Resistance training interventions across the cancer control continuum: a systematic review of the implementation of resistance training principles.

OBJECTIVES: The primary purpose of this systematic review is to examine the extant resistance training (RT) cancer research to evaluate the proportion of RT interventions that: (1) implemented key RT training principles (specificity, progression, overload) and (2) explicitly reported relevant RT prescription components (frequency, intensity, sets, reps). DESIGN: A qualitative systematic review was performed by two reviewers (CMF and PNH) who inspected the titles and abstracts to determine eligibility for this systematic review. Identified papers were obtained in full and further reviewed. Data were extracted to evaluate the application of principles of training, along with specific RT components. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, PsychInfo, Cancer Lit, Sport Discus, AMED, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and reference lists of included articles from inception to May 2016. RESULTS: 37 studies were included. The principle of specificity was used appropriately in all of the studies, progression in 65% and overload in 76% of the studies. The most common exercise prescription (∼50%) implemented in the studies included in this review were 2-3 days/week, focusing on large muscle groups, 60-70% 1 repetition maximum (RM), 1-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions. CONCLUSIONS: Reporting of RT principles in an oncology setting varies greatly, with often vague or non-existent references to the principles of training and how the RT prescription was designed.

Affective responses to self-selected and imposed walking in inactive women with high stress: a pilot study.

AIM: The primary purpose was to examine affective responses and future intentions in response to self-selected and imposed-intensity walking in inactive women with high levels of stress. The secondary purpose was to examine potential psychobiological variables (cortisol responses and self-efficacy) associated with changes in affective states. METHODS: Nineteen participants (age=23.58 ± 5.30 yr) completed three trials of treadmill walking at self-selected intensity, 10% above and 10% below relative self-selected intensity. Walking duration was determined to expend 150 kcal. Affective responses and salivary cortisol were measured prior to, during, and following walking sessions. Self-efficacy was also measured during and post-walking. Future intention was measured post walking. RESULTS: Affect and self-efficacy improved significantly over time at all walking intensity conditions. Moreover, selected affect variables were improved at self-selected but not at imposed intensity during and post walking. No significant associations were observed between affect, self-efficacy and cortisol levels. However, affect and self-efficacy did significantly predict future intentions. CONCLUSION: Treadmill walking at intensities proximal to and lower than ventilatory threshold were associated with positive affective responses during and after walking in women with high levels of stress. Self-selected intensity may be effective for eliciting more favorable experiences during and following acute bouts of exercise, and promote future intentions for exercise. Findings provide partial support for self-efficacy during exercise as a potential mechanism for positive affective responses, especially at self-selected intensity.

Pre-exercise anxiety and the anxiolytic responses to acute bouts of self-selected and prescribed intensity resistance exercise.

BACKGROUND: The present investigation examined the state anxiety responses to acute bouts of self selected and prescribed intensity resistance exercise (RE). College age women (n=19) currently enrolled in a beginning weight training class were recruited to participate. METHODS: Participants completed 3 randomly assigned, counterbalanced conditions of self-selected intensity RE, prescribed intensity RE (75% of 1RM), and quiet rest control. Assessments of state anxiety (SA) were obtained prior to as well as 5, 20, 60, and 120 min following each condition. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed within both RE conditions. RESULTS: RPE was found to be higher during prescribed intensity RE. To examine the role of pre-exercise anxiety level on SA responses, baseline values in each condition were stratified into high and low groups. Analyses revealed that, irrespective of intensity, SA was significantly reduced following both self-selected and prescribed RE conditions within the high baseline SA group. Conversely, reductions in SA only emerged 60 and 120 min following the selfselected RE condition in the low baseline SA group. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the SA responses to acute RE are influenced by baseline anxiety level and the relative intensity of the bout. Results suggest that reductions in SA are observed following acute RE independent of the intensity of exercise in the presence of high baseline SA values whereas reductions are only exhibited following less intense bouts of RE when low baseline SA levels are evident.

Experimentally induced pain perception in men and women in the morning and evening.

The literature regarding whether or not there are diurnal differences in pain perception in men and women is equivocal. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of time of day on experimentally induced pain threshold in men and women. A secondary purpose was to measure selected psychological and physiological responses. Pressure (3000 gm force) was applied to the middle digit of the left forefinger for 2-min with the Forgione-Barber pain stimulator. Twenty-nine volunteers (women = 14; men = 15) completed two randomly assigned sessions between 6.00-8.00 in the AM and PM. Selected psychological variables (STAI,POMS) and physiological variables (BP, HR, TEMP) were assessed before application of the pressure stimulus. Data were analyzed with a 2x2 ANOVA. Results indicated that men had significantly higher (p<.05) systolic blood pressure and pain thresholds than women however, there was not a significant time of day effect for pain threshold. Significant time of day effects (p<.05) were found for systolic blood pressure and tympanic temperature. Heart rate, and tympanic temperature were found to be significantly higher (p<.05) in women in comparison to men. It is concluded that pain threshold did not differ in the AM and PM. Furthermore, men were found to have higher pain thresholds compared to the women.

Influence of resistance exercise of different intensities on state anxiety and blood pressure.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine selected psychobiological responses to acute bouts of resistance exercise (RE) of different intensities. METHODS: Eighty-four participants were classified as experienced or inexperienced and then randomly assigned to three conditions: 1) 50% of one repetition maximum(1RM), 2) 80% 1RM, or 3) control condition. RE consisted of performing three sets of four exercises between 12 to 20 reps in the 50% 1RM condition and four to eight reps in the 80% 1RM condition. Dependent variables consisted of state anxiety (SA), mood states (POMS), systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and heart rate (HR). These variables were assessed before as well as 1, 20, 60, 120, and 180-min following the conditions. Data were analyzed with a 2 (experience) x 3 (conditions) x 6 (trials) mixed model ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. RESULTS: Results indicated that SA decreased significantly (P < 0.05) 180 min following the 50% 1RM condition. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in vigor occurred immediately following the 50% IRM condition and persisted for 20 min. SBP increased significantly (P < 0.05) immediately following the 80% 1RM condition. HR increased significantly (P < 0.05) following both RE conditions. No significant differences were found between the experienced or inexperienced participants. CONCLUSIONS: An acute bout of RE at 50% 1RM is associated with an immediate reduction in vigor followed by a significant decrease in SA that emerged 180 min following exercise.