Validity and Reliability of the Seated Medicine Ball Throw as a Measure of Upper Body Power in Older Women

Effects of nonspecific chronic neck pain on balance, visuomotor reaction time and upper extremity explosive strength in young females

BACKGROUND

The cervical region is highly enriched with sensory receptors, and chronic pain in this area can disrupt afferent signals, potentially affecting motor function and balance.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of nonspecific chronic neck pain on balance, visuomotor reaction time, and upper extremity explosive strength in young females. The secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between neck pain intensity and the evaluated parameters.

METHODS

Forty-three participants (Neck Pain Group: 21 participants; Healthy Group: 22 participants) were included. Static balance was assessed with the One-Leg Standing Test (OLST), and dynamic balance with the Lower Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT). Visuomotor reaction time was measured using the FitLight Trainer™ system, consisting of 8 RGB Laser LEDs. The Seated Medicine Ball Throw Test was employed to assess upper extremity explosive strength.

RESULTS

Participants in the neck pain group exhibited significantly lower scores on the eyes-closed OLST (p = 0.045) and the composite YBT (p = 0.028) for the dominant lower extremity. Visuomotor reaction time was significantly prolonged in the neck pain group (p = 0.032), while performance in the medicine ball throw test was significantly reduced (p = 0.030). Pain intensity was correlated with visuomotor reaction time (r = 0.454; p = 0.002) and the composite YBT score of the dominant lower extremity (r = -0.356; p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

This study's findings indicate that chronic neck pain negatively impacts balance, visuomotor reaction time, and upper extremity explosive strength. Furthermore, a moderate correlation was observed between pain intensity and both visuomotor reaction time and dynamic balance, suggesting that greater pain intensity is associated with greater functional impairment.

Leg Press and Chest Press Power Normative Values by Half Decade in Older Women

ABSTRACT

Parrino, RL, Martinez, KJ, Konlian, JA, Conti, JM, and Signorile, JF. Leg press and chest press power normative values by half decade in older women. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 991-998, 2024-Neuromuscular power is essential for the performance of most activities of daily living and the maintenance of functional independence throughout the aging process. Power declines rapidly in later life; however, this decline may be reduced or delayed with early detection and intervention. Therefore, this study provides leg press and chest press power normative values for older women. Women's power data for this analysis included 229 participants, 60-90 years of age. Power testing was conducted on Keiser A420 pneumatic leg press and chest press machines following a standardized protocol. Data were stratified into half-decade age groups and analyzed using a 1-way ANOVA. Descriptive statistics and quartile rankings are reported, and significant differences between age groups are outlined. There were significant differences in absolute and relative leg press peak power between the age groups ( p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in absolute or relative chest press peak power between the age groups. This research established normative values and quartile rankings for leg press and chest press power in older women 60-90 years of age, allowing comparative evaluations with patients and subjects by clinicians and researchers, respectively. These values should improve exercise interventions designed to improve power production by providing assessments of subjects' current status and allowing comprehensive monitoring of progress.

Prediction of Upper-Body Power During the Seated Medicine Ball Throw in Older Women

ABSTRACT

Parrino, RL, Strand, KL, San Ly, A, Barry, SS, Liscano, JA, Trebotich, L, Martin-Diala, C, Martin, E, and Signorile, JF. Prediction of Upper-body power during the seated medicine ball throw in older women. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2022-Upper-body power, the product of muscular strength and movement velocity, is a core measure used by clinicians and researchers alike, to assess functional independence in older persons. Nevertheless, the evaluation of upper-body power is often impractical due to prohibitive cost, as well as space, equipment, and technical demands. Therefore, this study was designed to establish a predictive equation for upper-body peak power (PPUB) using the seated medicine ball throw (SMBT). Thirty-five older women (75.2 6.4y) completed the SMBT and pneumatic resistance chest press peak power (CPPP) testing. A stepwise multiple regression was used to produce a predictive model using CPPP to assess PPUB. The model included SMBT distance (SMBTD) and medicine ball mass (MBMass) as significant predictors (PPUB[W] = 96.719·SMBTD [m] + 37.164·MBMass [kg]-104.499; r = 0.752; SEE = 41.41 W; p < 0.001). The performance of this model was confirmed through a cross-validation analysis using 70% (n = 23; r = 0.709; p < 0.001) and 30% (n = 12; r = 0.823; p < 0.001) of the sample. Reliability was confirmed using intraclass correlation, coefficient of variation, standard error of measurement, and Bland-Altman analyses for both MBMass. This model provides an easily accessible and reliable tool, using SMBTD and MBMass, for predicting PPUB in older women as a marker of quality of life, functional independence, and ability to complete activities of daily living.

Effects of strength training in fibromyalgia on balance, neuromuscular performance, and symptomatic analysis: a 12-week study protocol

Fibromyalgia affects skeletal muscles presenting with muscle stiffness, pain, and fatigue. The exercise practice is wellstabilized and suggested for the reduction of symptoms. However, there are some gaps in the literature related to balance and neuromuscular performance in a strength training protocol. The aim of this study is to structure a protocol to verify the effects of strength training applied over a short period, on balance, neuromuscular performance, and fibromyalgia symptoms. Additionally, we intend to analyze the effects of a short period of cessation of training. Participants will be recruited through flyers, internet advertisements, clinical referrals, health professionals, and email outreach. Volunteers will be randomly assigned to the control group or experimental group. Before the training period, symptoms (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale), balance (force plate), and neuromuscular performance (medicine ball throw and vertical jump) will be assessed. Participants in the experimental group will perform strength training twice a week (50 min each), on alternate days, for 8 weeks (16 sessions). Then, 4 weeks of detraining will be completed. This training program will be carried out online, using real-time videos, and the participants will be divided into two groups with different schedules. The Borg scale will be used to monitor perceived effort in each session. There is a gap in the literature about exercise prescriptions for fibromyalgia. The supervised online intervention enables a wide range of participation. The strength exercises used (without the use of external materials and/or machines) and load (few repetitions per set) represent a novelty to training programming. Moreover, this training program respects the limitations and individuality of the volunteers, providing exercise adaptations. With positive results, the present protocol could be an easy-to-apply guideline with clear instructions on the details related to exercise prescription. Also, ensure the effectiveness of a low-cost and feasible treatment, especially for fibromyalgia patients.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT05646641.