Muscle & Fitness Australia — November 2017

86 MUSCLE & FITNESS / NOVEMBER 2017

SPECIAL BONUS LIFTING SECTION!

HEAVY NEGATIVES

A study from the University of

Jyväskylä (try saying that three

times really fast) in Finland found

that the lowering part of weightlifting

is more important for gaining strength.

Researchers put men on either

a training plan that featured

“accentuated eccentric loading” or a

traditional lifting scheme for 10 weeks.

Both groups lifted twice a week with

at least 48 hours of rest between

sessions; the accentuated eccentric

loading group used a 40% greater

load during the lowering phase.

This group gained significantly more

strength and endurance than the

traditional lifters, ranging from about

5% to 9% depending on the torque

being tested, and showed continuous

gains throughout the 10 weeks,

compared with the other group,

which hit a plateau at Week 5.

A HAPPY WALK

Recent US research determine

that people who do light-intens

workouts — defined as

leisurely walks with no

discernible rise in heart rate

or breathing — had the highest

reported levels of happiness

and lowest levels of depression

Those who did vigorous activity

— with a noticeable increase in

heart rate and breathing—

had results that were

neutral, with no positive

or negative link.

FEEL-GOOD WAVES

According to a study from New Mexico Highlands

University, US, the pressure waves that are

created when we walk send waves through

the arteries that significantly modify and

can increase the supply of blood to the brain.

Scientists discovered that even though you hit

with a lighter step when walking, it creates a

larger pressure wave that boosts blood flow

to the brain even more than running, optimising

brain function and giving us a sense of wellbeing.

d

sity

n.

y

CHRIS LUND; KEVIN HORTON

SLOW DOWN

Accentuated eccentric

loading will see you reach

ever greater gains than

your regular lifting

program.