Category Archives: News
Low libido through endurance training
Endurance exercise increases endurance and improves health. A little extra endurance can go a long way in the bedroom as well. However too much of a good thing never helped anyone and this is true for endurance exercise as well. But does endurance exercise lower sexual libido? Researchers from the University of North Carolina were very interested and performed the following study.
The next evolution of interval training
Scientists are never satisfied. It has been known for some time that high intensity interval training (HIIT for the experts) is more effective and efficient than regular endurance exercise to improve your endurance and lose weight. However, interval training is not a complete form of exercise, because it does not improve muscle strength. Scientist from the Saskatchewan Canada developed a more complete form of training and performed a study on it while they were at it. These were their results.
Stretching and Strength Training
It has been often said that strength training decreases flexibility because the muscle get stiffer from the high loads placed upon them. Static stretching can help increase flexibility but performed before strength training it reduces strength and stability. Dynamic stretching, in contrast to static stretching, has been shown to be an effective and safe method to warm up prior to strength training, and is also an effective method to increase flexibility in beginners. However, what effect does dynamic stretching have on strength training effects and does strength training really decrease flexibility? To find out the effects of stretching on strength training, scientists from the University of Rio de Janeiro started the following study.
Difference between the High Bar Back Squat and the Low Bar Back Squat
The barbell back squat is a very popular and effective exercise to increase the strength and size of leg muscles. However there are two different variants of the barbell back squat. The high bar back squat and the low bar back squat. Weightlifters and strength and power athletes mostly use the high bar back squat or “Olympic Style” squat. Which is characterized by a narrower stance and upright torso. The barbell is placed on top of the trapezius muscle around the 7th cervical vertebrae. Powerlifters mostly use the low barb back squat because they believe that it allows higher weights. Stance width is more variable but the trunk is more inclined than during a high bar back squat. Bar placement varies from on top of the posterior deltoids, below the scapular spine, on the scapular spine or two inches below the shoulders. To determine the differences between the effects of the high bar and low bar back squat, researchers performed the following study.
Low back pain exercise therapy: Swiss ball or floor exercises?
Low back pain 
affects most people at least once in their lives. Although most cases of low back pain go away without any therapy or other intervention, some become chronic and require a form of therapy. Several forms of exercise therapy have been proven effective. Among these is exercise therapy using a Swiss ball. However, there is some debate as to whether exercises using the Swiss Ball are more effective in treating chronic low back pain than the same kind of exercises performed on the floor. The following study performed by researchers from Daegu University in South Korea aimed to find an answer to the question which form of low back pain exercise is most effective.
Effects of hand position in lat pulldown and pull-ups
The lat pulldown and pull-ups are very effective and well know fitness exercises, which offer many possibilities and variations. A complete overview on how these variations influenced muscle activity was lacking until now. To find out, scientists from the University of Salford United Kingdom combined the results of many different studies investigating the effects hand position in lat pulldown and pull ups on muscle activation. Find out their findings in this article.
Effects of strength training movement speed on training results
(1-13-2013) The speed at which repetitions you perform fitness exercises plays an important role in the effect of strength training. Depending on movement speed, different muscle fibers are targeted and adapt their contraction speed if possible. Most people interested in increasing muscle mass, often use slow movement speeds to increase muscle fatigue and time under tension. To study the effects of strength training movement speed on training results, researchers from Brazil compared training at two different movement velocities.
Strength training frequency and strength gains.
How often should you perform
strength training for maximum effect on strength gains? The effect of strength training frequency on strength gains is much debated by scientists, coaches and exercisers alike. Is training more often always better, is there a ‘best bang for your buck’ strength training frequency or can you get away with less frequent training to increase your strength? To answer these questions, researchers performed the following study.
Effects of training order
(12-16-2012) Strength training is a very effective means to increase concentrations of hormones like testosterone and cortisol. These hormones are believed to be one of the important factors responsible for training related adaptations in our muscles. Many athletes are therefore interested in ways to optimise the production of these hormones. A common question is what order of training leads to optimal results? Performing strength training first followed by endurance training or vice versa? Scientists from the University published an article this month investigating the hormonal effects of training order in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. So what is better for muscle growth: Cardio followed by strength training or strength training followed by cardio? Find out below.
Interval training with coronary artery disease
(9-4-2013) People suffering from cardiovascular 
disease benefit greatly from proper training. Especially cardiovascular exercise, which exercises the heart, leads to many positive effects regarding health and daily functioning. Despite the many advantages many heart patients have difficulty finding the time to exercise regularly. To find a solution for this excuse, scientists from the University of Ontario Canada performed a study regarding the effects of an interval training with coronary artery disease patients.
