BACKGROUND: Firefighters typically undergo a 16–24-week training academy during which they perfor... more BACKGROUND: Firefighters typically undergo a 16–24-week training academy during which they perform a variety of traditional exercise programs such as cardiovascular, resistance, and concurrent training. Because of limited facility access, some fire departments seek alternative exercise programs, such as multimodal high-intensity interval training (MM-HIIT), which essentially combines resistance and interval training. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effect of MM-HIIT on body composition and physical fitness in firefighter recruits who completed a training academy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A secondary purpose was to compare the effects of MM-HIIT to previous training academies that implemented traditional exercise programs. METHODS: Healthy and recreationally-trained recruits (n = 12) participated in 2-3 days/week of MM-HIIT for 12 weeks and had several components of body composition and physical fitness measured before and after the pr...
Summary Statement Reverse pyramid training and linear pyramid training are both effective resista... more Summary Statement Reverse pyramid training and linear pyramid training are both effective resistance training programs for increasing total volume load during each session, which leads to chronic increases in strength. Fitness professionals are encouraged to try both with their clients and tailor resistance training programs to their preference. Apply It! By reading this article, health and fitness professionals will learn: • There is a strong relationship between total volume load (TVL), muscular strength, and skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Resistance training with pyramid repetition schemes are an effective way to increase TVL during a training session. • Linear pyramid training (LPT), also known as DeLorme training, involves a systematic increase in intensity from set to set. Contrarily, reverse pyramid training (RPT), also known as Oxford training, involves a systematic decrease in intensity from set to set. • The literature consistently shows that RPT and LPT are both effective at increasing muscular strength; however, people may enjoy RPT more than LPT because the session feels easier as fatigue accumulates.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SHORT (1 min) and LONG (3 min) rest i... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SHORT (1 min) and LONG (3 min) rest intervals (RI) on total volume lifted (TVL), repetition performance, fatigue index (FI), and blood lactate [La] during upper body (chest press) and lower body (leg press) exercise with low-intensity (75% of a 10-RM) in trained female lifters. Fourteen females (mean ± SD, age = 22.9 ± 5.4 years, training experience = 5.2 ± 2.5 years, height = 166.1 ± 6.9 cm, weight = 61.3 ± 5.1 kg, body fat % = 21.7 ± 3.3%) participated in this randomized, repeated-measures, cross-over design study. They performed four sets to failure on chest press (CP) and leg press (LP) under two conditions (SHORT and LONG RIs) in a counterbalanced manner. Paired-samples t-tests were used to analyze mean differences for TVL in CP and LP, separately. A 2 (exercise) x 2 (rest interval) repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze mean differences in FI and average [La] values. A 2 (rest interval) x 4 (sets) repeated measur...
ABSTRACT The ability to maintain strength, power, speed, agility, and baseball-specific skills th... more ABSTRACT The ability to maintain strength, power, speed, agility, and baseball-specific skills throughout a season is vital to the success of a baseball team. To investigate the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of collegiate baseball players over an entire year, and to determine when and if changes occurred. Twenty-three members of an NCAA Division I baseball team (age = 20.0 +/- 1.2 yr, height = 185.4 +/- 7.3 cm, body mass = 87.1 +/- 11.2 kg) volunteered to be evaluated. Subjects were evaluated for measurements of standard anthropometry (percent body fat and lean body mass) using a TanitaTM bioelectrical impedance device, strength (1RM parallel squat, 1-arm dumbbell row, bench press, and grip strength) using standard Olympic plates and a JamarTM hand dynamometer, power (vertical jump and standing long jump) using a VertecTM and measuring tape, speed (10, 30, 60 yd sprint) using hand-held stop watches, agility (5-10-5 pro agility) using a hand-held stop watch, and baseball-specific skills (bat swing, batted-ball, and throwing velocities) using a SETPRO SPRT5ATM chronograph, Speed TracTM radar gun, and JugsTM radar gun in September before team practice began (pre-training), in December after off-season training ended (preseason), in March (mid-season), and in May (post-season). A 3-day per week periodized complex, undulating training (CUT) program was performed during the off-season to preseason (September to December). Training loads and volume progressively increased during this stage of the training year. Volume declined during the in-season (February to May) when the team attempted to train twice per week. Vertical jump, strength (1RM parallel squat, 1-arm dumbbell row, and bench press), speed, and batted-ball velocity significantly (p < 0.05) improved from pre-training to preseason. All other variable's values were maintained. At mid-season a significant decrease was observed in batted-ball velocity, while significant improvements were observed in 60 yd sprint and agility times compared to preseason values. All other variable's values were maintained. Post-season results revealed that batted-ball velocity and speed significantly decreased, while percent body fat, lean body mass, and standing long jump significantly improved from preseason values. All other variable's values were maintained. These data suggest that a preseason periodized CUT program can improve performance values for college baseball players. Additionally, a 2-day per week in-season CUT program can maintain most preseason performance and baseball-specific skill values over a collegiate baseball season. It is recommended to keep highly skilled baseball players strong, powerful, and healthy. This will keep them on the field, and allow them an opportunity to perform their baseball-specific skills optimally throughout the entire playing season.
