Loree L. Wagner’s research while affiliated with University of Nebraska–Lincoln and other places

This study examined the effect of rest interval length on repeated one-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press performance. Sixteen male college students (age = 22+/-2 yrs) who were experienced in the bench press exercise volunteered for this investigation. On the first laboratory visit the subjects' 1-RM was determined. The next four test sessions involved performing the 1-RM attempt two times, with the intertrial interval being 1, 3, 5, or 10 min. The results of a Cochran Q test found on significant (p > 0.05) difference in the ability to repeat a successful maximal bench press based on the rest interval lengths tested. These findings are consistent with previous research indicating a rapid return in maximal force production capabilities following a fatiguing task. These results indicate that 1-min rest intervals are sufficient for recovery between maximal strength tests. (C) 1994 National Strength and Conditioning Association

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the linearity and reliability of the surface integrated electromyogram (IEMG) v isometric torque relationship for the leg extensors and forearm flexors. Nine men and four women (mean age +/- SD = 22 +/- 2 yr) volunteered for this investigation. Isometric testing was conducted on a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer with the lever arm at 0.785 rad (45 degrees) below the horizontal plane for the leg extensors and in the vertical plane for the forearm flexors. Bipolar surface electrodes were used to record IEMG values from the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii. To examine test-retest reliability, two test sessions, separated by a minimum of 48 h, were performed. The test-retest linearity of the IEMG v torque relationship ranged from r2 = 0.77 to 0.96 and 0.55 to 0.94 for the forearm flexors and r2 = 0.81 to 0.98 and 0.83 to 0.98 for the leg extensors. The slope values were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between sessions and were correlated (intraclass correlation coefficients) at R = 0.86 (standard error of estimate (SEE) = 5.77 microV.Nm-1, 31% of the mean) and R = 0.97 (SEE = 0.27 microV.Nm-1, 12% of the mean) for the forearm flexors and leg extensors, respectively. The test-retest maximal torque values were 57.73 +/- 22.57 Nm and 58.14 +/- 22.81 Nm (R = 0.99; SEE = 2.39 Nm) for the forearm flexors and 187.79 +/- 55.98 Nm and 195.42 +/- 56.27 Nm (R = 0.96; SEE = 22.62 Nm) for the leg extensors (nonsignificant differences; P > 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there are gender differences in the isokinetic torque-velocity curves constructed from peak torque (PT) and constant joint angle (i.e., angle-specific torque) (CJA) torque values for leg flexion and extension. Ten female and ten male university students performed leg extension and flexion movements at velocities of 0, 48, 96, 144, 192, 240, and 288 deg/sec (zero, 0.84, 1.68, 2.51, 3.35, 4.19, and 5.03 rad/sec) on a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer. The results indicated that the plateau in CJA torque output for the men extended from 0 to 192 deg/sec (0–3.35 rad/sec) for leg extension and 0 to 96 deg/sec (0–1.68 rad/sec) for leg flexion. For the women, the torque plateau extended from 0 to 144 deg/sec (0–2.51 rad/sec) for leg extension and 0 to 48 deg/sec (0–0.84 rad/sec) for leg flexion. For both CJA and PT output, the men showed a smaller percent decline (relative to maximal values) than the women with increasing velocities. These findings support the presence of gender differences in the PT and CJA torque-velocity relationships for leg extension and flexion.

Previous studies have indicated an age effect in the strength of high school wrestlers. The purpose of this investigation was to quantify horizontal abduction and adduction strengths at the shoulder in high school wrestlers and to examine the age effect for these movements. Seventy-nine high school wrestlers (age = 16.28 +/- 1.26 yrs) were stratified into four groups corresponding to the ages of the wrestlers during their freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. The subjects were tested for horizontal abduction and adduction strength at the shoulder at 30, 180, and 300 degrees /sec. Body composition was determined from underwater weighing. The results of this study indicated that absolute peak torque and peak torque divided by body weight or fat-free weight increased across age at 30 degrees /sec for abduction and adduction as well as at 180 degrees /sec for adduction. No significant differences in absolute or relative strength across age were noted at 180 degrees /sec for abduction or at 300 degrees /sec for abduction and adduction. These results suggest an age effect for muscular strength development in high school wrestlers that is independent of increases in body weight and fat-free weight. In addition, these results provide normative data for comparisons with other athletes and nonathletes and may be used for assessing readiness to return to activity after in jury. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1992;15(4):183-186.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of grip width, chest depth, limb lengths, and bar path on the performance of a maximal bench press. Subjects were 24 experienced male weight trainers. Bench press performance was assessed at six different grip widths (G1–G6). Repeated-measures ANOVA with Tukey post hoc comparisons revealed that bench press strength values at the two moderate grip widths (G3 and G4) were significantly greater than either the narrow or wide grip widths. First-order partial correlations showed no significant relationship between strength values and anthropometric variables when adjusted for differences in body weight. Standard two-dimensional cinematographic procedures were used to film a subsample (n = 6) while bench pressing using G1, G3, and G6. The results of the statistical comparisons of bar path indicated that as grip width increased, the horizontal and vertical distance from the bar to the shoulder decreased.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine age-related differences in absolute and relative isokinetic shoulder strength of high school wrestlers. A total of 122 high school wrestlers (Mage = 16.31 ± 1.18 yrs) volunteered to be measured for arm flexion and extension strength at the shoulder joint using a Cybex II dynamometer at 30, 180, and 300°-s"'. The sample was divided into four age groups: 13.75-15.00 (n=22), 15.08-16.00 (n=27). 16.08-17.00 (n=34), and 17.08-18.83 years (n=39). The results ofthis study indicated significant increases in absolute and relative arm flexion and extension strength across age when covaried for BW and FFW. In addition, comparisons with previously published data indicated differences between muscle groups in the pattem of strength gains that were dependent upon the speed of muscular contraction and may have been influenced by fiber type distribution characteristics.