Z Health Testimonial Time!
My name is Gail Jensen and I've enjoyed strength training and its benefits for years. Recently, I was diagnosed with bone spurs and a herniated disc in my cervical spine. As a result, I was experiencing a significant loss of strength and endurance in my right tricep probably because one of the spurs is pinching a nerve. Surgery is an option but I am fearful of my future in strength training with such a drastic procedure. I decided to investigate my options and was referred to Mike Nelson by a friend whose opinion I value.
Mike is a Master in Z Health and I was fascinated with his insight into my problem(s)! The tricep problem was obvious at our session but Mike also discovered that my left glute and abs were not firing properly, either. He remedied the situation on the spot with the glute-ab issues and gave me an exercise regimen to help regain the strength in my tricep ( I have lost a fair amount of muscle mass) and my thumb and forefinger no longer tingle!
I have followed his advice religiously and I am making daily strength gains. I've had several days of relatively little pain and I feel much stronger! The pain has also subsided. Thanks, Mike! I also hope to take Z Health classes myself so I can recognize more fully the importance of the neuromuscular aspect of exercise.
Gail Jensen, Alexandria, Minnesota
Special thanks to Gail for making the long couple hour plus drive down and being diligent on doing her exercises. Awesome work Gail!! It is not always this "easy" but many times it is with the correct information/skills.
If you need more Z Health information or want to set up an appointment for yourself, see this link below and click this link Email Mike T Nelson
Z Health in Minnesota
On to the science! The series of new research on fatigue and why do muscles get tired blazes on.Neuromuscular fatigue following high versus low-intensity eccentric exercise of biceps brachii muscle.
Gauche E, Couturier A, Lepers R, Michaut A, Rabita G, Hausswirth C. Laboratory of Biomechanics and Physiology, Research Department, National Institute of Sport and Physical Education, INSEP, 11 Avenue du Tremblay, 75012 Paris, France.
PURPOSE: This study investigated neuromuscular fatigue following high versus low-intensity eccentric exercise corresponding to the same amount of work.
METHODS: Ten volunteers performed two eccentric exercises of the elbow flexors: a high-intensity versus a low-intensity exercise. Maximal voluntary contraction torque and surface electromyography of the biceps brachii muscle were recorded before, immediately and 48h after exercises. Maximal voluntary activation level, neural (M-wave) and contractile (muscular twitch) properties of the biceps brachii muscle were analysed using electrical stimulation techniques.
RESULTS: Maximal voluntary contraction torque was significantly (P<0.01) style="font-weight: bold;">
CONCLUSION: High and low-intensity eccentric exercises with the same amount of work induced the same reduction in maximal strength capacities of the biceps brachii muscles. The magnitude of peripheral and central fatigue was very similar in both conditions.
My Notes: Interesting. I would not have guessed they would be the same in both conditions.
The Role of Impaired Mitochondrial Lipid Oxidation in Obesity.
Rogge MM.
Obesity represents a disruption in balancing fuel intake with energy expenditure in favor of energy conservation. Adiposity is known to be carefully regulated and, over time, highly resistant to major changes, raising questions about how energy homeostasis can become dysregulated in favor of fat accumulation. In obesity, the excess lipid accumulation represents a surfeit of energy, but those who are obese often experience rapid fatigue and decreased physical endurance, reflecting an energy deficiency. To develop an explanation for this apparent contradiction in energy homeostasis and the chronic overeating relative to energy used in obesity, a review of the literature was conducted.
The resulting model of obesity is based on a growing body of research demonstrating that altered mitochondrial energy production, particularly in skeletal muscles, is a major anomaly capable of setting off a chain of metabolic events leading to obesity. Alterations in skeletal muscle mitochondria distribution and their oxidative and glycolytic energy capacities in obesity are described. The metabolic responses of obese and normal individuals to exercise are contrasted, and the effects of weight loss on energy production are presented.
CONCLUSION: The effect of altered fat oxidation is considered in relation to energy regulation by the central nervous system and the development of major obesity comorbidities, including systemic inflammation, insulin resistance and diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Recommendations for clinical intervention and additional research are proposed based on the model presented of impaired mitochondrial function in obesity.
My Notes: Look for more research in this area over the next several years as scientist dig deeper into this area. Remember, as Dr. Cobb likes to say "all the body, all the time" It is all connected!
Effect of endurance training on hypothalamic serotonin concentration and performance.
Caperuto EC, dos Santos RV, Mello MT, Costa Rosa LF. Department of Bioscience, Federal University of São Paulo, Baixada Santista, Brazil.
1. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that modulates several functions, such as food intake, energy expenditure, motor activity, mood and sleep. Acute exhaustive endurance exercise increases the synthesis, concentration and metabolism of serotonin in the brain. This phenomenon could be responsible for central fatigue after prolonged and exhaustive exercise. However, the effect of chronic exhaustive training on serotonin is not known. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of exhaustive endurance training on performance and serotonin concentrations in the hypothalamus of trained rats.
2. Rats were divided into three groups: sedentary rats (SED), moderately trained rats (MOD) and exhaustively trained rats (EXT), with an increase of 200% in the load carried during the final week of training. 3. Hypothalamic serotonin concentrations were similar between the SED and MOD groups, but were higher in the EXT group (P < style="font-weight: bold;">
CONCLUSION: Thus, the present study demonstrates that exhaustive training increases serotonin concentrations in the hypothalamus, together with decreased endurance performance after inadequate recovery time. However, the mechanism underlying these changes remains unknown.
