ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: the study determined the validity and reliability of measurements obtained using the portable traction dynamometer (PTD) (E-Lastic, E-Sports Solutions, Brazil) and the reproducibility between evaluators (precision) in the evaluation of the isometric muscle strength of the knee extensors of healthy male adults, compared to measurements obtained with the "gold standard" computerized dynamometer (CD) (Biodex System 3, Nova York, NY, USA). METHODS: we evaluated sixteen recreationally active men (29.50 ± 7.26 years). The test-retest reliability of both equipment to determine quadriceps strength, agreement analysis, and the minimal important difference were verified. RESULTS: excellent test-retest interrater reliability was observed for absolute and relative measurements, with a low absolute error for both sets of equipment and excellent validity of the PTD against the CD, as verified by linear regression and Pearson's correlation coefficient. CONCLUSIONS: PTD is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the isometric strength of knee extensors, with results similar to the isometric CD "gold standard".
ABSTRACT
Objective: The muscle quality index (MQI) is associated with numerous health outcomes in adults; however, the effects of distinct MQI on functional capacity in obese older women have not yet been fully investigated. Thus, we investigated the contribution of different muscle quality indices on TUG performance prediction in obese older women. We secondarily evaluated the association between MQI, aerobic capacity performance (Treadmill performance and 6-minute walk test), and obesity indices (BMI, body fat percentage, and neck, waist, and hip circumference). Methods: Participants included 64 obese older women (mean age 67.05 ± 5.46 years, body fat ≥ 35%). General anthropometric, health history, body composition, treadmill exercise, and functional test (Time up and go) measures were collected. A hydraulic dynamometer was used to assess muscle strength, and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) to identify body fat percentage. The field MQI was defined as the highest reading divided by the subject's body mass index (BMI), while the laboratory MQI was obtained by the ratio of grip strength to the entire arm muscle in kilograms measured by DXA. A hierarchical multiple regression was performed to predict TUG-test performance. Results: An increase in field MQI of one unit is associated with a decrease of 2.59 seconds in the TUG test (ß = -0.540; p = 0.004). There was no association between laboratory MQI and TUG performance (ß = 0.067; p = 0.712). Furthermore, field MQI displays a positive correlation (p < 0.05) with aerobic capacity performance (6-minute walk test and peak O2 consumption) and a negative correlation (p < 0.05) with diverse obesity indices (neck and waist circumference, body fat, and BMI). Conclusion: MQI displayed an important prediction with TUG-test, a positive correlation with aerobic capacity, and a negative correlation with obesity indices.
