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Sports (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Stretch-induced force deficit suggests an acute stretch-specific strength capacity loss, which is commonly attributed to EMG reductions. Since those deficits could also...
PURPOSE
Stretch-induced force deficit suggests an acute stretch-specific strength capacity loss, which is commonly attributed to EMG reductions. Since those deficits could also be attributed to general fatigue induced by overloading the muscle, this study aimed to compare stretching with an exhausting calf raise programme to compare strength and stretching responses.
METHOD
This study included 16 participants with different, high-duration calf muscle stretching effects (10, 20, 30 min of stretching) with resistance training (RT) (3 × 12 repetitions) performed until muscle failure, by using a cross-over study design with pre-post comparisons. Strength was tested via isometric plantar flexor diagnostics, while flexibility was assessed using the knee-to-wall test (KtW) and an isolated goniometer test.
RESULTS
Using a three-way ANOVA, RT strength decreases were greater compared to 10 and 20 min of stretching ( = 0.01-0.02), but similar to those of 30 min of stretching. ROM in the KtW showed no specific stretch-induced increases, while only the stretching conditions enhanced isolated tested ROM ( < 0.001-0.008). No RT-related isolated ROM increases were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The results showed both interventions had similar effects on strength and ROM in the calf muscles. More holistic explanatory approaches such as fatigue and warm-up are discussed in the manuscript and call for further research.
PubMed: 38921839
DOI: 10.3390/sports12060145 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) May 2024In the lives of those who are the target of community health nursing, it is important to collaborate with individuals and communities to improve their quality of life....
In the lives of those who are the target of community health nursing, it is important to collaborate with individuals and communities to improve their quality of life. Herein, we aimed to determine the association between Internet use among older individuals and locomotive syndrome (LS), frailty, and sarcopenia. In this cross-sectional study conducted between July 2022 and March 2023, we recruited 105 community-dwelling older Japanese adults who participated in a care prevention project called "Kayoi-no-ba". All participants were divided into Internet and non-Internet user groups according to the classification of a previous study. We assessed LS (standing test, two-step test, and five-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale), frailty (through the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old-Old), and sarcopenia (grip strength, normal walking speed, and skeletal muscle mass index) and made group comparisons between Internet users and non-users. Binomial logistic regression analyses were performed with Internet use as the independent variable and sarcopenia or LS as the dependent variables. The Internet and non-Internet user groups had 69 and 36 participants, respectively. The Internet user group comprised 65.7% of all participants, which was similar to that reported in a previous study of the same age group. Between-group comparisons showed significant differences in sarcopenia and LS items, whereas adjusted binomial logistic analysis showed a significant association between sarcopenia and Internet use. In summary, among LS, frailty, and sarcopenia, sarcopenia showed the highest association with Internet use. Older adults without sarcopenia having good physical functions, such as grip strength, walking speed, and skeletal muscle index, more likely used the Internet; while older adults with sarcopenia were less likely to use the Internet. This implied that Internet use may be associated with physical function.
PubMed: 38921715
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep14020105 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... Jun 2024This study aimed to compare neuromuscular fatigability of the elbow flexors and extensors between athletes with amputation (AMP) and athletes with spinal cord injury...
This study aimed to compare neuromuscular fatigability of the elbow flexors and extensors between athletes with amputation (AMP) and athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) for maximum voluntary force (MVF) and rate of force development (RFD). We recruited 20 para-athletes among those participating at two training camps (2022) for Italian Paralympic veterans. Ten athletes with SCI (two with tetraplegia and eight with paraplegia) were compared to 10 athletes with amputation (above the knee, N = 3; below the knee, N = 6; forearm, N = 1). We quantified MVF, RFD at 50, 100, and 150 ms, and maximal RFD (RFDpeak) of elbow flexors and extensors before and after an incremental arm cranking to voluntary fatigue. We also measured the RFD scaling factor (RFD-SF), which is the linear relationship between peak force and peak RFD quantified in a series of ballistic contractions of submaximal amplitude. SCI showed lower levels of MVF and RFD in both muscle groups (all values ≤ 0.045). Despite this, the decrease in MVF (Cohen's d = 0.425, < 0.001) and RFDpeak (d = 0.424, = 0.003) after the incremental test did not show any difference between pathological conditions. Overall, RFD at 50 ms showed the greatest decrease (d = 0.741, < 0.001), RFD at 100 ms showed a small decrease (d = 0.382, = 0.020), and RFD at 150 ms did not decrease ( = 0.272). The RFD-SF decreased more in SCI than AMP ( < 0.0001). Muscle fatigability impacted not only maximal force expressions but also the quickness of ballistic contractions of submaximal amplitude, particularly in SCI. This may affect various sports and daily living activities of wheelchair users. Early RFD (i.e., ≤50 ms) was notably affected by muscle fatigability.
