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Andes Pediatrica : Revista Chilena de... Aug 2021to verify the relationship between abdominal muscle endurance and the level of body fat, measured through the waist-to-height ratio, in young people with Down syndrome... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
to verify the relationship between abdominal muscle endurance and the level of body fat, measured through the waist-to-height ratio, in young people with Down syndrome (DS).
SUBJECT AND METHOD
A comparative descriptive study was carried out in 115 young people with DS (n = 65 men and n = 50 women) aged between 10 and 18 years, from the Maule Region. Age, weight, height, and waist circumference were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. The abdominal muscle endurance test (AME) was evaluated in 60 seconds and clas sified into two categories (low AME and acceptable AME).
RESULTS
Subjects of both sexes classified with adequate levels of AME showed lower WHtR and BMI values (p < 0.05), while those classified with low levels of AME showed higher values of WHtR and BMI (p < 0.05). The correlations between adiposity and AME were negative and ranged in both sexes from r = 0.20 to 0.25, p < 0.05. Conclu sion: The study showed that young people of both sexes with DS classified with adequate levels of AME, presented decreased values of WHtR.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adiposity; Adolescent; Anthropometry; Child; Down Syndrome; Female; Humans; Male; Muscle Strength; Obesity; Waist Circumference; Waist-Height Ratio
PubMed: 34652372
DOI: 10.32641/andespediatr.v92i4.1520 -
Journal of Physical Activity & Health Nov 2018Sedentary behaviors (SB) may exacerbate loss of muscle mass and function, independent of physical activity levels. This study examined the associations of SB with...
BACKGROUND
Sedentary behaviors (SB) may exacerbate loss of muscle mass and function, independent of physical activity levels. This study examined the associations of SB with abdominal muscle area and density, a marker of muscle quality, in adults.
METHODS
A total of 1895 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis completed detailed health history, physical activity and SB questionnaires, computed tomography to quantify body composition, and measurements of inflammatory markers. Analyses included linear and nonlinear regression.
RESULTS
The mean age and body mass index were 64.6 years and 28 kg·m, respectively, and 50% were women. On average, participants engaged in 28 metabolic equivalent hours·week of SB. With adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, physical activity, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and inflammation, multivariable regression modeling revealed a nonlinear (quadratic) relationship between SB and locomotor, stability, and total abdominal muscle density (P < .01) but not muscle area. The SB inflection point at which locomotor, stability, and total abdominal muscle density began to decrease was 38.2, 39.6, and 39.2 metabolic equivalent hours·week of SB, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
SB is associated with reduced muscle density when practiced as little as 5.5 metabolic equivalent hours·day. These findings may have important implications for SB guidelines for targeting skeletal muscle health in older adults.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Atherosclerosis; Biomarkers; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular System; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ethnicity; Exercise; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Middle Aged; Racial Groups; Sedentary Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 30301405
DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0028 -
Journal of Physiological Anthropology Aug 2016Real-time ultrasound imaging is a valid method in the field of rehabilitation. The ultrasound imaging allows direct visualization for real-time study of the muscles as...
BACKGROUND
Real-time ultrasound imaging is a valid method in the field of rehabilitation. The ultrasound imaging allows direct visualization for real-time study of the muscles as they contract over the time. Measuring of the size of each abdominal muscle in relation to the others provides useful information about the differences in structure, as well as data on trunk muscle activation patterns. The purpose of this study was to assess the size and symmetry of the abdominal muscles at rest in healthy adults and to provide a reference range of absolute abdominal muscle size in a relatively large population.
METHOD
A total 156 healthy subjects with the age range of 18-44 years were randomly recruited. The thickness of internal oblique, external oblique, transverse abdominis, and rectus abdominis muscles was measured at rest on both right and left sides using ultrasound. Independent t test was used to compare the mean thickness of each abdominal muscle between males and females. Differences on side-to-side thicknesses were assessed using paired t test. The association between abdominal muscle thicknesses with gender and anthropometric variables was examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient.