Purpose: Peripheral heart action (PHA) is a style of circuit training that alternates upper and l... more Purpose: Peripheral heart action (PHA) is a style of circuit training that alternates upper and lower body resistance exercises with minimal rest between sets. The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic demands of PHA to traditional hypertrophy training (TRAD) and to provide between sex comparison for both types of resistance training (RT). Methods: Twenty resistance-trained individuals underwent two bouts of volume-load matched RT: PHA and TRAD. We measured oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BL) concentration, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), and duration of each session. Results: PHA elicited significantly greater %VO2max (p < .001), %HRmax (p < .001), RPE (p < .001), and EPOC (p < .001) compared to TRAD. PHA was also completed in less time (p < .001). Compared to TRAD, BL was significantly higher at mid-exercise (p < .001), post-exercise (p < .001), and 5-min post-exercise (p <...
We hypothesized that the protocol-induced initial cadence of the WAnT is too high to allow high m... more We hypothesized that the protocol-induced initial cadence of the WAnT is too high to allow high muscle force production and peak power generation. Twenty endurance, strength or power trained subjects (9 male, 11 female) completed two 30 s maximal exertion stationary cycle ergometer tests involving the traditional peak cadence start (TRAD) vs. a stationary start (STAT). Inertia corrected mechanical power, cadence, EMG from the vastus lateralis, and applied force to the pedals were measured continuously throughout both tests. Peak power was higher during TRAD; 11.32 ±1.41 vs. 10.40 ±1.35 Watts/kg (p < 0.0001), as was peak cadence; 171.4 ±16.3 vs. 120.9 ±15.1 rev/min (p < 0.0001). However, during TRAD EMG root mean squared (rms) increased continuously throughout the test, force applied to the pedals increased from 1 to 3 s (0.73 ±0.27 vs. 0.90 ±0.39 N/kg; p = 0.02) and thereafter remained relatively stable. EMG mean frequency also increased from 1 to 3 s, but then decreased throu...
Increased meal frequency (MF) may be associated with improvements in blood markers of health and ... more Increased meal frequency (MF) may be associated with improvements in blood markers of health and body composition during weight loss; however, this claim has not been validated. The purpose of the study was to determine if either a 2-meal (2 MF) or 6-meal frequency (6 MF) regimen can improve body composition and blood-based markers of health while consuming a portion-controlled equihypocaloric diet. Eleven (N=11) obese women (52 ± 7 years, 101.7 ± 22.6 kg, 39.1 ± 7.6 kg/m(2)) were randomized into treatment condition (2 MF or 6 MF) for 2 weeks, completed a 2-week washout, and alternated treatment conditions. In pre/post fashion, changes in body composition, glucose, insulin, and lipid components were measured in response to a test meal. Body mass was successfully lost (P ≤ .05) under both feeding regimens (2 MF: -2.8 ± 1.5 vs 6 MF: -1.9 ± 1.5 kg). Altering MF did not impact glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P>.05). On average, fat-free ma...
