Strength Training Augmenting Rehabilitation

Strength Training Augmenting Rehabilitation - 1

This project aims to determine whether a novel strength training rehabilitation protocol can diminish the negative consequences of limb immobilization and expedite the restoration of muscle function during retraining in healthy individuals.

The present study will examine the time course of muscle strength and size adaptations in two groups of volunteers during immobilization and retraining. Both groups will undergo temporary muscle disuse by wearing a shoulder sling and swathe on their non-dominant arm for ~≥10 hours/day for four weeks. One group (immobilization + unilateral training) will perform progressive unilateral strength training of the free limb throughout the immobilization period. The other group (immobilization control) will not undergo any training during the immobilization period. Following immobilization, both groups will undergo four weeks of bilateral strength training to retrain the immobilized arm.

Inclusion Criteria:

• a body mass index between 18 - 35 kg/m2
• 18-35 years of age
• right-hand dominant
• willingness to comply with the immobilization requirements
• willingness to refrain from strength training outside of the study
• willingness to comply with the strength training procedures of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• a personal or family history of blood clots
• a personal or family history of thyroid disorders
• previous orthopedic surgeries to the upper limbs and/or joint pain of the upper limbs in the last 6 months
• neuromuscular or metabolic disorders
• osteoarthritis
• use of hormone replacement therapy (ie., testosterone, estrogen, and/or growth hormone pharmaceuticals)
• pregnancy and/or nursing