RESULTS
A normal pattern of increasing order of mean abdominal muscle thickness was found in both genders at both right and left sides: transverse abdominis < external oblique < internal oblique < rectus abdominis. There was a significant difference on the size of transverse abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles between right and left sides in both genders. Males had significantly thicker abdominal muscles than females. Age was significantly correlated with the thickness of internal oblique, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles. Body mass index was also positively correlated with muscle thickness of rectus abdominis and external oblique.
CONCLUSIONS
The results provide a normal reference range for the abdominal muscles in healthy subjects and may be used as an index to find out abnormalities and also to evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adolescent; Adult; Aging; Body Mass Index; Female; Humans; Male; Sex Factors; Ultrasonography; Young Adult
PubMed: 27553830
DOI: 10.1186/s40101-016-0106-6 -
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Jul 2018This study examined the associations of muscle area and radiodensity with adiponectin and leptin.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the associations of muscle area and radiodensity with adiponectin and leptin.
METHODS
A total of 1,944 participants who enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis underwent computed tomography to quantify body composition and measurements of adiponectin, leptin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and resistin.
RESULTS
The mean age and BMI of participants were 64.7 years and 28.1 kg/m and 49% were female. With adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, inflammatory biomarkers, physical activity, and sedentary behavior, a 1-SD increment in total abdominal, stability, and locomotor muscle area was associated with a 19%, 17%, and 12% lower adiponectin level, respectively (P < 0.01 for all) but not leptin (P > 0.05). Muscle radiodensity was more robustly associated with adiponectin and leptin in the multivariable linear regression models. That is, with full adjustment for all covariates, a 1-SD increment in total abdominal, stability, and locomotor muscle radiodensity was associated with a 31%, 31%, and 18% lower adiponectin level (P < 0.01 for all) and a 6.7%, 4.6%, and 8.1% higher leptin level (P < 0.05 for all), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that increases in muscle area and radiodensity may have positive impacts on chronic inflammation and, in turn, reduce the risk of cardiometabolic disease.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adiponectin; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Atherosclerosis; Biomarkers; Body Composition; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Leptin; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 29877610
DOI: 10.1002/oby.22208 -
Journal of Physical Activity & Health Apr 2022Using data from a multiethnic cohort, the authors tested associations of multiple types and intensities of physical activity (PA) with abdominal muscle area and density.
BACKGROUND
Using data from a multiethnic cohort, the authors tested associations of multiple types and intensities of physical activity (PA) with abdominal muscle area and density.
METHODS
1895 Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants (mean age 64.6 [9.6] y) completed health history and PA questionnaires and computed tomography to quantify body composition and measurements of cardiovascular and inflammatory biomarkers. Analyses included multivariable regression.
RESULTS
Compared with those not meeting PA guidelines for Americans, those meeting the guidelines had higher total abdominal muscle area (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval 1.60, 1.20 to 2.15), stability muscle area (1.68, 1.28 to 2.20), and stability muscle density (1.35, 1.03 to 1.76). After adjustment for relevant covariates, each SD increase in total moderate to vigorous PA was associated with a higher total abdominal (β, 95% confidence interval = 0.068, 0.036 to 0.173), stability (0.063, 0.027 to 0.099), and locomotor (0.069, 0.039 to 0.099) muscle area and higher locomotor muscle density (0.065, 0.022 to 0.108, P < .01). Only intentional and conditioning exercise were associated with total abdominal and stability muscle density (P < .05). Light PA and walking were not associated with muscle area or density.
CONCLUSIONS
Most types of PA are positively associated with abdominal muscle area and density across functional categories, independent of relevant covariates. These results provide additional evidence for promoting PA for healthy muscle aging.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Atherosclerosis; Body Composition; Cardiovascular System; Exercise; Humans; Middle Aged
PubMed: 35276663
DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2021-0409 -
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental Jun 2020Due to the opposing cardiovascular risk profiles of CAC volume and density, we tested the hypothesis that increased abdominal muscle area (AMA) and density (AMD) were...
