Introduction: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) experience many negative symptoms such a poor ... more Introduction: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) experience many negative symptoms such a poor coordination and perception as well as other secondary musculoskeletal problems. Among the symptoms associated with CP, muscle weakness may have the most significant effect on function. However, many treatments used to help the patients may not be effective in reducing muscle weakness associated with CP. Based on the literature, power training could be the most effective physical rehabilitation to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with CP. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to test the effectiveness of a power training intervention for individuals with CP. Methods: The study employed a randomized, crossover design. Using rolling recruitment; participants (N = 11) were randomly assigned to either the rest-first or the training-first group. All participants in the training-first group underwent a 6-week training program, three days per week targeting upper extremity muscles. After six weeks, participants in this group rested for six weeks. Participants in the rest-first group followed the sequence of resting six weeks and then training six weeks. The training was administered on the Concept 2 SkiergTM (Concept2, Inc., Morrisville, VT 05661) either at the participants’ home or school. Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise following power training guidelines to individuals with CP. Each SkiergTM was mounted with a performance monitor to assess average power output (Pavg) of a training session. Pavg was recorded over the six week training period for both groups. Results: Over six weeks, each participant completed at least 15 training sessions. Using time as a factor, Pavg increased with the number of training sessions (Nt) following a linear fashion, Pavg = 1.79+0.22*Nt W (p = .001). When comparing the first and last full training sessions, Pavg increased from 2.56±3.39 to 4.92±5.42 W (paired samples t-test; p = .021). Conclusions: Power training may offer unique advantages to increase power output among young people with CP, which could lead to improved function
International Journal of Exercise Science 9(4): 471-481, 2016. The purpose of this study was to d... more International Journal of Exercise Science 9(4): 471-481, 2016. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a nighttime multi-ingredient supplement on noninvasive markers of recovery in resistance trained and untrained individuals. Forty-nine participants, both trained (n=25) and untrained (n=24) completed the randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Trained participants were randomly divided into supplement (n=12) and placebo (n=13) groups. Untrained participants were randomly divided into supplement (n=14) and placebo (n=10) groups. Two, 2 (supplement group) x 2 (training status) x 5 (time points) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilized to determine if an interaction for supplement group and training status existed for peak force (PForce) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Four, 2 (supplement group) x 2 (training status) x 4 (time points) repeated measures ANOVAs was employed for SWVL-Long, SWVL-Tera, SWVL-Trans and ROM to deter...
Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for indi... more Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this project was to pilot test a PT intervention for individuals with CP. Methods: Using rolling recruitment, six participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG, n=3) or training group (TG, n=3). Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise, performed by the most affected arm. Following PT guidelines, training took place three times per week for 6 weeks. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure both passive and active strength pre- and post-training. Results: Although no statistically significant differences were found, a remarkable trend was observed. Shoulder extension torque increased 15% (13.97 to 16.09 Newton-meters [Nm]) for TG, compared to a 1% (9.77 to 9.90 Nm) increase for CG between pre- and post-tests. Similar results were observed in elbow extension (3.90 to 9.60...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our nation’s health further than the infection i... more Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our nation’s health further than the infection it causes. Physical activity levels and dietary intake have suffered while individuals grapple with the changes in behavior to reduce viral transmission. With unique nuances regarding the access to physical activity and nutrition during the pandemic, the constructs of Health Belief Model (HBM) may present themselves differently in nutrition and exercise behaviors compared to precautions implemented to reduce viral transmission studied in previous research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of exercise and nutritional behavior change during the COVID-19 pandemic and explain the reason for and extent of this change using HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefit of action, and barriers to action). Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design to collect 206 surveys. This survey collected information on self-reported exercise and nutrition changes ...
Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for indi... more Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this project was to pilot test a PT intervention for individuals with CP. Methods: Using rolling recruitment, six participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG, n=3) or training group (TG, n=3). Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise, performed by the most affected arm. Following PT guidelines, training took place three times per week for 6 weeks. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure both passive and active strength pre- and post-training. Results: Although no statistically significant differences were found, a remarkable trend was observed. Shoulder extension torque increased 15% (13.97 to 16.09 Newton-meters [Nm]) for TG, compared to a 1% (9.77 to 9.90 Nm) increase for CG between pre- and post-tests. Similar results were observed in elbow extension (3.90 to 9.60...
