Research and News
Posts tagged strength training
Both Thera-Band and Aquafins resistance improve strength and overall health
Feb 8th
It has been well-established that resistance training improves muscular strength and physical capacity. Other health-related benefits include reduction of body fat and improvement in blood lipids. In addition to traditional isotonic resistance training (free weights, machines), elastic bands and aquatic resistance can be used for strengthening exercises. Research shows that elastic resistance produces the same gains in strength as more expensive weight machines; however, elastic resistance has never been directly compared to aquatic resistance in terms of effectiveness.
Researchers in Spain compared Thera-Band® elastic band strengthening to aquatic strengthening including Aquafins® aquatic training in a group of post-menopausal women. The subjects were randomly assigned to the elastic, aquatic, or non-exercising control group. The 24 week periodized program used the OMNI scale for perceived exertion to ensure both groups trained at the same intensity. Each group performed the same exercises with different types of resistance. After the training program, both the elastic and aquatic groups equally improved their body composition (12-15% reduction in body fat), blood pressure (6-8% reduction), physical capacity (13-52% improvement) and blood chemistry (11% increase in HDL) compared to the control group.
These results confirm that both dry land and aquatic training are effective and beneficial in middle-aged women. This information is particularly useful More >
Exercise program for Leukemia successful
Dec 11th
Leukemia, cancer of the blood cells and bone marrow, accounts for 10% of new cancer cases in the US. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy treatment for leukemia is quite debilitating, causing fatigue, nausea, and loss of body mass. Exercise has been shown beneficial in several types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer; however, few studies if any have investigated exercise in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the same time.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill completed a study to determine the feasibility of providing in-hospital exercise to acute leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy, and to evaluate its effects. 8 patients completed the program 3 to 4 times per week over 3 to 5 weeks. They also continued aerobic exercises at home upon returning home from the hospital. The patients used elastic bands, dumbbells, and exercise balls.
Download the leukemia exercise protocol here
The patients had a significant reduction in total fatigue and depression, as well as a significant increase in cardiorespiratory endurance. They also were able to maintain their muscular endurance over the course of treatment. The authors pointed out that the low loss of muscle mass in the patients was clinically significant because extreme weight loss is a strong predictor of poor treatment outcomes.
