FitBit's News You Can Use

Here's the December update from Exercise ETC.

FitBits
December 31, 2005
Exercise ETC’s Review of Exercise Related Research
Compiled by Jeannie Patton, MS, CSCS

Testosterone Supplementation Greatly Increases Muscle Size in Elderly Men

Many older adults experience a loss of muscle mass and strength due to deconditioning, illness, injury or major surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the benefit of progressive resistance training and testosterone administration to improve muscle strength and cross-sectional area for elderly men.

Seventy-one males with an average age of 78 served as subjects and were randomly placed into one of four exercise groups. The groups consisted of low-intensity resistance training (20% of the one repetition maximum) with injections of either testosterone or a placebo and high-intensity resistance training (80% 1RM) with injections of either testosterone or a placebo. Each subject received training and injections for 12 weeks.

Strength improved in all 4 groups, but was statistically greater in the high-intensity training group. Subjects who had the testosterone injections saw significantly greater increases in cross-sectional area than the placebo group, but not significant gains in strength. Interestingly, no protocol resulted in significant increases in functional
capacity.

The results of this study indicate that high-intensity strength training produces greater gains in muscle strength, but that the addition of testosterone significantly increased cross-sectional area. This study indicates that Fitness Professionals have a range of program design options in designing training programs to meet their clients’ goals. In addition, trainers should remember that gains in muscle strength and size do not necessarily parallel gains in function.

Sullivan, Dennis, H. et al. Effects of muscle strength training and testosterone in frail elderly males. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2005: 37(10), 1664-1672.

Can I get a "Well, no shit?" It should not even require a study to determine that if you give testosterone-deficient older men some of the magic T, they will increase their muscle mass and strength, especially with higher intensity training. Who gives away money for such dumbass studies? And how do I get some?

On the other hand, there are still doctors who do not believe that steroids have any use whatsoever. For them, I guess these studies are necessary.

Post-rehab Exercise Critical To Restore Strength After Knee Replacement

The first few months after knee replacement surgery are critical to restore the function of the knee extensors (quadriceps). The purpose of this study was to document quadriceps strength before knee replacement and to compare it to results at 30 and 60 days following unilateral knee replacement surgery.

Thirty-eight men and women with an average age of 72 served as subjects. Force production of the knee extensors was assessed before surgery and at 30 and 60 days after surgery.

The study demonstrated a significant reduction in force production in the involved limb after the surgery: Force production was at its lowest level 30 days following surgery. By 60 days after the surgery, strength had improved and approached pre-surgical levels.

The results of this study clearly document the necessity for rehabilitation to continue for at least 60 days, which is when many physical therapy programs cease. Keep in mind, though that this only brings the strength up to pre-surgical levels which were deficient (compared to the uninvolved limb) to begin with. This study documents the necessity for post-rehabilitation and/or home exercise programs past the 60-day period.

Rossi, Mark, D. et al. Early strength response of the knee extensors during eight weeks of resistive training after unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2005, 19(4), 944-949.

Having worked with several joint replacement clients, I can personally attest to the necessity of post-rehab training. Further, personal training for the first six months should be covered by insurance--that's how important it is for the patient.

As a side note: the better condition the patient is in going into surgery, the faster and more completely s/he will recover. All joint replacement patients should be encouraged to build as much functional strength as possible prior to surgery. And doctors should use glutamine and branched chain amino acids as part of the IV drip during and after surgery, as well as prescribing these supplements post surgery to maintain as much muscle mass and strength as possible until rehab can begin. It's the little things, people.