Background: No robust trials including imaging or biomarkers have been performed to evaluate the ... more Background: No robust trials including imaging or biomarkers have been performed to evaluate the possible stress of hanging motionless in a harness (harness suspension stress-HSS). Untoward effects are from case reports and sparsely documented data, leaving the topic open to debate. No cause-effect relationship has been established, therefore providing no guide to diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic evaluation or treatment for possible detrimental effects of HSS. Expert opinion provides the majority of the literature concerning HSS. Many of the effects of HSS have been correlated to other syndromes or causes, but none have been excluded, and none have been established. Methods: Human biomarkers from blood, fitness levels, subjective discomfort levels, and sonographic measurements were obtained to help gain a better understanding of the effects of hanging motionless in a full body harness for thirty minutes by both front and dorsal points of attachment. Results: Full body harnesses are not well tolerated. Hanging in a harness for iv extended periods leads to pain, discomfort, and anxiety. No changes in blood laboratory data, fitness level, or gender, accounts for potential bradycardic events or vasovagal syncope. Conclusions: Industrial full body harnesses designs appear to be generally poor and cause enough discomfort to augment human homeostasis in some subjects. We find no evidence to support more than standard recommendations for Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines. Further research is needed to help guide understanding of what may or may not constitute a credible etiology during HSS, but also to guide medical response, if any is indicated. v Dedication In memoriam of Steve Hudson, who continually probed for better answers to hard questions that addressed real problems for those involved in the technical rope rescue discipline. This is also dedicated to those who fight against the odds, on whatever scale, but choose to make a difference. I would like to thank Dr. Mermier for her support and encouragement to continue to follow my course of study, and for being, in large part, the reason that I came to the Exercise Science program. Her guidance and generous mentorship through the coursework over the years has been the backbone of my success. I appreciate her love for the outdoors, her fervor to answer difficult questions, and her dedication to not only the student, but also the person, that are one and the same. Thank You for always being there, even through difficult times. I would like to thank Steve Attaway, PhD, whom, without his support and mentorship I would never have chosen the path of continual learning. I have walked the line of peril with Dr. Attaway while serving on rescues in New Mexico, helping those in the wilderness and austere environments. We have performed multiple studies on ice anchors and technical rope rescue issues to help increase safety and efficiency among the technical rope rescue community. Certainly, I could not have had this opportunity without you. It's an honor to have this opportunity to work closely with you. Thank You! We stand on the shoulders of the giants who helped mentor us and make us who we are. I am fortunate enough to have many of those mentors in my climbing and guiding career, my medical career, and my doctoral pursuit.
Beam, JR, and Szymanski, DJ. Validity of 2 skinfold calipers in estimating percent body fat of co... more Beam, JR, and Szymanski, DJ. Validity of 2 skinfold calipers in estimating percent body fat of college-aged men and women. J Strength Cond Res 24(12): 3448-3456, 2010-There is a need for cost-effective techniques that accurately predict percent body fat (%BF) and require little skill to administer. There are 2 commercially available skinfold calipers, 1 digital and the other self-administered, that claim to accurately predict %BF. The primary purpose of this study was to validate these calipers using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a reference method in a sample of college-aged men and women. A secondary purpose of this study was to compare the validity of these calipers to the validity of arm-to-arm bioempedance analysis (BIA) (Omron, Shelton, Connecticut, U.S.A.), leg-to-leg BIA (Tanita, Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.A.), and 3-site skinfold equations (SUM3) using DXA as a reference method. Fifty college students (25 men and 25 women) from a kinesiology department who...
