Cross-education

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of three different unilateral isoinertial resistance training protocols with eccentric overload on changes in lean mass and muscle function of trained (TL) and contralateral non-trained (NTL) legs. METHODS: Physically active university students were randomly assigned to one of three training groups or a control group (n = 10/group). Participants in the training groups performed dominant leg isoinertial squat training twice a week for 6 weeks (4 sets of 7 repetitions) using either an electric-motor device with an eccentric phase velocity of 100% (EM100) or 150% (EM150) of concentric phase velocity or a conventional flywheel device (FW) with the same relative inertial load...

CALVERT, G.H.M., and CARSON, R.G. Neural mechanisms mediating cross education: With additional considerations for the ageing brain. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV 21(1) XXX-XXX, 2021. - Cross education (CE) is the process whereby a regimen of unilateral limb training engenders bilateral improvements in motor function. The contralateral gains thus derived may impart therapeutic benefits for patients with unilateral deficits arising from orthopaedic injury or stroke. Despite this prospective therapeutic utility, there is little consensus concerning its mechanistic basis...

The present study compared two unilateral arm curl resistance exercise protocols with a different starting and finishing elbow joint angle in the same ROM for changes in elbow flexors strength and muscle thickness of the trained and non-trained arms. Thirty-two non-resistance trained young adults were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: extended joint training (0°-50°; EXT, n = 12); flexed joint training (80°-130°; FLE, n = 12); and non-training control ( n = 8). The exercise training was performed by the dominant arms twice a week for 5 weeks with gradual increases in the training volume over 10 training sessions, and the non-dominant (non-trained) arms were investigated for the cross-education effect...

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of cross-education (CE) exercise on strength and performance at 10 and 24 weeks post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. METHODS: Design: randomised controlled trial. N = 44 ACL-reconstruction patients, randomly-allocated into: CE: strength training of the non-operative limb, or CON: sham exercise of upper limb stretching. Each patient underwent standardised ACL rehabilitation, plus 8 weeks of thrice weekly CE or CON, commencing at 2 weeks post surgery...

Neuroplasticity underpins motor learning, with abnormal neuroplasticity related to age-associated motor declines. Bilateral transfer of motor learning, through rehabilitation, may mitigate these declines; however, the magnitude of transfer may be reduced in older populations. This study investigated excitatory and inhibitory pathways in the trained and untrained hemispheres following unilateral training of a complex finger-tapping task across ageing. Fifteen young (26.2 ± 3.8 years) and 11 older adults (63...

BACKGROUND: Unilateral resistance training increases the strength of the contralateral non-trained homologous muscles known as the cross-education effect. We tested the hypothesis that unilateral eccentric resistance training (ET) would induce greater and longer-lasting cross-education effect when compared with concentric resistance training (CT). METHODS: Young (20-23 y) participants were allocated to ET (5 males, 4 females) or CT (5 males, 4 females) group that performed unilateral progressive ET or CT of the elbow flexors, twice a week for 5 weeks (10 sessions) followed by a 5-week detraining, and control group (7 males, 6 females) that did not perform any training...

The purpose was to summarize the studies examining the contralateral protective effect on the maximal strength in the subsequent bout of muscle-damaging exercise. The literature search was conducted through CINAHL plus, SportDiscus, and PubMed. Hedge's g effect size (ES) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using a random effects model. From 14 papers and 25 ESs, the mean ES for contralateral repeated bout effect (CL-RBE) on 1-, 2-, and 3-day post maximal strength were -0.61 (95% CI = -0...

Background: Continuous passive motion (CPM) is frequently used during rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Low-load resistance training (LLRT) using continuous active motion (CAM) devices is a promising alternative. We investigated the effectiveness of CPM compared to LLRT using the affected leg (CAMuni) and both legs (CAMbi) in the early post-operative rehabilitation. HYPOTHESES: (I) LLRT (CAMuni and CAMbi) is superior to CPM, (II) additional training of the unaffected leg (CAMbi) is more effective than unilateral training (CAMuni)...

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to assess the impact of movement representation techniques (MRT) through motor imagery (MI), action observation (AO) and visual mirror feedback (VMF) and cross-education training (CE) on strength, range of motion (ROM), speed, functional state and balance during experimental immobilization processes in healthy individuals, in patients with injuries that did not require surgery and in those with surgical processes that did or did not require immobilization...

BACKGROUND: Cross-education of strength refers to the strength gain that is transferred to the contralateral limb after a unilateral training program. HYPOTHESIS: Unilateral eccentric training using different muscle contraction times would improve the structural and functional properties of the untrained contralateral limb. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: Thirty-six participants were randomized into a control group, experimental group 1 (EG6s; eccentric contraction runtime = 6 seconds) and experimental group 2 (EG3s; eccentric contraction runtime = 3 seconds)...

