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COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT ROWING EXERCISES: TRUNK MUSCLE ACTIVATION AND LUMBAR SPINE MOTION, LOAD, AND STIFFNESS. Fenwick CM, Brown SH, McGill SM. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2009;23:350–358

The three rowing exercises investigated were the inverted row, the standing bent-over row and the standing

one-armed cable row. Results were obtained using surface electromyography (EMG) of selected trunk and hip muscles and electromagnetic spine position sensor, together with video analysis to calculate joint moments. Results: The inverted row elicited the highest activation of the latissimus dorsi muscles, upper back and hip extensor muscles. The lower activation of the lumbar erector spinae muscles during the inverted row corresponded to the lower spine load measured. The standing bent-over row produced large activation symmetrically across the back, but it produced the largest lumbar spine load. The one-armed cable row challenged the torsional capabilities of the trunk musculature.

sportEX comment Although this study suffers

from a very low number of participants (seven students), it does point the way towards maximising exercise goals. Some core exercises are better for rehabilitation, while others are better for endurance or strength training. The inverted row gives the least spine load. The standing bent-over row elicited large muscle activation symmetrically from the upper to the lower back but induced larger spine loads. If torsional endurance or strength is the training goal, then the one-armed cable row is the exercise of choice.

THE INFLUENCE OF MUSCLE ACTION ON HEART RATE, RATINGS OF PERCEIVED EXERTION (RPE), AND AFFECTIVE

RESPONSES AFTER UPPER-BODY RESISTANCE EXERCISE. Miller PC, Hall EE, Chmelo EA, et al. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2009;23:366–372

Using 31 college-aged women, measurements were taken over four sessions for chest press, seated row, overhead press and biceps curl, with the first session being used to establish the ten-repetition maximum (10-RM) load for each station. Subsequent sessions involved training in one of the three test conditions: concentric resistance (CE), eccentric resistance (EE) and traditional concentric/eccentric (TE). Participants performed three sets of each lift at 80%, 100% and 120% of 10-RM. Results: The data revealed lower ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during EE than during the other test conditions. Similarly, EE elicited a more mild heart rate response than either CE or TE.

sportEX comment This is important for people planning training programmes, especially in rehabilitation of an injury where the starting cardiovascular fitness levels are low or are compromised by illness or previous sedentary lifestyle.

MASSAGE AFTER EXERCISE: RESPONSES OF IMMUNOLOGIC AND ENDOCRINE MARKERS – A RANDOMIZED SINGLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY. Arroyo-Morales M, Olea N, Ruiz C, et al. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2009;23:638–644

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of massage on the endocrine and immune functions of healthy active volunteers after intense exercise. After repeated Wingate tests, the effects of whole-body massage and placebo on salivary cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA) and total protein levels were compared. Sixty healthy active subjects (23 women, 37 men) underwent

two exercise protocol sessions at least 2 weeks apart and at the same time of day. The first session familiarised participants with the protocol. In the second session, after a baseline measurement, subjects performed a standardised warm-up followed by three 30-s Wingate tests. After active recovery, subjects were randomly allocated to massage (40-min myofascial induction) or placebo (40-min sham electrotherapy) group. Saliva samples were taken before and after the exercise protocols and after recovery. Results: In both groups, the exercise protocol induced a significant increase in cortisol, decrease in salivary IgA (sIgA) and increase in total proteins in saliva. Generalised estimating equations showed a significant effect of massage on sIgA rate, a tendency towards significant effect on salivary total protein levels, and no effect on salivary flow rate or salivary cortisol. The sIgA secretion rate was higher after the recovery intervention than at baseline among women in the massage group, but similar to baseline levels among women in the placebo group.

sportEX comment Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone. It is often referred to as the “stress hormone”, as it is involved in response to stress and anxiety. It increases blood pressure and blood sugar, and reduces immune responses, and so having less of it is good. IgA is an antibody

playing a critical role in mucosal immunity, and so having more of it is good. This study shows that massage after exercise may favour recovery from the transient immunosuppression state induced by exercise in healthy active women. It is not unreasonable to extrapolate this to other athletic populations.

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