Nur MOHAMAD

Metabolic cost and cardiorespiratory responses produced by a body weight circuit training program were assessed for the purpose of this study. Fourteen recreationally active males aged 22.57 ± 1.70 years old with body weight of 64.53 ± 8.79 kg and height of 1.68 ± 0.04 m were recruited. A body weight circuit training program was prescribed to all participants. The body weight resistance circuit was performed in a continuous mode, with a combination of aerobic-based exercise each body weight exercises. Portable desktop metabolic analyzer with a face mask was used to assess cardiorespiratory responses during the performance. Lower post-exercise blood pressure level was recorded, with significant differences observed between the pre- and post-exercise data. Heart rate response significantly increased after performing the exercise protocol. Peak oxygen consumption recorded during the performance was 24.36 ± 2.53 ml/kg/min, peak amount of oxygen extracted by the lung from the air was 16.85 ± 0.45%, maximum heart rate recorded was 156.29 ± 12.65 bpm, and respiratory frequency was 34.39 ± 5.18 l/min. Metabolic cost based on energy expenditure recorded was 468.71 ± 66.84 kcal, and the Metabolic Equivalent of Task recorded was 6.86 ± 0.77. Albeit lesser total duration, continuous mode used to ensure the metabolic cost recorded was in accordance with other previous findings related to circuit-based training. Body weight circuit training with active recovery in between set is an excellent way of developing and maintaining overall physical fitness level.

The objective of this study is to determine the relationships between muscle architectures and jumping abilities. Thirty recreationally active men were recruited as study participants and underwent testing for muscle architecture and jumping abilities. Ultrasonography method was used to measure fascicle length, pennation angle and muscle thickness of biceps femoris and vastus lateralis for muscle architecture variables. Vertical jump and standing long jump were tested for jumping abilities. Pearson Correlation was used to determine the relationship between all muscle architectures and the jumping abilities tested. Results showed that the muscle thickness and pennation angle of BF and the muscle thickness of VL were shown to be positively correlated while the fascicle length of VL was shown to be negatively correlated with vertical jump performance. Besides that, muscle thickness of BF and the pennation angle of VL and BF were shown to be positively correlated with standing long jump performance. Results demonstrated the advantages of having thicker and more pennated muscle fascicles in enhancing jumping abilities.