Crossfit is a recently developed form of training which is based on a number of functional resistance exercises performed at high intensity, often to the point of muscular failure. Crossfit has since its introduction 30 years ago, reached vast popularity all around the world, including Sweden. Its practitioners considers Crossfit to be an effective training method for achieving a functional and total trained physique thru improvements in VO2max, muscle strength, endurance, balance and speed. Few scientific studies has been published in the subject which is why this study sets out to examine the effect of Crossfit on VO2max (measured with Åstrands submaximal cyclingtest), maximal strength capacity in lower- and upper body muscles (measured with 1 RM tests in bench press and leg press), rapid strength capacity and strength endurance capacity in upper body muscles (measured with push-up test in 30 seconds) and explosive strength capacity in lower body muscles (measured with sergeant jump test). Five women with an average of 33(±5) years of age all new to Crossfit, performed these tests at two separate occasions with a training period of four weeks consisting of 12(±3,67) Crossfit sessions in between.The result showed a significant improvement in the maximal strength capacity of the leg extension muscles (p=0,025).

Testosterone is a steroid and anabolic hormone found in all mammals. Previous research indicates that testosterone levels correlates with physical capacities related to physical performance. However, these studies refers only to men and boys. The aim of present study was therefore to investigate the potential relationship between body composition, strength, power and endurance capabilities in relation to blood levels of testosterone and DHEAS in young female football players. Seventeen female elite football (age: 15,4 ± 0,6, body mass: 57,2 ± 7,4kg, height 1,65 ±0,04m) players volunteered for the study.

Core strength is important in order to be able to do all types of daily activities. One way to exercise ones core muscles is according to the pre- choreographed program Fokus. Previous studies have shown that core training gives better balance and stability in the core and also improved techniques, body awareness and control. Aim: To evaluate the core endurance strength, the balance and the studied individuals self estimated body awareness and control after six weeks of training according the pre- choreographed program Fokus. Methods: A total of 14 people volunteered to participate in the study, six of which completed the study.

Core strength is important in order to be able to do all types of daily activities. One way to exercise ones core muscles is according to the pre- choreographed program Fokus. Previous studies have shown that core training gives better balance and stability in the core and also improved techniques, body awareness and control. Aim: To evaluate the core endurance strength, the balance and the studied individuals self estimated body awareness and control after six weeks of training according the pre- choreographed program Fokus. Methods: A total of 14 people volunteered to participate in the study, six of which completed the study.

AbstractTitle: The effect of caffeine on performance during resistance training ?A systematic overviewAuthor: Amanda Jonsson and Erica BenderSupervisor: Mette AxelsenExaminer: Anna WinkvistProgramme: Dietician study programme, 180/240 ECTSType of paper: Examination paper, 15 hpDate: 2015-03-31Background: Products with high content of caffeine has in recent years become popular for optimizing physical performance. Caffeine affects mechanisms in our body which can be beneficial to perform better during exercise, but the theories have not yet been systematically reviewed.Objective: The purpose of this review article, is to examine the acute effect of caffeine intake before strength training on athletic performance with the outcome muscle endurance.Search strategy: A systematic literature search in databases PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane using keywords: ?Caffeine?, ?strength?, ?muscle?, "resistance training", "muscle strength", "strength training", "athletic performance", ?repetitions to failure?, ?muscular endurance? and ?endurance training?.Selection criteria: Healthy subjects, 16-50 years old, with experience in strength training. Studies with a caffeine intake > 5 mg/kg body weight, which participants performed dynamic strength exercises on a weight > 60% of their 1 RM.

Body awareness is a term that refers to a person´s perception and knowledge about his or her body. It includes proportion, size, weight, contour and image of ones body. The Ben- Tovim Walker Body Attitudes Questionnaire (BAQ) contains 44 questions concerning the different aspects of body awareness: Feeling fat, Body disparagement, Strength and fitness, Salience of weight, Attractiveness and Lower body fatness. The purpose of this study was to investigate body awareness among men in military recruit training. BAQ was distributed to fifty recruits for military service in Boden.

Abstract The core is the center of gravity in our body. Injuries and overload in the joints, is the most common reason for not be able to work in Sweden today. A god strength capacity in the core is important for secure and effective movements, as well for active athletes, as for non athletes. The increased number of employees, who report in sick today, has been correlated with psychological bad health. New methods to deal with mental and physical health problems among people can indicate to the fact that Yoga in the western world has increased its members, due its spiritual and physical recognition in favor of well being.

Introduction: A complex interaction between muscles, tendons, bones, joints and nerves are required for optimal function of the human hand. It is known that an individual?s grip strength is vital for performance of physical demanding tasks such as strength training with free weights. Strength training including a thicker grip around the bar may enhance the strength of the grip in the athlete without other special routines for grip strength development. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the difference in performance in multiple repetitions in two strength training exercises using two different sizes on the bar, to look for correlations between grip strength of the subjects hand and the amount of repetitions executed with two different size of the bar and finally the correlation of hand size and the amount of repetitions executed with two different size of the bar.Method: 15 strength training men (23,9 ± 4,1 years), underwent measurements of hand size, maximum grip strength, 1 repetition maximum (1RM), a 80 % of 1RM weight strength test with two different  bar sizes.Results: The results from the present investigation indicates a 21,1 % reduction of 80 % of 1 RM weight performance in repetitions executed in the bench press with the thicker diameter of the bar and a 66,2 % reduction in repetitions executed with a 80 % of 1 RM weight in the lying bench row with the thicker diameter of the bar.

