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Low-volume muscular endurance and strength training during 3-week forearm immobilization was effective in preventing functional deterioration

Mika Matsumura1,2, Chihoko Ueda3, Kiyoshi Shiroishi1,4, Kazuki Esaki1, Fumiko Ohmori5, Kuniko Yamaguchi6, Shiro Ichimura7, Yuko Kurosawa8, Ryotaro Kime1, Takuya Osada1, Norio Murase1, Toshihito Katsumura1, Akinori Hoshika2 and Takafumi Hamaoka1,5*

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Sports Medicine for Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical University, 6-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8402, Japan

2 Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan

3 Research Institute of Physical Fitness, Japan Women's College of Physical Education, 8-19-1 Kita-Karasuyama, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8565, Japan

4 Department of Judotherapy and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, Ryotokuji University, 5-8-1 Akemi, Urayasu-City, Chiba, 279-8567, Japan

5 Department of Sports Medicine and Science, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Shiromizu-cho 1, Kanoya, Kagoshima, 891-2393, Japan

6 Department of Food and Nutrition, Yamanashi Gakuin Junior College, 2-4-5 Sakaori, Kofu City, Yamanashi, 400-8575, Japan

7 Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki Noda City, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan

8 Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, 3125 Eden Ave, 2327 Vontz Center for Molecular Studies PO Box 670536 Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0536, USA

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Dynamic Medicine 2008, 7:1 doi:10.1186/1476-5918-7-1

Published: 15 January 2008

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether endurance and strength hand grip exercises during 3-week upper limb immobilization preserve muscle oxidative capacity, endurance performance and strength.

Methods

Ten healthy adult men underwent non-dominant forearm immobilization by plaster cast for 21 days. Five healthy adult subjects were designated as the immobilization (IMM) group and five were designated as the immobilization + training (IMM+TRN) group. Grip strength, forearm circumference, dynamic handgrip endurance and muscle oxygenation response were measured before and after the 21 day immobilization period. Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), muscle oxygen consumption recovery (VO2mus) was recorded after a submaximal exercise and the recovery time constant (TcVO2mus) was calculated. Reactive hyperemic oxygenation recovery was evaluated after 5 minutes ischemia. Two training programs were performed by the IMM+TRN group twice a week. One exercise involved a handgrip exercise at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) at a rate of 1 repetition per 1 second until exhaustion (about 60 seconds). The other involved a handgrip exercise at 70% MVC for 2 seconds with a 2 second rest interval, repeated 10 times (40 seconds).

Results

There was a significant group-by-time interaction between the IMM and IMM+TRN groups in the TcVO2mus (p = 0.032, F = 6.711). A significant group-by-time interaction was observed between the IMM and IMM+TRN groups in the MVC (p = 0.001, F = 30.415) and in grip endurance (p = 0.014, F = 9.791). No significant group-by-time interaction was seen in forearm circumference and reactive hyperemic oxygenation response either in IMM or IMM+TRN group.

Conclusion

The training programs during immobilization period used in this experiment were effective in preventing a decline in muscle oxidative function, endurance and strength.