Pyramidal resistance training: A brief review of acute responses and long-term adaptations.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most popular training methods in weight rooms is the pyramidal. Despite this, its superiority over traditional training is still speculative. OBJECTIVE: To review the effects of pyramid strength training on acute responses and long-term adaptations of this training method. METHOD: The research was performed in PubMed, BIREME/BVS and Google Scholar databases using the search words in different combinations: 'strength training', 'resistance training', 'resistance exercise', 'strength exercise', 'pyramid', 'system pyramidal', 'crescent pyramid' and 'decrescent pyramid'. As inclusion criteria were considered: studies in English, which compared the effects of pyramidal training versus traditional training on acute responses and long-term adaptations. The TESTEX scale (0-15 points) was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. RESULTS: This article included 15 studies (6 acute effect studies and 9 longitudinal studies), which evaluated hormonal, metabolic and performance responses, strength gains and muscle hypertrophy of strength training in pyramidal and traditional format. Studies were rated between good and excellent quality. CONCLUSION: The pyramid training protocol was not superior to the traditional protocol on acute physiological responses, strength gains and muscle hypertrophy. From a practical point of view, these findings allow us to say that the manipulation of this training method could be based on issues of periodization, motivation and/or even in personal preference. But, this is based on studies developed with repetition zones between 8 and 12 and/or intensities between 67% and 85% of 1RM.

Correlação entre resistência de preensão manual e resistência muscular escapular em indivíduos assintomáticos / Correlation between hand grip endurance and scapular muscle endurance in asymptomatic individuals

INTRODUÇÃO: A atividade de preensão é uma ação diária essencial em casa e no local de trabalho, onde muitas vezes é necessário levantar e segurar cargas com uma preensão relativamente estática usando contração isométrica. A força e resistência muscular no aspecto proximal das extremidades superiores influenciam na função da mão, e indivíduos com força e resistência reduzidas são mais propensos a desenvolver distúrbios musculoesqueléticos relacionados ao trabalho. Uma boa resistência de preensão pode ser influenciada pela estabilização fornecida pelos músculos do ombro. Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar a extensão da correlação entre resistência de preensão manual e resistência muscular da escápula em jovens assintomáticos. MÉTODO: O tamanho da amostra para este estudo foi n = 62, com base em estudos anteriores. Indivíduos saudáveis, com idade entre 18 e 25 anos, de ambos os sexos, foram incluídos. Uma avaliação objetiva da resistência da preensão foi realizada usando um dinamômetro manual hidráulico, e a resistência escapular foi avaliada usando o teste muscular escapular. RESULTADOS: A análise de dados foi realizada usando o SPSS versão 20. Houve correlações positivas significativas entre as medidas de resistência escapular e a resistência de preensão palmar para ambos os lados (teste de correlação de Pearson, r = 0,612 (p < 0,001) e r = 0,524 (p < 0,001), respectivamente, para resistência de preensão da mão não dominante e dominante). CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Os achados preliminares deste estudo sustentam que a resistência do músculo escapular exibe uma relação com a resistência da preensão palmar, sugerindo que o treinamento de resistência escapular pode ser um complemento eficaz no processo de reabilitação das funções da extremidade superior.

INTRODUCTION: Gripping activity is an essential daily activity at home and at the workplace, where lifting and holding loads with a relatively static grip using isometric contraction is often required. Muscle strength and endurance in the proximal aspect of the upper extremities influence hand function, and individuals with reduced strength and endurance are more prone to developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Good grip endurance might be influenced by the stabilization provided by shoulder muscles. This study aims to determine the correlation between hand grip endurance and scapula muscle endurance among young asymptomatic individuals. METHOD: The sample size for this study is n = 62, based on previous studies. Healthy individuals of both genders, aged between 18 and 25 years, were included. An objective assessment of grip endurance was performed using a hydraulic hand dynamometer, while scapular endurance was evaluated using the scapular muscle test. RESULTS: Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. There were significant positive correlations between scapular endurance measures and the hand grip endurance on both sides (Pearson correlation test, r = 0.612 (p < 0.001) and r = 0.524 (p < 0.001), respectively, for non-dominant and dominant hand grip endurance). FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The preliminary findings of this study support the notion that scapular muscle endurance is related to hand grip endurance, suggesting that scapular endurance training may be an effective adjunct in the rehabilitation process for upper extremity functions.

