Women in Strength and Conditioning

Childbirth advice literature as it relates to two childbearing ideologies.

This article critiques the prevailing damaged-based framework used in research on Chinese international students, advocating for a shift towards a desire-based framework inspired by Tuck's critique. While gender differences are often overlooked, recent studies highlight distinct challenges faced by female Chinese international graduate students. Centering on their experiences, this study introduces the "Women Strength" framework to amplify their voices, remove stereotypes, and foster empowerment within academia and society. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of their lived experiences and advocates for their recognition and empowerment.

Cross-sectional. To determine if thoracic kyphosis was different in older women grouped based on their bone mineral density (BMD) and back extensor strength (BES), and to determine if an association between and these variables exist. Changes in kyphosis might be related to back extensor weakness in patients with osteoporosis. Disproportionate weakness in back extensor musculature considerably increases the possibility of deformities in the fragile osteoporotic spine. A total of 189 female subjects 50 to 80 years of age were grouped by their BMD and additionally by their BES. All were evaluated for thoracic kyphosis, maximal isometric strength of the back extensors, and BMD of the lumbar spine and the hip. There was no significant difference in thoracic kyphosis among all groups. Multivariate analyses of BES and BMD showed that only BES might influence thoracic kyphosis (P = 0.02). There was no correlation between BES and BMD. Statistically significant deficit in BES was observed only between the osteoporotic and osteopenic group (P < 0.05). The importance of BES in maintaining posture was observed when the study population was divided according to their BES level. With respect to thoracic kyphosis and BMD values, there were no statistical differences between strong women (BES more than 60 N) and those with medium BES (BES between 60 and 35 N). But the weakest group (BES less then 35 N) had significantly higher (P < 0.05) mean values of thoracic kyphosis in comparison to strong women (BES more than 60 N) and those with medium BES (BES between 60 and 35 N). The severity of thoracic kyphosis may be influenced especially by changes in BES. Therefore, provision of strong, natural extrinsic support for the spine seems to be important to decrease the incidence of spinal deformity.

The effects of 4 types of resistance strength training on concentric strength and thigh girth in young women were compared. The 4 treatment groups were concentric-only (Conc, n = 12), eccentric-only (Eccn, n = 10), conventional (Conv, n = 8), and supramaximal eccentric training (SmET, n = 8). Another group of subjects did not train and served as controls (n = 10). Subjects trained on a knee extension Schnell machine twice weekly for 8 weeks, performing 3 sets of 10 reps with a starting load of 65% of 1-RM. The load was increased by 5% every 2 weeks. ANCOVA indicated that SmET and Conv improved significantly (p < 0.05) in relative (1-RM/body weight) dynamic strength when compared with initial strength levels. Similar though not statistically significant trends were observed for Cone and Eccn. However, none of the differences among the 4 training groups were significant. There was no change in thigh girth in any of the training groups.

Effect of 8- Week Resistance Training on Balance, Fatigue, and Muscle Strength in Women with Multiple Sclerosis