BACKGROUND
Due to the opposing cardiovascular risk profiles of CAC volume and density, we tested the hypothesis that increased abdominal muscle area (AMA) and density (AMD) were significantly associated with lower coronary arterial calcium (CAC) volume and higher CAC density.
METHODS
Using data from 787 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, Ancillary Body Composition Study, we analyzed abdominal and chest computed tomography (CT) scans. Abdominal scans were scored for muscle area, muscle density (attenuation) and visceral and subcutaneous fat. Chest scans were scored for CAC volume and Agatston values, which were used to derive CAC density scores.
RESULTS
The mean (SD) age and BMI of the participants was 67.8 (9.0) years and 27.9 (4.8) kg/m, respectively. Forty-one percent were female, 46% were Caucasian, 60% had hypertension, 17% had diabetes, and 46% had dyslipidemia. AMA was positively associated with CAC volume (p < .001) and inversely associated with CAC density (p < .001). Conversely, AMD was inversely associated with CAC volume and positively associated with CAC density in minimally adjusted models (p < .001), but not significant in confounder adjusted models.
CONCLUSION
AMA and AMD had differing associations with CAC volume and density, with AMA significantly associated with a higher risk CAC profile (high volume, low density) and AMD not significantly associated with CAC volume or density. Future research needs to account for the unique components of both muscle composition and CAC.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Asian; Atherosclerosis; Black People; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Diseases; Coronary Vessels; Dyslipidemias; Ethnicity; Female; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Assessment; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vascular Calcification; White People
PubMed: 32298722
DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154230 -
Nutrition in Clinical Practice :... Dec 2021A premature infant's discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is dependent on factors such as respiratory stability, adequate growth, and the ability to...
BACKGROUND
A premature infant's discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is dependent on factors such as respiratory stability, adequate growth, and the ability to consume oral feeds. Once infants have achieved respiratory stability, a tool that can better predict age at discharge is desirable. Thus, we conducted a secondary data analysis to assess the association between ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness and postmenstrual age (PMA) at full oral feedings.
METHODS
Forty-nine (n = 49) healthy, premature infants (mean gestational age = 32 weeks) were recruited from the NICU. Anthropometric measurements and ultrasound measurements of the rectus abdominis were conducted when infants were medically stable. Fat-free mass (FFM) was obtained using air displacement plethysmography. The relationship between ultrasound measurements of muscle thickness and PMA at full oral feedings was assessed using linear regression analysis. The relationship between FFM z-scores and PMA at full oral feedings was also assessed for comparison.
RESULTS
When adjusting for gestational age at birth, PMA at measurement, days of positive pressure respiratory support, weight, and length, ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness were independently, negatively associated with PMA at full oral feedings (β estimate: -0.71, P = .03).
CONCLUSION
Preliminary results suggest infants with greater abdominal muscle thickness may reach full oral feedings at an earlier PMA (nearly 1 week per millimeter). Thus, ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness may be helpful in assessing readiness for discharge in healthy preterm infants. Further research is needed for development and validation of a prediction equation.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
PubMed: 34101241
DOI: 10.1002/ncp.10670 -
BMC Surgery Aug 2016Symptoms arising from giant ventral hernia have been considered to be related to weakening of the abdominal muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Symptoms arising from giant ventral hernia have been considered to be related to weakening of the abdominal muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the area of the abdominal wall defect and abdominal wall muscle strength measured by the validated BioDex system together with a back/abdominal unit.
METHODS
Fifty-two patients with giant ventral hernia (>10 cm wide) underwent CT scan, clinical measurement of hernia size and BioDex measurement of muscle strength prior to surgery. The areas of the hernia derived from CT scan and from clinical measurement were compared with BioDex forces in the modalities extension, flexion and isometric contraction. The Spearman rank test was used to calculate correlations between area, BMI, gender, age, and muscle strength.
RESULT
The hernia area calculated from clinical measurements correlated to abdominal muscle strength measured with the Biodex for all modalities (p-values 0.015-0.036), whereas no correlation was seen with the area calculated by CT scan. No relationship was seen between BMI, gender, age and the area of the hernia.
