FitBits
Exercise ETC's Monthly Research Review
March 2008
Compiled by Chris Marino, MS, CSCS
Director of Education, Exercise ETC
Golf
May Damage
Knee Replacements
Spring is in the air and Americans will soon be hitting the greens in ever-increasing numbers. This year there is a new concern for a subsection of golfers, those who have had a knee replacement. Researchers implanted force-measuring devices in the prosthetics of four patients receiving total knee replacements. For the first time, this allowed researchers to actually measure strain from the inside. Reuters Health published highlights from the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in March.
The surgeons assessed six activities: ground walking, treadmill walking, jogging, cycling, tennis and golf. Researchers determined that golf, tennis, and jogging generated considerable strain on knee replacements. The least strain occurred during ground walking, treadmill walking and cycling in order from most to least, respectively.
A typical knee replacement has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. To ensure longevity of the prosthetic reducing joint "wear" is a factor to consider when recommending recreational activities following total knee replacements.
Although the perception by golfers is of a lower intensity effort, apparently the actual demands on the knee and risk of "wear" are quite high. The twisting force on the lead knee during the downswing and follow-through may damage the implant. Golfers are thus being encouraged to take caution following knee replacement and to learn ways of modifying their swing to protect their new knee(s).
Anthony J. Brown. (2008) Golf puts high stress on replacement knees. Reuters Health.
Kuster, M.S. (2002) Exercise recommendations after total joint replacement: a review of the current literature and proposal of scientifically based guidelines. Sports Med. 2002;32(7):433-45.
New Light Shed on Longevity
The overmedication of Americans has been a hot topic in recent years. In fact, according to an article recently published in Business Week the number of prescriptions filled by adult and elderly Americans is 12 and 30 a year, respectively. Unfortunately, most people continue to avoid making recommended lifestyle changes that have proven to reduce risk for disease and disability. Instead, the influence of big pharmaceuticals furiously fuels the belief that drugs hold the key to both long life and better quality of life. Not so fast! The results of a recent study strongly suggest that drugs are not a prominent factor in whether you will live an exceptionally long life.
Researchers at Harvard University say there are only two factors consistent with living to be 90: exercise and not smoking. This conclusion was made after reevaluating information obtained from the Physician's Health Study, which was completed in 2006. This particular project followed 12,000 male doctors over 26 years to track the effects of aspirin and beta-carotene on health. They were unable to draw conclusions on those variables.
Although medications have proven effective in treating a variety of diseases they don't appear to be responsible for helping you live longer. This information serves as a reminder that encouraging physical activity for the masses will take persistence. Most Americans continue to view physical exercise as an inconvenience.
John
Carey. (2008) Fewer Pills, Longer Life. Business Week
More Proof that Exercise is Energizing!
Fatigue is a growing complaint among large numbers of Americans. Researchers speculate that a change in metabolism resulting from sedentary lifestyles may be responsible. But -- will increasing physical activity levels reverse this state? Previous research has shown exercise to improve energy and reduce fatigue in those afflicted with heart disease and cancer, but not in presumably healthy populations.
Researchers assessed vigor and fatigue along with aerobic fitness levels in 36 sedentary young adults with chronic feelings of fatigue. No participants had previously received a diagnosis to explain their fatigue. For 6 weeks, participants stationary cycled with supervision 3 days per week at either moderate or low-intensities. A control group did not exercise.
After 6 weeks, both exercise groups reported improved energy levels by nearly 20%. The effects of exercise on fatigue were intensity-dependent, with the low-intensity group experiencing a 65% improvement in fatigue scores.
The
researchers concluded that low-intensity exercise could be used to combat
persistent fatigue. Sedentary populations should be encouraged
that a less than brisk 20-minute walk could be used to
improve energy throughout the day.
Puetz,
T.W., et al (2008) A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of Aerobic
Exercise Training on Feelings of Energy and Fatigue in Sedentary Young
Adults with Persistent Fatigue. Psychother Psychosom 77:167-174
Does Strength Training Slow You Down? The Jury is Still Out
Competitive runners have historically shunned resistance exercise. Many fear increasing body mass that is presumed to occur with strength training will lead to slower running times. A recent study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research "may" quell some of that anxiety.
Sixteen young women with little to no strength training background participated in a study designed to evaluate the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training on 3-K running performance. Participants were subdivided into 2 groups: endurance training and endurance training with strength training (CSE). Researchers assessed running economy, maximal Vo2, strength and anthropometrics for the two groups.
The results indicated a trend towards improved performance existed, although the researchers are unable to confirm its significance. If there had been a larger sample size the statistical significance would have shown an improvement in 3K performance. Nonetheless, the CSE group did experience many positive benefits such as increased upper and lower body strength. They did not, however, gain significant body mass.
Interestingly, the researchers speculate that improvements in running performance were a result of increased stride length and not improvement in running economy. Strength training has previously been found to improve running economy.
Kelly,
C.M., et al (2008) The Effect of Strength Training on Three-Kilometer
Performance in Recreational Women Endurance Runners. J. Strength Conditioning
Research. 22(2): 396-403.
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