ABSTRACT Realzola, RA, Mang, ZA, Millender, DJ, Beam, JR, Bellovary, BN, Wells, AD, Houck, JM, an... more ABSTRACT Realzola, RA, Mang, ZA, Millender, DJ, Beam, JR, Bellovary, BN, Wells, AD, Houck, JM, and Kravitz, L. Metabolic profile of reciprocal supersets in young, recreationally active females and males. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Reciprocal supersets (RSSs) are a time-efficient style of resistance exercise (RE) that consist of performing 2 consecutive exercises with opposing muscle groups while limiting rest times between them. Previous research in men indicates a RSS has an increased physiological response when compared with traditional RE (TRAD). No between-sex comparison of metabolic data for RSSs exists. The purpose of this study was to create a metabolic profile for RSSs in men and women. Eighteen resistance-trained individuals underwent 2 bouts of volume-load equated RE: RSS and TRAD. Reciprocal superset exercises were split into 3 clusters: (a) hexagonal bar deadlift superset with leg press, (b) chest press superset with seated row, and (c) overhead dumbbell press superset with latissimus dorsi pull-downs. The TRAD protocol, doing the same exercises, emulated hypertrophy emphasis training. Oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate ([BLa]), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) were measured. Aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure were estimated using V[Combining Dot Above]O2 and lactate, respectively. The level of significance set for this study was p ≤ 0.05. Regardless of sex, a RSS elicited significantly greater average V[Combining Dot Above]O2, HR, [BLa], RPE, and anaerobic and aerobic energy expenditures, and was completed in a shorter time compared with TRAD (p ≤ 0.05). When compared with women, men had significantly greater EPOC, average [BLa], and anaerobic and aerobic energy expenditures during RSSs (p ≤ 0.05). The average [BLa] and aerobic energy expenditure of the men were also significantly greater than the women during TRAD (p ≤ 0.05). This study suggests that a RSS is a metabolically demanding RE session that may elicit increases in musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, and physiological adaptations while decreasing the duration of exercise.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Background: No robust trials including imaging or biomarkers have been performed to evaluate the ... more Background: No robust trials including imaging or biomarkers have been performed to evaluate the possible stress of hanging motionless in a harness (harness suspension stress-HSS). Untoward effects are from case reports and sparsely documented data, leaving the topic open to debate. No cause-effect relationship has been established, therefore providing no guide to diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic evaluation or treatment for possible detrimental effects of HSS. Expert opinion provides the majority of the literature concerning HSS. Many of the effects of HSS have been correlated to other syndromes or causes, but none have been excluded, and none have been established. Methods: Human biomarkers from blood, fitness levels, subjective discomfort levels, and sonographic measurements were obtained to help gain a better understanding of the effects of hanging motionless in a full body harness for thirty minutes by both front and dorsal points of attachment. Results: Full body harnesses are not well tolerated. Hanging in a harness for iv extended periods leads to pain, discomfort, and anxiety. No changes in blood laboratory data, fitness level, or gender, accounts for potential bradycardic events or vasovagal syncope. Conclusions: Industrial full body harnesses designs appear to be generally poor and cause enough discomfort to augment human homeostasis in some subjects. We find no evidence to support more than standard recommendations for Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines. Further research is needed to help guide understanding of what may or may not constitute a credible etiology during HSS, but also to guide medical response, if any is indicated. v Dedication In memoriam of Steve Hudson, who continually probed for better answers to hard questions that addressed real problems for those involved in the technical rope rescue discipline. This is also dedicated to those who fight against the odds, on whatever scale, but choose to make a difference. I would like to thank Dr. Mermier for her support and encouragement to continue to follow my course of study, and for being, in large part, the reason that I came to the Exercise Science program. Her guidance and generous mentorship through the coursework over the years has been the backbone of my success. I appreciate her love for the outdoors, her fervor to answer difficult questions, and her dedication to not only the student, but also the person, that are one and the same. Thank You for always being there, even through difficult times. I would like to thank Steve Attaway, PhD, whom, without his support and mentorship I would never have chosen the path of continual learning. I have walked the line of peril with Dr. Attaway while serving on rescues in New Mexico, helping those in the wilderness and austere environments. We have performed multiple studies on ice anchors and technical rope rescue issues to help increase safety and efficiency among the technical rope rescue community. Certainly, I could not have had this opportunity without you. It's an honor to have this opportunity to work closely with you. Thank You! We stand on the shoulders of the giants who helped mentor us and make us who we are. I am fortunate enough to have many of those mentors in my climbing and guiding career, my medical career, and my doctoral pursuit.
