Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Muscle Strength in Young and Elderly Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.

ABSTRACT: Prado, AKG, Reichert, T, Conceição, MO, Delevatti, RS, Kanitz, AC, and Kruel, LFM. Effects of aquatic exercise on muscle strength in young and elderly adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1468-1483, 2022-The effects of training in an aquatic environment on muscular strength are still contradictory in the literature. The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies about muscle strength responses after a program of aquatic exercise. A systematic review followed the Cochrane and PRISMA recommendations. The search was performed between December 2015 and January 2016. There were no language restrictions, and PubMed, SCOPUS, Scielo, Cochrane, and PEDro databases were consulted. An analysis of eligibility of the studies was performed by 2 independent authors. The data extraction followed standard criteria, and an evaluation of methodological quality was performed. The statistical analysis was conducted in the Review Manager 5.1 software. The statistical heterogeneity was assessed by means of Cochran's Q test and by the inconsistency test (I2). The search found 2,563 articles, 27 were included, totaling a total n of 1,006 subjects. The analysis of the risk of bias demonstrated a lack of clarity of the randomization process, allocation concealment, blinding assessment, intention to treat analysis, and calculation of the sample in 70% or more of the studies analyzed. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant increase in handgrip strength, in isometric peak torque (PT) of knee unilateral extension and flexion, and isokinetic PT (60°·s-1) of knee unilateral extension. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the positive effects of training in an aquatic environment may be dependent on factors such as age, velocity of movement, and use of device. Land-based and aquatic exercises seem to lead to similar muscle strength gains. Aquatic exercise should be recommended as a strategy to improve muscle strength, but new studies with better methodological quality should be conducted.

Acute Effects of Different Rest Intervals Between Sets of Resistance Exercise on Neuromuscular Fatigue in Trained Older Women.

Jambassi Filho, JC, Gurjão, ALD, Prado, AKG, Gallo, LH, and Gobbi, S. Acute effects of different rest intervals between sets of resistance exercise on neuromuscular fatigue in trained older women. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2235-2240, 2020-The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of different rest intervals (RIs) between sets on total volume, time under tension, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and integrated electromyography (iEMG) activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles. Twenty-one resistance-trained older women (66.4 ± 4.4 years; 69.1 ± 11.4 kg; 157.5 ± 5.0 cm) completed 3 different test sessions, performed 48-72 hours apart, in a randomized and counterbalanced within-subjects design. In 2 test sessions, the participants performed 3 sets to voluntary exhaustion with loads that corresponded to 15 maximum repetitions, with either 1-minute RI (RI-1) or 3-minute RI (RI-3). In another test session, the participants remained at rest for 15 minutes. The total volume of exercise and time under tension for the RI-3 session was statistically higher (p ≤ 0.05) than the RI-1 session. Postexercise MVC for the RI-3 session showed significantly greater reductions (-7.8%; p ≤ 0.05) compared with the RI-1 and control sessions. No significant changes in postexercise iEMG activity of the VL and VM were shown for any of the sessions (all p > 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that different RIs between sets lead to different acute neuromuscular responses. The longer RI seemed to induce higher neuromuscular fatigue, likely due to higher total volume and time under tension. Thus, longer RI may be a strategy that possibly would lead to greater long-term gains in muscle strength and hypertrophy of the lower limbs in trained older women.

Relação entre força isométrica de extensão de joelhos e quadris e o desempenho na virada olímpica do nado livre / Relationship between isometric strength of knee and hip extension and the performance at the flip turn of freestyle

