Effects of Hypopressive Exercise on Dynamic Neuromuscular Control in Female Roller-Skaters

The effects of hypopressive exercise (HE) on dynamic balance have never been studied. We aimed to study the effects of a HE program on dynamic balance, posterior chain kinematics and expiratory peak flow on female competitive roller skaters over a 6-week training period. Twenty competitive female roller-skaters (13-22 years of age, SD 2.25) performed a 30-minute HE session once weekly before the regular roller-skating practice for 6 weeks. The HE program consisted of breathing and postural awareness exercises in addition to 5 basic HE poses performed three times each. Dynamic neuromuscular control was assessed with the Y-Balance Test (YBT), posterior back chain kinematics with the sit and reach test and peak expiratory flow rate with a digital spirometer. Paired t-test revealed significant differences between the measurement periods for all YBT leg directions and composite score (p ≤ 0.01). Significant differences were also revealed between baseline and after the intervention for the sit and reach test (p ≤ 0.01) and peak expiratory flow (p = 0.01). No differences in forced expiratory volume in the first second were found (p = 0.04). These preliminary findings suggest that a 6-week HE program could be a feasible neuromuscular option for training dynamic balance, posterior back chain kinematics and peak expiratory flow in female roller-skaters.

Potential Benefits of a Single Session of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning and Walking in Sedentary Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has shown positive effects in endurance-type sports among healthy young individuals; however, its effects in endurance-type exercises in older adults have not been explored. We aimed to examine the acute effects of a single session of IPC prior to an endurance-type exercise on cardiovascular- and physical-function-related parameters in sedentary older adults. A pilot study with a time-series design was carried out. Nine participants were enrolled consecutively in the following intervention groups: (i) SHAM (sham IPC + walking) and (ii) IPC (IPC + walking) groups. The main outcomes were resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC), endurance performance, and perceived fatigue. After the intervention, the IPC group showed a significant reduction in SBP, whereas SpO2 decreased in the SHAM group. The IPC group maintained quadriceps MIVC levels, whereas these levels dropped in the SHAM group. No changes in DBP, resting HR, endurance, or fatigue in any group were observed. These findings are of interest for the promotion of cardiovascular and physical health in older people.

Integrative Neuromuscular Training Enhances Physical Fitness in 6- to 14-Year-Old Rugby Players

ABSTRACT

Alonso-Aubin, DA, Picón-Martínez, M, Rebullido, TR, Faigenbaum, AD, Cortell-Tormo, JM, and Chulvi-Medrano, I. Integrative neuromuscular training enhances physical fitness in 6- to 14-year-old rugby players. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2263-2271, 2021-The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an 8-week integrative neuromuscular training (INT) program on physical fitness measures in young rugby players. A sample of 138 male rugby players (age range, 6-14 years) was divided into 5 age-related groups: group 1 (G1) (n = 20; age, 7.05 ± 0.58), group 2 (G2) (n = 27; age, 8.57 ± 0.49), group 3 (G3) (n = 31; age, 11.02 ± 0.56), group 4 (G4) (n = 33; age, 13.12 ± 0.58, and group 5 (G5) (n = 27; age, 14.85 ± 1.53 and additionally into 2 game position groups: forwards (FOR) (n = 69) and backs (BAC) (n = 69). Physical fitness measures included the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), dominant and nondominant hand-to-eye coordination, sprint capacity, core muscular endurance, and lower- and upper-body power. Integrative neuromuscular training (INT) included progressive strength, coordination, and speed exercises performed twice per week for 20 minutes. Following INT, significant improvements in selected age-related groups (p < 0.01) were found in total FMS score G3 (effect size [ES] = 0.47), G4 (ES = 0.88), and G5 (ES = 0.58); dominant hand-to-eye coordination G1 (ES = 1.48), G2 (ES = 0.71), G3 (ES = 0.55), G4 (ES = 1.47), and G5 (ES = 1.15), nondominant hand-to-eye coordination G2 (ES = 0.74), G4 (ES = 1.34), and G5 (ES = 1.09); lower-body power G2 (ES = 0.44), G4 (ES = 0.39), and G5 (ES = 0.43); core muscular endurance G1 (ES = 0.82), G3 (ES = 0.68), and G4 (ES = 1.04); upper-body power G2 (ES = 0.53); and sprint capacity G4 (ES = 0.69). Significant improvements were also found between player's positions for all tests. These findings indicate that a progressive INT program can enhance functional movement abilities and selected physical fitness measures in young rugby players regardless of game position and age.