BOSU vs T-Bow vs Stable Surface Training
Training on unstable surfaces 
has gained much popularity in recent years. Performing exercises on a Swiss Ball, BOSU Balance Trainer or T-Bow is said to increase muscle activity in stabilizing muscle groups. Therefore it should be more effective than the same exercises performed in stable situations in increasing muscle strength. Scientists from the University of Valencia, Spain set out to test this theory and compare the effects of training on different unstable surfaces with exercises performed on stable surfaces. So which is more effective? Training using a BOSU vs T-Bow vs training on a stable surface?
Music influences recovery after exercise
Many professional and recreational athletes alike want to increase performance and undertake vigorous training or use supplements to allow them to train at a higher intensity or recover more quickly. But although the mind is one of, if not the largest limiting factor on performance, the effects of motivational music on performance, and how music influences recovery in particular, had never been well studied up until now.
Effects of stretching on strength training
(09-10-2013) Stretching is often performed 
before or during a workout to increase mobility, reduce risk of injury and to warm up the muscles. Although previous research has indicated that static stretching beforehand does not reduce injury rate or warm up the muscles, researchers were interested in the longer term effects of stretching on strength training effects which were unknown until now.
Interval training surface: sand or grass?
Outdoor training is increasing
in popularity and interval training, one of the most effective and efficient methods to increase endurance, is very suitable to try outside the gym. Outdoor training can be performed on different surfaces. To find out to what extent interval training surface influences training effects, scientists from Australia started the following study.
Training on an empty stomach for weight loss
(12-14-2014) To succesfully lose weight
the combination of a healthy diet with caloric restriction combined with training is more effective than using a diet or training alone. The last few years quite some research has been performed on endurance training on an empty stomach. These studies showed that fat metabolism was increased directly after fasted exercise compared with regular fed exercise. In addition fasted exercise improved insulin sensitivity and lead to a better glucose tolerance. These adaptations should in theory help weight and fat loss. To test this hypothesis, scientists performed a study to answer whether training on an empty stomach is more effective for weight loss.
Weight loss after pregnancy using videogames
(02-25-2014) Losing weight after pregnancy
can be quite difficult and the gained weight often remains where it is. Different studies have shown that physical activity and fitness exercise are effective ways to make the additional pregnancy pounds disappear. Many young mothers however find it difficult to keep up regular exercise because the young baby requires a lot of attention and leaving the house to exercise is often difficult. Certrain computer games require people to exercise to play. Researchers from Japan performed a study on the effectiveness of playing these active computer games on weight loss after pregnancy.
Effects of Strongman Training on Testosterone Levels
(03-22-2013) Training to increase muscle 
mass is usually done in the gym performing well known exercises such as the bench press or squat or equivalent machines. Athletes interested in increasing strength and power such as football, wrestling, rugby and basketball players are said to greatly benefit from Strongman training. Strongman training incorporates compound movements such as pulling and pressing oddly shaped objects such as stones, sleds, keg barrels, tractor tires and trucks. An important factor in training for muscle mass is an increased testosterone production following a training session. To determine if Strongman training is an effective way to increase muscle mass, researchers from New York conducted the following study investigating the effect of Strongman training on testosterone levels.
Kettlebell training effects on strength and power
(02-15-2013) Kettlebells are popular
training aids in strength and endurance training or used to improve sports performance in competing athletes. Few studies have been performed to kettlebell training up until now. Scientists of the Long Island University in New York were interested in the transferring effects of kettlebell training on strength and power in weightlifting exercises and set up the following study.
Tabata training using kettlebell swings vs strength training
(08-17-2014) Interval training is increasing in 
popularity because it is an effective method to lose weight, lose fat and improve endurance. There are several different methods, but the best known is probably the method of researcher Izumi Tabata. His world famous study investigated the effects of his Tabata interval protocol and had major implications for the world of fitness because of the great results achieved in a relatively short amount of time. Tabata interval training is not only applicable to running and cycling, but to almost any intensive training form. Because kettlebell training is becoming increasingly popular, scientists from the United States compared a traditional strength protocol with a Tabata interval training using the kettlebell swing.
Interval training vs endurance training for weight loss
(7-25-2014) High intensity interval training,
also known as HIIT is increasing in popularity because of its’ effectiveness in increasing endurance. It has also been consistantly shown that it is more effective in helping weight loss and stimulating fat metabolism than endurance training at one steady state intensity. Most interval training protocols used in those studies were quite high in intensity, but did take a fair amount of time to complete. To see if a shorter high intensity interval training can be effective as well, scientists of the Universities of West and Central Florida performed the following study which investigates which is better: interval training vs endurance training.