PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate physiological and cognitive changes following a 6-week lower-body resistance training protocol. METHODS: Eight healthy men volunteered to participate in a 6-week resistance training protocol using the back squat (BS) and conventional deadlift (DL). Each participant went through a 1-week pre-testing period consisting of anthropometric measurements, vertical jump performance, 1-repetition maximum (1RM) testing of BS and DL, maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), cognitive performance, and total mood disturbance (TMD). Participants were then randomly placed into one of two experimental groups. The two groups were 90-seconds (90s) rest between sets (n= 5) and 3-minutes (3m) rest between sets (n= 3). Each group came into the lab for testing sessions twice per week, separated by at least forty-eight hours. In each session, the participants performed 3 sets of 5 repetitions using eighty-five percent of the previously determined 1RM for DL and BS. RESULTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a main effect of time for BS (p = 0.026), and main effect of group for vertical jump (p = 0.041). The 3m group increased BS performance (p = 0.020), while the 90s group improved vertical jump (p = 0.031). Group by time interactions were observed for two measures of cognitive performance: Interference score (p = 0.048) and Word-Color score (p = 0.050). Additionally, a group by time interaction was also observed for TMD (p = 0.004). Despite the trending increase of executive function in the 3m group, a worsened TMD score post-intervention was observed (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Minimal rest improved power within the 90s group while the 3m group significantly improved lower body strength. Cognitive function only appeared to improve in the 3m group. Despite no increase in strength for the 90s group, it appears minimal rest is advantageous for athletes looking to enhance power performance, although further research is necessary.

Early detection of impaired physical function is of vital importance in the effort to delay or prevent physical disability in older adults. Functional fitness test batteries have been developed and administered to older adults with this purpose in mind. The intent of this article is to describe how functional fitness testing of older adults was incorporated into an intergenerational service learning experience and to present benefits and challenges associated with the experience.

The prevalence of multivitamin use has increased in the United States among nearly every population. The CDC estimates that 40-55% of Americans consume either a dietary or multivitamin supplement daily. Previous research has suggested minimal physical performance benefits among individuals following a multivitamin supplementation (MvS) period in several populations. However, no research exists focusing solely on the potential psychological benefits of MvS. PURPOSE: To determine the potential psychological benefits from a MvS period among an aerobically untrained college aged population. METHODS: Twenty-four college students (20.9±2.6yrs) were divided into three groups (placebo, multivitamin, control) and asked to perform a six minute bout of moderate (60%VO2max) followed immediately by a two minute bout of high (85%VO2max) intensity exercise on a cycle ergometer. Perceived exertion scores were recorded every two minutes for three sites (legs, chest/breathing, overall) using the OMNI-RPE Scale. Following a daily three week supplementation period, the participants repeated the six minute bout of exercise at 60% and two minute bout 85% VO2max and RPE was again determined at all three sites. Comparisons of RPE values between the three groups were measured using repeated measures one-way ANOVAs. RESULTS: No significant differences existed between the RPEs of the three groups at: Legs at two (p =.704), four (p =.813), six (p =.903), or eight (p = 1.000) minutes; Chest/Breathing at two (p =.457), four (p =.457), six (p =.438), or eight (p =.286) minutes; Overall at two (p =.222), four (p =.786), six (p =.838), or eight (p =.386) minutes. CONCLUSION: Neither the multivitamin nor the placebo group perceived the post-supplementation exercise bout to be easier compared to the control group at any RPE site, time, or intensity.

Imbalance of the eccentrically-activated external rotator cuff muscles versus the concentrically-activated internal rotator cuff muscles is a primary risk factor for glenohumeral joint injuries in overhead activity athletes. Nonisokinetic dynamometer based strength training studies, however, have focused exclusively on resulting concentric instead of applicable eccentric strength gains of the external rotator cuff muscles. Furthermore, previous strength training studies did not result in a reduction in glenoumeral joint muscle imbalance, thereby suggesting that currently used shoulder strength training programs do not effectively reduce the risk of shoulder injury to the overhead activity athlete. Two collegiate women tennis teams, consisting of 12 women, participated in this study throughout their preseason training. One team (n = 6) participated in a 5-week, 4 times a week, external shoulder rotator muscle strength training program next to their preseason tennis training. The other team (n = 6) participated in a comparable preseason tennis training program, but did not conduct any upper body strength training. Effects of this strength training program were evaluated by comparing pre- and posttraining data of 5 maximal eccentric external immediately followed by concentric internal contractions on a Kin-Com isokinetic dynamometer (Chattecx Corp., Hixson, Tennessee). Overall, the shoulder strength training program significantly increased eccentric external total work without significant effects on concentric internal total work, concentric internal mean peak force, or eccentric external mean peak force. In conclusion, by increasing the eccentric external total exercise capacity without a subsequent increase in the concentric internal total exercise capacity, this strength training program potentially decreases shoulder rotator muscle imbalances and the risk for shoulder injuries to overhead activity athletes.