O estudo objetivou verificar a correlação da força isométrica de extensão de joelho e quadris com o desempenho na virada do nado livre. Participaram do estudo 9 nadadores com experiência em competições de natação (idades: 23,11 ± 4,20 anos; estatura: 178 ± 0,05 cm; massa: 77,73 ± 8,56 kg; IMC: 24,46 ± 2,40 kg/m²). Um transdutor de força acoplado ao aparelho leg press horizontal foi usado para determinar a contração voluntária máxima e a taxa de desenvolvimento de força pico em três diferentes ângulos de joelho (78,4 ± 5,9o ; 100,4 ± 5,3o ; 116,2 ± 8,8o ) durante extensão máxima de joelhos e quadris. O desempenho da virada do nado livre foi registrado por videogametria subaquática e analisado por meio do software Kinovea 08.15. Cada nadador realizou três viradas máximas sendo registrado o melhor tempo entre as tentativas. Foram utilizadas média e desvio padrão, ANOVA one-way, correlação de Pearson e α= 0,05. Os resultados indicaram que os maiores ângulos registraram maiores picos de contração voluntária máxima: 2279,14 ± 441,89 N; 4690,98 ± 1148,06 N; 5052,57 ± 1349,92 N e taxa de desenvolvimento de força pico: 18068,33 ± 3238,18 N/s; 24790,11 ± 7214,60 N/s; 25684,88 ± 9366,64 N/s. A correlação foi significativa (r = - 0,74) entre o desempenho da virada do nado livre (1,80 ± 0,14s) e a contração voluntária máxima no maior ângulo. Logo, a capacidade de membros inferiores em produzir força máxima, em ângulos de extensão de joelhos e quadris próximos a 116°, pode ter importante papel no desempenho da virada. Além do mais, essa avaliação pode ser uma ferramenta na avaliação e prescrição de treinamento de viradas...(AU)

The study aimed to assess the correlation between isometric strength of knee and hip extension and the performance at freestyle flip turn. Participated in the study 9 swimmers with experience in swim championships (age: 23.11 ± 4.20 years, height: 178 ± 0.05 cm, weight: 77.73 ± 8.56 kg, BMI: 24.46 ± 2.40 kg/m²) comprised the sample. A transducer unit coupled to the horizontal leg press was used to determine the maximum voluntary contraction and rate of strength development peak at three different angles of knee (78.4 ± 5,9o ; 100.4 ± 5.3o ; 116.2 ± 8.8o ) during maximal knee extension and hip. The freestyle flip turn performance was recorded by an underwater camera and subsequently analyzed by Kinovea 08.15 software. Each swimmer performed three maximal attempts and recorded the best time. Mean, standard deviation, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and α = 0.05 were used. The results indicated a larger angles recorded highest peaks of maximum voluntary contraction: 2279.14 ± 441.89 N; 4690.98 ± 1148.06 N; 5052.57 ± 1349.92 N and peak rate force development:18068.33 ± 3238.18 N/s, 24790.11 ± 7214.60 N/s, 25684.88 ± 9366.64 N/s. The correlation was significant (r = - 0.74) between the performance at freestyle flip turn (1.80 ± 0,14s) and the maximum voluntary contraction in wider angle. Thus, the ability of the lower limbs to produce maximum force in angles of knee extension and hip near 116°, may play a role in performance at freestyle flip turn. Furthermore, this assessment can be a tool in the evaluation and training of the turning....(AU)

Effect of different rest intervals, between sets, on muscle performance during leg press exercise, in trained older women.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of different rest intervals (RI) between sets on number of repetitions, sustainability of repetitions, and total volume during a leg press exercise. Seventeen resistance-trained older women (68.0 ± 5.9 years, 71. 2 ± 11.7 kg, 1.58 ± 0.07 m) participated in the study. All participants performed three sets to voluntary exhaustion, with loads that corresponded to 15 maximum repetitions, in two experimental sessions (that ranged from 48 to 72 hours apart). In each session, one of two RI (one-minute: RI-1 and three minute: RI-3) was tested, employing a randomized and counterbalanced design. For both RI, significant reductions (p < 0.05) were observed in the number of repetitions and sustainability of repetitions, from the first to the second and third sets. Differences (p < 0.05) between the RI also were observed in the two final sets. The total volume for the RI-3 session was statistically higher (29.4%, p < 0.05) as compared to the RI-1 session. The length of the RI between sets influenced the number of repetitions, sustainability of repetitions, and total volume. The longer RI should be used, therefore, when the goal of training is to increase the total volume. Key pointsThis study examined the influence of rest intervals, between sets, on muscle performance during leg press exercise, in trained older women.When multiple sets were performed to voluntary exhaustion, neither short and long rest interval (1 and 3 minutes, respectively) promoted the sustainability of repetitions in subsequent sets.A longer rest interval seems to be necessary for a higher number of repetitions in subsequent sets, and with increase in time of tension and total volume.