Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Sex Differences In Neuromuscular Fatigability Of The Knee Extensors Post-Stroke, Meghan Kirking, Reivian B. Barillas, Philip A. Nelson, Sandra K. Hunter, Allison Hyngstrom

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background and Purpose: Despite the implications of optimizing strength training post-stroke, little is known about the differences in fatigability between men and women with chronic stroke. The purpose of this study was to determine the sex differences in knee extensor muscle fatigability and potential mechanisms in individuals with stroke. Methods: Eighteen participants (10 men, eight women) with chronic stroke (≥6 months) and 23 (12 men, 11 women) nonstroke controls participated in the study. Participants performed an intermittent isometric contraction task (6 s contraction, 3 s rest) at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque until failure to maintain the target …

Sex Differences In Human Fatigability: Mechanisms And Insight To Physiological Responses, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Sex-related differences in physiology and anatomy are responsible for profound differences in neuromuscular performance and fatigability between men and women. Women are usually less fatigable than men for similar intensity isometric fatiguing contractions. This sex difference in fatigability, however, is task specific because different neuromuscular sites will be stressed when the requirements of the task are altered, and the stress on these sites can differ for men and women. Task variables that can alter the sex difference in fatigability include the type, intensity and speed of contraction, the muscle group assessed and the environmental conditions. Physiological mechanisms that are responsible …

Effect Of Fontan Fenestration On Regional Venous Oxygen Saturation During Exercise: Further Insights Into Fontan Fenestration Closure, Rohit S. Loomba, Michael E. Danduran, Jennifer E. Dixon, Rohit P. Rao

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Fontan fenestration closure is a topic of great debate. The body of data regarding the risks and benefits of fenestration closure is limited yet growing. Previous studies have demonstrated that Fontan patients have less exercise capacity than those with normal cardiovascular anatomy. Differences also have been noted within various subgroups of Fontan patients such as whether Fontan is fenestrated or not. This study aimed to compare trends in regional oxygen saturations using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in patients with Fontan circulations during ramping exercise to further delineate differences between patients with and without a fenestration. It was hypothesized that Fontan patients …

Folic Acid Supplementation Improves Vascular Function In Professional Dancers With Endothelial Dysfunction, Anne Z. Hoch, Paula Papanek, Aniko Szabo, Michael E. Widlansky, David D. Gutterman

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To determine if folic acid supplementation improves vascular function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) in professional dancers with known endothelial dysfunction.

Design

Prospective cross-sectional study.

Setting

Academic institution in the Midwestern United States.

Subjects

Twenty-two professional ballet dancers volunteered for this study.

Main Outcome Measures

Subjects completed a 3-day food record to determine caloric and micronutrient intake. Menstrual status was determined by interview and questionnaire. Endothelial function was determined as flow-induced vasodilation measured by high-frequency ultrasound of the brachial artery. A change in brachial diameter of

Results

Sixty-four percent of dancers (n = 14) had abnormal brachial artery FMD …