Stefan H. Constable

THE EFFECT OF AN ACUTE BOUT OF EXERCISE ON SELECTED PULMONARY FUNCTION MEASUREMENTS.

The purpose of this study was to determine and follow the effect of an acute bout of exercise on residual volume (RV) and other pulmonary function measurements over a 24-h post-exercise period, and to evaluate the effect on subsequent body composition calculations. Selected pulmonary function measurements of 12 male college students were collected prior to exercise at 5, 15, and 30 min, and at 1, 2, and 24 h post-exercise. RV was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased 20.8% (260 ml), 16.8% (210 ml) and 12.0% (150 ml) at 5, 15, and 30 min post-exercise, respectively. Total lung capacity (TLC) was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased 2.7% (190 ml) and 2.3% (160 ml) at 5 and 15 min post-exercise, respectively. Subsequent body composition calculations, using the post-exercise RV data, resulted in significantly (P less than 0.01) lower relative body fat measures, as compared to the pre-exercise value, through 30 min of recovery. In conclusion, our data demonstrate apparent increases in RV and TLC immediately following maximal treadmill exercise; these measurements remained significantly increased over pre-exercise values, through 30 and 15 min of recovery, respectively. It is recommended that the RV measurement and the actual hydrostatic weighing procedure not be separated by an acute bout of exercise, and that protocols for long-term studies be standardized.

Mechanical and physiological calibration of four cycle ergometers

Mechanical and physiological calibrations were performed on four research-grade cycle ergometers. Ten subjects rode each ergometer twice in a randomized testing order. The subjects pedaled at 60 rpm for 5 min at each of three power outputs, i.e., 49, 98, and 147 W. Heart rate, metabolic, and perceptual data were obtained each minute. Prior to and immediately following these test rides, mechanical calibrations were obtained in duplicate. From the mechanical calibrations, Ergometer A was approximately 10% below actual values at each power output. Ergometer B demonstrated a variable error, with the largest percentage and absolute errors occurring at the lower power outputs. Ergometers C and D generally demonstrated less than a +/- 3% error. Following the physiological calibration, Ergometer B exhibited a substantial drift in calibration, while Ergometers A, C, and D maintained their original calibration. The physiological data supported the mechanical calibration, and Ergometer B demonstrated a substantial drift between the first and second trials and produced substantially different results compared with the other three ergometers. Ergometers A, C, and D demonstrated acceptable consistency in results both within trials and among ergometers. These results demonstrate the importance of proper calibration and of understanding the calibration characteristics of ergometers selected for research purposes.

Ratings of Perceived Exertion, Heart Rate, and Power Output in Predicting Maximal Oxygen Uptake During Submaximal Cycle Ergometry.

In brief: Sixty-two subjects completed a four- stage submaximal cycle ergometer test to volitional fatigue. The purpose was to determine if estimates of V O2 max could be improved by using ratings of perceived exertion singly or in combination with easily obtainable physiological measures during submaximal cycle ergometry. While these procedures may not be acceptable for scientific purposes, clinicians could use them to estimate the aerobic power of their patients and athletes.

Alterations in breast morphology consequent to a 21-day bust developer program.

Normal menstruating females, 19 to 32 years of age, were randomly assigned to either a control (C; N = 17) or an experimental (E; N = 17) group to determine alterations in breast size, shape, and volume consequent to a 21-day bust development program (BDP) using a commercial exercise device as specified by the manufacturer. E and C groups were evaluated on 2 consecutive d prior to initiating the BDP to establish reliability of the test procedures and again at the end of the BDP, 27 to 29 d following the initial measures. Anthropometric measures included the following girths: shoulder, chest, bust with and without brassiere, abdomen, deltoid, and flexed biceps. Breast photography included two 35-mm photographs each from the side and front views, in both full inspiration and full expiration, with the subject position carefully standardized. A total of 10 measurements, corrected for perspective error, were obtained from these photographs. Breast volume was measured using a water displacement technique, with three trials for each breast. Repeated measures analysis of variance procedures indicated no significant differences consequent to the BDP for any of the variables assessed, with the exception of a small decrease in shoulder girth in both E and C and a small decrease in left breast volume in E. It was concluded that the use of a commercial exercise device with a specific BDP does not result in changes in breast size, shape, or volume.

Physiological Characteristics of Champion Synchronized Swimmers

In brief: Data on body composition, metabolic responses to a maximal treadmill run, postexercise blood lactate, pulmonary function, flexibility, and isokinetic work were obtained in 13 champion synchronized swimmers. Metabolic responses to a maximal tethered swimming test were obtained on four of the subjects. The synchronized swimmers were similar to nonathletic women in percent fat(24.0) and were only slightly different in V o2 max(43.2 ml· kg−1-min−1). The postexercise blood lactate of 101.7 mg/100 ml was comparable to values reported for female competitive swimmers. Results suggest that success in synchronized swimming is not heavily dependent on aerobic capacity, although participants in solo and duet events tended to have higher Vo2 max values.