Kinesiology Commons^™

Neuromuscular Function Following Lengthening Contractions, Geoffrey A. Power

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Unaccustomed lengthening contractions have been shown to impair muscle function - however little is known regarding this impairment on muscle power - specifically, the velocity component of power during voluntary contractions in humans. The four studies presented in my thesis investigated power-loss following lengthening contractions in healthy young and old women and young men.

The purpose of Study 1 was to determine reliability of velocity-dependent power of the dorsiflexors using the isotonic mode of the Biodex Dynamometer. I determined the isotonic mode is reliable and can be used to track changes in velocity and power following fatigue and lengthening contractions. …

The Effects Of A Short Term Novel Aquatic Exercise Program On Functional Strength And Performance Of Older Adults, H. Scott Kieffer, Marie Attanasi Lehman, Danielle M. Veacock, Laura Korkuch

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 5(4) : 321-333, 2012. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short-term novel multidimensional aquatic exercise program on functional abilities of healthy older adults. Twenty-six men and women (mean age 76.33 + 5.55 years) were recruited and assigned to an aquatic- (n = 15) or land-based (n = 11) training group. The aquatic training group completed a multidimensional water exercise program that incorporated resistance training, functional exercise movements and rudimentary aquatic plyometric activities. The active control group participated in a supervised land-based fitness program. Each exercise intervention was conducted over …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Long-Term Endurance Training On The Cortical Autonomic Network In The Aging Brain, Torri A. Luchyshyn

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study tested whether long-term endurance training in older adults (ET; n = 15, 55 ± 4 years, relative VO₂max = 50 ± 8 ml/kg/min) would alter cardiovagal control and preserve the cortical autonomic network compared to age-matched controls (CON; n = 15, 56 ± 4 years, relative VO₂max = 37 ± 9 ml/kg/min). The hypothesis predicts 1) altered deactivation patterns of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) in response to isometric hand grip (IHG) and 2) greater indices of cardiovagal control; a) increased baroreflex sensitivity at rest, b) greater heart rate change (ΔHR) and c) …

Exercise Ameliorates Disruption Of The Dystrophin-Associated Glycoprotein Complex And Fibrosis In The Aging Rat Heart, Yang Lee, Jeffrey M. Hord, Hyo-Bum Kwak, Jong-Hee Kim, John M. Lawler

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) is localized and integrated into the cell membrane. The DGC provides a mechanical link between the cellular cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix (ECM). In cardiac muscle, disruption of DGC might be involved in mediating cardiac remodeling that occurs with aging, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure through transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß). Decorin is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan closely related to the DGC component that binds to collagen. Decorin reduces fibrosis via inhibition of TGF-ß and myofibroblast formation. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that exercise training (ET) would alleviate age-related disruption of localization in DGC proteins (dystrophin, α-syntrophin, and …

Increase In Muscle Power Induced By Periodized Resistance Training In Elderly Women, Cláudio De Oliveira Assumpção, João Bartholomeu Neto, Christiano Bertoldo Urtado, Maria Imaculada L. Montebelo

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Resistance training (RT) has been recommended to prevent muscle force and power decrease induced by aging. Neuromuscular tests are important tools to analyze muscle force function. The objective of the present study was to analyze the behavior of lower limb muscle power of elderly women submitted to 12 weeks of periodized RT. 16 women aged 65.5±3.6 years with a minimum of one year of previous experience in strength training were selected, they performed 24 sessions of RT divided in 3 mesocycles (MA, MB and MC), of 8 sessions each, with a session frequency of twice a week. The MA with …