Tiago Figueiredo

Exercise Order in Resistance Training

Resistance training (RT) is now an integral component of a well rounded exercise programme. For a correct training prescription, it is of the utmost importance to understand the interaction among training variables, such as the load, volume, rest interval between sets and exercises, frequency of sessions, exercise modality, repetition velocity and, finally, exercise order. Sports medicine research has indicated that exercise order is an important variable that affects both acute responses and chronic adaptations to RT programmes. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to analyse and discuss exercise order with relevance to acute responses (e.g. repetition performance) and also the expression of chronic adaptable characteristics (e.g. maximal strength and hypertrophy). To accomplish this purpose, the Scielo, Science Citation Index, National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus™ and CINAHL® databases were accessed to locate previously conducted original scientific investigations. The studies reviewed examined both acute responses and chronic adaptations with exercise order as the experimental variable. Generally, with relevance to acute responses, a key finding was that exercise order affects repetition performance over multiple sets, indicating that the total repetitions, and thus the volume, is greater when an exercise is placed at the beginning of an RT session, regardless of the relative amount of muscle mass involved. The pre-exhaustion method might not be an effective technique to increase the extent of neuromuscular recruitment for larger muscle groups (e.g. pectoralis major for the bench press) when preceded by a single-joint movement (e.g. pec-deck fly). With relevance to localized muscular endurance performance, oxygen consumption and ratings of perceived exertion, the limited amount of research conducted thus far indicates that exercise order does not appear to impact the acute expression of these variables. In terms of chronic adaptations, greater strength increases were evident by untrained subjects for the first exercise of a given sequence, while strength increases were inhibited for the last exercise of a given sequence. Additionally, based on strength and hypertrophy (i.e. muscle thickness and volume) effect-size data, the research suggests that exercises be ordered based on priority of importance as dictated by the training goal of a programme, irrespective of whether the exercise involves a relatively large or small muscle group. In summary, exercise order is an important variable that should receive greater attention in RT prescription. When prescribed appropriately with other key prescriptive variables (i.e. load, volume, rest interval between sets and exercises), the exercise order can influence the efficiency, safety and ultimate effectiveness of an RT programme.

Influence of Exercise Order on Repetition Performance During Low-Intensity Resistance Exercise

The purpose of this study was to compare repetition maximum performance and ratings of perceived exertion during resistance exercise sessions conducted at a low intensity (i.e., 20RM) and in different exercise orders. Twenty-one recreationally trained men performed two total body resistance exercise sessions in opposite orders; each exercise was performed for three sets with 2 minutes passive rest between sets and exercises. The results indicated significantly greater total repetitions for each exercise when performed near the beginning of a sequence and for the first set of each exercise, irrespective of the sequence. The ratings of perceived exertion, however, were not significantly different between sequences. In conclusion, repetition maximum performance for resistance exercise sessions conducted at a low intensity is significantly different based on exercise order. Therefore, when performing high repetitions with relatively low intensity loads, exercises should be prioritized based on individual needs and sports-specific movement patterns for greater volume and potential for the desired neuromuscular adaptations.

Influence of Load Intensity on Postexercise Hypotension and Heart Rate Variability after a Strength Training Session

Abstract Figueiredo, T, Willardson, JM, Miranda, H, Bentes, CM, Reis, VM, and Simão, R. Influence of load intensity on postexercise hypotension and heart rate variability after a strength training session. J Strength Cond Res 29(10): 2941–2948, 2015—The purpose of this study was to compare blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) responses in trained men after strength training (ST) sessions with loads of 60, 70, and 80% of a 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Eleven men (age: 26.1 ± 3.6 years; body mass: 74.1 ± 8.1 kg; height: 172.0 ± 4.0 cm; body mass index: 25.0 ± 1.96 kg·m−2; %G: 18.3 ± 6.4) with at least 6-month ST experience participated in this study. After assessment of 1RM loads for the bench press (BP), lat pull-down (LPD), shoulder press (SP), biceps curl (BC), triceps extension (TE), leg press (LP), leg extension (LE), and leg curl (LC), subjects performed 3 experimental sessions in random order. During each experimental session, subjects performed 3 sets of 8–10 repetitions at 60, 70, or 80% of 1RM loads, with 2-minute rest intervals between sets and exercises. All experimental sessions were performed in the following exercise order: BP, LPD, SP, BC, TE, LP, LE, and LC. Before and for 1 hour after each experimental session, blood pressure and HRV were tracked. The results demonstrated a greater duration of postexercise hypotension (PEH) after the 70% of 1RM session vs. the 60 or 80% of 1RM session. These results indicate that the load/volume associated with completion of 8–10 repetitions at 70% of 1RM load may provide the best stimulus for the PEH response when compared with training with a 60 or 80% of 1RM loads. In conclusion, strength and conditioning professionals may prescribe exercises with 60, 70, and 80% of 1RM loads if the intent is to elicit an acute decrease in blood pressure after an ST session; however, 70% of 1RM provides a longer PEH.

