***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: The aim of this study was to assess effects of a short-term resistance program on strength in fit young women using weight machines/free weights or elastic tubing . 42 physically fit women ( 21.79±0.7 years ) were r and omly assigned to the following groups : ( i ) the Thera-B and ( ® ) Exercise Station Group ( TBG ) ; ( ii ) the weight machines/free weights group ( MFWG ) ; or ( iii ) the control group ( CG ) . Each experimental group performed the same periodised training program that lasted for 8 weeks , with 2 - 4 sessions per week and 3 - 4 sets of 8 - 15 submaximal reps . A load cell ( Isocontrol ; ATEmicro , Madrid , Spain ) was used to test the evolution of the Maximum Isometric Voluntary Contraction ( MIVC ) in 3 different exercises : Vertical Rowing ( VR ) , Squat ( S ) and Back Extension ( BE ) . A mixed model MANOVA [ group ( CG , TBG , MFWG ) x testing time ( pre-test , post-test ) ] was applied to determine the effect of the different resistance training devices on strength . The only groups to improve their MIVC ( p<0.005 ) were TBG and MFWG , respectively : VR 19.87 % and 19.76 % ; S 14.07 and 28.88 ; BE 14.41 % and 14.00 % . These results indicate that resistance training using elastic tubing or weight machines/free weights have equivalent improvements in isometric force in short-term programs applied in fit young women Objective : To investigate the effects of elastic tubing training compared with conventional resistance training on the improvement of functional exercise capacity , muscle strength , fat-free mass , and systemic inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Design : A prospect i ve , r and omized , eight-week clinical trial . Setting : The study was conducted in a university-based , outpatient , physical therapy clinic . Subjects : A total of 49 patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Interventions : Participants were r and omly assigned to perform elastic tubing training or conventional resistance training three times per week for eight weeks . Main measures : The primary outcome measure was functional exercise capacity . The secondary outcome measures were peripheral muscle strength , health-related quality of life assessed by the Chronic Respiratory Disease Question naire ( CRDQ ) , fat-free mass , and cytokine profile . Results : After eight weeks , the mean distance covered during six minutes increased by 73 meters ( ±69 ) in the elastic tubing group and by 42 meters ( ±59 ) in the conventional group ( p < 0.05 ) . The muscle strength and quality of life improved in both groups ( P < 0.05 ) , with no significant differences between the groups . There was a trend toward an improved fat-free mass in both groups ( P = 0.05 ) . After the first and last sessions , there was an increase in interleukin 1β ( IL-1β ) and interleukin 10 ( IL-10 ) in both groups , while tumour necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α ) was stimulated only in the conventional training group . Conclusion : Elastic tubing training had a greater effect on functional exercise capacity than conventional resistance training . Both interventions were equally effective in improving muscle strength and quality of life Ghigiarelli , JJ , Nagle , EF , Gross , FL , Robertson , RJ , Irrgang , JJ , and Myslinski , T. The effects of a 7-wk heavy elastic b and and weight chain program on upper body strength and upper body power in a sample of Division 1-AA football players . J Strength Cond Res 23(3 ) : 756 - 764 , 2009-The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a 7-week heavy elastic b and and weighted-chain program on maximum muscular strength and maximum power in the bench press exercise .  Thirty-six ( n = 36 ) healthy men aged 18 - 30 years old , from the Robert Morris University football team , volunteered to participate in this study . During the first week , predicted 1 repetition maximum ( 1RM ) bench press and a 5RM speed bench press tests were conducted . Subjects were r and omly divided into 3 groups ( n = 12 ) : elastic b and ( EB ) , weighted chain ( WC ) , and traditional bench ( C ) . During weeks 2 - 8 of the study , subjects were required to follow the prescribed resistance training program . Mean and SD of the predicted 1RM bench press and 5RM speed bench press were computed . A two-factor ( method X time ) analysis was applied to identify significant differences between the training groups . Significance was set at α = 0.05 . Results indicated a significant time ( p < 0.05 ) but no group effect for both