The preservation of muscle mass, which is positively associated with muscle strength, has been included among the benefits of ketogenic diets due to the synergistic effects exerted by the reduction in visceral adipose tissue and obesity-related pro-inflammatory status. The handgrip strength (HGS) test is widely used as a single indicator to represent overall muscle strength. The possible association of changes in HGS in patients with obesity during the consumption of a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has not yet been investigated. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy of VLCKD on promoting changes in HGS and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, as a serological marker of obesity-related, low-grade inflammation, in a population of women with obesity after 45 days of active phase of the VLCKD. This pilot, uncontrolled, single-center, open-label clinical trial examined 247 Caucasian women, aged 18–51 years (body mass index, BMI: 30.0–50.9 kg/m2) who were consecutively enrolled following 45 days of active phase the VLCKD. Anthropometric measures and physical activity were evaluated. Muscle strength was measured by HGS using a grip strength dynamometer. Body composition was evaluated using a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) phase-sensitive system. hs-CRP levels were determined by nephelometric assay. Adherence to the VLCKD, ketosis status, and physical activity were checked weekly by phone call. At day 45, BMI, fat mass (FM), and hs-CRP levels were significantly decreased (∆-7.5 ± 3.1%, ∆-15.6 ± 9.0%, and ∆-39.9 ± 44.6%; respectively; p < 0.001 for all three parameters), while HGS had increased (∆+17.4 ± 13.2%; p < 0.001). After adjusting for ∆BMI, ∆waist circumference, ∆hs-CRP levels, and physical activity, the correlation among changes in ∆HGS (kg), ∆FM (kg), and ∆ fat free mass (FFM) (kg) remained statistically significant (r = −0.331, and r = 0.362, respectively; p < 0.001). Interestingly, the correlation between ∆HGS with ∆FM (r = −0.288, p < 0.001) and ∆FFM (r = 0.395, p < 0.001) were also independent of the percentage of weight loss. We are the first to report that, along with a significant reduction in body weight and an overall improvement in body composition and inflammatory status, the muscle strength evaluated by the HGS test increased in a population of women with obesity after 45 days of the active phase of the VLCKD, also following adjustment for common confounding variables.

10. Anfal women's resources and strengths

This study documented the frequency and perceived effectiveness of battered Mexican-origin women's usage of formal and informal help and personal strategies to survive abuse. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 75 battered Mexican-origin women. Consistent with survivor theory, results indicated that participants sought help multiple times from several formal and informal help sources; some (i.e., shelter, family) were perceived more effective than others (i.e., lawyer, in-laws). Participants engaged in various personal strategies to survive abuse; some (i.e., using faith/religion) were rated more effective than others (i.e., placating the batterer). Responses to open-ended questions suggest why specific help sources and strategies were/were not effective and provide socioculturally specific suggestions for improving services. This study illuminates battered Mexican-origin women's strengths and barriers that impede their survival efforts. Contributions include focusing on a subset of battered Latinas and documenting the frequency and perceived effectiveness of a wide array of help sources and strategies.

The succeeding paper presents a comparative feminist critique of the representation of the women characters in two widely popular Pakistan dramas: Inkaar by Zafar Mairaj and Tere Bin by Nooran Makhdoom. Further, complex women's autonomy, resilience, and struggles are considered in the wake of the patriarchal framework. A discussion is held on how the authors have projected themes of justice, victim-blaming, power dynamics, love, and societal expectations. While Inkaar revolves around the woman's brave fight against sexual harassment, abuse of power, and victim-blaming by offering a critique of societal norms, most Bollywood films marginalize or completely silence women's voices. Tere Bin Lent focuses on the women's struggles for self-determination and identity within the context of both the family and romantic relationships. This analysis proves that Inkaar cements women's strength in rebellion against systemic injustices through subverting the traditional gender role, while in Tere Bin, such female empowerment is both enabled and constrained by love and traditional norms. This paper critically analyzes dialogues, character arcs, and key themes through a feminist prism to look at aspects setting these dramas apart in reflecting and influencing societal perceptions about women in Pakistani media. The findings underline a continuing tension within Pakistani television between portrayals of female characters who are empowered and yet succumb to traditional expectations, with an increasing call on viewers to ruminate upon the broader socio-cultural ramifications for changing women's roles in South Asia. Consequently, this piece invites a deeper reflection into the state and implications of women's representation in Pakistani dramas within the gender discourse through such an analysis.