Influence of number of sets on blood pressure and heart rate variability after a strength training session.

Abstract Figueiredo, T, Rhea, MR, Peterson, M, Miranda, H, Bentes, CM, Machado de Ribeiro dos Reis, V, and Simão, R. Influence of number of sets on blood pressure and heart rate variability after a strength training session. J Strength Cond Res 29(6): 1556–1563, 2015—The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of 1, 3, and 5 sets of strength training (ST), on heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure. Eleven male volunteers (age: 26.1 ± 3.6 years; body mass: 74.1 ± 8.1 kg; height: 172 ± 4 cm) with at least 6 months previous experience in ST participated in the study. After determining the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) load for the bench press (BP), lat pull down (LPD), shoulder press (SP), biceps curl (BC), triceps extension (TE), leg press (LP), leg extension (LE), and leg curl (LC), the participants performed 3 different exercise sequences in a random order and 72 hours apart. During the first sequence, subjects performed a single set of 8–10 repetitions, at 70% 1RM, and with 2-minute rest interval between exercises. Exercises were performed in the following order: BP, LPD, SP, BC, TE, LP, LE, and LC. During the second sequence, subjects performed the same exercise sequence, with the same intensity, 2-minute rest interval between sets and exercises, but with 3 consecutive sets of each exercise. During the third sequence, the same protocol was followed but with 5 sets of each exercise. Before and after the training sessions, blood pressure and HRV were measured. The statistical analysis demonstrated a greater duration of postexercise hypotension after the 5-set program vs. the 1 set or 3 sets (p ⩽ 0.05). However, the 5-set program promoted a substantial cardiac stress, as demonstrated by HRV (p ⩽ 0.05). These results indicate that 5 sets of 8–10 repetitions at 70% 1RM load may provide the ideal stimulus for a postexercise hypotensive response. Therefore, ST composed of upper- and lower-body exercises and performed with high volumes are capable of producing significant and extended postexercise hypotensive response. In conclusion, strength and conditioning professionals can prescribe 5 sets per exercises if the goal is to reduce blood pressure after training. In addition, these findings may have importance, specifically in the early phase of high blood pressure development, but more research is needed in hypertensive populations to validate this hypothesis.

Influence of Exercise Order on Repetition Performance Among All Possible Combinations on Resistance Training

The purposes of this study were to compare the repetition performance and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in different exercises order of three resistance training (RT) exercises: bench press (BP), shoulder press (SP), and triceps extension (TE). Twelve trained men participated in this study (26.75 ± 2.49 years; 177 ± 4.66 cm; 77.7 ± 6.20 kg; 12.61 ± 2.01% body fat; RT experience 3.58 ± 1.24 years). Data were collected in two phases: (1) 10 RM test for BP, SP, and TE and (2) performance of six RT sequences. The sequences were: SEQA (BP, SP, TE), SEQB (BP, TE, SP), SEQC (SP, BP, TE), SEQD (SP, TE, BP), SEQE (TE, BP, SP), and SEQF (TE, SP, BP). The repetition performance on SEQD was significantly smaller than SEQE and SEQF. No significant differences were found for repetition performance and RPE among other sequences. These data indicate that priority might be given to exercises performed in the beginning of the RT session.

