What's New In Science?
The “locking” or “catching” sensation of the knee is often a mechanical problem that may require arthroscopic knee surgery since knee pain is sometimes one of the symptoms. However, numerous studies in the last ten years have shown that arthroscopic knee surgery for meniscus tears offer the same benefits than fake surgery, In other words, some patients feel better without actually having their meniscus fixed.
Working out six days a week may not have better muscle growth benefits than three days a week, according to the latest joint research from Oklahoma State University and the University of South Florida. A sample of 28 college-age men who were already pumping iron were randomized to either training three times a week or six days a week, with the first group trained for two hours per session, and the second group trained for one hour. Researchers measured three exercises: the squat, deadlift, and bench press, but everyone also worked out their back, arms, and shoulders, too.
Both groups showed nearly equal improvements in muscle hypertrophy. So working more days a week doesn’t seem to have more muscle hypertrophy benefit. What is more important, the researchers emphasized, are the training volume and intensity.
Does Working Out More Days in the Week Give Better Muscle Growth?
Exercise may be a great painkiller for most people, but your grandparents may have lower benefits than you do. A joint research from the University of Florida and Purdue University compared how well healthy younger adults (ages 19-30) respond to pain (pressure and heat) compared to older adults (55-74). Each person was randomly assigned to one of the exercise groups, which includes vigorous aerobic exercise, moderate aerobics, submaximal isometric exercise, and quiet rest (control).
While some of the data found a variability of pain response among the age groups, overall, older adults have lower EIH than younger ones after a bout of vigorous or moderate aerobic exercise. However, researchers found no difference between age groups in the temporal summation test (heat pain given at short intervals). This is the first study that investigates aerobic exercise on EIH among older adults, which likely yield future research on physical activity and how pain influences exercise behavior.
How Well Do Older Adults Fare in Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia (EIH)?
massagefitnessmag.com 3
Image: CherryPoint
A recent study led by researcher Jonas B. Thorlund reviewed 641 and 176 Danish patients with and without a meniscal tear. Not surprisingly, both groups showed the symptom of knee locking, being unable to full extend the leg. This means that meniscus tear is not a strong cause for knee pain and a “locked" knee.
Thorlund mentioned in a blog that this may explain “why surgery does not relieve these symptoms better than placebo surgery or result in larger improvements in pain and function compared to patients without mechanical symptoms and degenerative meniscal tears.” He highlighted two recent studies that also found exercise to have the same benefits and outcomes as surgery. (Citations are in his blog.)