精神疲劳评价方法研究进展

长时间飞行活动所致的精神疲劳一直是航空航天医学中一个重要的课题。尤其随着我军航空技术的发展,精神疲劳已经成为影响飞行安全的重要原因之一。研究发现,精神疲劳发生时,机体的生理、心理、生化和工作绩效等功能会发生变化。例如,精神疲劳时,脑电图的theta波、delta波和alpha波发生变化、瞳孔直径增大、心率变异性的低频谱功率升高和高频谱功率降低、姿势控制能力下降、反应时延长、临界融合频率降低、血浆中氨基酸等功能性分子水平改变和认知能力的下降等。精神疲劳的客观评定方法就是研究者借助于某些设备来监测到这些变化,并根据这些变化对疲劳状态进行判断。本文将从生理、心理、生化和作业绩效等方面阐述了精神疲劳客观的评定方法,并指出了这些方法的优缺点。最后,本文对精神疲劳评价方法发展趋势做出了初步的判断,即我们应对精神疲劳进行综合量化评定,这样才能更全面准确地评估精神疲劳。     

静态姿势图在飞行任务负荷所致的疲劳评估中的作用

目的:研究静态姿势图在飞行任务负荷所致疲劳评估中的作用。方法:30名符合条件的男性大学生被要求持续进行4小时的模拟飞行任务负荷,其静态姿势图及任务负荷成绩将在每小时末进行重复测量。根据变化敏感的参数,静态立位平衡指数将通过主成分分析法进行计算。随后,该指数与任务负荷水平的相互关系将通过曲线拟合进行分析。结果:在模拟飞行任务负荷影响下,被试静态姿势控制能力明显下降。静态立位平衡指数随着任务负荷时间的持续而明显增大,并与任务负荷时间存在线性关系(R~2=0.949);多重任务成绩与任务负荷持续时间之间存在二次曲线的关系(R~2=0.968),与静态立位平衡指数也呈现相似的二次方曲线关系(R~2=0.976)。结论:静态姿势图与飞行任务负荷水平具有线性关系,能够反映任务负荷所致疲劳水平的大小。     

24h睡眠剥夺后作业效率与心率变异性的变化

目的:探索24h睡眠剥夺(Sleep Deprivation,SD)后作业效率和心率变异性的变化.方法:通过观察8名健康男性在24h睡眠剥夺前后的作业效率、主观脑力负荷和心率变异性的变化,寻找与脑力疲劳相关的敏感指标.结果:在24h睡眠剥夺后,NASA-TLX评分呈显著性增加(p＜0.05),75°立位时HF呈显著性减少(p＜0.05),TINN、LF/HF呈显著性增加(p＜0.05).结论:NAsA-TLX量表从主观感受上很好的反映了脑力疲劳后工作绩效下降的变化,HRV的变化主要原因在于24h SD后迷走神经活性降低,交感神经相对加强.     

48 h睡眠剥夺对正常人双重任务能力和疲劳感的影响

目的:观察48 h睡眠剥夺(SD)对正常人双重任务能力和疲劳感的影响.方法:观察6名男性青年志愿者在48 h SD条件下,单、双重任务操作能力、临界闪光融合频率(CFF)、主观瞌睡度和疲劳感的变化.结果:与基础值相比,单、双重任务成绩、CFF随SD时问延长而呈下降趋势,SSS分值和RPE分值相应升高.结论:48 h SD条件损害正常人双重任务能力并加重疲劳感,SD时间较长和复合生理节律低谷时操纵能力下降尤其明显.     