Effects of core stability training on specific strength in wrestlers / Efeitos do treinamento de estabilidade do core sobre a força específica em lutadores / Efectos del entrenamiento de la estabilidad del core en la fuerza específica en luchadores

ABSTRACT Introduction: Boxing is characterized by a high degree of combination of strength and skill and belongs to the sports group of enduring strength and skill combined with long-term continuous whole-body strength output to achieve good results in competition. Therefore, athletes pay more attention to the skills they use all the time, and it is very important to master the techniques correctly and reasonably distribute physical strength accurately. Objective: Explore the effect of core stability training on the specific strength of wrestlers. Methods: 12 top junior level athletes of a provincial women's wrestling team as research objects, 12 people in total, and randomly divided into control and experimental groups with six people. Results: After the test, the data changes in the experimental group were highly significant compared to before and after the experiment (P<0.01). The data changes between the experimental and control groups were significantly different before and after the experiment (p<0.05), showing that the special strength of core stability training fighters has a small increase. Conclusion: Core stability training is useful for the specific strength of wrestlers. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: O boxe é caracterizado por um alto grau de combinação de força e habilidade, e pertence ao grupo esportivo de força duradoura e habilidade combinado com a saída contínua de força contínua do corpo inteiro, a longo prazo, para obter bons resultados na competição. Portanto, os atletas prestam mais atenção às habilidades dos atletas no uso de técnicas a todo o instante, e é muito importante dominar corretamente as técnicas e distribuir razoavelmente força física com precisão. Objetivo: Explorar o efeito do treinamento de estabilidade do core sobre a força específica dos lutadores. Métodos: 12 atletas de nível júnior de primeira linha de uma equipe de luta feminina provincial como objetos de pesquisa, 12 pessoas no total, e aleatoriamente dividida em grupo de controle e grupo experimental com 6 pessoas em cada grupo. Resultados: Após o teste, as alterações de dados, quando comparados ao antes e depois do experimento no grupo experimental, foram altamente significativas (P<0.01). As mudanças de dados entre o grupo experimental e o grupo controle foram significativamente diferentes antes e depois do experimento (p<0.05), mostrando que a força especial dos lutadores de treinamento de estabilidade central tem um pequeno aumento. Conclusão: O treinamento de estabilidade do core mostrou-se útil para a força específica dos lutadores. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: El boxeo se caracteriza por un alto grado de combinación de fuerza y destreza, y pertenece al grupo de deportes de fuerza y destreza duraderas combinadas con la producción continua de fuerza de todo el cuerpo a largo plazo para obtener buenos resultados en la competición. Por lo tanto, los atletas prestan más atención a las habilidades de los atletas en el uso de las técnicas todo el tiempo, y es muy importante dominar las técnicas correctamente y distribuir razonablemente la fuerza física con precisión. Objetivo: Explorar el efecto del entrenamiento de la estabilidad del core en la fuerza específica de los luchadores. Métodos: 12 atletas de alto nivel de un equipo provincial de lucha femenina como objetos de investigación, 12 personas en total, y divididas aleatoriamente en grupo de control y grupo experimental con 6 personas en cada grupo. Resultados: Después de la prueba, los cambios en los datos comparados antes y después del experimento en el grupo experimental fueron altamente significativos (P<0,01). Los cambios de datos entre el grupo experimental y el grupo de control fueron significativamente diferentes antes y después del experimento (p<0,05), lo que demuestra que la fuerza especial de los combatientes de entrenamiento de la estabilidad del core tiene un pequeño aumento. Conclusión: Se ha demostrado que el entrenamiento de la estabilidad del núcleo es útil para la fuerza específica de los luchadores. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

The consumption of culinary preparations and ultra-processed food is associated with handgrip strength in teenagers.