BACKGROUND: Firefighters typically undergo a 16–24-week training academy during which they perfor... more BACKGROUND: Firefighters typically undergo a 16–24-week training academy during which they perform a variety of traditional exercise programs such as cardiovascular, resistance, and concurrent training. Because of limited facility access, some fire departments seek alternative exercise programs, such as multimodal high-intensity interval training (MM-HIIT), which essentially combines resistance and interval training. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effect of MM-HIIT on body composition and physical fitness in firefighter recruits who completed a training academy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A secondary purpose was to compare the effects of MM-HIIT to previous training academies that implemented traditional exercise programs. METHODS: Healthy and recreationally-trained recruits (n = 12) participated in 2-3 days/week of MM-HIIT for 12 weeks and had several components of body composition and physical fitness measured before and after the pr...
Summary Statement Reverse pyramid training and linear pyramid training are both effective resista... more Summary Statement Reverse pyramid training and linear pyramid training are both effective resistance training programs for increasing total volume load during each session, which leads to chronic increases in strength. Fitness professionals are encouraged to try both with their clients and tailor resistance training programs to their preference. Apply It! By reading this article, health and fitness professionals will learn: • There is a strong relationship between total volume load (TVL), muscular strength, and skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Resistance training with pyramid repetition schemes are an effective way to increase TVL during a training session. • Linear pyramid training (LPT), also known as DeLorme training, involves a systematic increase in intensity from set to set. Contrarily, reverse pyramid training (RPT), also known as Oxford training, involves a systematic decrease in intensity from set to set. • The literature consistently shows that RPT and LPT are both effective at increasing muscular strength; however, people may enjoy RPT more than LPT because the session feels easier as fatigue accumulates.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SHORT (1 min) and LONG (3 min) rest i... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SHORT (1 min) and LONG (3 min) rest intervals (RI) on total volume lifted (TVL), repetition performance, fatigue index (FI), and blood lactate [La] during upper body (chest press) and lower body (leg press) exercise with low-intensity (75% of a 10-RM) in trained female lifters. Fourteen females (mean ± SD, age = 22.9 ± 5.4 years, training experience = 5.2 ± 2.5 years, height = 166.1 ± 6.9 cm, weight = 61.3 ± 5.1 kg, body fat % = 21.7 ± 3.3%) participated in this randomized, repeated-measures, cross-over design study. They performed four sets to failure on chest press (CP) and leg press (LP) under two conditions (SHORT and LONG RIs) in a counterbalanced manner. Paired-samples t-tests were used to analyze mean differences for TVL in CP and LP, separately. A 2 (exercise) x 2 (rest interval) repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze mean differences in FI and average [La] values. A 2 (rest interval) x 4 (sets) repeated measur...
ABSTRACT The ability to maintain strength, power, speed, agility, and baseball-specific skills th... more ABSTRACT The ability to maintain strength, power, speed, agility, and baseball-specific skills throughout a season is vital to the success of a baseball team. To investigate the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of collegiate baseball players over an entire year, and to determine when and if changes occurred. Twenty-three members of an NCAA Division I baseball team (age = 20.0 +/- 1.2 yr, height = 185.4 +/- 7.3 cm, body mass = 87.1 +/- 11.2 kg) volunteered to be evaluated. Subjects were evaluated for measurements of standard anthropometry (percent body fat and lean body mass) using a TanitaTM bioelectrical impedance device, strength (1RM parallel squat, 1-arm dumbbell row, bench press, and grip strength) using standard Olympic plates and a JamarTM hand dynamometer, power (vertical jump and standing long jump) using a VertecTM and measuring tape, speed (10, 30, 60 yd sprint) using hand-held stop watches, agility (5-10-5 pro agility) using a hand-held stop watch, and baseball-specific skills (bat swing, batted-ball, and throwing velocities) using a SETPRO SPRT5ATM chronograph, Speed TracTM radar gun, and JugsTM radar gun in September before team practice began (pre-training), in December after off-season training ended (preseason), in March (mid-season), and in May (post-season). A 3-day per week periodized complex, undulating training (CUT) program was performed during the off-season to preseason (September to December). Training loads and volume progressively increased during this stage of the training year. Volume declined during the in-season (February to May) when the team attempted to train twice per week. Vertical jump, strength (1RM parallel squat, 1-arm dumbbell row, and bench press), speed, and batted-ball velocity significantly (p &lt; 0.05) improved from pre-training to preseason. All other variable&#39;s values were maintained. At mid-season a significant decrease was observed in batted-ball velocity, while significant improvements were observed in 60 yd sprint and agility times compared to preseason values. All other variable&#39;s values were maintained. Post-season results revealed that batted-ball velocity and speed significantly decreased, while percent body fat, lean body mass, and standing long jump significantly improved from preseason values. All other variable&#39;s values were maintained. These data suggest that a preseason periodized CUT program can improve performance values for college baseball players. Additionally, a 2-day per week in-season CUT program can maintain most preseason performance and baseball-specific skill values over a collegiate baseball season. It is recommended to keep highly skilled baseball players strong, powerful, and healthy. This will keep them on the field, and allow them an opportunity to perform their baseball-specific skills optimally throughout the entire playing season.