共振呼吸反馈训练对运动员心率变异性和选择反应时的影响*

目的: 探讨共振呼吸调节对运动员认知任务表现的提升作用。方法: 将30名射击运动员随机分为试验组(n=15)和对照组(n=15)。试验组运动员进行每次30~40 min、每周5 d,共计4周的心率变异性生物反馈训练(HRV训练),掌握共振呼吸调节方法,以相同频次进行呼吸调节(每分钟6次);试验采用试验组、对照组前后测的设计,利用第三版神经行为测试评价系统(NES-C3)、生理相干和自主平衡系统SPCS采集运动员的选择反应时和心率变异性(HRV)数据;正式检测,首先让所有运动员经历安静阶段并进行选择反应时测试,随后试验组运动员进行共振呼吸调节,而对照组运动员休息,最后所有运动员再次进行选择反应时测试,测量运动员的心率变异性。结果: 与安静阶段相比,试验组运动员心率(HR)显著下降(P＜0.05),心脏总功率(TP)和低频功率(LF)与安静阶段相比显著增加(P＜0.01),低频/高频功率(LF/HF)也显著增加(P＜0.05),自我调节后的选择反应时显著降低(P＜0.05);而对照组无显著变化(P＞0.05)。结论: 共振呼吸调节法可以显著增强运动员的心率变异性水平,进行调节后反应时间明显缩短。     

“知信行”模式对老年糖尿病患者睡眠质量的改善作用

目的:调查老年糖尿病患者的睡眠质量,探讨"知信行"管理模式对糖尿病患者睡眠障碍的改善作用。方法:选取100例糖尿病患者,随机分为管理组和对照组,每组50例。管理组患者采用"知信行"管理模式进行护理,对照组患者采用常规基础护理模式。采用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量评估量表(PSQI)评价患者的睡眠质量,Piper疲劳量表(PFS)评估患者的疲劳程度。结果:护理干预前,两组患者的睡眠质量评分与疲劳程度评分无显著性差异(P0.05)。接受不同护理干预后,两组患者的睡眠质量评分与疲劳程度评分均降低,且管理组评分低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:"知信行"护理管理模式对老年糖尿病患者的睡眠障碍具有一定的改善作用,有助于降低患者的疲劳程度,值得临床护理推广。     

放松训练对老年冠心病介入治疗患者围手术期心理应激干预效果研究

目的:探讨放松训练对老年冠心病介入治疗患者围手术期心理应激的干预效果。方法:选择2013年7月至2014年1月在某院接受介入治疗的老年冠心病患者120例为研究对象,随机分为干预组和对照组,各60例。对照组接受手术治疗和常规护理,干预组在对照组治疗方案的基础上采用放松训练进行围手术期心理干预。采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)量表和生活满意度量表(SWLS)施测,并进行比较分析。结果:手术后放松训练干预组焦虑、抑郁和睡眠质量评分比手术前明显下降[(39.28±2.32),(41.68±2.76),(8.97±2.11)vs.(48.78±5.11),(54.37±6.68),(10.88±2.21),均P<0.01],显著低于对照组[(44.78±4.09),(49.08±3.58),(10.40±1.87)vs.(48.83±5.28),(54.40±3.72),(10.87±2.86),均P<0.01]。放松训练干预组手术后与手术前睡眠质量各分量表比较,除"催眠药物"和"日间功能障碍"2个因子外,其余各因子均有显著差异(均P<0.05)。放松训练干预组术后生活满意度量表评分明显高于术前[(23.27±4.61)vs.(20.17±4.99),P<0.01],显著高于对照组[(21.15±4.16)vs.(19.90±4.38),P<0.01]。结论:放松训练心理干预技术对接受介入治疗的老年冠心病患者的焦虑、抑郁情绪和睡眠质量具有良好的缓解和改善作用,可以降低患者的心理应激程度,提高患者术后的生活质量。     

