Regis Radaelli

Echo intensity is associated with skeletal muscle power and cardiovascular performance in elderly men

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between echo intensity, neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory performances in the elderly. Thirty-one healthy elderly men (65.5±5.0) participated in this study. Echo intensity of rectus femoris and quadriceps femoris muscle thicknesses was determined by ultrasound images. Lower-body isometric and isokinetic peak torques (60, 180 and 360°(.s-1)), as well as rate of force development were evaluated as strength parameters. In addition, torque per unit of muscle mass was evaluated by the quotient between isometric peak torque of the knee extensors and the quadriceps femoris muscle thickness. The peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)), maximum aerobic workload (W(máx)), absolute (VT(1) and VT(2)) ventilatory thresholds, as well as workloads at VT(1) and VT(2) (W(VT1) and W(VT2)) were evaluated during a maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer. There were significant negative correlations between the individual values of echo intensity with the corresponding individual values of isometric and isokinetic peak torques (60, 180 and 360°(.s-1)) (r=-0.48 to r=-0.64; P<0.05), as well as with W(VT1) (r=-0.46) and W(VT2) (r=-0.50) (P<0.05). In addition, significant positive correlations were observed between torque per unit of muscle mass and cardiovascular parameters (r=0.52 to r=0.60; P<0.001). The present results suggest that the echo intensity analysis using computer-aided gray-scale analysis is a low cost, easily accessible, and a safe method to evaluate the muscle quality, and may contribute to the research of neuromuscular and cardiovascular performances in the elderly.

Strength prior to endurance intra-session exercise sequence optimizes neuromuscular and cardiovascular gains in elderly men

This study investigated the effects of different intra-session exercise sequences in the cardiovascular and neuromuscular adaptations induced by concurrent training in elderly. Twenty-six healthy elderly men (64.7±4.1years), were randomly placed into two concurrent training groups: strength training prior to (SE, n=13) or after (ES, n=13) endurance training. Subjects trained strength and endurance training 3 times per week performing both exercise types in the same training session. The peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)), maximum aerobic workload (W(máx)), absolute (VT(1) and VT(2)) and relative (VT(1)% and VT(2)%) ventilatory thresholds, as well as workloads at VT(1) and VT(2) (W(VT1) and W(VT2)) were evaluated during a maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer before and after the training. In addition, muscle quality (MQ) was evaluated by the quotient between maximal dynamic strength (one repetition maximum test) of the knee extensors and the quadriceps femoris muscle thickness determined by ultrasonography. There were no modifications after training in the VT(1), VT(2), VT(1)%, and VT(2)%. There was significant increase in the W(VT1) only in SE (P<0.05), as well as significant increase in the W(VT2) in both groups (P<0.001). There was significant increase in the VO(2peak), with both groups showing increases (P<0.001), with no difference between groups; as well significant increase in the W(máx) (P<0.001) with no difference between SE and ES. The force per unit of muscle mass of knee extensors increased in both groups (P<0.001), but the increase was significantly higher in SE than in ES (27.5±12.7 vs. 15.2±10.3%, P<0.02). Hence, the intra-session exercise sequence had no influence in the maximal endurance power adaptations to concurrent training, but had influence in the magnitude of the muscle quality enhancements.