Abstract 1.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects whole body vibrations on maximal strength, power output and neuromuscular activity in m. pectoralis major during bench press.Participants consisted of 35 male and 9 female military high school students (m=23, 1 years). On the basis of initial maximal performances in bench press the participants was divided into two experiments groups and one control group. Intervention groups performed a specifically designed push up program on a vibrating plate respectively a step board during 12 weeks Initial load at 60 % of 1 RM showed an average of 46, 5 kg. All groups showed an average increase of 13 kg for each person after 12 weeks.

IntroductionSuccessful training is a key for athletes to make progress in their development. Training must not just involve overload, but also must prevent the combination of excessive overload plus inadequate recovery. Athletes can experience short-term performance decrement without severe psychological or lasting other negative symptoms. Too much hard exercise or too little sleep can cause overtraining, a condition in which the subject can prevent to be away from the sport for several weeks or months. Previous studies have detected that it is important to avoid overtraining.

In cooperation with Hälsoteamet Halmstad a pilot study was made to see if whole body vibration exercise has any effect on muscle strength, movement and experience of pain in people with knee osteoarthritis. Today whole body vibration exercise is a revolutionary exercise method that needs more studies to show the positive and negative effects. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease where more cartilage is destroyed than replaced. The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, restricted movement, muscularly atrophy, tenderness and instability. The cartilage needs pressure to rebuild, it is therefore important that the patient exercise.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the 20m multistage shuttle run test (MST) for elite ice hockey players as a predictor of the maximal aerobic capacity and the how the result is affected by the players age, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, body composition and test surface. The purpose of this was to find out the potential of the 20-m shuttle run test as a measuringtool for the maximal aerobic capacity in frequent testing periods during the season. It is very interesting to be able to administer this easily because the competative phase of the season is very long compared to the pre-seasonal phase and earlier studies have shown that the aerobic capacity is being lowered during this competative phase of the season for elite icehockey players.Methods: 34 elite ice hockey players participated in this study (20.0±3.6 yrs, BMI 24.2±1.6 and VO2-max 58.0±4.8 ml O2?kg-1?min-1). During 3-5 days they underwent 2 MST tests (wood and rubber surface), treadmill running with VO2-max assessed with open-circuit technique, Wingate10% and FFM-assessment with underwater-technique.

Vissa studier som undersökt kombinerad styrketräning och uthållighetsträningjämfört med styrketräning har funnit hämmad styrkeutveckling vid kombinerad träning. Forskning har därför riktats mot att undersöka hur hämmad effekt kan undvikas. Syftet med litteraturöversikten var att genom att granska vetenskaplig litteratur i området beskriva faktorer av betydelse för styrkeutvecklingen i nedre extremitet vid kombinerade uthållighetoch styrketräningsprogram. En beskrivande litteraturstudie gjordes på ämnet. En litteratursökning genomfördes mellan 6-24/9, 2014 i databaserna Scopus, Proquest, Pubmed, Cinahl, AMED, Web Of Sciense.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate 1RM and what power could be generated in bench-press and half squat concentric at certain percentages of 1RM. Special interest was put to evaluate men (M) and women (K), strength trained (ST) verses non strength trained (EST) in generating absolute power as well as power relative to 1RM.Method: In total 59 subjects mean (± SD) age 24.9 ± 4.1 years divided into four test groups: 20 male non strength trained GIH-students (EST M), 20 female non strength trained GIH-students (EST K), 10 male strength trained - sprinters on national/regional level (ST M), 10 female strength trained - sprinters (ST K) on national/regional level. They did two tests on 1RM and power in events of concentric bench-press and half squat in a Smith machine. In the first test session 3 ? 5 lifts were made to measure 1RM in each event.

AbstractTitle: Does supplementation with omega 3 improve oxygen uptake among athletes?Author: Jonna Gustafsson and Maria Bohlin Nygren Supervisor: Frode Slinde Examiner: Ingrid Larsson Programme: Programme in dietetics, 180/240 hp Type of paper: Bachelor?s thesis in clinical nutrition, 15 hp Date: May 26, 2015Background: Previous research has shown that omega 3 fatty acids may improve cardiovascular functions by decreased aggregation and increased red blood cell deformability. This produces an increased blood flow and could have a potential effect on oxygen uptake. Optimal aerobic capacity is a determinant factor of performance within endurance exercise.Objective: To compile scientific research of the possibility that omega 3 supplementation could improve oxygen uptake among athletes.Search strategy: The literature research is based on searches in PubMed and Scopus with the terms ?Physical Endurance?, ?Oxygen Consumption?, ?Fatty Acids Omega 3?, ?Dietary Supplements?, ?Exercise?, ?Fatty Acids Essential?, ?Docosahexaenoic Acids?, ?Eicosanoic Acids?, ?Fish Oils?, ?oxygen consumption?, ?maximal oxygen consumption?, ?VO2 max?, ?athlete?, ?omega-3 supplementation?, ?physical endurance?, ??-3?, ?omega-3?, ?Maximal Aerobic Power?, ?Oxygen Uptake?, ?VO2? and ?Maximal Aerobic Capacity?.Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) with an intervention of omega 3-supplementation during three weeks or more were included.