PubMed: 38921644
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9020108 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... Jun 2024With a growing aging population, the routine assessment of physical function may become a critical component of clinical practice. The purpose of this cross-sectional...
With a growing aging population, the routine assessment of physical function may become a critical component of clinical practice. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to compare two common assessments of muscular function: (1) isometric knee extension strength (KES) and (2) sit-to-stand (STS) muscle power tests, in predicting objective physical function (i.e., gait speed) in aging adults. 84 adults (56% female, mean (SD) age = 66.6 (9.4) years) had their relative KES, STS power, usual gait speed (UGS), and fast gait speed (FGS) assessed. Multiple linear regression examined the associations between KES, STS power, and gait outcomes. When entered in separate models, KES and STS power were both independently associated with UGS and FGS (Std. β = 0.35-0.44 and 0.42-0.55 for KES and STS power, respectively). When entered in the same model, STS power was associated with UGS and FGS (Std. β = 0.37 [95%CI: 0.15, 0.58] and 0.51 [95%CI: 0.31, 0.70], respectively), while KES was only associated with FGS (Std. β = 0.25 [95%CI: 0.02, 0.48]). STS power seems to be a valid indicator of function in aging adults. Its feasibility as a screening tool for "low" function in the primary care setting should be explored.
PubMed: 38921639
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9020103 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... May 2024Hypoxia increases inspiratory muscle work and consequently contributes to a reduction in exercise performance. We evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up...
Hypoxia increases inspiratory muscle work and consequently contributes to a reduction in exercise performance. We evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) on a 10 km cycling time trial in normoxia (NOR) and hypoxia (HYP). Eight cyclists performed four time trial sessions, two in HYP (FiO: 0.145) and two in NOR (FiO: 0.209), of which one was with IMW (set at 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure-MIP) and the other was with the placebo effect (PLA: set at 15% MIP). Time trials were unchanged by IMW (NOR: 893.8 ± 31.5 vs. NOR: 925.5 ± 51.0 s; HYP: 976.8 ± 34.2 vs. HYP: 1008.3 ± 56.0 s; > 0.05), while ventilation was higher in HYP (107.7 ± 18.3) than HYP (100.1 ± 18.9 L.min; ≤ 0.05), and SpO was lower (HYP: 73 ± 6 vs. HYP: 76 ± 6%; ≤ 0.05). A post-exercise-induced reduction in inspiratory strength was correlated with exercise elapsed time during IMW sessions (HYP: r = -0.79; ≤ 0.05; NOR: r = -0.70; ≤ 0.05). IMW did not improve the 10 km time trial performance under normoxia and hypoxia.
PubMed: 38921633
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9020097 -
Metabolites Jun 2024Physical activity is effective for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes, but some individuals do not achieve metabolic benefits from exercise ("non-responders"). We...
Physical activity is effective for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes, but some individuals do not achieve metabolic benefits from exercise ("non-responders"). We investigated non-responders in terms of insulin sensitivity changes following a 12-week supervised strength and endurance exercise program. We used a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp to measure insulin sensitivity among 26 men aged 40-65, categorizing them into non-responders or responders based on their insulin sensitivity change scores. The exercise regimen included VOmax, muscle strength, whole-body MRI scans, muscle and fat biopsies, and serum samples. mRNA sequencing was performed on biopsies and Olink proteomics on serum samples. Non-responders showed more visceral and intramuscular fat and signs of dyslipidaemia and low-grade inflammation at baseline and did not improve in insulin sensitivity following exercise, although they showed gains in VOmax and muscle strength. Impaired IL6-JAK-STAT3 signalling in non-responders was suggested by serum proteomics analysis, and a baseline serum proteomic machine learning (ML) algorithm predicted insulin sensitivity responses with high accuracy, validated across two independent exercise cohorts. The ML model identified 30 serum proteins that could forecast exercise-induced insulin sensitivity changes.
PubMed: 38921470
DOI: 10.3390/metabo14060335 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024(1) Objective: To examine the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) training on muscle strength, cross-sectional area and knee-related function in patients selected... (Review)
Review
(1) Objective: To examine the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) training on muscle strength, cross-sectional area and knee-related function in patients selected for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). (2) Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and ProQuest databases until 20 May 2024. Controlled clinical trials comparing the effects of BFR training with unrestricted training in patients before or after ACLR were selected. The GRADE approach was used to assess the degree of certainty for each meta-analysis. (3) Results: Ten studies were included (n = 287 participants). Standardized mean differences in favor of BFR training applied postoperatively were observed in knee extensor (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.06 to 1.52; I: 68%) and flexor isokinetic strength (SMD = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.04 to 1.01; I: 0%), and quadriceps cross-sectional area (SMD = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.27 to 1.26; I: 0%). No changes were found in knee extensor isometric strength and knee-related function. The degree of certainty according to the GRADE was very low. (4) Conclusions: Very low degree of certainty suggests that BFR training provides additional benefits to unrestricted training on isokinetic strength and quadriceps cross-sectional area in patients undergoing ACLR.
