Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and rate-pressure product (RPP) responses to submaximal isokinetic concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) knee extension exercise were compared at the same absolute torque output in 20 young (mean+/-SD=23.2+/-1.7 years) and 20 older (mean+/-SD=75.2+/-4.6 years) adults. After determination of peak CON and ECC torques, subjects performed separate, randomly ordered, 2-minute bouts of isokinetic CON and ECC exercise (90 degrees/s, exercise intensity: 50% of CON peak torque). CON exercise elicited greater changes in HR, MAP, and RPP than ECC exercise (p<.001) for both age groups. There were no age-related differences in HR, MAP, or RPP responses for either CON or ECC exercise. At the same absolute torque output, isokinetic CON knee extension exercise elicited significantly greater increases in cardiovascular stress than ECC exercise in both young and older adults. This result has implications for determining appropriate fitness and rehabilitation programs.

Purpose: To evaluate the intra-and inter-session test-retest agreement of a novel neck-strength assessment protocol using a hand-held dynamometer. Background: A literature review found a lack of neck-strength assessment protocols that are both portable and reliable. Hand-held dynamometry is a portable and inexpensive method of assessing muscle strength, but it is not commonly used for neck-strength assessment. Methods: A hand-held dynamometer was used to evaluate neck strength in 30 healthy participants. The device measured maximum force in cervical flexion, extension, side flexion, side flexion with rotation, and pure rotation, using the ipsilateral hand to apply isometric resistance over 3 seconds. Three measurements were taken over 6-8 days. Results: Test-retest intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) showed high reliability, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 for all tested directions from Trial 1 to Trial 2 (intra-session reliability, ICC [2,1], absolute). ICC values demonstrated good to high inter-session reliability, ranging from 0.87 to 0.95 for all tested directions from Trial 1 to Trial 3 (ICC [2,1], absolute). Conclusion: The results suggest that the five test positions of the neck and upper-quadrant strength assessment protocol can be performed using hand-held dynamometry with good to high reliability.Key Words: muscle strength dynamometer; neck muscles; reproducibility of results. RÉ SUMÉObjectif : É valuer la convergence test-retest intra et intersessionnelle d'un nouveau protocole d'é valuation de la force du cou au moyen d'un dynamomè tre portatif. Contexte: Une recension des é crits a ré vé lé un manque de protocoles d'é valuation de la force du cou à la fois portables et fiables. La dynamomé trie manuelle est une mé thode portable et peu coû teuse d'é valuation de la force musculaire, mais elle n'est pas utilisé e couramment pour é valuer la force du cou. Mé thodes : On a utilisé un dynamomè tre portatif pour é valuer la force du cou chez 30 participants en bonne santé . On a mesuré la force maximale en flexion cervicale, extension, flexion laté rale, flexion laté rale avec rotation et rotation pure en utilisant la main ipsilaté rale pour appliquer une ré sistance isomé trique pendant 3 secondes. On a pris trois mesures en 6 à 8 jours. Assessing muscle strength is a fundamental part of patient care for physiotherapists. The value of a reliable tool to assess muscle strength has been emphasized, both to determine functional impairment and to develop appropriate therapeutic interventions. A review of the literature has shown a lack of neck-strength assessment protocols that evaluate side flexion and rotation along with flexion and extension and that are both portable and reliable. 1 Currently, fixed-frame dynamometry is the most widely recognized method of reliably assessing isometric neck strength. This method uses a large wallor frame-mounted machine with a fixed base, which are expensive and generally impractical for most clinical settings. 2 In contrast, hand-held dynamometers are portable...

Neck strength systematic review 1 Injury reduction exercise programs which include neck exercises may reduce the incidence of sport-related head and neck injuries including concussion: A systematic review.

Our purpose was to describe heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and perceived exertion (RPE) responses to submaximal isokinetic concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) exercise at the same absolute torque output in older adults. Peak torques for ECC and CON knee extension were determined in healthy older males (n = 13) and females (n = 7). Subjects then performed separate, randomly ordered, 2-min bouts of CON and ECC exercise. Heart rate and MAP increased (p < .001) from resting values throughout both exercise bouts. CON exercise elicited a significantly greater cardiovascular response than ECC exercise after 60 s. Peak HR, MAP, and RPE after CON exercise were greater than after ECC exercise (p < .01). At the same absolute torque output, isokinetic CON knee extension exercise resulted in a significantly greater level of cardiovascular stress than ECC exercise. These results are relevant to resistance testing and exercise in older people.

Background Higher neck strength has been postulated to reduce head impact magnitude during purposeful heading in football. Objectives This pilot trial explored the effect of a neck exercise programme on (1) neck strength and (2) head impact magnitude during heading in male and female adolescent football players. Methods Boys and girls (aged 12–17 years) were randomised by team to the intervention (5 weeks of supervised neuromuscular neck exercises integrated into part 2 of the FIFA 11 + , completed three times per week) or the control group (usual part 2 of the FIFA 11 + , no neck exercises). Outcomes included isometric neck strength and head impact magnitude (peak linear acceleration and peak angular velocity) during standardised heading from a throw-in (at baseline and 6 weeks) plus completion of an evaluation survey by intervention players and coaches. Results In total, 52 players ( n = 31 intervention; n = 21 control) completed the study. Mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in neck strength variables ( p < 0.001), peak linear acceleration ( p = 0.04) and peak angular velocity ( p = 0.04) between the intervention and control groups over time. Intervention players demonstrated increases in mean composite neck strength (53.8% intervention vs 15.6% control) as well as decreases in mean peak linear head acceleration during heading (− 11.8% vs − 5.0%) from baseline to follow-up. Reduction in peak angular velocity was more pronounced in girls (− 27.7%) than boys (− 11.5%) in the intervention group. The addition of neck exercises into part 2 of the FIFA 11 + was feasible and accepted by players and coaches. Conclusion On average, players who completed neck exercises demonstrated an increase in isometric neck strength and a decrease in head impact magnitude during heading. These exercises were easily incorporated into usual training. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (no: ACTRN12619001375145). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40279-021-01564-0.