Critical power (CP) is a theoretical workload representative of an athlete's maximal sustainable pace. Recent research has validated a 3-minute all-out test on a cycle ergometer for determining CP; however, few studies have investigated the sustainability of CP using this test. The purpose of this study was to determine the sustainability of CP established during the 3-minute test and the determinants of sustainability. A group of elite cyclists (N = 21) performed a VO2max test, 3-minute all-out test, and a time to exhaustion (TTE) trial at CP on 3 different days separated by at least 24 hours. Expired gases were collected during all trials and analyzed for VO2 and VCO2. Heart rate was measured by telemetry. Multiple regression was used to determine predictors of sustainability with significance predetermined at p < 0.05. VO2max was measured at 58.9 ± 5.6 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1), ventilation breakpoint at 44.9 ± 5.7 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) (75% VO2max), and maximum heart rate at 179 ± 10 b·min(-1). Peak power (PP) in the 3-minute all-out test was measured at 738 ± 170 W, and CP was determined at 305 ± 32 W or 79% of VO2max. The VO2 at CP was 55.4 ± 6.9 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1), representing 94% of measured VO2max. The mean TTE at CP was 14.79 ± 8.38 minutes. The difference score of PP - CP significantly predicted TTE (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). No other measured variables contributed to this prediction. Based on sustainability, these data suggest that the 3-minute all-out test may overestimate CP in elite cyclists, which could lead to overtraining if CP determined with this test is used to identify training intensities.

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While there have been many studies determining the effectiveness of training programs to decrease fall risk in the elderly, most of them require special equipment, leader training, or major time commitments (more than 8 weeks, multiple times per week). Individuals older than 66 years old identified an exercise program offered at home, twice a week, lasting 10 or 30 minutes, and with no associated cost as being more attractive than other training program options offered (Franco et al., 2015). The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a simple six-week exercise program on fall risk factors. Thirty-eight older adults were assigned to a Training Group or a Control Group. Investigator-led balance and lower extremity strength exercises were performed twice a week. Mobility, leg strength and postural sway were measured before and after the six weeks for both groups. A survey determined perceptions of participant abilities and fear of falling at three different times. Timed Up and Go times decreased (p = .008), leg strength increased (p = .022), and postural sway decreased in the anteroposterior direction and overall, for the Training Group (p < .05) while the Control group displayed no differences. Surveys administered determined no differences for the Control group, but the Training Group perceived that they had better balance, mobility, and leg strength and a decreased fear of falling (p < .05). This simple training program led to changes that would likely decrease fall risk and did so in an extremely short time.

PURPOSE:This study investigated MMPs/TIMPs balance in the rat skeletal muscle extracellular matrix after acute eccentric exercise to elucidate the effects of acupuncture on exerciseinduced skeletal muscle damage and remodeling of the skeletal muscle extracellular matrix. METHODS: Eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (n= 96, body wt 220 ± 6.9 g) were randomly assigned to four groups: sedentary control (C), acupuncture control (CA), exercise (E) and acupunctured exercise (EA). Animals were made to run on a motor-driven treadmill with −16° downhill tracks at a speed of 16 m/min for 90 minutes. Tissues were collected from the vastus intermedius muscle immediately, and at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and 120 hours after exercise. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP2), MMP9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP1) and TIMP2. All animal experiments were approved by the Animal Welfare and

Equations that clarify the mechanical relationships between various parameter values and the velocity of the distal endpoint of a two-segment kinetic chain modeling the human arm were developed and analyzed. In particular, a single equation was presented that relates the distal endpoint velocity to the system’s angular momentum (as an indicator of muscular torque input), the ratio of the distal segment’s angular velocity to that of the proximal segment (the flail ratio), and the angle between the two segments (the configuration angle). These three system variables were analyzed to examine which values are best for creating a large value for the velocity of the distal endpoint. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine whether the relationships between the system values and the distal endpoint velocity were consistent for varying segment parameters. The relationships found were consistent for the various segment parameters. For any given values of the flail ratio and the configuration angle, the larger the value of the system angular momentum, the larger the value of the distal endpoint velocity. For any given values of the system angular momentum and the configuration angle, the larger the flail ratio, the larger the value of the distal endpoint velocity. For given values of the system angular momentum and the flail ratio, the optimal configuration angle that maximizes the distal endpoint velocity depends on the flail ratio value. While it may be impossible to generate simultaneously the combination of optimal parameter values determined, the knowledge of the relationships of these parameters with each other and with the distal endpoint velocity will aid in the search for an attainable optimal compromise.