Echo intensity is negatively associated with functional capacity in older women

Muscle quality is an important component of the functional profile of the elderly, and previous studies have shown that both muscle quantity and quality independently contribute to muscle strength of the elderly. This study aimed to verify the association between quadriceps femoris muscle quality, analyzed by specific tension and echo intensity (EI), and rate of torque development (RTD) of the knee extensor muscles with the functional performance in elderly active women. Forty-five healthy, active elderly women (70.28 ± 6.2) volunteered to participate in this study. Quadriceps femoris muscle thickness and EI were determined by ultrasonography. Knee extension isometric peak torque and RTD were obtained from maximal isometric voluntary contraction curves. The 30-s sit-to-stand-up (30SS) test and usual gait speed (UGS) test were applied to evaluate functional performance. Rectus femoris EI presented a significant negative correlation with 30SS (r = −0.505, P < 0.01), UGS (rs = −0.347, P < 0.05), and isometric peak torque (r = −0.314, P < 0.05). The quadriceps femoris EI correlated negatively with 30SS (r = −0.493, P < 0.01) and isometric peak torque (r = −0.409, P < 0.01). The EI of the quadriceps femoris and all quadriceps muscle portions significantly correlated with RTD. RTD significantly correlated with physical performance in both functional tests (30SS = r = 0.340, P < 0.05; UGS = rs = 0.371, P < 0.05). We concluded that muscle EI may be an important predictor of functional performance and knee extensor power capacity in elderly, active women.

Low- and high-volume strength training induces similar neuromuscular improvements in muscle quality in elderly women.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of low- and high-volume strength training on strength, muscle activation and muscle thickness (MT) of the lower- and upper-body, and on muscle quality (MQ) of the lower-body in older women. Twenty apparently healthy elderly women were randomly assigned into two groups: low-volume (LV, n=11) and high-volume (HV, n=9). The LV group performed one-set of each exercise, while the HV group performed three-sets of each exercise, twice weekly for 13 weeks. MQ was measured by echo intensity obtained by ultrasonography (MQEI), strength per unit of muscle mass (MQST), and strength per unit of muscle mass adjusted with an allometric scale (MQAS). Following training, there was a significant increase (p≤0.001) in knee extension 1-RM (31.8±20.5% for LV and 38.3±7.3% for HV) and in elbow flexion 1-RM (25.1±9.5% for LV and 26.6±8.9% for HV) and in isometric maximal strength of the lower-body (p≤0.05) and upper-body (p≤0.001), with no difference between groups. The maximal electromyographic activation for both groups increased significantly (p≤0.05) in the vastus medialis and biceps brachii, with no difference between groups. All MT measurements of the lower- and upper-body increased similarly in both groups (p≤0.001). Similar improvements were also observed in MQEI (p≤0.01), MQST, and MQAS (p≤0.001) for both groups. These results demonstrate that low- and high-volume strength training promote similar increases in neuromuscular adaptations of the lower- and upper-body, and in MQ of the lower-body in elderly women.

3 Different Types of Strength Training in Older Women

The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the neuromuscular, morphological and functional adaptations of older women subjected to 3 different types of strength training. 58, healthy women (67 ± 5 year) were randomized to experimental (EG, n=41) and control groups (CG, n=17) during the first 6 weeks when the EG group performed traditional resistance exercise for the lower extremity. Afterwards, EG was divided into three specific strength training groups; a traditional group (TG, n=14), a power group (PG, n=13) that performed the concentric phase of contraction at high speed and a rapid strength group (RG, n=14) that performed a lateral box jump exercise emphasizing the stretch-shortening-cycle (SSC). Subjects trained 2 days per week through the entire 12 weeks. Following 6 weeks of generalized strength training, significant improvements occurred in EG for knee extension one-repetition (1RM) maximum strength (+19%), knee extensor muscle thickness (MT, +15%), maximal muscle activation (+44% average) and onset latency ( -31% average) for vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM) and rectus femoris (RF) compared to CG (p<0.05). Following 6 more weeks of specific strength training, the 1RM increased significantly and similarly between groups (average of +21%), as did muscle thickness of the VL (+25%), and activation of VL (+44%) and VM (+26%). The onset latency of RF (TG=285 ± 109 ms, PG=252 ± 76 ms, RG=203 ± 43 ms), reaction time (TG=366 ± 99 ms, PG=274 ± 76 ms, RG=201 ± 41 ms), 30-s chair stand (TG=18 ± 3, PG=18 ± 1, RG=21 ± 2) and counter movement jump (TG=8 ± 2 cm, PG=10 ± 3 cm, RG=13 ± 2 cm) was significantly improved only in RG (p<0.05). At the end of training, the rate of force development (RFD) over 150 ms (TG=2.3 ± 9.8 N·s(-1), PG=3.3 ± 3.2 N·s(-1), RG=3.8 ± 6.8 N·s(-1), CG=2.3 ± 7.0 N·s(-1)) was significantly greater in RG and PG than in TG and CG (p<0.05). In conclusion, rapid strength training is more effective for the development of rapid force production of muscle than other specific types of strength training and by consequence, better develops the functional capabilities of older women.

