Dentistry and Upper Body Strength

Breast cancer survivors (BCS) exhibit decreased physical function and quality of life (QOL) following cancer treatments. Resistance training (RT) may elicit positive changes in physical and mental well-being. This study assessed 27 BCS, pre-and post-intervention (six months) on the following variables: muscular strength (via one repetition maximum (1RM) of chest press and leg extension), physical function (via the Continuous Scale-Physical Functional Performance test) and QOL (via the Short Form-36 survey). RT consisted of two days/week of ten exercises including two sets of 8–12 repetitions at 52%–69% of their 1RM. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed BCS significantly (p < 0.05) increased upper (71 ± 22 to 89 ± 22 kg) and lower body (74 ± 18 to 93 ± 24 kg) strength, total physical function (65.5 ± 12.1 to 73.6 ± 12.2 units) and the subcomponents of physical function: upper body strength (63.5 ± 16.3 to 71.2 ± 16.8 units), lower body strength (58.5 ± 14.9 to 68.6 ± 16.3 units), balance and coordination (66.5 ± 12.2 to 74.6 ± 11.6 units), and endurance (67.2 ± 12.0 to 75.0 ± 11.6 units). No changes were observed over time for subjective measures of physical function and QOL. Results showed RT could be an effective means to improve objective physical function in BCS. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of RT on subjective physical function and QOL.

Previous studies have shown that military field training (MFT) has effects on warfighters' hormonal responses, neuromuscular performance, and shooting accuracy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in body composition, upper and lower body strength, serum hormone concentrations of testosterone (TES) and cortisol (COR), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and shooting accuracy during prolonged MFT. Serum hormone concentrations, isometric strength of the upper and lower extremities, and shooting performance were measured four times during the study: before MFT (PRE), after 12 d (MID), at the end of MFT (POST) and after 4 d recovery (RECO). The study was approved by the Finnish Defence Forces and was granted ethical approval by the Ethical Committee of the University of Jyväskylä. There was no change in prone shooting score between the measuring points. In the standing position, however, there was a significant (p ≤ 0.001) decrease from PRE 58.2 ± 12.3 points to MID 45.2 ± 10.4 points. Also POST 61.4 ± 10.8 points and RECO 56.8 ± 13.6 points were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) higher than MID 45.2 ± 10.4 points. Serum hormone concentrations of TES and IGF-1 decreased significantly during MFT. In COR and SHBG concentrations, significant increases were observed during MFT. Individual changes in lower body strength and changes in shooting standing score between the measurement points (PRE-MID/POST/RECO) correlated significantly (r = 0.332, p = 0.031; r = 0.335, p = 0.025; r = 0.489, p = 0.001, respectively). The similar finding was observed with changes in upper body strength and changes in standing shooting between the PRE and RECO measurement points (0.339, p = 0.010). The changes in COR and the changes in prone shooting showed a positive correlation in all measurement points (r = 0.531, p ≤ 0.001; r = 0.337, p = 0.024; r = 0.572, p ≤ 0.001). The changes in IGF-1 correlated negatively (r = -0.325, p = 0.038) with shooting prone between the PRE and MID measurement points. The changes in shooting standing and the changes in TES between PRE and POST correlated negatively (r = -0.378, p = 0.010). In this study, we observed a decrease in leg strength from the PRE to MID measurements. When the physical load requirements during the MFT decreased after the MID measurements, leg strength increased. In addition, the shooting score from the standing position decreased from the PRE to MID measurements and improved significantly from the MID to POST measurements. The prone shooting score did not show any significant changes during the study period. Significant positive correlations were found between the changes in standing shooting score and the changes in strength for the legs and upper body. There was a positive correlation between the changes in serum COR concentrations and changes in standing shooting score. Altogether, the present study showed that the prolonged MFT has adverse effect on the strength levels and the shooting ability in warfighters. This shows that ensuring warfighters get an appropriate amount of rest while performing their duties is important. Shooting from a prone position was not affected by the changing workloads and this result indicated that soldiers should shoot from a prone position, whenever possible, especially when fatigued.