不同心理素质水平军人在厌恶情绪条件下自主神经反应特点

目的:探讨不同心理素质水平军人在厌恶情绪条件下自主神经反应特点。方法:用军人心理素质量表筛选出54名部队官兵,其中高、中、低心理素质组军人各18名。采用3份情绪视频材料,诱导被试的中性和厌恶情绪,利用八通道多参数生物反馈仪,记录自主神经反应的十个指标和相应自主神经反应指标的平均恢复时间。结果:(1)在中性情绪条件下,低心理素质组[(12.06±4.89)b/min]的心率(HR)的变化上显著大于高心理素质组[(5.75±2.80)b/min];(2)在厌恶情绪条件下,低心理素质组[(7.09±2.02)nU]的心率变异性(HRV)频谱归一化低频功率(Lfnorm)的变化显著大于中等[(3.43±1.70)nU]与高心理素质组([2.66±1.50)nU];低心理素质组([357.94±129.33)Hz]的总功率(TP)的变化显著大于中等([171.14±73.02)ms2]与高心理素质组([167.84±86.38)ms2];(3)在自主神经反应指标的恢复时间上,低心理素质组([49.98±10.96)秒]在厌恶情绪条件下其心率(HR)的恢复时间显著大于高心理素质组([24.65±9.38)sec];低心理素质组([37.84±21.33)sec]在厌恶情绪条件下其皮电(SC)、皮温(TEMP)、指端血容振幅(BVP)、心率(HR)四个自主神经反应指标的平均恢复时间上显著大于高心理素质组([18.57±10.15)秒]。(4)在情绪的愉悦度、唤醒度的上,低心理素质组(0.88±1.11)在中性条件下其唤醒度的变化明显大于中等(0.50±0.70)与高心理素质组(0.12±0.33);低心理素质组(-2.11±0.90)在厌恶条件下愉悦度的变化明显大于中等(-1.56±0.86)与高心理素质组(-1.33±0.84)。结论:在中性条件下,低心理素质军人更容易出现生理上的唤醒警觉状态。在厌恶情绪条件下,低心理素质军人是副交感神经伴有较强交感神经兴奋的自主神经反应模式;高、中等心理素质军人副交感神经伴有较弱的交感神经兴奋。     

8周有氧水上划艇训练对赛艇运动员某些儿茶酚胺和心率变异性指标的影响

目的:探讨有氧渐增负荷量水上划艇训练对赛艇运动员某些血液儿茶酚胺和心率变异性指标的影响。方法:对8名男子公开级赛艇运动员进行持续8周的中等强度有氧渐增负荷量水上划艇训练,运动员每周一至周五上下午和周六上午进行训练,此后至周末恢复休息,每个半天训练120min,第一周的水上划艇负荷量为180km,此后每周递增5km。运动员在训练前1周、训练第4周以及训练第8周结束后的次周一清晨6:00进行安静状态下短时程5min的心率变异性测试,并在心率变异性测试结束即刻进行安静状态下的肘静脉血采集,用于儿茶酚胺指标的检测。结果:与训练前相比,运动员经过有氧渐增负荷量水上划艇训练第4周和第8周后,血浆儿茶酚胺E、NE和DA水平均显著性降低(P<0.05);恢复期心率变异性TP、HF和LF水平,在训练第4周时有所降低,在训练第8周时有所升高,而VLF则在训练第4周和第8周时均有所降低,但这些变化没有统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:运动员经过8周的有氧渐增负荷量水上划艇训练后,运动员安静下迷走神经系统对心血管系统的调节作用得到增强,交感迷走神经的综合调节作用得到提高,自主神经系统的功能状况得到改善。     

氟西汀对卒中后抑郁的预防效果及神经功能康复的促进作用观察

为了探讨氟西汀对卒中后抑郁的预防效果及神经功能康复的促进作用,本研究选取2015年9月至2017年12月期间本院收治的脑卒中患者200例,根据不同的治疗方式将患者分为氟西汀组(n=100)和对照组(n=100),两组患者均给予神经内科常规和康复治疗,氟西汀组在此基础上口服氟西汀(20 mg/d)。通过比较两组患者的疗效、抑郁程度、神经功能缺损程度、日常活动能力及不良反应,本研究发现治疗8周后,氟西汀组的有效率(86.00%)显著高于对照组(74.00%)(p=0.034);通过采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评价患者的抑郁程度,治疗8周后氟西汀组患者的HAMD评分(7.25±2.53)显著低于对照组(16.32±3.30)(p=0.032);通过采用中国脑卒中患者临床神经功能缺损程度评分量表(CSS)评价患者的神经功能缺损程度,治疗8周后氟西汀组的CSS评分(8.30±3.37)显著低于对照组(15.16±4.14)(p=0.010);通过采用简式Fugl-Meyer运动功能评分量表(FMA)来评价脑卒中患者的日常活动能力,治疗8周后氟西汀组的FMA评分(71.22±16.34)显著高于对照组(61.26±14.33)(p=0.035)。本研究表明采用氟西汀治疗脑卒中患者可有效预防卒中后抑郁症状的发生,显著改善患者的神经功能和日常活动能力,具有较好的疗效和较低的不良反应。     

