Portable, One-Dimensional, Trunk-Flexor Muscle Strength Measurement System.

Trunk-flexor muscle strength plays a fundamental role in athletic performance, but objective measurements are usually obtained using expensive and nonportable equipment, such as isokinetic dynamometers. The aim of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of a portable, one-dimensional, trunk-flexor muscle strength measurement system (Measurement System) that uses calibrated barbells and the reliability of the measurements obtained using the Measurement System, by conducting test-retests. As a complementary assessment, the measurements obtained during a maximum contraction test performed by a group of 15 subjects were also recorded. Four conditions were assessed: repeatability, time reproducibility, position reproducibility, and subject reproducibility. The results demonstrate that both the concurrent validity and the measured reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient > .98) of the Measurement System are acceptable. The Measurement System provides valid and reliable measures of trunk-flexor muscle strength.

An instrumented footbar for evaluating external forces in Pilates.

The intensity of Pilates exercises is almost exclusively based on experience. Therefore, knowing the precise amount of effort that is exerted during exercises could be useful for professionals conducting exercise assessments and for future research using inverse dynamics (ID) analyses. The reformer is an apparatus that contains a carriage on rails to which resistance is applied via springs attached to the carriage. Subjects apply force to a footbar to displace the carriage, but the magnitude and direction of this force are unknown and need to be quantified if the ID approach is to be used. This study aimed to develop and describe a device built with commercial load cells attached to the reformer's footbar, with the device capable of measuring the direction and magnitude of the force exerted on the reformer's footbar, and to compare the force found using the device with the force estimated using the springs' parameters. To illustrate the device's use, one volunteer performed footwork exercises at different speeds and with different foot support positions and loads. External force estimated by the springs' level of deformation was significantly different (P < .001) from the magnitude of force acquired using the device, showing that the estimation is imprecise.

Avaliação da Força de Atrito em máquina de musculação durante exercícios de extensão de joelho / Evaluation in Resistance training machines during knee extension exercises

Durante exercícios realizados em máquinas de musculação, a força de atrito (FA) entre seus componentes mecânicos pode influenciar na magnitude da sobrecarga oferecida pela máquina para o praticante do exercício. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre como medir esse atrito e qual seu real efeito. Assim, os objetivos deste estudo foram (i) descrever uma técnica para medição da FA em máquinas de musculação, e (ii) exemplificar a técnica quantificando a FA de uma máquina de musculação durante exercício em diferentes velocidades e cargas. Foram utilizados diagramas de corpo livre, equações da mecânica clássica além da medição dos ângulos articulares com eletrogoniômetro, e da força aplicada ao cabo de aço com célula de carga, para estimar a força de atrito. Para testar a metodologia, um indivíduo realizou repetições do exercício variando cargas e velocidade de execução. As cargas avaliadas foram 3kg, 6 kg e 9 kg; e as velocidades foram 30º/s, 60º/se 120º/s. A FA, expressa em percentual da carga, mostrou-se crescente com o incremento de velocidade e decrescente com o aumento da carga. Resultados em torno 40% obtidos para a menor carga e maior velocidade sugerem que a força de atrito deve ser um fator levado em consideração na escolha e manutenção de equipamentos de musculação.

During exercises performed in weight training machines, the friction force (FF) between its mechanical components can influence the magnitude of the overload offered by the machine on force of the exercise. However, little is known about how to measure this friction and what its real effect. Thus the objectives of this study were (i) describe a technique for measuring FF in weight training machines, and (ii) exemplify the technique, by quantifying the FF of the weight training machine at different exercise speeds and loads. For this, a subject performed repetitions of the exercise in different loads and speeds. The loads evaluated were 3 kg, 6 kg and 9 kg; and the speeds were 30°/s, 60°/s and 120°/s. The FF, normalized by selected load, increased significantly with the increasing of the speed and decreased with increasing of the load. Results for friction force around 40% found for highest speed and lowest load show that take the FF in count it's an important factor to consider during muscle equipment choice and maintaining.