Different Interset Rest Intervals During the Nordic Hamstrings Exercise in Young Male Athletes.

CONTEXT: The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is known to reduce hamstrings injury risk in athletes. To optimize the NHE, it is important to understand how acute resistance-training variables influence its performance. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of different interset rest intervals (ISRIs) on force indices during performance of the NHE. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Ten well-trained, young, male, team-sport athletes (age = 20.7 ± 2.3 years, height = 179.4 ± 5.5 cm, mass = 83.9 ± 12.4 kg). INTERVENTION(S): Participants performed 2 sets of 6 repetitions of the NHE with either a 1- or 3-minute ISRI. All sets were performed using the NordBord. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE(S): Peak force (newtons), average force (newtons), percentage maintenance, and percentage decline were recorded for both the dominant and nondominant limbs, and interlimb force asymmetries (percentages) were calculated. RESULTS: No interactions or main effects (P > .05) were present between conditions or sets for any variables. However, individual repetitions showed reductions (P< .05; effect size range = 0.58-1.28) in peak force from repetition 4 onward. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a 1-minute ISRI was sufficient to maintain force-production qualities and interlimb asymmetries between sets during the NHE in well-trained athletes. Nonetheless, practitioners should be aware of the potentially large decrements in peak force production that may occur within the set.

Effects of a low intensity strength training program on overweight/obese and premenopausal/menopausal women / Efeitos do treinamento de força de baixa intensidade em mulheres com sobrepeso/obesidade e pré-menopausa/menopausa

Obesity-related complications may be compounded by the detrimental consequences of menopause. Strength training programs may have an impact on this relationship. Our objective was to examine strength (1RM) and kinanthropometric alterations for overweight/obese pre- and menopausal women who participated in a strength program. Methods: 35 women were separated into: overweight premenopausal (n=8), obese premenopausal (n=9), overweight menopausal (n=8) and obese menopausal (n=10) categories. Participants attended a strength program for 8 weeks. Kinanthropometric characteristics and 1RM were determined at baseline, week 4 (except 1RM) and week 8. Results: All groups reduced (p< 0.05) body weight, body mass index (BMI), skinfolds and waist circumference. Furthermore, all groups achieved an increase (p< 0.05) in 1RM. When grouped per menopausal state or BMI, a more significant increase in strength was seen in menopausal and obese subjects. A significant correlation was observed for menopausal state, BMI and strength. The strength changes were significantly superior vs. kinanthropometric changes. Within kinanthropometric changes, skinfolds exhibit a more significant reduction vs. body weight, BMI and waist circumference. Conclusions: all groups showed changes in strength and kinanthropometric parameters. Strength adaptations were superior in menopausal and obese women. The strength adaptations exhibit a superior magnitude vs. kinanthropometric changes. In short term, a strength program may lead to important health and functional benefits, especially in menopausal or obese women.

As complicações relacionadas à obesidade podem ser agravadas pelas consequências prejudiciais da menopausa. Programas de força podem ter um impacto sobre esta relação. O objetivo foi examinar alterações cineantropométricas e força em mulheres com excesso de peso/obesas e pré-menopausa/menopausa que participaram de um programa de força. Participaram do estudo 35 mulheres que foram separadas em grupos: excesso de peso pré-menopausa (n = 8), obesas pré-menopausa (n = 9), excesso de peso menopausa (n = 8) e obesas menopausa (n = 10). Os sujeitos foram treinados durante oito semanas. Características cineantropométricas e de força foram analisadas no início, na quarta e oitava semana (exceto força). Os grupos conseguiram uma redução no peso corporal, IMC, da gordura subcutânea e circunferência da cintura. Todos os grupos obtiveram um aumento (p < 0,05) na força máxima. Um aumento de força significativamente maior foi observado em mulheres obesas ou na menopausa. Uma correlação significativa foi observada para estado menopausal, IMC e força. As mudanças de força foram significativamente mais elevadas versus mudanças cineantropométricas. Dentro das mudanças cineantropométricas, a gordura subcutânea apresentou uma redução mais significativa versus o peso corporal, IMC e circunferência da cintura. Pode-se concluir que os grupos apresentaram alterações nos parâmetros cineantropométricos e de força. As adaptações de força foram superiores em mulheres na menopausa e obesas. As adaptações de força apresentaram uma magnitude superior versus alterações cineantropométricos. Em curto prazo, o programa de treinamento de força pode conduzir a importantes benefícios na saúde e funcionais, especialmente, em mulheres na menopausa ou com obesidade.