Effects of increased training load on vagal-related indexes of heart rate variability: a novel sleep approach

There is little doubt that moderate training improves cardiac vagal activity and thus has a cardioprotective effect against lethal arrhythmias. Our purpose was to learn whether a higher training load would further increase this beneficial effect. Cardiac autonomic control was inferred from heart rate variability (HRV) and analyzed in three groups of young subjects (24.5 +/- 3.0 yr) with different training states in a period free of stressful stimuli or overload. HRV was analyzed in 5-min segments during slow-wave sleep (SWS, a parasympathetic state that offers high electrocardiographic stationarity) and compared with data collected during quiet waking periods in the morning. Sleep parameters, fatigue, and stress levels checked by questionnaire were identical for all three groups with no signs of overtraining in the highly trained (HT) participants. During SWS, a significant (P <0.05) increase in absolute and normalized vagal-related HRV indexes was observed in moderately trained (MT) individuals compared with sedentary (Sed) subjects; this increase did not persist in HT athletes. During waking periods, most of the absolute HRV indexes indistinctly increased in MT individuals compared with controls (P < 0.05) but did not increase in HT athletes. Normalized spectral HRV indexes did not change significantly among the three groups. Heart rate was similar for MT and Sed subjects but was significantly (P <0.05) lower in HT athletes under both recording conditions. These results indicate that SWS discriminates the state of sympathovagal balance better than waking periods. A moderate training load is sufficient to increase vagal-related HRV indexes. However, in HT individuals, despite lower heart rate, vagal-related HRV indexes return to Sed values even in the absence of competition, fatigue, or overload.     

A Pilot Study of the Efficacy of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a non-inflammatory rheumatologic disorder characterized by musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, depression, cognitive dysfunction and sleep disturbance. Research suggests that autonomic dysfunction may account for some of the symptomatology of FM. An open label trial of biofeedback training was conducted to manipulate suboptimal heart rate variability (HRV), a key marker of autonomic dysfunction. Methods: Twelve women ages 18–60 with FM completed 10 weekly sessions of HRV biofeedback. They were taught to breathe at their resonant frequency (RF) and asked to practice twice daily. At sessions 1, 10 and 3-month follow-up, physiological and questionnaire data were collected. Results: There were clinically significant decreases in depression and pain and improvement in functioning from Session 1 to a 3-month follow-up. For depression, the improvement occurred by Session 10. HRV and blood pressure variability (BPV) increased during biofeedback tasks. HRV increased from Sessions 1–10, while BPV decreased from Session 1 to the 3 month follow-up. Conclusions: These data suggest that HRV biofeedback may be a useful treatment for FM, perhaps mediated by autonomic changes. While HRV effects were immediate, blood pressure, baroreflex, and therapeutic effects were delayed. This is consistent with data on the relationship among stress, HPA axis activity, and brain function.     

