About the equipment

All donations will goes towards the purchase of a lat pulldown machine. It's used for vertical pulling exercises that targets the latissimus dorsi muscle (located in the back below the shoulders). If you visit a gym, chances are you'll see one of these machines. 

Who does it help?

Older adults, women with fibromyalgia, and women recovering from breast cancer treatment.

Future studies will be concentrating on men and women with peripheral artery disease and patients undergoing transaortic valve replacement (many of which suffer from muscle wasting and compromised strength).

Research that makes an impact

Faculty in Nutrition, Food & Exercise Sciences study interventions to improve the quality of life for both healthy and chronically ill populations. One intervention examines the effects of strength training on maintaining and improving muscle mass, bone density, strength, physical function and ultimately quality of life.

The addition of a lat pulldown machine would add an element to the workout for study participants and benefit research outcomes.

Recent studies involving weight training:

• Functionality in Middle-Aged and Older Overweight and Obese Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis
• Body composition and bone mineral density in breast cancer survivors and non-cancer controls: A 12- to 15-month follow-up
• Resistance training during a 12-week protein supplemented VLCD treatment enhances weight-loss outcomes in obese patients
• Effects of age and exercise training on coronary microvascular smooth muscle phenotype and function
• Effects of Resistance Training and Protein Supplementation in Breast Cancer Survivors