Trish Sevene

Comparing one repetition maximum and three repetition maximum between conventional and eccentrically loaded deadlifts.

Abstract Bishop, A, DeBeliso, M, Sevene, TG, and Adams, KJ. Comparing one repetition maximum and three repetition maximum between conventional and eccentrically loaded deadlifts. J Strength Cond Res 28(7): 1820–1825, 2014—This study determined if an eccentrically loaded deadlift yields a higher 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and 3RM than a conventional deadlift and if the 1RM conventional and eccentrically loaded deadlift can be accurately estimated from the 3RM (3RM = 93% of 1RM). Division 1 football players (n = 15; 20.3 ± 1.9 years; 95.8 ± 18.2 kg; 184.4 ± 6.6 cm) participated. Deadlift 1RM and 3RM were measured in the conventional and eccentrically loaded deadlift. Dependent t-tests showed no significant difference between the 3RM and 1RM conventional deadlift and the 3RM and 1RM eccentrically loaded deadlift (p = 0.30 and p = 0.20, respectively). Pearson correlation between the 1RM conventional deadlift estimate and 1RM conventional deadlift actual was r = 0.91 (p ⩽ 0.01); a dependent t-test indicated the 1RM conventional deadlift estimate was significantly less than the 1RM conventional deadlift actual (p = 0.007). Pearson correlation between the 1RM eccentrically loaded deadlift estimate and 1RM eccentrically loaded deadlift actual was r = 0.84 (p ⩽ 0.01); a dependent t-test indicated the 1RM eccentrically loaded deadlift estimate was nearly significantly less than the 1RM eccentrically loaded deadlift actual (p = 0.061). Results suggest that conventional and eccentrically loaded deadlifts may be interchangeable within a training program; this may elicit the benefits of using a broader variety of ground-based multijoint compound movements in an athletes strength and power training. Additionally, because of differences between predicted and actual 1RM scores in the deadlift, strength coaches should prioritize actual 1RM testing of their athletes to optimize deadlift training loads across the RM continuum.

Hand grip strength and gender: Allometric normalization in older adults and implications for the NIOSH lifting equation

Background Many countries are experiencing an aging workforce with women workers making up a growing proportion. Workplaces often require employees to complete lifting tasks that require the ability of the hand to grasp an implement (coupling). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has developed an equation for manual lifting tasks hoping to minimize the potential for a workplace back-injury related to a lifting task. The NIOSH lifting equation relies upon stress variables including a coupling factor. However, little is known regarding grip strength as related to the NIOSH lifting equation coupling factor. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in grip strength due to gender in older adults. Methods The participant’s (68–88 years) maximal grip (MG) strength measures were collected for each hand with a hand grip dynamometer (kg). MG scores were converted to Newtons (N), normalized to body mass, and allometrically scaled. Measures of MG were than compared between genders with an independent t-test. Results The hand grip measures of MG (kg) [male: 30.3 ± 5.6, female: 10.6 ± 3.3], MG (kg) / body mass (kg) [male: 0.35 ± 0.06, female: 0.16 ± 0.04], MG (N) / (body mass (kg))0.67 [male: 15.1 ± 2.5, female: 6.2 ± 1.7], and MG (N) / (body height (m))1.84 [male: 103.6 ± 18.6, female: 42.6 ± 10.6] were all significantly lower (p < 0.0001) for women than men. Regardless of how grip strength was reported, there is a strong difference in grip strength between genders in this sample. The NIOSH lifting equation does not account for varying grip strength due to aging and gender differences. Conclusions It is recommended that grip strength variability be accounted for in the coupling factor of the NIOSH lifting equation.

Body Mass Index of North American Participants at the World Masters Games

WMG (World Masters Games) athletes have either pursued a physically active lifestyle for an extended period of time or have initiated exercise/sport in later life. This unique cohort of middle-aged to older-aged adults remains relatively uninvestigated with regards to various measures of health. With a need for multifaceted solutions to the obesity epidemic, investigating special populations such as those competing in sport at older ages may further the understanding of the nexus between aging, physical activity and obesity. This study aims to investigate the BMI (body mass index) of North American WMG competitors with respect to national health guidelines and demographics. An online survey was utilized to collect demographic information from athletes competing at the Sydney WMG. BMI was derived using the participant’s height and body mass. A total of 928 (46.7% male, 53.3% female) participants from Canada and the United States (age: 52.6 ± 9.8 years) completed the survey. The top 5 sports in which participants competed were football (25.6%), track/field (15.4%), swimming (8.4%), volleyball (8.2%), and softball (7.8%). Female and male BMI (kg/m2) across all sports were: > 30 (obese: 13.9%), 25-29.9 (overweight: 34.1%), 18.5-24.9 (normal: 50.3%), and