Cardiac parasympathetic regulation: respective associations with cardiorespiratory fitness and training load

The objective of this study was to establish the separate associations between parasympathetic modulations of the heart [evaluated through heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) indexes and postexercise HR recovery (HRR) indexes] with cardiorespiratory fitness and training load. We have measured cardiorespiratory fitness through peak oxygen consumption (Vo2 max) and estimated weekly training load with the Baecke sport score in 55 middle-aged individuals (30.8 +/- 1.8 yr, body mass index 24.5 +/- 0.4 kg/m2). HRV indexes were analyzed at rest under controlled breathing, and HRR was estimated from HR curve fitting after maximal exercise or from measurements of the number of beats recovered at 60 s after exercise. Multiple linear regressions were used to investigate the separate relationships between vagal-related HRV indexes and Vo2 max and Baecke scores. On the basis of their Vo2 max and Baecke scores, subjects were classified as fit or unfit and as low trained (LT) or moderately trained (MT), which yielded four groups: UnfitLT, UnfitMT, FitLT, and FitMT. Vagal-related HRV indexes were positively correlated with Vo2 max (P < 0.05) but not with Baecke scores. In contrast, HRR indexes were related to Baecke scores (P < 0.05) but not with Vo2 max. FitLT and FitMT had significantly higher (P < 0.05) normalized vagal-related HRV indexes than UnfitLT and UnfitMT, but HRR did not change. Moderate training was associated with significantly lower HRR indexes both in UnfitMT and FitMT compared with UnfitLT and FitLT, but there was no difference in vagal-related HRV indexes. These results indicate that vagal-related HRV indexes are related more to cardiorespiratory fitness, whereas HRR appears to be better associated with training load.     

肺功能康复训练联合肠外氨基酸营养支持对非小细胞肺癌化疗患者营养状态、癌因性疲乏及生活质量的影响

摘要 目的：探讨肺功能康复训练联合肠外氨基酸营养支持对非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）化疗患者营养状态、癌因性疲乏及生活质量的影响。方法：选取2016年6月~2019年10月期间本院收治的NSCLC化疗患者137例。根据随机数字表法将患者分为对照组（68例,给予常规干预）、观察组（69例,在对照组基础上给予肠外氨基酸营养支持联合肺功能康复训练）,对比两组干预前后的营养状态、肺功能、癌因性疲乏及生活质量。结果：与对照组相比,观察组干预后白蛋白、总蛋白、血红蛋白更高（P<0.05）。干预后观察组用力肺活量（FVC）、第1s用力呼气容积占预计值百分比（FEV₁%）、呼气峰流速值（PEF）高于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组干预后Piper 疲乏量表（PFS）的行为疲乏、情感疲乏、躯体疲乏、认知疲乏评分低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组干预后生活质量评估量表（EORTC QLQ-C30）各维度评分较对照组更高（P<0.05）。结论：肺功能康复训练联合肠外氨基酸营养支持干预NSCLC化疗患者,可改善患者的营养状态及肺功能,缓解患者癌因性疲乏程度,改善其生活质量。     

Frequency characteristics of long-term heart rate variability during constant-routine protocol

The effects of such behavioral factors as physical activity, food intake, and circadian rhythm on long-term heart rate variability (HRV) in humans remain poorly understood. We therefore studied their effects on HRV using a constant-routine protocol that included simultaneous core body temperature (CBT) correction. Seven healthy subjects completed the constant-routine and daily-routine protocols, during which HRV and CBT were continuously monitored. During the constant routine, subjects were kept awake for 27 h in a semirecumbent posture with minimal physical activity; small isocaloric meals were provided every 2 h. During the daily routine, subjects carried on their lives normally. Data were analyzed using generic spectral analysis based on a fast Fourier transform; coarse-graining spectral analysis was also used to eliminate periodicity due to the regular meals for raw HRV and for the CBT-corrected HRV without circadian and/or low-frequency ultradian components. The results showed that 1) the power spectra of HRV in the constant routine and daily routine had similar power-law scalings at frequencies above approximately 10(-3.5) Hz, while 2) below that crossover frequency, HRV was smaller in the constant routine than in the daily routine, with the difference becoming significant (P < 0.05) at <10(-4) Hz, 3) coarse-graining spectral analysis eliminated diet-induced peaks in generic spectral analysis-based HRV spectra during the constant routine and emphasized the crossover at approximately 10(-3.5) Hz, and 4) CBT correction did not alter the results. Below a frequency of approximately 10(-3.5) Hz (a period >1 h), HRV is strongly influenced by behavioral factors; above that crossover frequency, HRV is behavior independent, possibly reflecting an intrinsic regulatory system.     

