The experimental group (progressive resistance exercise) undertook nine resistive exercises using a combination of machines and free weights (Box 1) KPT-330 solubility dmso at 65% of their assessed one repetition maximum (1RM) as recommended by American College of Sports Medicine (Ratamess et al 2009). The 1RM for each muscle group was determined using a prediction formula (Brown and Weir 2001) by assessing the number of repetitions that the participant was able to complete at submaximal loads. The progressive resistance exercise intervention is presented in Table 1. Muscle group Description

Quadriceps Seated leg press: Seated upright with feet onto a plate, the participant find protocol pushed against the load extending and flexing the knee. Straight leg raise: Lying on the back with one leg bent and one leg straight with the pelvis posteriorly tilted, the participant lifted the straightened leg up to approximately 45 degrees and slowly lowered it back to the plinth. Hamstrings Hamstrings curl machine: Lying prone with hips flush against the bench, the calf was placed under the

roller and the leg curled the weight up to 90 degrees from the machine and was then lowered down slowly. Biceps Biceps curls: The participant held the dumb-bells with palms faced out, elbows next to the body and curled the weights towards the shoulders and then lowered them slowly. Triceps Triceps curls: Arms were raised straight also overhead while keeping them close to the ears and elbows bent, lowering the dumb-bells behind the participant’s head. The elbows were straightened to raise the weights and bent to lower them again. Deltoids Lateral raises (middle

deltoids): The dumb-bells were held in front of the hips with palms facing each other and elbows slightly bent. The weights were then raised out to the sides and upwards in a semi-circular manner to just above the shoulder level and then lowered slowly. Front raises (anterior deltoids): The dumb-bells were held in front on the body with palms facing each other and elbows slightly bent. The weights were then raised out to the front and upwards in a semi-circular manner to just above the shoulder level and then lowered slowly. Gluteus Hip abduction: The outside of the thigh was placed against the roller pad and raised against the roller pad to the side and returned to initial position while body weight was on the other leg. Hip extension: The back of the thigh was placed against the roller pad and raised against the roller pad to the back by extending hip and straightening leg and returned to initial position while body weight was on the other leg.