Purpose: Peripheral heart action (PHA) is a style of circuit training that alternates upper and l... more Purpose: Peripheral heart action (PHA) is a style of circuit training that alternates upper and lower body resistance exercises with minimal rest between sets. The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic demands of PHA to traditional hypertrophy training (TRAD) and to provide between sex comparison for both types of resistance training (RT). Methods: Twenty resistance-trained individuals underwent two bouts of volume-load matched RT: PHA and TRAD. We measured oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate (BL) concentration, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), and duration of each session. Results: PHA elicited significantly greater %VO2max (p < .001), %HRmax (p < .001), RPE (p < .001), and EPOC (p < .001) compared to TRAD. PHA was also completed in less time (p < .001). Compared to TRAD, BL was significantly higher at mid-exercise (p < .001), post-exercise (p < .001), and 5-min post-exercise (p <...
We hypothesized that the protocol-induced initial cadence of the WAnT is too high to allow high m... more We hypothesized that the protocol-induced initial cadence of the WAnT is too high to allow high muscle force production and peak power generation. Twenty endurance, strength or power trained subjects (9 male, 11 female) completed two 30 s maximal exertion stationary cycle ergometer tests involving the traditional peak cadence start (TRAD) vs. a stationary start (STAT). Inertia corrected mechanical power, cadence, EMG from the vastus lateralis, and applied force to the pedals were measured continuously throughout both tests. Peak power was higher during TRAD; 11.32 ±1.41 vs. 10.40 ±1.35 Watts/kg (p < 0.0001), as was peak cadence; 171.4 ±16.3 vs. 120.9 ±15.1 rev/min (p < 0.0001). However, during TRAD EMG root mean squared (rms) increased continuously throughout the test, force applied to the pedals increased from 1 to 3 s (0.73 ±0.27 vs. 0.90 ±0.39 N/kg; p = 0.02) and thereafter remained relatively stable. EMG mean frequency also increased from 1 to 3 s, but then decreased throu...
Increased meal frequency (MF) may be associated with improvements in blood markers of health and ... more Increased meal frequency (MF) may be associated with improvements in blood markers of health and body composition during weight loss; however, this claim has not been validated. The purpose of the study was to determine if either a 2-meal (2 MF) or 6-meal frequency (6 MF) regimen can improve body composition and blood-based markers of health while consuming a portion-controlled equihypocaloric diet. Eleven (N=11) obese women (52 ± 7 years, 101.7 ± 22.6 kg, 39.1 ± 7.6 kg/m(2)) were randomized into treatment condition (2 MF or 6 MF) for 2 weeks, completed a 2-week washout, and alternated treatment conditions. In pre/post fashion, changes in body composition, glucose, insulin, and lipid components were measured in response to a test meal. Body mass was successfully lost (P ≤ .05) under both feeding regimens (2 MF: -2.8 ± 1.5 vs 6 MF: -1.9 ± 1.5 kg). Altering MF did not impact glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P>.05). On average, fat-free ma...
