The main purpose of this study was to determine if increasing the volume of a resistance training program, while keeping the intensity the same would significantly increase the recovery energy expenditure, as measured by the excess post-exercise energy expenditure (EPEE). Fifteen resistance-trained women completed two resistance training protocols. Both protocols consisted of nine exercises performed to volitional fatigue, at the previously determined eight RM. The only difference between the two protocols was the number of sets (1-set or 3-sets). All subjects completed both protocols in a randomized and counterbalanced fashion. Energy expenditure, as determined by oxygen consumption and respiratory exchange ratio (RER), was measured continuously prior to exercise, during the exercise session, and during the entire 120 min of recovery. Fingertip blood lactate concentration was determined at baseline, immediately post-exercise, and every 30 min in recovery. The net energy expenditure during exercise was significantly greater during the 3-set protocol (661.9 +/- 43.9 kj) than the 1-set protocol (234.7 +/- 13.4 kj). However, per minute of exercise, there was no significant difference between the two protocols. During the 120 min of recovery, the net EPEE was not significantly different between the two protocols (93.3 +/- 20.1 kj following the 1-set protocol, and 94.1 +/- 7.1 kj following the 3-set protocol). However, when comparing the EPEE to the number of minutes spent in the exercise session, the 1-set protocol led to a significantly greater energy expenditure in the recovery period (1.0 +/- 0.22 kj/min) than did the 3-set protocol (0.4 +/- 0.03 kj/min). These data indicate that in previously trained women, increasing the volume of resistance training, from 1-set to 3-sets, while keeping the intensity the same will not significantly increase EPEE above what is found in a lower volume of work.

No abstract

Athletic trainers typically use therapeutic ultrasound to treat skeletal muscle contusion injuries. However, the structural outcomes underlying this treatment are not well understood. Our working hypothesis was that following a blunt contusion injury to the gastrocnemius muscle, ultrasound treatment would facilitate recovery, as indicated by changes in several biological markers of skeletal muscle regeneration. Eighty male Wistar rats (three-month) were studied. Following anesthetic administration, each animal received a bilateral contusion injury to the gastrocnemius muscle. Pulsed ultrasound treatment was subsequently initiated six hours post-contusion injury unilaterally on the right gastrocnemius muscle, and ultrasound treatment was continued once daily for seven days. The left (non-ultrasound treated) and right (ultrasound treated) gastrocnemius muscles of 10 animals per group were excised at 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 14-, 21-, 28-, and 40-days post-contusion injury. There were no differences in muscle mass, total protein concentration, or fiber cross-sectional area between the right and left gastrocnemius muscles at any post-injury time point examined. Further, when fiber cross-sectional area was normalized to muscle mass, there were no differences. Myonuclear number and cross-sectional area per myonuclei between the right and left gastrocnemius muscles were not different. These results suggest that ultrasound, as administered, does not hasten or improve the regeneration of skeletal muscle following contusion injury.

Exergames have been suggested as a possible alternative to traditional exercise in the general population. The purpose of this study was to examine the heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) of young adults playing several different exergames, while self-selecting the component of the game to play and the intensity. A total of 117 participants, 18–35 years of age, were evaluated on one of four active video games. Participants were free to choose any component of the given game to play and they played at a self-selected intensity. The average HR and EE during the individual games were compared to resting conditions and to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines. The HR and EE increased above resting conditions during each game (p<0.05). When the results of all games were combined, the HR was 125.4 ± 20.0 bpm and the average EE was 6.7 ± 2.1 kcal/min. This HR represents an average percent of heart rate reserve of 44.6 ± 14.1, high enough to be considered moderate intensity exercise. If performed for 30 minutes a day, five days per week, the average EE would be 1,005 kcals, enough to meet the ACSM recommendations for weekly EE. Therefore, at least some exergames could be a component of an exercise program.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether a correlation existed among the scores of the ''Jackie Chan Studio Fitness Ô Action Run'' active videogame (XaviX Ò , SSD Company, Ltd., Kusatsu, Japan), the 1-mile run/walk, and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) aerobic fitness tests of the FITNESSGRAM Ò (The Cooper Institute, Dallas, TX) in order to provide a potential alternative testing method for days that are not environmentally desirable for outdoor testing. Subjects and Methods: Participants were a convenience sample from physical education classes of students between the ages of 10 and 15 years. Participants (n = 108) were randomly assigned to one of three groups with the only difference being the order of testing. The tests included the ''Jackie Chan Action Run'' active videogame, the 1-mile run/walk, and the PACER. Testing occurred on three different days during the physical education class. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was reported. Results: Significant correlations (r = -0.598 to 0.312) were found among the three aerobic fitness tests administered (P < 0.05). The RPE for the ''Jackie Chan Action Run'' was lower than the RPE for the 1-mile run/walk and the PACER (3.81 -1.89, 5.93 -1.77, and 5.71 -2.14, respectively). Conclusions:The results suggest that the ''Jackie Chan Action Run'' test could be an alternative to the 1-mile run/walk and PACER, allowing physical education teachers to perform aerobic fitness testing in an indoor setting that requires less space. Also, children may be more willing to participate in the ''Jackie Chan Action Run'' based on the lower RPE.