Criterion-related validity of the figure-of-eight method of measuring ankle edema.

STUDY DESIGN: Single-session, prospective, repeated-measures design. OBJECTIVE: To determine intratester reliability and criterion-related validity of the figure-of-eight method of measuring ankle edema. BACKGROUND: The measurement of edema is often necessary when physical therapists assess patients with ankle injuries. The figure-of-eight method has been shown to be a reliable method in measuring the size of ankles in subjects without edema but not in subjects with ankle swelling. The validity of this method of measurement has not been established. METHODS AND MEASURES: The subjects (mean age, 22.7 +/- 4.4 years) were 7 men and 8 women with observable ankle edema secondary to acute or chronic ankle sprains or injury to the lower extremity. Three figure-of-eight measurements were taken by one tester. These measurements were correlated to measurements taken by another tester using a foot volumeter. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC [2,1]) for the figure-of-eight measurements was 0.99. The Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficients between the figure-of-eight measurements and the first volumetric measurement were 0.89 (first figure-of-eight), 0.88 (second figure-of-eight), 0.91 (third figure-of-eight), and 0.90 (mean of all 3 figure-of-eight measurements). CONCLUSION: The figure-of-eight method was demonstrated to be a reliable and valid indirect method of measuring ankle edema in individuals with edema secondary to sprains or other lower-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

Effect of running on volume of the foot and ankle.

Increases in volume of the lower extremities have been demonstrated in some exercises of short duration and varied intensities. The purpose of this study was to determine if running on a treadmill for 15 minutes increased volume of the foot and ankle when compared with walking. Twenty-one volunteers walked during one treatment session and ran during another session. Volumetric measurements were taken before and after each exercise. A change score was calculated for each subject for both sessions. A t test for related measures demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p < or = 0.05), with a larger volume occurring after running. Increases in volume most likely would not create problems in healthy individuals. Increases, however, may be harmful in individuals with circulatory disorders or with edema as a sequela of a foot or ankle injury.

Sports anemia: a review of the literature.

Sports anemia has been referred to as an anemic or borderline anemic state in physically active individuals, particularly athletes. This paper is a review of literature on sports anemia, including whom it may affect and its effect on performance, and its diagnosis. In general, sports anemia has been found to be a self-limiting condition and usually does not require treatment.

Isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic torque variations in four muscle groups through a range of joint motion.

The purpose of this investigation was to describe and examine variations in maximal torque produced by knee extension, knee flexion, elbow extension, and elbow flexion through a range of joint motion. Subjects were young, healthy men (n = 16) and women (n = 15). Torque was measured isometrically and isokinetically using a modified Cybex apparatus. Isotonic torque was calculated from a one-repetition maximum using a modified N-K device. Joint angles were monitored with an electrogoniometer. Torque-joint angle curves were constructed for both men and women for each muscle group. Isometric torque was highest, followed by isotonic and isokinetic torque. Torque declined with increasing isokinetic velocity. The angle of peak torque was found to be highly variable in individual subjects. Variations in torque curves were explained in terms of mechanical characteristics of the musculoskeletal system. Muscle group capability was generally found to be well matched to the mechanical requirements of the movement.

Effects of selected bronchial drainage positions and percussion on blood pressure of healthy human subjects.

The purpose of this experimental study was to examine blood pressure changes of healthy subjects in response to position changes (from supine to level and head-down side lying) and percussion. Twenty male and 20 female volunteers with a mean age of 25.9 years were divided randomly into four groups so that each group consisted of 5 men and 5 women. After resting supine for 20 minutes, subjects assumed a level or a head-down side-lying position (-10 degrees) for 6 minutes. During this 6 minutes, percussion was applied to two of the four groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased when subjects turned from a supine to a level or a head-down side-lying position. The decreases lasted the length of time the side-lying position was maintained. The blood pressure responses to head-down side lying did not significantly differ from the responses to level side lying. The blood pressure responses to the level and the head-down side-lying positions with percussion did not differ from the responses to these positions without percussion.

Isokinetic, isometric and isotonic strength relationships.

Relationships among isokinetic, isometric and isotonic strength measurements in knee and elbow extension and flexion were examined in 16 young, healthy men. Isokinetic and isometric torque measurements were obtained from modified Cybex II apparatus. Isokinetic torque values were obtained at velocities of 36 degrees/sec, 108 degrees/sec, and 180 degrees/sec. An electrogoniometer was used to monitor joint angle. A device similar to a Noland-Kuckhoff (NK) table was employed to determine maximal isotonic capabilities using a 1 repetition maximum procedure. Correlations among the 3 testing modes at joint angles of peak isometric torque were generally high (mean = 0.78, range = 0.97 to 0.47) for all 4 muscle groups. The amounts of common variance suggested that all 3 strength testing modes were measuring a similar phenomenon which could be termed maximal voluntary strength. Within a particular muscle group correlations decreased as isokinetic velocities and joint angles became more widely separated.

Angular Specificity and Test Mode Specificity of Isometric and lsokinetic Strength Training *.

This study examined the angular specificity and test mode specificity of strength training. Six males and six females (X = 22.6 years) were assigned to groups which trained either isometrically (90 degrees ) or isokinetically (30 degrees /second). They trained their left elbow extensors at 80% of their maximum voluntary contraction on a modified Cybex(R) apparatus for 10 weeks, three sessions per week, with 50 contractions per session. Before and after training, both groups were tested isometrically (70, 90, 110 degrees ) and isokinetically (30 degrees /second). When tested isometrically, both groups improved equally, and strength was increased at all three test angles to about the same extent. When tested isokinetically, both groups improved, but the isokinetic group improved to a greater extent. In conclusion, no angular specificity of training was demonstrated within 20 degrees of the training angle, and no test mode specificity was seen for isometric testing. However, isometric training showed less transfer to an isokinetic test. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1983;5(2):58-65.

Comparison of isokinetic measurements with test repetitions.

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in peak torque of the knee extensor muscles for a group of subjects. In each of three sessions, six maximal isokinetic contractions (trials) were elicited from 12 men and 4 women without isokinetic testing experience. No significant differences occurred over sessions and trials, but there was a significant interaction effect. Significant quadratic trends occurred in Sessions 1 and 3. In Session 1, the first trial was the highest; in Session 3, the first trial was the lowest. In Session 1, Trial 1 was significantly higher than Trial 3. No significant trend was found in Session 2. The results demonstrated that peak torque did not change when test sessions occurred two weeks apart. The pattern of peak torque values differed, however. If inexperienced subjects are tested in one session only, at least one maximal trial should be given before criterion scores are obtained.

The Effects of Submaximal Contractions on an lsokinetic Test Session.

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in peak torque and to determine if an isokinetic measure of maximal knee extensor strength changed significantly in the presence or absence of submaximal isokinetic contractions. Twenty subjects were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 performed three gradient submaximal isokinetic contractions prior to the test session, and group 2 did not perform submaximal contractions. The test session consisted of six trials with each trial consisting of a maximal isokinetic contraction at 30 degrees /second. No significant differences were found among trials, between groups, and within each group. A trend analysis of each group revealed a significant positive linear trend (P < 0.05) in group 1 with no significant trend in group 2. Subjective data demonstrated that the three gradient submaximal contractions were adequate to prevent discomfort during the following test session.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1982;4(2):74-77.