Background: No robust trials including imaging or biomarkers have been performed to evaluate the ... more Background: No robust trials including imaging or biomarkers have been performed to evaluate the possible stress of hanging motionless in a harness (harness suspension stress-HSS). Untoward effects are from case reports and sparsely documented data, leaving the topic open to debate. No cause-effect relationship has been established, therefore providing no guide to diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic evaluation or treatment for possible detrimental effects of HSS. Expert opinion provides the majority of the literature concerning HSS. Many of the effects of HSS have been correlated to other syndromes or causes, but none have been excluded, and none have been established. Methods: Human biomarkers from blood, fitness levels, subjective discomfort levels, and sonographic measurements were obtained to help gain a better understanding of the effects of hanging motionless in a full body harness for thirty minutes by both front and dorsal points of attachment. Results: Full body harnesses are not well tolerated. Hanging in a harness for iv extended periods leads to pain, discomfort, and anxiety. No changes in blood laboratory data, fitness level, or gender, accounts for potential bradycardic events or vasovagal syncope. Conclusions: Industrial full body harnesses designs appear to be generally poor and cause enough discomfort to augment human homeostasis in some subjects. We find no evidence to support more than standard recommendations for Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines. Further research is needed to help guide understanding of what may or may not constitute a credible etiology during HSS, but also to guide medical response, if any is indicated. v Dedication In memoriam of Steve Hudson, who continually probed for better answers to hard questions that addressed real problems for those involved in the technical rope rescue discipline. This is also dedicated to those who fight against the odds, on whatever scale, but choose to make a difference. I would like to thank Dr. Mermier for her support and encouragement to continue to follow my course of study, and for being, in large part, the reason that I came to the Exercise Science program. Her guidance and generous mentorship through the coursework over the years has been the backbone of my success. I appreciate her love for the outdoors, her fervor to answer difficult questions, and her dedication to not only the student, but also the person, that are one and the same. Thank You for always being there, even through difficult times. I would like to thank Steve Attaway, PhD, whom, without his support and mentorship I would never have chosen the path of continual learning. I have walked the line of peril with Dr. Attaway while serving on rescues in New Mexico, helping those in the wilderness and austere environments. We have performed multiple studies on ice anchors and technical rope rescue issues to help increase safety and efficiency among the technical rope rescue community. Certainly, I could not have had this opportunity without you. It's an honor to have this opportunity to work closely with you. Thank You! We stand on the shoulders of the giants who helped mentor us and make us who we are. I am fortunate enough to have many of those mentors in my climbing and guiding career, my medical career, and my doctoral pursuit.
Beam, JR, and Szymanski, DJ. Validity of 2 skinfold calipers in estimating percent body fat of co... more Beam, JR, and Szymanski, DJ. Validity of 2 skinfold calipers in estimating percent body fat of college-aged men and women. J Strength Cond Res 24(12): 3448-3456, 2010-There is a need for cost-effective techniques that accurately predict percent body fat (%BF) and require little skill to administer. There are 2 commercially available skinfold calipers, 1 digital and the other self-administered, that claim to accurately predict %BF. The primary purpose of this study was to validate these calipers using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a reference method in a sample of college-aged men and women. A secondary purpose of this study was to compare the validity of these calipers to the validity of arm-to-arm bioempedance analysis (BIA) (Omron, Shelton, Connecticut, U.S.A.), leg-to-leg BIA (Tanita, Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.A.), and 3-site skinfold equations (SUM3) using DXA as a reference method. Fifty college students (25 men and 25 women) from a kinesiology department who...
