THE EFFECTS OF ALBUTEROL AND ISOKINETIC EXERCISE ON THE QUADRICEPS MUSCLE GROUP

Subjects performed 9 wk of isokinetic knee extensions twice weekly. Al buterol (N = 13) or placebo (N = 9) was administered for 6 wk; groups received 16 mg . d(-1) of either treatment. Training consisted of thre e sets of 10 repetitions at 45 degrees . s(-1). Data were collected at weeks 0, 6, and 9. Concentric and eccentric variables examined includ ed: peak torque (CPT, EPT), total work (CTW, ETW), average power (CAP, EAP), time to peak torque (CTTPT, ETTPT), peak torque to body weight ratio (CPT/BW, EPT/BW), and work to body weight ratio (CW/BW, EW/BW). Other variables included: thigh circumference (CIRC), thigh cross-sect ional area (CSA), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory v olume (FEV(1)). MANOVA and the Dunn-Bonferroni post-hoc found differen ces within groups for CPT, CTW, CAP, CPT/BW, EFT, ETTPT, and CSA. Inte ractions were noted for CW/BW, ETW, EAF, EPT/BW, and ETW/BW; with pers ons administered albuterol yielding superior values. CW/BW, ETW, and E AP showed interactions at post-testing, while EPT/BW and EW/BW interac ted at both midtesting and post-testing. Results indicate therapeutic doses of albuterol administered with resistance exercise may augment s trength gains.