TIME COURSE OF STRENGTH AND ECHO INTENSITY RECOVERY AFTER RESISTANCE EXERCISE IN WOMEN

Abstract Radaelli, R, Bottaro, M, Wilhelm, EN, Wagner, DR, and Pinto, RS. Time course of strength and echo intensity recovery after resistance exercise in women. J Strength Cond Res 26(9): 2577–2584, 2012—The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time course responses of strength, delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), muscle thickness (MT), circumference (CIRC), and ultrasonography echo intensity (EI) after a traditional hypertrophic isoinertial resistance training session in young women. Ten (22.0 ± 3.2 years) healthy, untrained volunteers participated in the study. The resistance exercise session consisted of 4 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) of the dominant arm elbow flexors. Maximum isometric elbow flexion peak torque (PT) at 90°, MT, and EI were recorded for both arms at baseline (PRE), immediately after exercise (0 hours) and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise. Comparisons were made using a 2 × 5 mixed factor analysis of variance. There was a significant (p < 0.05) loss in PT and increase in MT at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. In contrast, EI increased only after 24, 48, and 72 hours, not at 0 hours. There were no significant changes in PT, DOMS, MT, and EI in the nondominant (control) arm after the exercise protocol. Our data suggest that after 4 sets of 80% of 1RM of unilateral elbow flexion resistance exercise, nonresistance trained women need >72 hours to fully recover muscle strength, MT, CIRC, and EI. Furthermore, the EI appears to be a sensitive and reliable method to assess MD.

Dose-response of 1, 3, and 5 sets of resistance exercise on strength, local muscular endurance, and hypertrophy.

Abstract Radaelli, R, Fleck, SJ, Leite, T, Leite, RD, Pinto, RS, Fernandes, L, and Simão, R. Dose-response of 1, 3, and 5 sets of resistance exercise on strength, local muscular endurance, and hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res 29(5): 1349–1358, 2015—The studys purpose was to compare the response of performing 1, 3, and 5 sets on measures of performance and muscle hypertrophy. Forty-eight men, with no weight training experience, were randomly assigned to one of the 3 training groups, 1 SET, 3 SETS, 5 SETS, or control group. All training groups performed 3 resistance training sessions per week for 6 months. The 5 repetition maximum (RM) for all training groups increased in the bench press (BP), front lat pull down (LPD), shoulder press (SP), and leg press (LP) (p ⩽ 0.05), with the 5RM increases in the BP and LPD being significantly greater for 5 SETS compared with the other training groups (p ⩽ 0.05). Bench press 20RM in the 3-SET and 5-SET groups significantly increased with the increase being significantly greater than the 1-SET group and the 5-SET group increase being significantly greater than the 3-SET group (p ⩽ 0.05). LP 20RM increased in all training groups (p ⩽ 0.05), with the 5-SETS group showing a significantly greater increase than the 1-SET group (p ⩽ 0.05). The 3-SET and 5-SET groups significantly increased elbow flexor muscle thickness (MT) with the 5-SET increase being significantly greater than the other 2 training groups (p ⩽ 0.05). The 5-SET group significantly increased elbow extensor MT with the increase being significantly greater than the other training groups (p ⩽ 0.05). All training groups decreased percent body fat, increased fat-free mass, and vertical jump ability (p ⩽ 0.05), with no differences between groups. The results demonstrate a dose-response for the number of sets per exercise and a superiority of multiple sets compared with a single set per exercise for strength gains, muscle endurance, and upper arm muscle hypertrophy.