Effects of six-month home-based neuro-functional and resistance training interventions on cognitive and motor performance in multiple sclerosis patients with cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND There is little evidence that the public or healthcare practitioners are aware of and implementing the strength training component of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines in practice. Our study aimed to objectively measure strength following a very brief intervention with the strength component to determine if this practice could increase muscle strength. METHODS This was a mixed method, one-arm, pre-post six-month study. Thirty adults aged 50-75 years had hand grip (upper) isometric strength and ankle plantarflexion (lower) isometric strength measured. The average of two trials on the dominant limb were recorded. Participants were provided a physical copy of the guidelines and were asked to follow the strength recommendations. The very brief intervention (five minutes) included information on why and how to follow the strength guidelines, example exercises, along with a proven behaviour change technique (providing a journal to record training sessions). Strength was tested after six-months. RESULTS The group average indicated that there was no change in upper or lower body strength from baseline. However, when data were viewed individually, upper body strength was gained in 21 of 30 participants and lost in 9 (range: -4.5 to +6 kg). 42% of participants gained more than 2 kg in hand strength after six-months. Lower body strength was gained in 15 participants and lost in 15 (range: -12.4 to +8.65 kg). 43% of participants lost more than 2 kg. Qualitatively participants took the opportunity to ‘procure some new weights’ as they found their weights at home ‘too easy.’ Participants had a new-found realisation that ‘strength training is vital to muscle strength.’ Some mentioned that ‘strength training is now part of my life.’ On the other hand, other participants wanted more, noting that ‘there should be more publicity, information about [strength training] to the general public’ and found it unnecessarily ‘hard to find [follow up information] online.’ CONCLUSIONS In the movement to make ‘every contact count,’ a very brief intervention has been shown to raise awareness and change strength training behaviour. Healthcare practitioners should focus on lower body exercise examples alongside progression techniques to avoid rapid loss in lower body strength. Public health stakeholders need to work together to provide easily accessible strength training resources.

Protein supplementation alters both strength and endurance training adaptations individually; however less is known regarding protein supplementation during concurrent training. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whey protein supplementation during six weeks of concurrent training on performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and maximal strength adaptations, as well as acute hormonal and immune responses. A secondary purpose was to explore the effects of two types of whey protein powders on these latter variables. Thirty-one participants were randomly assigned to supplement with a placebo (PLA; N.=10), whey protein isolate (WPI; N.=10), or whey protein concentrate (WPC; N.=11) in addition to their habitual diet. Total protein intake was 1.2, 3.5, and 3.5 g/kg/day for PLA, WPI, WPC groups, respectively. Exercise testing was performed before and after 6 weeks of concurrent training. Blood samples were obtained at rest, and 5 and 60 minutes after a simulated 2000 m rowing race prior to and after training. There were similar but significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (PLA +7.5%; WPI +3.9%; WPC +6.9%), upper body strength (PLA +5.5%; WPI +5.1%; WPC +6.7%), lower body strength (PLA +13.6%; WPI +9.4%; WPC +14.1%) and 2000m rowing performance (PLA -2.5%; WPI -2.3%; WPC -2.3%) in all groups, P<0.05. As well, hormonal and immune responses to acute exercise were similar over time and between groups. Whey protein supplementation did not differentially influence performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, upper and lower body strength, immune or hormonal adaptations following 6 weeks of concurrent training.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the selection of lower and upper body strength of male active older adults. Methods: Participants (N=90) of older adults from Punjab were selected to act as subjects for the study. The study was delimited to the older male active older adults recruited at age group 60-70, 70-80, and 80-90 years respectively. For data collection, the active group of the subjects was divided into three categories i.e. category I (60-70 Years; N=30), category II (70-80 Years; N=30), and category III (80-90 Years; N=30) respectively. The chair stand test was used to measure the lower body strength and the arm curl test was used to measure the upper body strength. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23 was used to analyze the lower and upper body strength of male active older adults, after collecting data One Way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), Least Significant Difference (LSD) Post Hoc test was employed. The level of significance to test the hypotheses was 0.05, (P<0.05). Results: Outcomes of the studies in both variables found that there was a statistically significant difference in both the variables with a p-value of the lower body strength .000 (P<0.05) and p-value of the upper body strength was .015 (P<0.05) of male active older adults. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study has revealed that changes in age-related decline of strength and the aging process always reduce physical activity. The lower and upper body strength changes with aging.