Background and Objectives: To investigate the effects of unilateral accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) on changes in lean mass and function of leg trained (TL) and ipsilateral non-trained arm (NTA) in young men and women. Materials and Methods: In a prospective trial, 69 Physically active university students (20.2 ± 2.2 years) were randomly placed into a training group ( n = 46; 27 men, 19 women) or a control group without training ( n = 23; 13 men, 10 women). Participants in the training group performed unilateral AEL in the leg press exercise of the dominant leg twice a week for 10 weeks...

INTRODUCTION: Cross education defines the gains observed in the contralateral limb following unilateral strength training of the other limb. The present study questioned the neural mechanisms associated with cross education following training by motor imagery (MI) or submaximal neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), both representing a partial activation of the motor system as compared to conventional strength training. METHODS: Twenty-seven participants were distributed in three groups: MI, NMES and control...

Cross-education is the phenomenon in which repeated practice of a unilateral motor task does not only result in performance improvement of the trained limb, but also in the untrained contralateral limb. The aim of this study was to test whether cross-education or positive transfer of learning is also achieved for tasks in which both limbs contribute in different ways by using modified equipment that switches the limbs' role. To this end, a reverse field hockey stick was used that requires a mirroring of arm and hand use and dominance (i...

The objectives of this study were to 1) compare the extent of cross-transfer of muscle strength of high- versus low-load unilateral resistance training performed with external pacing of the movement (URTEP) and 2) compare the time course of the 2 approaches. Fifty subjects were randomized to 1 of the following 3 groups: G80 [2 sets at 80% and 2 sets at 40% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM), 1 concentric second and 3 eccentric seconds controlled by a metronome]; G40 (4 sets at 40% of 1RM, 1 s and 3 s controlled by a metronome); or control group...

PURPOSE: Determine whether unilateral low-intensity blood-flow restricted (LIBFR) exercise is as effective as high-intensity (HI) resistance training for improving contralateral muscle strength. METHODS: Thirty healthy adults (20-30 years) were randomly allocated to the following dynamic plantar-flexion training interventions: HI [75% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), 4 sets, 10 reps] and LIBFR [20% of 1RM, 4 sets, 30 + 15 + 15 + 15 reps]...

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the intermanual transfer effects of dominant hand training on the functional task of the untrained hand. Methods: Fifty community-dwelling healthy adults (mean age, 23.4 ± 2.5 Y; females, 60%) were participated. Participants in the experimental group received 15 minutes of right-hand training on a pegboard apparatus twice a week for four weeks. The control group received no training. The Jebsen Taylor test (JTT) and a 16-hole pegboard test were used for the assessment of hand function and dexterity...

Background: Power-oriented resistance training (PRT) is one of the most effective exercise programs to counteract neuromuscular and physical function age-related declines. However, the optimal load that maximizes these outcomes or the load-specific adaptations induced on muscle power determinants remain to be better understood. Furthermore, to investigate whether these adaptations are potentially transferred to an untrained limb (i.e., cross-education phenomenon) could be especially relevant during limb-immobilization frequently observed in older people (e...

BACKGROUND: Volleyball players as overhead athletes have the highest risk of developing scapular dyskinesis. The kinetic chain exercise-approach has gained a lot of attention because of its claims to provide an improved motor control and scapular kinematics. A form of cross exercise, known as mirror therapy, may enhance the effects of a kinetic-chain-approach on scapular posture, upper and lower limb performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the adjunctive benefits of mirror cross education in a kinetic chain approach, in volleyball athletes with SD...

Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) has been used mainly as a method to promote muscle strength, but its effects on improving blood flow are less well known. The aim of this study is to deepen the knowledge about the local and contralateral effects of the application of symmetric biphasic square currents on skin temperature (Tsk). An experimental pilot study was developed with a single study group consisting of 45 healthy subjects. Thermographic evaluations were recorded following the application of NMES to the anterior region of the thigh...

The purpose of the study was to reveal participants' health concepts via a cross- sectional survey examining students at different educational stages. Four dimensions of health are integrated within an overall health concept, as drawn from relevant literature: the physical, mental, social, and cultural dimensions. An open questionnaire was administered to 551 students in three educational stages in Taiwan: junior high (13 ± 0.6yrs), senior high (16 ± 0.6yrs), and college (19 ± 0.6yrs). The results indicated that the total participants' major health concerns were situated within the physical dimension, followed by the social and mental dimensions...