ABSTRACT Realzola, RA, Mang, ZA, Millender, DJ, Beam, JR, Bellovary, BN, Wells, AD, Houck, JM, an... more ABSTRACT Realzola, RA, Mang, ZA, Millender, DJ, Beam, JR, Bellovary, BN, Wells, AD, Houck, JM, and Kravitz, L. Metabolic profile of reciprocal supersets in young, recreationally active females and males. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Reciprocal supersets (RSSs) are a time-efficient style of resistance exercise (RE) that consist of performing 2 consecutive exercises with opposing muscle groups while limiting rest times between them. Previous research in men indicates a RSS has an increased physiological response when compared with traditional RE (TRAD). No between-sex comparison of metabolic data for RSSs exists. The purpose of this study was to create a metabolic profile for RSSs in men and women. Eighteen resistance-trained individuals underwent 2 bouts of volume-load equated RE: RSS and TRAD. Reciprocal superset exercises were split into 3 clusters: (a) hexagonal bar deadlift superset with leg press, (b) chest press superset with seated row, and (c) overhead dumbbell press superset with latissimus dorsi pull-downs. The TRAD protocol, doing the same exercises, emulated hypertrophy emphasis training. Oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate ([BLa]), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) were measured. Aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure were estimated using V[Combining Dot Above]O2 and lactate, respectively. The level of significance set for this study was p ≤ 0.05. Regardless of sex, a RSS elicited significantly greater average V[Combining Dot Above]O2, HR, [BLa], RPE, and anaerobic and aerobic energy expenditures, and was completed in a shorter time compared with TRAD (p ≤ 0.05). When compared with women, men had significantly greater EPOC, average [BLa], and anaerobic and aerobic energy expenditures during RSSs (p ≤ 0.05). The average [BLa] and aerobic energy expenditure of the men were also significantly greater than the women during TRAD (p ≤ 0.05). This study suggests that a RSS is a metabolically demanding RE session that may elicit increases in musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, and physiological adaptations while decreasing the duration of exercise.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Background: No robust trials including imaging or biomarkers have been performed to evaluate the ... more Background: No robust trials including imaging or biomarkers have been performed to evaluate the possible stress of hanging motionless in a harness (harness suspension stress-HSS). Untoward effects are from case reports and sparsely documented data, leaving the topic open to debate. No cause-effect relationship has been established, therefore providing no guide to diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic evaluation or treatment for possible detrimental effects of HSS. Expert opinion provides the majority of the literature concerning HSS. Many of the effects of HSS have been correlated to other syndromes or causes, but none have been excluded, and none have been established. Methods: Human biomarkers from blood, fitness levels, subjective discomfort levels, and sonographic measurements were obtained to help gain a better understanding of the effects of hanging motionless in a full body harness for thirty minutes by both front and dorsal points of attachment. Results: Full body harnesses are not well tolerated. Hanging in a harness for iv extended periods leads to pain, discomfort, and anxiety. No changes in blood laboratory data, fitness level, or gender, accounts for potential bradycardic events or vasovagal syncope. Conclusions: Industrial full body harnesses designs appear to be generally poor and cause enough discomfort to augment human homeostasis in some subjects. We find no evidence to support more than standard recommendations for Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines. Further research is needed to help guide understanding of what may or may not constitute a credible etiology during HSS, but also to guide medical response, if any is indicated. v Dedication In memoriam of Steve Hudson, who continually probed for better answers to hard questions that addressed real problems for those involved in the technical rope rescue discipline. This is also dedicated to those who fight against the odds, on whatever scale, but choose to make a difference. I would like to thank Dr. Mermier for her support and encouragement to continue to follow my course of study, and for being, in large part, the reason that I came to the Exercise Science program. Her guidance and generous mentorship through the coursework over the years has been the backbone of my success. I appreciate her love for the outdoors, her fervor to answer difficult questions, and her dedication to not only the student, but also the person, that are one and the same. Thank You for always being there, even through difficult times. I would like to thank Steve Attaway, PhD, whom, without his support and mentorship I would never have chosen the path of continual learning. I have walked the line of peril with Dr. Attaway while serving on rescues in New Mexico, helping those in the wilderness and austere environments. We have performed multiple studies on ice anchors and technical rope rescue issues to help increase safety and efficiency among the technical rope rescue community. Certainly, I could not have had this opportunity without you. It's an honor to have this opportunity to work closely with you. Thank You! We stand on the shoulders of the giants who helped mentor us and make us who we are. I am fortunate enough to have many of those mentors in my climbing and guiding career, my medical career, and my doctoral pursuit.
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