Short-term effects of resistance training frequency on body composition and strength in middle-aged women

Although a dose-response relationship between resistance training frequency and strength has been identified, there is limited research regarding the association between frequency and body composition. This study evaluated the effects of 3 vs. 4 d·wk(-1) of resistance training on body composition and strength in middle-aged women. Twenty-one untrained women (age 47.6 ± 1.2 years) completed 8 weeks of resistance training either 3 nonconsecutive days of the week using a traditional total-body protocol (RT3) or 4 consecutive days of the week using an alternating split-training protocol (RT4). The RT3 completed 3 sets of 8 exercises, whereas RT4 completed 3 sets of 6 upper body exercises or 6 sets of 3 lower body exercises. Both groups completed 72 sets per week of 8-12 repetitions at 50-80% 1 repetition maximum. Weekly training volume load was calculated as the total number of repetitions × load (kg) completed per week. Body composition was measured using air displacement plethysmography. At baseline and after 8 weeks of resistance training, there were no significant between-group differences. Both protocols resulted in significant increases in absolute lean mass (1.1 ± 0.3 kg; p = 0.001), body weight (1.02 ± 0.3 kg; p = 0.005), body mass index (0.3 ± 0.1 kg·m(-2); p = 0.006), strength (p < 0.001), and weekly training volume load (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed that weekly training volume load was strongly and positively related to gains in lean mass (r = 0.56, p = 0.05) and strength (r = 0.60, p = 0.006). In these untrained, middle-aged women, initial short-term gains in lean mass and strength were not influenced by training frequency when the number of training sets per week was equated.     

The impact of training schedules on the sleep and fatigue of elite athletes

In any sport, successful performance requires a planned approach to training and recovery. While sleep is recognized as an essential component of this approach, the amount and quality of sleep routinely obtained by elite athletes has not been systematically evaluated. Data were collected from 70 nationally ranked athletes from seven different sports. Athletes wore wrist activity monitors and completed self-report sleep/training diaries for 2 weeks during normal training. The athletes also recorded their fatigue level prior to each training session using a 7-point scale. On average, the athletes spent 08:18?±?01:12?h in bed, fell asleep at 23:06?±?01:12?h, woke at 6:48?±?01:30?h and obtained 06:30?±?01:24?h of sleep per night. There was a marked difference in the athletes’ sleep/wake behaviour on training days and rest days. Linear mixed model analyses revealed that on nights prior to training days, time spent in bed was significantly shorter (p?=?0.001), sleep onset and offset times were significantly earlier (p?<?0.001) and the amount of sleep obtained was significantly less (p?=?0.001), than on nights prior to rest days. Moreover, there was a significant effect of sleep duration on pre-training fatigue levels (p?≤?0.01). Specifically, shorter sleep durations were associated with higher levels of pre-training fatigue. Taken together, these findings suggest that the amount of sleep an elite athlete obtains is dictated by their training schedule. In particular, early morning starts reduce sleep duration and increase pre-training fatigue levels. When designing schedules, coaches should be aware of the implications of the timing of training sessions for sleep and fatigue. In cases where early morning starts are unavoidable, countermeasures for minimizing sleep loss – such as strategic napping during the day and correct sleep hygiene practices at night – should be considered.     

Parasympathetic nervous activity mirrors recovery status in weightlifting performance after training