Cardiovascular risk profiles of world masters games participants

BACKGROUND Increasing evidence indicates adherence to exercise throughout life is concurrent with improved health. World masters games (WMG) have more participants than any other international sporting competition and is under investigated, particularly with regard to indices of cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, we chose to investigate selected cardiovascular risk factors in WMG participants. METHODS This was a cross-sectional, observational study which utilized a web-based questionnaire to survey cardiovascular risk factors of WMG participants. The survey consisted of three sections: basic demographics, medical history and physiological parameters which included Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), resting blood pressure (BP) and lipids (total cholesterol [TC], high density lipoprotein [HDL] and low density lipoprotein [LDL]). RESULTS A total of 1435 participants, 872 male, aged 27-91 years (mean age 54.99 years) participated in the study. Key findings included significant differences (P<0.05) between genders in BMI (17.7%, P<0.001), WC (10.6%, P<0.001), resting SBP (5.8%, P<0.001) and resting DBP (4.8%, P<0.001). Significant differences were also found between genders in HDLs (15.2%, P<0.001), TC:HDL ratio (17.2%, P<0.001) and LDL:HDL ratio (19.0%, P<0.001). Significant differences (P<0.001) were also identified when comparing WMG lipid results to the Australian general population (TC P<0.001; HDLs P<0.001; LDLs P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS A high percentage of WMG participants demonstrated optimal values in a number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors when compared to the general population, female WMG participants had better values as compared to males. This reflected a decreased CVD in WMG participants and supports our hypothesis of enhanced health characteristics in an active, but aged cohort.

Hang cleans and hang snatches produce similar improvements in female collegiate athletes.

Olympic weightlifting movements and their variations are believed to be among the most effective ways to improve power, strength, and speed in athletes. This study investigated the effects of two Olympic weightlifting variations (hang cleans and hang snatches), on power (vertical jump height), strength (1RM back squat), and speed (40-yard sprint) in female collegiate athletes. 23 NCAA Division I female athletes were randomly assigned to either a hang clean group or hang snatch group. Athletes participated in two workout sessions a week for six weeks, performing either hang cleans or hang snatches for five sets of three repetitions with a load of 80-85% 1RM, concurrent with their existing, season-specific, resistance training program. Vertical jump height, 1RM back squat, and 40-yard sprint all had a significant, positive improvement from pre-training to post-training in both groups (p≤0.01). However, when comparing the gain scores between groups, there was no significant difference between the hang clean and hang snatch groups for any of the three dependent variables (i.e., vertical jump height, p=0.46; 1RM back squat, p=0.20; and 40-yard sprint, p=0.46). Short-term training emphasizing hang cleans or hang snatches produced similar improvements in power, strength, and speed in female collegiate athletes. This provides strength and conditioning professionals with two viable programmatic options in athletic-based exercises to improve power, strength, and speed.

Accuracy of physical self-description among chronic exercisers and non-exercisers

This study addressed the role of chronic exercise to enhance physical self-description as measured by self-estimated percent body fat. Accuracy of physical self-description was determined in normal-weight, regularly exercising and non-exercising males with similar body mass index (BMI)’s and females with similar BMI’s (n=42 males and 45 females of which 23 males and 23 females met criteria to be considered chronic exercisers). Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the degree of agreement between self-estimated percent body fat and actual laboratory measurements (hydrostatic weighing). Three statistical techniques were employed: Pearson correlation coefficients, Bland and Altman plots, and regression analysis. Agreement between measured and self-estimated percent body fat was superior for males and females who exercised chronically, compared to non-exercisers. The clinical implications are as follows. Satisfaction with one’s body can be influenced by several factors, including self-perceived body composition. Dissatisfaction can contribute to maladaptive and destructive weight management behaviors. The present study suggests that regular exercise provides a basis for more positive weight management behaviors by enhancing the accuracy of self-assessed body composition.