Comparação entre diferentes modelos de periodização sobre a força e espessura muscular em uma sequência dos menores para os maiores grupamentos musculares

INTRODUCAO: Estudos comparando modelos de periodizacao em sequencias de treinamento resistido (TR) realizadas do menor para o maior grupo muscular sobre as alteracoes musculares em individuos destreinados em TR sao escassos. OBJETIVO: Comparar o efeito da periodizacao ondulatoria (PO) e da periodizacao linear (PL) sobre a forca maxima e hipertrofia muscular em uma sequencia de execucao dos exercicios dos menores para os maiores grupamentos musculares. METODOS: Vinte e nove homens nao experientes em (TR) foram distribuidos aleatoriamente em tres grupos: PO (n =10), PL (n = 13) e grupo controle (GC, n = 9). Os individuos realizaram o teste de uma repeticao maxima (1RM) nos exercicios rosca biceps (RB), rosca triceps (RT), puxada aberta (PA) e supino reto (SR), contracao isometrica voluntaria maxima (CIVM) e espessura muscular (EM) para flexores de cotovelo (FC) e extensores de cotovelo (EC) antes e apos o periodo de 12 semanas de treinamento. O grupo PO variou o volume e a intensidade do treinamento diariamente, e o grupo PL a cada quatro semanas. O GC nao realizou TR. Foi realizada uma ANOVA de dois caminhos com medidas repetidas, e calculo do tamanho do efeito (TE), nas cargas obtidas para analisar o efeito do tratamento sobre as variacoes pre- e pos-periodo de TR. RESULTADOS: Os principais achados do estudo foram: 1) o grupo PO apresentou maior TE para 1RM dos exercicios RT e RB e para EM dos FC e EC quando comparado ao grupo PL; 2) nao houve diferenca no TE para os exercicios SR e PA que finalizavam a sessao. CONCLUSAO: Ambos os modelos de periodizacao adotados foram eficientes para promover aumentos de forca e hipertrofia muscular. Contudo, segundo o calculo do TE, a PO promoveu maior incremento da forca maxima nos exercicios que iniciaram a sessao e hipertrofia muscular.

Influence of Rest Interval Length Between Sets on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability After a Strength Training Session Performed By Prehypertensive Men

Abstract Figueiredo, T, Willardson, JM, Miranda, H, Bentes, CM, Machado Reis, V, Freitas de Salles, B, and Simão, R. Influence of rest interval length between sets on blood pressure and heart rate variability after a strength training session performed by prehypertensive men. J Strength Cond Res 30(7): 1813–1824, 2016—The purposes of this study were to compare the effects of 2 different rest interval lengths between sets and exercises during strength training (ST) on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in prehypertensive trained men, and to verify how HRV influences BP. Eleven volunteer subjects (age: 26.1 ± 3.6 years; body mass: 74.1 ± 7.9 kg; height: 172.1 ± 4.1 cm; % body fat: 18.3 ± 6.3; ST experience: 1.7 ± 0.8 years) participated in this study. After assessing one repetition maximum (1RM) loads for the free weight bench press, lat pull-down, shoulder press, biceps curl, triceps extension, leg press, leg extension, and leg curl exercises; subjects performed 2 sessions with different rest intervals between sets and exercises in random order and 72 hours apart. Each ST session consisted of performing 3 sets of eight to 10 repetitions at 70% of a 1RM for each exercise, with either 1-minute (sequence 1 [SEQ1]) or 2-minute (sequence 2 [SEQ2]) rest intervals between sets and exercises, respectively. Before and after each session, BP and HRV (low frequency band, high frequency [HF] band, and square root of the mean squared difference of successive RR-interval index) were tracked for 60 minutes. The results demonstrated a postexercise hypotensive response (PEH) after both rest interval conditions (p ⩽ 0.05). Additionally, increases in cardiac stress were noted after SEQ1, with a greater withdrawal in parasympathetic activity vs. baseline as noted in the HF band at 1-, 10-, and 20-minute postexercise (p ⩽ 0.05). These results indicate that both sequences provided an effective stimulus for a PEH. Therefore, strength and conditioning professionals may prescribe 1- or 2-minute rest between sets and exercises when the goal is to reduce BP after training sessions. However, resting 1 minute between sets and exercises was associated with greater cardiac stress, and so this may necessitate prescription of longer rest intervals between sets and exercises when working with individuals who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular dysfunction.