Study purpose: Muscular strength is crucial for performing daily tasks and enhancing sports performance. However, limited research has compared the handgrip and upper body strength between sedentary individuals and archers. This study aimed to compare the handgrip and upper body strength between the sedentary individuals and archers. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving youth archers of Kelantan Sports Council (n=20; Mean age:14.7±1.22 years old) and sedentary individuals from Kelantan secondary school (n=20; Mean age:14.8±1.15 years old). Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Participants’ handgrip strength of dominant and non-dominant arms was measured using a hand dynamometer, while the upper body strength was measured via medicine ball throw test. All the tests were conducted for 3 trials; the average of the trials was used the analysis using Mann-Whitney test. Results: There was a significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in the comparison of handgrip strength for both arms between the groups. Archers exhibited higher dominant handgrip strength (32.5±4.1 kg) than sedentary individuals (25.8±3.9 kg). Similarly, upper body strength demonstrated a significant difference (p&lt;0.05), with archers achieving a longer medicine ball throw distance (5.4±0.6 m) than sedentary individuals (4.1±0.5 m). Conclusions: To conclude, archers possess greater handgrip and upper body strength than sedentary individuals, highlighting the positive impact of archery training on muscular strength development.

Comparison of Division II College Offensive and Defensive Football Players' Upper Body Strength Across One Repetition Maximum Test and The NFL-225 Test The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of predicting actual one repetition maximum (1RM) bench press strength from the National Football League (NFL) 225-test in college football players. Forty-one Division II college football players participated in this study. Participants' upper body strength scores were expressed relative to body weight and results were compared across both tests. Mayhew et al. equation was used to predict 1RM. A repeated measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA was used to compare the groups. The present study found that the Mayhew equation overestimated relative upper body strength of college football players, while high degree of reliability was found between the actual 1RM and the NFL-225 tests [Wilks λ = 0.43, F (1,40) = 53.07, p = 0.000, Eta-squared = 0.57] and the correlation between these two tests was very high (r = 0.94, p&lt;0.001). The present study also found that defensive players were stronger than offensive players when scores were expressed relative to body weight. The finding of this study indicates that the NFL-225 test's applicability may not be identical for all college players. This study elucidates some of the difficulties associated with predicting 1RM. However, while it is difficult to predict 1RM, testing using sub-maximal loads are far less time consuming especially when they involve a large number of athletes. The results of this study should facilitate coaches in choosing the most appropriate strength testing procedure for their programs.

Objective: To examine the potential association between exclusive breastfeeding and its duration on physical fitness (PF) components during childhood. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 5,125 dyads children and their mothers was evaluated. With the use of a standardized questionnaire, telephone interviews were carried out for the collection of maternal lifestyle factors (e.g., breastfeeding and its duration, etc.). Data from five PF tests (e.g., vertical jump, standing long jump, small ball throw, 30-m sprint, and 20-m shuttle run) were used to assess lower and upper body strength, speed, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Linear and logistic regression models were estimated and adjusted for children's body mass index (BMI) and birth weight, and parental factors (prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, gestational age, pregnancy in vitro, parity before, and educational level). Results: Among boys, exclusive breastfeeding was favorably associated with CRF (b = 0.07), lower body strength (b = 0.41), upper body strength (b = 0.10), and speed (b = -0.11). Also, among girls, we found a favorable association between exclusive breastfeeding and CRF (b = 0.07), lower body strength (b = 0.47), upper body strength (b = 0.10), and speed (b = -0.11). All of the associations remained significant after adjusting for several potential confounders. With the exception of speed test in girls, children who were exclusively breastfed ≥6 months had 10-40% increased odds for average/high performances in PF tests in comparison with those who were breastfed <1 month. Conclusions: Exclusive breastfeeding ≥6 months had a favorable influence on PF test performances in childhood. It seems that exclusive breastfeeding could play a significant role in children's future health.