Heart rate variability (HRV) and parasympathetic power are closely related to the well-being and health status in humans. The main goal of the study was to determine whether these measures can reflect recovery status after weight training. After a 10-day detraining period, 7 weightlifters were challenged with a 2-hour weight training which elicited approximately fourfold increases in circulating muscle creatine kinase level and protracted pain feeling (p < 0.05). Weightlifting performance was then evaluated 3, 24, 48, and 72 hours after training to determine the degree of recovery from fatigue. Heart rate variability, circulating dehydroepiandrostendione sulfate (DHEA-S), and muscle damage markers were measured before each performance test. An electrocardiogram was recorded for 5 minutes continuously at rest in seated positions. After training, weightlifting performance of the subjects decreased below baseline in paralleled with suppressed parasympathetic power (high-frequency [HF] HRV), whereas sympathetic power (normalized low-frequency HRV) was slightly elevated at 3 hours of recovery (p < 0.05). Both weightlifting performances and parasympathetic power returned to baseline values in 24 hours and further increased above baseline during 48-72 hours of recovery in a similar fashion (p < 0.05). Circulating DHEA-S level dropped at 24 hours (p < 0.05) and returned to normal values by 48 hours. Muscle pain increased at 3 hours after training and remained higher than baseline values for the 72-hour recovery period (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that parasympathetic power, indicated by HF HRV, is able to reflect the recovery status of weightlifters after training.     

Comparison between nonlinear and linear periodized resistance training: hypertrophic and strength effects

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nonlinear periodized (NLP) and linear periodized (LP) resistance training (RT) on muscle thickness (MT) and strength, measured by an ultrasound technique and 1 repetition maximum (1RM), respectively. Thirty untrained men were randomly assigned to 3 groups: NLP (n = 11, age: 30.2 ± 1.1 years, height: 173.6 ± 7.2 cm, weight: 79.5 ± 13.1 kg), LP (n = 10, age: 29.8 ± 1.9 years, height: 172.0 ± 6.8 cm, weight: 79.9 ± 10.6 kg), and control group (CG; n = 9, age: 25.9 ± 3.6 years, height: 171.2 ± 6.3 cm, weight: 73.9 ± 9.9 kg). The right biceps and triceps MT and 1RM strength for the exercises bench press (BP), lat-pull down, triceps extension, and biceps curl (BC) were assessed before and after 12 weeks of training. The NLP program varied training biweekly during weeks 1-6 and on a daily basis during weeks 7-12. The LP program followed a pattern of intensity and volume changes every 4 weeks. The CG did not engage in any RT. Posttraining, both trained groups presented significant 1RM strength gains in all exercises (with the exception of the BP in LP). The 1RM of the NLP group was significantly higher than LP for BP and BC posttraining. There were no significant differences in biceps and triceps MT between baseline and posttraining for any group; however, posttraining, there were significant differences in biceps and triceps MT between NLP and the CG. The effect sizes were higher in NLP for the majority of observed variables. In conclusion, both LP and NLP are effective, but NLP may lead to greater gains in 1RM and MT over a 12-week training period.     

Effects of resistance training intensity on sleep quality and strength recovery in trained men: a randomized cross-over study

Resistance training (RT) variables can affect sleep quality, strength recovery and performance. The aim of this study was to examine the acute effect of RT leading to failure vs. non-failure on sleep quality (SQ), heart rate variability (HRV) overnight and one-repetition maximum (1-RM) performance 24 hours after training. Fifteen resistance-trained male athletes (age: 23.4 ± 2.4 years; height 178.0 ± 7.6 cm; weight: 78.2 ± 10.6 kg) performed two training sessions in a randomized order, leading to failure (4x10) or non-failure (5x8(10) repetitions), with 90 seconds for resting between sets at 75% 1-RM in bench press (BP) and half squat (HS). The day after, the participants completed the predicted 1-RM test for both exercises. In addition, the subjective and actigraphic SQ and HRV during sleep were measured after each training session. The day after the training protocol leading to failure, the 1-RM of BP (MD = 7.24 kg; -7.2%; p < 0.001) and HS (MD = 20.20 kg; -11.1%; p < 0.001) decreased. However, this parameter did not decrease after a non-failure RT session. No differences were observed between failure and non-failure training sessions on SQ and HRV; therefore, both types of training sessions similarly affected the SQ and the autonomic modulation during the night after the training session. This study provides an insight into the influence of different training strategies on SQ, strength performance and recovery after moderate- to high-demand training. This information could be useful especially for professional coaches, weightlifters and bodybuilders, due to the potential influence on the programming processes.