A dominância de membros interfere no equilíbrio de força muscular do joelho de corredores recreacionais? / Does the limb dominance interfere with knee muscle strength balance in recreational runners?

Introdução: cerca de 5% da população brasileira pratica corrida de rua, e a falta de preparo físico das pessoas para esse esporte contribui para o aumento no índice de lesões, sendo o joelho uma das articulações mais acometidas. Sabendo que os parâmetros musculares interferem diretamente no desempenho e que a destreza de membros pode suscitar inferências relativas ao aumento de força no membro dominante, torna-se importante avaliar a força e a relação de equilíbrio muscular do joelho destes atletas tanto no membro dominante quanto no contralateral. Objetivo: verificar o equilíbrio muscular dos extensores e flexores de joelho dominante e não dominante em corredores recreacionais. Metodologia: foram incluídos 111 indivíduos com idade entre 18 e 65 anos, de ambos os sexos, praticantes de corrida há pelo menos 4 meses contínuos, sem histórico de lesão nos últimos 3 meses. Os participantes foram entrevistados e encaminhados para a coleta da força muscular isocinética dos grupos extensor e flexor do joelho com protocolo de 60°/s, 180°/s e 300°/s. As variáveis de interesse estudadas foram: membro dominante, tempo de prática de corrida, torque máximo, trabalho total e potência. Foram calculados os Índices de Deficiência Muscular (IDM) sendo admitido como referencial de equilíbrio até 10% na diferença entre os membros. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal da Bahia, sob parecer de nº 2.621.166. Resultados: o IDM indicou que 54,1% dos extensores de joelho estavam equilibrados e que 55,9% dos flexores de joelho encontravam-se numa relação de desequilíbrio muscular. Conclusão: a dominância de membros não é um fator ligado ao desequilíbrio de forças no membro inferior. Este achado de desequilíbrio de força entre joelhos pode estar ligado à predisposição de lesão e deve orientar as equipes multiprofissionais de saúde a definir um trabalho preventivo de treinamento muscular e esportivo.

Introduction: about 5% of the Brazilian population practices street running and the lack of physical fitness for this sport contributes to the increase in the injury rate, with the knee being one of the most affected joints. Knowing that muscle parameters directly interfere performance and that limb dexterity may lead to inferences regarding strength increase in the dominant limb, it is important to evaluate the strength and balance ratio of these athletes' knee in both dominant and contralateral limbs. Objective: to verify muscle balance of dominant and non-dominant knee extensors and flexors in recreational runners. Methodology: 111 individuals aged between 18 and 65 years old, male and female, who have been running for at least 4 continuous months, with no history of injury in the last 3 months, were included. Participants were interviewed and referred for the collection of isokinetic muscle strength of the knee extensor and flexor groups with a protocol of 60°/s, 180°/s and 300°/s. The variables of interest studied were: dominant limb, running practice time, maximum torque, total work and power. Muscle deficiency indices (MDI) were calculated and accepted as a balance reference up to 10% in the difference between the limbs. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Institute of Health Sciences of the Federal University of Bahia, under technical advice no 2.621.166. Results: the MDI indicated that 54.1% of the knee extensors were balanced and 55.9% of the knee flexors were in a muscular imbalance ratio. Conclusion: limb dominance is not a factor related to lower limb imbalance of forces. This finding of strength imbalance between knees may be associated to injury predisposition and should guide multidisciplinary health teams to define preventive work on muscle and sports training

Effects of isokinetic muscle strengthening on muscle strength, mobility, and gait in post-stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate whether isokinetic muscle strengthening improves muscle strength, mobility, and gait in post-stroke patients. METHODS:: We searched for randomized controlled trials at PubMed/Medline, SciELO, PEDro, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from the earliest date available to June 2018. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of isokinetic muscle strengthening versus other rehabilitation interventions or control in post-stroke patients were included. Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. RESULTS:: In total, 13 studies (347 patients) focusing on the use of isokinetic in rehabilitation following stroke were included. All trials were of low-to-moderate quality. Isokinetic muscle strengthening improved muscle strength WMD 0.8 (95% CI: 0.2, 1.4; N = 96), mobility WMD -2.03 seconds (95% CI: -2.9, -1.1; N = 111) and gait speed WMD 0.9 m/s (95% CI: 0.05, 1.8; N = 87). CONCLUSION:: Isokinetic muscle strengthening seems to be a useful strategy for improving muscle strength, mobility, and gait in post-stroke patients.