 36°, 48°, 60°, and 72° of lumbar flexion). The training group significantly improved in lumbar extension strength at all angles (P ≤ 0.01). The result at 0° (full extension) showed an increase from 180.0 ± 25 Nm to 364.1 ± 43 Nm (+102%) and at 72° (full flexion) from 427.4 ± 44.1 to 607.4 ± 68 (+42%) Nm. Results from the control group showed no change (P ≥ 0.05). The mag nitude of gain shown by the training group reflects the low initial trained state of the lumbar extensor muscles. These data indicate that when the lumbar area is iso lated through pelvic stabilization, the isolated lumbar extensor muscles show an abnormally large potential for strength increase.

Effect of resistance training volume on strength and muscle thickness

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different volumes of high-intensity resistance training on isometric torque and muscle thickness. Training was conducted three times per week using one set (low volume, EX-1, N = 18) or three sets (high volume, EX-3, N = 20) of dynamic variable resistance exercise. Ten subjects acted as nontraining controls (CONT). Bilateral knee extension (KEXT) and flexion (KFLEX) exercise was performed to fatigue within 8-12 repetitions for 14 wk. Maximal isometric KEXT and KFLEX torque was tested at 6 degrees, 24 degrees, 42 degrees, 60 degrees, 78 degrees, 96 degrees, and 108 degrees of KFLEX using a MedX (Ocala, FL) KEXT/KFLEX ergometer. The anterior (ANT), lateral (LAT), and posterior (POST) right thigh, the medialis muscle (MED), and the lateralis muscle (LATER) were assessed for thickness by B-mode ultrasound (ULTRA). Both training groups improved torque output at most angles, but there was no difference between EX-1 and EX-3 (P > or = 0.05). ULTRA detected increases in muscle thickness for EX-1 at 60% LAT and 40% and 60% POST. EX-3 increased muscle thickness at the MED, and 40% and 60% POST. In conclusion, one set of high intensity resistance training was as effective as three sets for increasing KEXT and KFLEX isometric torque and muscle thickness in previously untrained adults.

Effect of training on the relationship between maximal and submaximal strength.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of a dynamic seven to 10 repetition maximum (7-10 RM) test to estimate maximal knee extension strength (1-RM) in untrained and trained subjects. Thirty-three men and 25 women (25 +/- 5 yr) were randomly assigned to a group that trained two or three times.wk-1 for 18 wk (N = 47) or a control group (N = 11). Training included one set of 7-10 repetitions to volitional fatigue on a Nautilus knee extension machine. Prior to (T1) and after training (T2) dynamic strength was evaluated by 1-RM and 7-10 RM tests. The 7-10 RM test consisted of one set of variable resistance knee extension exercise performed to volitional fatigue with a weight that allowed 7-10 repetitions. The training group improved their 1-RM and 7-10 RM strength (by 31.7 and 51.4%, respectively) (P < or = 0.01) while the control group did not change. Training increased relative 7-10 RM strength (68.4% of 1-RM at T1 and 79.1% of 1-RM at T2) (P < or = 0.01). The relationship between the 7-10 RM weight and 1-RM at T1 was linear: 1-RM = 1.554 (7-10 RM weight)-5.181; R2 = 0.89; SEE = 9.3 kg. Application of this equation following training resulted in a systematic overprediction (p < or = 0.01) of 1-RM (21.2 kg) in trained subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Moderate- and high-intensity exercise lowers blood pressure in normotensive subjects 60 to 79 years of age

To investigate the effects of exercise intensity on resting blood pressure (BP) in normotensive elderly subjects, 44 sedentary healthy subjects aged 60 to 79 years of age were studied during 6 months of walking exercise. Subjects were ranked according to maximal oxygen consumption and randomly stratified to groups that trained at 70% (n = 19) or 80% to 85% (n = 14) of maximal heart rate reserve, or to a control group (n = 11) that did not train. Initial BP was established during a 2- to 3-week control period. During the first 3 months, both exercise groups progressed to 70% of heart rate reserve for 40 minutes 3 times each week. The moderate-intensity group continued to train at 70% (45-minute duration) for an additional 3 months, whereas the high-intensity group progressed to training at 85% of heart rate reserve (35-minute duration). Maximal oxygen consumption increased (p < or = 0.05) during the initial 3 months in both exercise groups (25.2 to 28.1 ml.kg-1.min-1 and 26.3 to 29.3 ml.kg-1.min-1) and continued to increase (p < or = 0.05) after 3 additional months of training, but the increase was greater (p < or = 0.05) in the high-intensity group (28.1 to 29.4 ml.kg-1.min-1 and 29.3 to 32.8 ml.kg-1.min-1). Systolic BP decreased (p < or = 0.05) similarly at 6 months in both training groups (120 to 111 mm Hg and 120 to 112 mm Hg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)