Transcultural adaptation to Portuguese of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS) for evaluation of thought activity

INTRODUCTION The concept of mind wandering refers to periods during which attention and content of thoughts depart from the original idea or activity being performed. The phenomenon occurs commonly in the general population and the Mind Wandering Excessively Scale (MEWS) evaluates its frequency, intensity and related negative outcomes. OBJECTIVE To describe the cross-cultural adaptation of the MEWS. METHODS Cross-cultural adaptation of the original scale followed five consecutive steps: translation, backtranslation, appreciation of semantic equivalence and administration to a convenience sample to 20 adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and 20 normal controls. RESULTS Results indicated a satisfactory equivalence between the original and translated versions. A synthesis version for Brazilian Portuguese is presented. CONCLUSIONS MEWS provides information on thought activity, which is particularly important in ADHD cases. The Brazilian Portuguese version would be welcome to address specific treatment responses and obtain new outcome measures.

Pituitary Hyperplasia in a Female Patient with a Severe Childhood Abuse History

ABSTRACT A 24-year-old Caucasian female patient was referred to our endocrinology service to investigate a structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) finding of “pituitary mass”. The first two sMRI were identified as pituitary adenoma but the following two examinations suggested the possibility of pituitary hyperplasia (PH). The patient was referred to our service for diagnostic clarification and therapy due to the divergence in sMRI reports and the surgical procedure indicated by the neurosurgical team of the other institution. The patient had no complaints, laboratory tests were all normal, and the sMRI clearly showed a PH. However, what caught our attention was her behavior. During the interview she was intermittently talking and acting like a child even though her age was 24. She reported being a foster child and was severely mistreated during childhood. Parallel psychiatric evaluation was requested and an association between the PH and the childhood abuse was identified. Early life stress may be associated with accelerated pituitary gland volume development, but there is still a paucity of data in literature about this issue. We should be aware of other cases like this one, and a correct differential diagnosis may contribute to contraindicate transsphenoidal surgery. When a childhood abuse history is present, we recommend admission to a psychiatric facility for adequate treatment.

Fluoxetine Adjunctive Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Associated With Olanzapine in Schizophrenic Patients.

receptorswas involved.Thehypothesis that PDSS, at least in part, is consistent with CAS has been discussed, and if so, physostigmine could be an optional treatment in PDSS. In our case, the diagnosis was believed to be PDSS, and the patient was given symptomatic treatment. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome was ruled out based on no hyperthermia, absence of muscle rigidity, and the rapid onset time, although the patient had elevated myoglobin and creatine kinase levels as well as signs of autonomic instability. Additionally, in a retrospective, the patient had several symptoms that could be related to olanzapines action on central muscarinic cholinergic receptor and suggesting a possible CAS. According to clinical trials, PDSS reactions occurred in 0.07% of injections and in 1.4% of patients treated with OLAI for up to 6 months. The occurrence rate seems to be similar in real-world clinical practice according to ongoing studies. Current data regarding occurrence, development, manifestation, treatment, and outcome of PDSS are still limited. In a review article published in CNS Drugs 2015, the authors claim that only one case of PDSS has been mentioned in connection with OLAI since the last clinical trial ended in August 2008, whereas a recent study based on postmarketing safety studies and spontaneous reports found a total of 338 PDSS events between March 1, 2009, and March 1, 2014. Regulatory authorities have established risk management mitigation programs. The present safety regulations associated with OLAI administration facilitates a faster detection of PDSS but will not influence the incidence of the syndrome. The risk of an event is considered equally high at each injection, leading to a cumulative risk per patient. Regarding this cumulative risk, and the fact that patients given OLAI often remain on long-term treatment over years, PDSS may become a more frequently seen diagnosis both in psychiatric and emergency departments as well as in ICUs. In conclusion, PDSS is a serious adverse event related to OLAI, and its clinical is still a matter of concern. We believe there is a need for further studies, including case reports, case series, and observational studies, to address the identification of PDSS and its management in clinical practice.