DISCUSSION
The inverse correlation between BioDex abdominal muscle strength and clinically assessed hernia area, seen in all modalities, was so robust that it seems safe to conclude that the area of the hernia is an important determinant of the degree of loss of abdominal muscle strength. Results using hernia area calculated from the CT scan showed no such correlation and this would seem to concur with the results from a previous study by our group on patients with abdominal rectus diastasis. In that study, defect size assessed clinically, but not that measured by CT scan, was in agreement with the size of the diastasis measured intra-operatively. The point at which the area of a hernia begins to correlate with loss of abdominal wall muscle strength remains unknown since this study only included giant ventral hernias.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Abdominal Wall; Adult; Aged; Female; Hernia, Ventral; Herniorrhaphy; Humans; Isometric Contraction; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 27484911
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-016-0166-x -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Jun 2019Previous studies have indicated that trunk muscle strength decreases with chronic low back pain, and is associated with poor balance, poor functional performance, and... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have indicated that trunk muscle strength decreases with chronic low back pain, and is associated with poor balance, poor functional performance, and falls in older adults. Strengthening exercises for chronic low back pain are considered the most effective intervention to improve functional outcomes. We developed an innovative exercise device for abdominal trunk muscles that also measures muscle strength. The correlation between muscle weakness, as measured by our device, the presence of chronic low back pain, and decreased physical ability associated with a risk of falling were evaluated in older women.
METHODS
Thirty-eight elderly women, who could walk without support during daily activities and attended our outpatient clinic for treatment of chronic low back pain, knee or hip arthritis, or osteoporosis, were included in this study. Anthropometric measurements were performed. Grip power and one-leg standing time with eyes open were measured, and abdominal trunk muscle strength was measured using our device. History of falling in the previous 12 months was noted. Subjects with chronic low back pain (visual analog scale score ≥ 20 mm) for over 3 months were assigned to the low back pain group (n = 21). The remaining subjects formed the non-low back pain group (n = 17).
RESULTS
Abdominal muscle strength of subjects in the low back pain group, and with history of falling, was significantly lower compared with that of subjects in the non-low back pain group, and in subjects without a history of falling, respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between abdominal trunk muscle strength and one-leg standing time with eyes open.
CONCLUSION
We measured abdominal muscle strength in older women with chronic low back pain using our device, and it was significantly lower than that of those without chronic low back pain. Muscle weakness was associated with a history and risk of falling.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Accidental Falls; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cohort Studies; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Low Back Pain; Muscle Strength; Muscle Weakness
PubMed: 31159812
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-2655-4 -
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation Nov 2020Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) was designed for artificial muscle activation or superimposed training. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
CONTEXT
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) was designed for artificial muscle activation or superimposed training.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the effects of 8 weeks of superimposed technique (ST; application of electrical stimulation during a voluntary muscle action) and EMS on the cross-sectional area of the rectus abdominis, lateral abdominal wall, and on lumbopelvic control.
SETTING
University research laboratory.
DESIGN
Randomized controlled trial.
PARTICIPANTS
Fifty healthy subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to either the ST or EMS group.
INTERVENTION
The participants engaged with the electrical stimulation techniques (ST or EMS) for 8 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
In all participants, the cross-sectional area of the rectus abdominis and lateral abdominal wall was measured by magnetic resonance imaging and lumbopelvic control, quantified using the single-leg and double-leg lowering tests.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the cross-sectional area of the rectus abdominis (right: P = .70, left: P = .99) or lateral abdominal wall (right: P = .07, left: P = .69) between groups. There was a significant difference between groups in the double-leg lowering test (P = .03), but not in the single-leg lowering test (P = .88). There were significant differences between the preintervention and postintervention in the single-leg (P < .001) and double-leg lowering tests (P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
ST could improve lumbopelvic control in the context of athletic training and fitness.
Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Adult; Combined Modality Therapy; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Young Adult
PubMed: 31910395
DOI: 10.1123/jsr.2019-0348