A grass-roots feminist response to intimate violence in the Caribbean

Design Thinking: A Tool to Solve Challenging Problems

Living with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) means living every day under the influence of pain and limitations. As the incidence of WAD and the related intensity of pain are somewhat higher among women than men, the aim of the present study was to describe women's experiences of living with WAD. A purposive sample of seven women participated in individual in-depth qualitative interviews, the transcripts of which were subjected to qualitative content analysis. The results of the analysis suggested six themes of women's experiences with WAD: living with unpredictable pain; trying to manage the pain; living with limitations; being unable to work as before; needing support and understanding; and learning to live with limitations. The findings showed that unpredictable pain limited women's strength to engage in activities of daily life and be as active as before. Support and understanding were important for their ability to manage changes in their daily lives. Pain considerably affects the daily lives of women with WAD, particularly by limiting their ability to perform activities and to enjoy their professional and social lives. As women with WAD need support with managing their daily lives, nurses and other healthcare personnel should adopt a person-centred approach, in order to support such women according to their individual needs and circumstances.

The novel Women at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi depicts the struggle of women in a patriarchal society. This work focuses on the experience of Firdaus, a woman who faces various forms of oppression. This study aims to explore the concept of women's power in the context of patriarchy as depicted in the novel. This study aims to understand how women's power is represented through the character of Firdaus and to analyze the strategies she uses to fight oppression. The approach used in this study is descriptive qualitative. Data were collected through in-depth reading of the novel, followed by identifying and classifying data related to the theme of women's power. Data analysis was carried out using Miles and Huberman's theory which includes data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. This study found six categories of women's power concepts displayed through Firdaus: the struggle against oppression, body control, the search for identity, radical decision-making, financial and emotional freedom, and rejection and victimization. Firdaus shows that women's power can be achieved through firm decisions and resilience in the face of injustice. Saadawi's work not only depicts oppression, but also highlights women's strength and resilience in the face of restrictive social norms. This research enriches the understanding of the dynamics of women's power in a patriarchal context, and provides new perspectives on women's struggles for freedom and identity.

Music is an art form that mirrors social and cultural realities. Gloria Gaynor's iconic song "I Will Survive" is recognized as a symbol of female empowerment. This study aims to investigate how linguistic features in the song portray women's strength and resistance against patriarchal norms, using Sara Mills' feminist stylistics framework. Employing qualitative textual analysis, the study focuses on identifying specific linguistic elements—such as powerful verbs, assertive pronouns, and repetition—that contribute to constructing a narrative of female independence. The findings reveal that "I Will Survive" functions as a textual act of resistance, reshaping the portrayal of women in popular media. This study contributes to feminist discourse by demonstrating how language choices in popular music challenge gender stereotypes and promote ideological empowerment.

Doctors have always thought, it seems, that the female body is more susceptible to illness than the male. Ancient medicine founded this dogma on the doctrine of elementary qualities, in attributing to woman a cold and humid constitution. As heat is the principal instrument which nature uses to produce the forces of the body and to maintain them, it must be lacking in woman, as is proved by her weakness, the softness of her limbs, her lack of external sexual organs and the crudeness of her menstrual blood. If the Aristotelians and the Galenists diverge, in the Renaissance and in the XVIIth century, about the nature—fertile or not—of the “female seed,” they agree to pledge the female body to illnesses. Such a predisposition is explained by the female constitution: its coldness and its humidity, as well as retaining women's strength badly, contribute to giving them a “soft, slack body, of rare texture,” little suited to letting the body fluids, of which it is full, circulate correctly; their blood, corrupted by humidity, instead of being properly heated like it is in men, accumulates, blocks up the too small blood-vessels and causes all the illnesses of which they are the habitual victims. To this it is necessary to add the pathogenic importance of the womb, “a part of the body so sensitive and so easily upset, that its least indisposition causes an infinity of strange and almost unbearable evils.” The indispositions which affect this part of the body are always in relation to humidity or dryness, that is with “the two excrements” which it receives: sperm and menstrual blood. Whether, insufficiently impregnated by the virile liquor, “it mounts to the liver and other higher parts of the body to suck humidity from them until it becomes moist,” or it retains for an abnormally long time the seed, which decays inside it; or the periods are suppressed, or on the other hand they are produced too often; all womens illnesses are a question of impeded or excessive discharge.