Effects of intra-session exercise sequence during water-based concurrent training.

The aim was to investigate the effects of the intra-session exercise order during water-based concurrent training on the neuromuscular adaptations in young women. 26 women (25.1±2.9 years) were placed into 2 groups: resistance prior to (RA) or after (AR) aerobic training. Subjects performed resistance (sets at maximal effort) and aerobic training (exercises at heart rate corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold) twice a week over 12 weeks, performing both exercise types in the same training session. Upper (elbow flexion) and lower-body (knee extension) one-repetition maximum test (1RM) and peak torque (PT) were evaluated. The muscle thickness (MT) of upper (sum of MT of biceps brachii and brachialis) and lower-body (sum of MT of vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris) was determined by ultrasonography. Moreover, the maximal electromyographic activity (EMG) of upper (biceps brachii) and lower-body (sum of EMG of vastus lateralis and rectus femoris) was measured. Both RA and AR groups increased the upper and lower-body 1RM and PT, while the lower-body 1RM increases observed in the RA was greater than AR (43.58±14.00 vs. 27.01±18.05%). RA and AR showed MT increases in all muscles evaluated, while the lower-body MT increases observed in the RA were also greater than AR (10.24±3.11 vs. 5.76±1.88%). There were increases in the maximal EMG of upper and lower-body in both RA and AR, with no differences between groups. Performing resistance prior to aerobic exercise during water-based concurrent training seems to optimize the lower-body strength and hypertrophy.

EFFECT OF RANGE OF MOTION ON MUSCLE STRENGTH AND THICKNESS

Abstract Pinto, RS, Gomes, N, Radaelli, R, Botton, CE, Brown, LE, and Bottaro, M. Effect of range of motion on muscle strength and thickness. J Strength Cond Res 26(8): 2140–2145, 2012—The purpose of this investigation was to compare partial range-of-motion vs. full range-of-motion upper-body resistance training on strength and muscle thickness (MT) in young men. Volunteers were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (a) full range of motion (FULL; n = 15), (b) partial range of motion (PART; n = 15), or (c) control (CON; n = 10). The subjects trained 2 d·wk−1 for 10 weeks in a periodized program. Primary outcome measures included elbow flexion maximal strength measured by 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and elbow flexors MT measured by ultrasound. The results indicated that elbow flexion 1RM significantly increased (p < 0.05) for the FULL (25.7 ± 9.6%) and PART groups (16.0 ± 6.7%) but not for the CON group (1.7 ± 5.5%). Also, FULL 1RM strength was significantly greater than the PART 1RM after the training period. Average elbow flexor MT significantly increased for both training groups (9.65 ± 4.4% for FULL and 7.83 ± 4.9 for PART). These data suggest that muscle strength and MT can be improved with both FULL and PART resistance training, but FULL may lead to greater strength gains.

Efficiency of twice weekly concurrent training in trained elderly men.

This study compared the effects of different weekly training frequencies on the cardiovascular and neuromuscular adaptations induced by concurrent training in previously trained elderly. After 20weeks of combined strength and endurance training, twenty-four healthy elderly men (65±4 years) were randomly placed into two frequency training groups: strength and endurance training performed twice a week (SE2, n=12); or, strength and endurance training performed three times per week (SE3, n=12). The interventions lasted 10 weeks and each group performed identical exercise intensity and volume per session. Before and after the exercise training, one maximum repetition test (1RM), isometric peak torque (PT), maximal surface electromyographic activity (EMG), as well as muscle thickness (MT) were examined. Additionally, peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)), maximum aerobic workload (W(max)), first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) were evaluated. There were significant increases in upper and lower-body 1RM, MT, VO(2peak), VT1 and VT2, with no differences between groups. There were no changes after training in maximal EMG and isometric peak torque. W(max) was improved only in SE3. After 10 weeks of training, twice weekly combined strength and endurance training leads to similar neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptations as three times per week, demonstrating the efficiency of lower frequency of concurrent training in previously trained elderly men.