Introduction: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) experience many negative symptoms such a poor ... more Introduction: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) experience many negative symptoms such a poor coordination and perception as well as other secondary musculoskeletal problems. Among the symptoms associated with CP, muscle weakness may have the most significant effect on function. However, many treatments used to help the patients may not be effective in reducing muscle weakness associated with CP. Based on the literature, power training could be the most effective physical rehabilitation to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with CP. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to test the effectiveness of a power training intervention for individuals with CP. Methods: The study employed a randomized, crossover design. Using rolling recruitment; participants (N = 11) were randomly assigned to either the rest-first or the training-first group. All participants in the training-first group underwent a 6-week training program, three days per week targeting upper extremity muscles. After six weeks, participants in this group rested for six weeks. Participants in the rest-first group followed the sequence of resting six weeks and then training six weeks. The training was administered on the Concept 2 SkiergTM (Concept2, Inc., Morrisville, VT 05661) either at the participants’ home or school. Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise following power training guidelines to individuals with CP. Each SkiergTM was mounted with a performance monitor to assess average power output (Pavg) of a training session. Pavg was recorded over the six week training period for both groups. Results: Over six weeks, each participant completed at least 15 training sessions. Using time as a factor, Pavg increased with the number of training sessions (Nt) following a linear fashion, Pavg = 1.79+0.22*Nt W (p = .001). When comparing the first and last full training sessions, Pavg increased from 2.56±3.39 to 4.92±5.42 W (paired samples t-test; p = .021). Conclusions: Power training may offer unique advantages to increase power output among young people with CP, which could lead to improved function
International Journal of Exercise Science 9(4): 471-481, 2016. The purpose of this study was to d... more International Journal of Exercise Science 9(4): 471-481, 2016. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a nighttime multi-ingredient supplement on noninvasive markers of recovery in resistance trained and untrained individuals. Forty-nine participants, both trained (n=25) and untrained (n=24) completed the randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Trained participants were randomly divided into supplement (n=12) and placebo (n=13) groups. Untrained participants were randomly divided into supplement (n=14) and placebo (n=10) groups. Two, 2 (supplement group) x 2 (training status) x 5 (time points) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilized to determine if an interaction for supplement group and training status existed for peak force (PForce) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Four, 2 (supplement group) x 2 (training status) x 4 (time points) repeated measures ANOVAs was employed for SWVL-Long, SWVL-Tera, SWVL-Trans and ROM to deter...
Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for indi... more Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this project was to pilot test a PT intervention for individuals with CP. Methods: Using rolling recruitment, six participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG, n=3) or training group (TG, n=3). Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise, performed by the most affected arm. Following PT guidelines, training took place three times per week for 6 weeks. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure both passive and active strength pre- and post-training. Results: Although no statistically significant differences were found, a remarkable trend was observed. Shoulder extension torque increased 15% (13.97 to 16.09 Newton-meters [Nm]) for TG, compared to a 1% (9.77 to 9.90 Nm) increase for CG between pre- and post-tests. Similar results were observed in elbow extension (3.90 to 9.60...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our nation’s health further than the infection i... more Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our nation’s health further than the infection it causes. Physical activity levels and dietary intake have suffered while individuals grapple with the changes in behavior to reduce viral transmission. With unique nuances regarding the access to physical activity and nutrition during the pandemic, the constructs of Health Belief Model (HBM) may present themselves differently in nutrition and exercise behaviors compared to precautions implemented to reduce viral transmission studied in previous research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of exercise and nutritional behavior change during the COVID-19 pandemic and explain the reason for and extent of this change using HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefit of action, and barriers to action). Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design to collect 206 surveys. This survey collected information on self-reported exercise and nutrition changes ...
Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for indi... more Background: Power training (PT) may be an effective modality to overcome muscle weakness for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this project was to pilot test a PT intervention for individuals with CP. Methods: Using rolling recruitment, six participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG, n=3) or training group (TG, n=3). Investigators used the SkiergTM to simulate a unilateral, overhand throwing exercise, performed by the most affected arm. Following PT guidelines, training took place three times per week for 6 weeks. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure both passive and active strength pre- and post-training. Results: Although no statistically significant differences were found, a remarkable trend was observed. Shoulder extension torque increased 15% (13.97 to 16.09 Newton-meters [Nm]) for TG, compared to a 1% (9.77 to 9.90 Nm) increase for CG between pre- and post-tests. Similar results were observed in elbow extension (3.90 to 9.60...
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