Background: Recent studies that addressed shot speed in ice hockey have focused on the relationship between shot speed and variables such as a player's skills or hockey stick construction and its properties. There has been a lack of evidence that considers the relationship between shot speed and player strength, particularly in players at the same skill level. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between maximal puck velocity of two shot types (the wrist shot and the slap shot) and players' upper body strength and power. Methods: Twenty male professional and semi-professional ice hockey players (mean age 23.3 ± 2.4 years) participated in this study. The puck velocity was measured in five trials of the wrist shot and five trials of the slap shot performed by every subject. All of the shots were performed on ice in a stationary position 11.6 meters in front of an electronic device that measures the speed of the puck. The selected strength and power variables were: muscle power in concentric contraction in the countermovement bench press with 40 kg and 50 kg measured with the FiTRODyne Premium device; bench press one-repetition maximum; and grip strength measured by digital hand dynamometer. Results: The correlations between strength/power variables and the puck velocity in the wrist shot and the slap shot ranged between .29-.72 and .16-.62, respectively. Puck velocities produced by wrist shots showed significant correlations with bench press muscle power with 40 kg (p = .004) and 50 kg (p < .001); and one-repetition maximum in bench press (p = .004). The slap shot puck velocity was significantly associated with bench press muscle power with 40 kg (p = .014) and 50 kg (p = .004). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that there are significant associations between shot speed and upper body strength and power.

Soldiers serving in the combat arms are required to perform tasks with high physical demands. Armor personnel perform a tank ammunition loading task (TAL) where Soldiers repeatedly lift and carry rounds. While having Soldiers perform the actual TAL is the most direct method for determining their ability to perform the TAL, the combination of height, body mass and upper body strength may provide guidance on potential for successful task performance and possible training strategies. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of height, body mass and upper body strength on a Soldier’s ability to perform the TAL task. METHODS: While wearing a fighting load minus a weapon (approximately 32 kg), 94 men and 90 women Soldiers carried 18 tank rounds (25 kg each) 5 meters and lifted the rounds onto a platform simulating an Abrams tank hull (lift height = 1.63m). TAL performance was measured by the number of rounds moved per min (rounds·min-1). Soldiers performed an isometric bicep curl (BCkg) for upper body strength and their height in cm (HTcm) and body mass in kg (BMkg) were measured. Stepwise multiple regression was used to develop separate equations for males and females. RESULTS: For male Soldiers, average HTcm was 177.68 ± 19.56 cm (mean ± SD), BMkg 75.96 ± 12.18 kg, and they moved 7.69 ± 1.61 rounds·min-1. The regression equation was TAL = 7.03 - .011(HTcm) -.012(BMkg) + .079 (BCkg) (SEE = 1.51 rounds·min-1). Approximately 15 percent of the variability in the prediction (i.e. R2) of TAL performance is explained by the combination of HT, BM and BC. For women Soldiers, average HTcm was 165.80 ± 6.48 cm, BMkg 63.46 ± 9.23 kg, and they moved 3.32 ± 1.82 rounds · min-1. The regression equation was TAL = -9.83 + .029 (HTcm) + .090 (BMkg) + .097 (BCkg) (SEE = 1.36 rounds·min-1). Approximately 48 percent of the variability in the prediction (i.e. R2) of TAL performance is explained by the combination of HT, BM and BC. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of HT, BM and BC did not have a significant effect on male Soldier’s performance of the TAL, but the BC did. For women, BM and BC had the greatest effect. Training programs designed to develop a Soldier’s upper body strength may enhance TAL task performance and mitigate injury. Views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not reflect official policy of the Department of Army, Department of Defense, or U.S. Government.

Indirect indicators of bone mineral density (BMD) can offer important and useful information to practitioners. Finding a more time and cost effective method for estimating BMD in different locations could aid in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Increased muscle strength has been shown to correlate with increased total body BMD in both men and women. There have been a number of studies examining predictors of BMD in women; however there have been substantially fewer studies involving men. This over-representation of the female population has led to the belief that osteoporotic fractures are less frequent in men where in actuality the rate of hip fractures increases more dramatically in men with age. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between muscular strength, aerobic capacity, body composition and BMD in healthy male subjects. METHODS: Participants were seven physically active, adult men (mean age: 28.3 years; range: 21-38). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was directly measured during treadmill running. Bone mineral density and body composition were determined using Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Upper body strength was measured with a hand grip dynamometer, and lower body strength (isometric leg extension) using a cable tensiometer. Pearson Correlation coefficients were used to test for significant relationships between the measured variables. RESULTS: Lower body strength increased concomitant with lower body (r = 0.676), total body (r = 0.709), and total spine BMD (r = 0.915); this was also seen in the thoracic (r = 0.931) and lumbar spine (r = 0.891). As lean body mass (LBM) increased, mean upper body BMD increased (r = 0.646). As total body % fat increased, upper body strength increased (r = 0.825). There were no significant correlations between BMD and absolute or relative VO2max. There were also no significant correlations between lower body strength and VO2max. CONCLUSION: In physically active, adult men, lower body strength is a strong predictor of increased total spine BMD, particularly in the thoracic and lumbar regions. LBM is a strong indicator of upper body BMD. Total body % fat is also a strong predictor of increased upper body strength. Neither absolute nor relative VO2max were good indicators of BMD or lower body strength.