PubMed: 38921345
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121231 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to care services in communities such as senior day care centers....
Central Sensitization-Related Symptoms and Influencing Factors on Health-Related Quality of Life among Frail Older Adults in Senior Day Care Centers: A Cross-Sectional Study.
The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to care services in communities such as senior day care centers. Maintaining health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in frail older adults is important for managing long-term care. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore the impact of physical, mental, and cognitive factors, particularly central sensitization-related symptoms (CSSs), on the HRQOL among frail older adults in senior day care centers. HRQOL, physical, mental, and cognitive factors, and severity of CSSs were comprehensively measured using validated methods. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors affecting HRQOL among frail older adults in senior day care centers. The results showed that the timed up and go test significantly affected the HRQOL among frail older adults at senior day care centers. Additionally, knee extension muscle strength, number of pain sites, depressive tendencies, and CSS severity showed a significant negative correlation with HRQOL but were not significant influencing factors. This suggests that functional mobility assessments and approaches are important for maintaining and improving the HRQOL in frail older adults at senior day care centers.
PubMed: 38921315
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121201 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Sarcopenia is defined by the presence of decreased skeletal muscle mass, strength, and functionality in older people. Multicomponent interventions represent an...
UNLABELLED
Sarcopenia is defined by the presence of decreased skeletal muscle mass, strength, and functionality in older people. Multicomponent interventions represent an alternative to non-pharmacological treatment for preventing disease progression. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a multicomponent intervention approach in women at risk of sarcopenia.
METHODS
A quasi-experimental pilot study of 12 weeks was conducted, with 24 sessions of dancing and resistance exercises and 12 sessions of nutritional education. The outcomes were changes in muscle mass, grip strength, gait speed, and body composition. The project was registered on Clinical Trials: NCT06038500 (14 September 2023).
RESULTS
Twelve women aged 55-75 years participated in this study; after the intervention, changes were found in the following variables: grip strength, from 18.70 (17.98-19.23) at baseline to 21.57 (20.67-23.16) kg ( = 0.002); gait speed, from 0.95 (0.81-1.18) at baseline to 1.34 (1.20-1.47) m/s ( = 0.003); and hip circumference, from 99.75 (94.75-110.37) at baseline to 97.65 (93.92-109.50) cm ( = 0.023). Other measurements that appeared without changes were appendicular skeletal muscle mass, from 21.17 (18.58-22.33) at baseline to 20.77 (18.31-22.39) kg ( = 0.875), and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, from 8.64 (8.08-9.35) at baseline to 8.81 (7.91-9.38) kg/m ( = 0.875) after the intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
The three-month multicomponent intervention in women at risk of sarcopenia improved their grip strength and gait speed.
PubMed: 38921304
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121191 -
Advances in Respiratory Medicine May 2024Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by high-energy metabolism, often leads to malnutrition and is linked to exacerbations. This study...
BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by high-energy metabolism, often leads to malnutrition and is linked to exacerbations. This study investigates the association of malnutrition-related body composition and handgrip strength changes with exacerbation frequencies in COPD patients.
METHODS
We analyzed 77 acute exacerbation COPD (AECOPD) patients and 82 stable COPD patients, categorized as frequent and infrequent exacerbators. Assessments included body composition, handgrip strength, nutritional risk, dyspnea scale, and COPD assessment.
RESULTS
Among AECOPD patients, there were 22 infrequent and 55 frequent exacerbators. Infrequent exacerbators showed better muscle parameters, extracellular water ratio, phase angle, and handgrip strength. Significant differences in intracellular water, total cellular water, protein, and body cell mass were observed between groups. Logistic regression indicated that extracellular water ratio (OR = 1.086) and phase angle (OR = 0.396) were independently associated with exacerbation risk. Thresholds for exacerbation risk were identified as 0.393 for extracellular water ratio and 4.85° for phase angle. In stable COPD, 13 frequent and 69 infrequent exacerbators were compared, showing no significant differences in weight, muscle, and adipose parameters, but significant differences in extracellular water ratio, phase angle, and handgrip strength.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that increased exacerbations in COPD patients correlate with higher extracellular water ratios and lower phase angles.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Hand Strength; Male; Body Composition; Female; Aged; Middle Aged; Disease Progression
PubMed: 38921062
DOI: 10.3390/arm92030023