predicted 1RM ( kg ) and 5RM peak power tests ( watts ) . Although not significant , results did show greater nonsignificant improvements in the EB ( 848 - 883 W ) and WC groups ( 856 - 878 W ) vs. control ( 918 - 928 W ) when the 2 highest and greatest values were selected regarding peak power . The use of EB and WC in conjunction with a general offseason strength and conditioning program can increase overall maximum upper-body strength in a sample of Division 1-AA football players . These types of training modalities add a unique training style and more flexibility with respect to exercise prescription for athletes and strength practitioners The power output generated with different barbell loads and which resistance generated the maximum mechanical power output ( Pmax ) during explosive bench press-type throws ( BT ) in a smith machine device were investigated in power-trained athletes . Thirty-one rugby league players were tested for 1 repetition maximum ( 1RM ) free-weight bench press strength ( 1RM BP ) . Maximal power output was assessed by the Plyometric Power System during BT using resistances of 40 , 50 , 60 , 70 , and 80 kg ( BT P40 , BT P50 , BT P60 , BT P70 , and BT P80 ) . It was found that BT Pmax occurred with resistance of 70.1 ± 7.9 kg , representing 55 ± 5.3 % of 1RM BP of 129.7 ± 14.3 kg . The power output with all loads except the BT P70 were different from the BT Pmax . The BT P70 and BT P80 were not different from each other . Furthermore , the BT P60 and BT P80 were not different from each other . This suggests that although resistances of 55 % 1RM BP may maximize power output during explosive BT , loads in the range of 46–62 % also allow for high power outputs . Resistances of 31–45 % of 1RM BP result ed in significantly lower power outputs . Compared with previous research of BT in strength-trained athletes , the results of this investigation suggest that power-trained athletes may generate their Pmax at higher percentages of 1RM Colado , JC and Triplett , NT . Effects of a short-term resistance program using elastic b and s versus weight machines for sedentary middle-aged women . J Strength Cond Res 22(5 ) : 1441 - 1448 , 2008-This study was design ed to determine whether different effects on functional capacity and body composition were produced by using different devices ( elastic b and s ( EBs ) versus weight machines ( WMs ) ) with the same resistance training program . Forty-five healthy sedentary middle-aged women volunteers were chosen and r and omly assigned to 1 of 3 groups : 21 subjects trained using EBs ( EBG ) , 14 in trained using WMs ( WMG ) , and 10 were controls  ( CG ) . Both exercise groups trained with a periodized muscular endurance program twice a week for 10 weeks , with a total of 6 exercises per session for the major muscle groups . Exercise intensity was equalized by jointly monitoring the same targeted number of repetitions ( TNRs ) and rate of perceived exertion in active muscles ( RPE-AM ) . Functional capacity was assessed by using knee push-up ( KPU ) and 60-second squat ( S ) tests . Body composition was measured using an 8-polar bioelectrical impedance analyzer . The results for both the EBG and WMG show a decrease in fat mass ( p = 0.05 and p < 0.01 , respectively ) and an increase in both the fat-free mass ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 , respectively ) and the number of repetitions in the KPU ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 , respectively ) and S tests ( p < 0.01 in both ) . None of the variables measured for the CG varied significantly . It can be concluded that , independently of the device used , the combined monitoring of TNRs and RPE-AM can be a valid tool for controlling the resistance exercise intensity and can lead to healthy adaptations . EBs can thus offer significant physiological benefits that are comparable to those obtained from WMs in the early phase of strength training of sedentary middle-aged women Background High-intensity resistance training plays an essential role in the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders . Although resistance exercises with heavy weights yield high levels of muscle activation , the efficacy of more user-friendly forms of exercise needs to be examined . Objective The aim of this study was to investigate muscle activation and perceived loading during upper-extremity resistance exercises with dumbbells compared with elastic tubing . Design A single-group , repeated- measures study design was used . Setting Exercise evaluation was conducted in a laboratory setting . Participants Sixteen female workers ( aged 26–55 years ) without serious musculoskeletal diseases and with a mean neck and shoulder pain intensity of 7.8 on a 100-mm visual analog scale participated in the study . Measurements Electromyographic ( EMG ) activity was measured in 5 selected muscles during the exercises of lateral raise , wrist extension , and shoulder external rotation during grade d loadings with dumbbells ( 2–7.5 kg ) and elastic tubing ( Thera-B and , red to silver resistance ) . The order of exercises and loadings was r and omized for each individual . Electromyographic amplitude was normalized to the absolute maximum EMG amplitude obtained during maximal voluntary isometric contraction and exercise testing . Immediately after each set of exercise , the Borg CR10 scale was used to rate perceived loading during the exercise . Results Resistance exercise with dumbbells as well as elastic tubing showed increasing EMG amplitude and perceived loading with increasing resistance . At the individually maximal level of resistance for each exercise — defined as the 3 repetitions maximum — normalized EMG activity of the prime muscles was not significantly different between dumbbells ( 59%–87 % ) and elastic tubing ( 64%–86 % ) . Perceived loading was moderately to very strongly related to normalized EMG activity ( r=.59–.92 ) . Limitations The results of this study apply only for exercises performed in a controlled manner ( ie , without sudden jerks or high acceleration ) . Conclusions Comparably high levels of muscle activation were obtained during resistance exercises with dumbbells and elastic tubing , indicating that therapists can choose either type in clinical practice . The Borg CR10 can be a useful aid in estimating intensity of individual rehabilitation protocol OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of two school-based RT programs to improve muscular fitness and body composition in adolescents . METHODS The study was conducted in Australia from July 2008 to June 2009 . Participants [ n=108 , mean age (SD)=15.0 ( 0.7 ) years ] were r and omized to free weights ( n=37 ) or elastic tubing ( n=41 ) RT groups and a control group was recruited ( n=30 ) . Participants in the RT groups completed 2 sets of 10 - 12 repetitions on 10 exercises for 8 weeks . Waist circumference , body composition ( bioelectrical impedance analysis ) and muscular strength ( bench press and leg press ) were assessed at baseline and posttest . RESULTS Boys ( p<0.001 ) and girls ( p<0.01 ) in both RT groups improved their body composition over the study period . Boys in both RT groups significantly improved both upper and lower body strength and their improvements were significantly greater than changes observed in the control group . Girls in the free weights groups achieved larger improvements in lower body strength compared to the control group ( p<0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Free weights and elastic tubing RT are feasible and effective strategies for improving aspects of health-related fitness in adolescents Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate muscle activity during  hamstring rehabilitation exercises performed in training machine compared with elastic resistance . Design Six women and 13 men aged 28–67 yrs participated in a crossover study . Electromyographic ( EMG ) activity was recorded in the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus during the concentric and the eccentric phase of hamstring curls performed with TheraB and elastic tubing and Technogym training machines and normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contraction – EMG ( normalized EMG ) . Knee joint angle was measured using electronic inclinometers . Results Training machines and elastic resistance showed similar high levels of muscle activity ( biceps femoris and semitendinosus peak normalized EMG > 80 % ) . EMG during the concentric phase was higher than during the eccentric phase regardless of exercise and muscle . However , compared with machine exercise , slightly lower ( P < 0.05 ) normalized EMG values were observed using elastic resistance at 30- to 50-degree knee joint angle for the semitendinosus and the biceps femoris during the concentric and the eccentric phase , respectively . Perceived loading ( Borg CR10 ) was significantly higher ( P < 0.001 ) during hamstring curl performed with el 
    Output:
    
Elastic resistance training is able to promote similar strength gains  to conventional resistance training , in different population profiles and using diverse protocol