The ability to complete triple and quadruple jumps in figure skating is increasingly determining competitive outcomes. A closed arm position during rotating jumps increases the angular velocity and spin rate. Therefore, upper body strength may contribute to a successful jump. PURPOSE To examine the correlation between upper body strength, power and body size with off-ice vertical jump height (JH) and off-ice angular velocities. METHODS Seventeen competitive female figure skaters were tested for shoulder adduction/abduction and flexion/extension strength and power at speeds of 300, 400, and 450 degrees/second. Peak torque, torque as a percentage of body weight, and average power were measured for all of the isokinetic tests. Off-ice angular velocities were calculated using high-speed, three-dimensional cameras. Trials were filmed at 180 frames per second for 3 seconds. Subjects took a 2-step approach, jumped, and spun attempting to complete a maximal number of rotations. Measurements included: maximal angular velocity (MAV), (JH), time in the air (TIA), revolutions in the air (RIA), and average angular velocity (AAV). Correlations were examined by a Pearson Product correlation matrix. RESULTS No significant correlations were identified between the strength or power measurements and any of the angular velocities. However, off-ice MAV and AAV are only 78 and 80% of on-ice angular velocities. Both JH and TIA were correlated with RIA (P ≤.01). Age and BMI were also found to be inversely correlated with RIA respectively (P ≤.01); (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSION Although the results do not indicate a relationship between upper body strength and power and MAV or AAV, it is thought that the off—ice spin rates were too slow to adequately evaluate this relationship. Results do indicate a need to maintain a compact body shape, which may partially explain the success of younger, smaller female skaters. Results also indicate that body shape (> BMI) will change with age-related developmental changes, which will lead to increased torso inertia.

Sex-related differences in changes in functional fitness over time were longitudinally assessed in older adults participating in a group-based multimodal exercise program. From a database, functional fitness scores were obtained for 89 older adults (71.6 ± 6.5years old) who had completed two assessments, 5-8years apart. Lower body strength, upper body strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility, and change of direction performances were compared over time and with normative values. Females (p = .02), but not males, had an improvement in upper body strength over time. Females were also more flexible than males at both assessments (p ≤ .02). Of those who had five consecutive assessments, females were more flexible than males (p ≤ .05) and had a faster change of direction ability (p < .001). When compared with normative values, our results indicate that typical time-related functional fitness loss can be attenuated with group exercise. Our results further support the need to tailor exercise prescription according to the individual.

BackgroundAcute capsaicinoid and capsinoid supplementation has endurance and resistance exercise benefits; however, if these short-term performance benefits translate into chronic benefits when combined with resistance training is currently unknown. This study investigated changes of chronic Capsiate supplementation on muscular adaptations, inflammatory response and performance in untrained men.MethodsTwenty untrained men were randomized to ingest 12 mg Capsiate (CAP) or placebo in a parallel, double-blind design. Body composition and performance were measured at pre-training and after 6 weeks of resistance training. An acute resistance exercise session test was performed pre and post-intervention. Blood samples were collected at rest and post-resistance exercise to analyze Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), Soluble TNF- receptor (sTNF-r), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10).ResultsExercise and CAP supplementation increased fat-free mass in comparison to baseline by 1.5 kg (P < 0.001), however, the majority of the increase (1.0 kg) resulted from an increase in total body water. The CAP change scores for fat-free mass were significantly greater in comparison to the placebo (CAP ∆%= 2.1 ± 1.8 %, PLA ∆%= 0.7 ± 1.3 %, P = 0.043) and there was a significant difference between groups in the bench press exercise (P = 0.034) with greater upper body strength change score for CAP (∆%= 13.4 ± 9.1 %) compared to placebo (∆%= 5.8 ± 5.2 %), P = 0.041. CAP had no effect on lower body strength and no supplementation interactions were observed for all cytokines in response to acute resistance exercise (P > 0.05).ConclusionChronic Capsiate supplementation combined with resistance training during short period (6 weeks) increased fat-free mass and upper body strength but not inflammatory response and performance in young untrained men.