T. Kekes-Szabo

The Effects of Strength Conditioning on Older Women's Ability to Perform Daily Tasks

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a strength‐training program on walking speed and relative muscular stress, as measured by normalized integrated electromyographic (nIEMG) activity, while carrying a box of groceries and standing from a chair.

Fat distribution, physical activity, and cardiovascular risk factors.

The purpose of this study was to report the relationship between fat distribution, physical activity (PA), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Percent fat, computed tomography intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAF), anthropometrics, Baecke activity questionnaire, and CVD risk (blood pressure, cholesterol, HDL, HDL2, HDL3, IDL, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides) were evaluated in 137 men 30-71 yr old. IAF was consistently more highly related to CVD risk than other fat distribution variables including percent fat and waist:hip ratio (r = 0.3-0.45). IAF was significantly related to CVD risk after adjusting for other fat distribution variables. With the exception of the sum of biceps, triceps, thigh, and calf skinfolds (peripheral skinfolds), which was negatively related to CVD risk, no other fat distribution variable had consistent significant partial correlations with CVD risk. PA was related to IAF after adjusting for peripheral skinfolds, but PA was not related to peripheral skinfolds after adjusting for IAF, indicating more active men have relatively low IAF. IAF was related to CVD risk after adjusting for PA, but PA was not related to CVD risk after adjusting for IAF. These results indicate that IAF is directly related to CVD risk while the lower CVD risk found with more active men is more directly related to the low IAF found in more active men.

Effects of strength training on cardiovascular responses during a submaximal walk and a weight-loaded walking test in older females

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a total body strength training program on oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rate pressure product (RPP) during a submaximal walk and a weight-loaded walking test in healthy women 60-77 years old. METHODS The submaximal walk (2 mph and 3.5% grade) took place during stage 3 of a graded exercise test. The weight-loaded walking task consisted of treadmill walking at 2 mph while carrying a box weighing 40% of maximum isometric elbow flexion strength. The women strength trained three times per week for approximately 1 hour per session for 16 weeks. RESULTS Paired t tests determined that strength increased by 57% on six isotonic strength tests (one repetition maximum) and by 29% on two isometric strength tests. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the pre- to post-differences between and within the two tests (alpha = 0.05). There was no change in VO2 but HR, SBP, and RPP decreased significantly during the submaximal walk and the weight-loaded walking test. However, average HR (135 to 120 bpm) and RPP (23.3 x 10(3) to 19.3 x 10(3)) decreased more during the weight-loaded walking test than during the submaximal walk (HR: 108 to 104 bpm; RPP 18.3 x 10(3) to 17.0 x 10(3)). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the reduced HR, SBP, and RPP indicates that strength training may reduce cardiovascular stress during daily tasks in healthy older women.

INTRA-ABDOMINAL ADIPOSE TISSUE CUT-POINTS RELATED TO ELEVATED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN WOMEN.: 1034

Intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAF) seems to be the primary fat depot putting individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this study was to determine IAF cut-points for identifying CVD risk in pre- and post-menopausal women. Age ranged from 18 to 77 y and percentage fat ranged from 9 to 48%. Computed tomography (CT), IAF, DEXA determined regional fat and blood lipid profiles were obtained on 220 Caucasian women. Students t-tests were run to determine differences between pre- and post-menopausal women. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to develop IAF cut-points associated with elevated CVD risk. Post-menopausal women had higher percentage fat, greater proportion IAF and higher CVD risk. Menopausal status was not consistently independently related to CVD risk after adjusting for IAF, but IAF was after adjusting for menopausal status. The same cut-points for CVD risk were found with both 4- and 6-CVD risk factor analysis and for both pre- and post-menopausal as well as pooled data. 4-CVD risk factor analysis comprised cholesterol (C), HDL-C, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. 6-CVD risk factor analysis comprised the 4-CVD risk factors plus triglycerides and cholesterol : HDL-C ratio. ROC L positive values indicate levels of IAF above which metabolic disturbances will be increased and were determined to be 110 cm2. ROC L negative values indicate levels of IAF below which CVD risk will not be affected and were determined to be 40 cm2. False positives were 3% and false negatives were 9%. ANOVA comparing women with IAF cross-sections less than 40 cm2, between 40 and 110 cm2 and more than 110 cm2 demonstrate large differences in CVD risk profile. It is suggested women who have IAF values above 110 cm2 are in jeopardy of possessing elevated CVD risk.