BACKGROUND: A nutrient-poor and hypocaloric diet may be associated with lower handgrip strength (HGS), whereas a high-quality or balanced diet may be associated with higher HGS. However, no study has used the NOVA system for classifying food by their degree of processing. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between food consumption according to the degree of food processing and HGS in Brazilian teenagers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included teenagers aged 18 and 19 years old from the 1997/98 São Luís' birth cohort, Maranhão, Brazil. HGS (kilogram-force) was measured via a Jamar Plus + dynamometer. Food consumption was assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The energy intake of culinary preparations (unprocessed or minimally processed food and processed culinary ingredients), processed, and ultra-processed foods was evaluated in percentages and categorized in tertiles. The associations between each food group intake and HGS was estimated via crude and adjusted linear regression models. A directed acyclic graph was used to identify confounding factors. RESULTS: We evaluated 2,433 teenagers, 52.1% of which were girls. For boys, adjusted analysis showed an association between the highest HGS and the 3rd tertile of culinary preparation consumption (ß: 1.95; 95%CI: 0.80; 3.10) and between the lowest HGS and the 3rd tertile of ultra-processed food consumption (ß: -2.25; 95%CI: -3.40; -1.10). Among girls, the consumption of culinary preparations in the 3rd tertile was associated with higher HGS (ß: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.05; 1.46). CONCLUSIONS: Higher consumption of culinary preparations and lower consumption of ultra-processed foods can contribute to reduce the chance of lower HGS in adult life. Interventions to promote the development and preservation of muscle strength should include dietary recommendations.

The influence of strength training on taekwondo athletes' reaction speed / A influência do treinamento de força na velocidade de reação dos atletas de taekwondo / La influencia del entrenamiento de fuerza en la velocidad de reacción de los atletas de taekwondo

ABSTRACT Introduction: Taekwondo is a skill-oriented confrontational event. Athletes' physical fitness and flexible changes in skills and tactics have become the cornerstone of athletes' victory. Objective: The objective was to explore the influence of strength training on the reaction speed of boxing athletes. Method: 8 master-class Taekwondo athletes, 16 first-class Taekwondo athletes, and 30 second-class Taekwondo athletes from a particular province were selected as Group A, B, and C. The control groups were Group A1, B1, and C1. Results: Group B athletes showed significant changes in 15s front kick and 15s high leg lift. Group C athletes showed highly significant differences in rapid strength. After the traditional fast strength training in the control group, all the Group C1 had significant changes in the test. However, Group B1 athletes only had substantial changes in 15s down split and 15s front kick. There was no significant change in all indexes of Group A1 athletes before and after the experiment. Conclusion: The analysis of experimental data shows that core strength training significantly improves the reaction speed of Taekwondo athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMO Introdução: O Taekwondo é um evento de confronto orientado para a habilidade. A condição física dos atletas e as alterações na flexibilidade das habilidades e táticas tornam-se a pedra angular para a vitória dos atletas. Objetivo: O objetivo desse artigo foi explorar a influência do treinamento de força sobre a velocidade de reação dos atletas de taekwondo. Método: 8 atletas de Taekwondo de classe mestre, 16 atletas de Taekwondo de primeira classe e 30 atletas de Taekwondo de segunda classe de uma determinada província foram selecionados como grupos A, B e C. Os grupos de controle foram os grupos A1, B1 e C1. Foram consultados 12 especialistas sêniores da modalidade para auxiliarem na elaboração de um protocolo de treinamento rápido de força, embasado nos achados científicos e posto em prova durante 6 meses. As inferências estatísticas foram obtidas com o software SPSS19.0 para classificar, contar e analisar os dados obtidos no experimento. Resultados: Os atletas do Grupo B apresentaram mudanças significativas de chute frontal e na altura de elevação das pernas. Os atletas do Grupo C mostraram mudanças altamente significativas em força rápida. Após o tradicional treinamento de força rápida no grupo de controle, todos os atletas do Grupo C1 tiveram mudanças significativas no teste. Entretanto, os atletas do Grupo B1 tiveram mudanças significativas apenas nos chutes frontais para baixo e para cima. Não houve mudanças significativas em todos os índices dos atletas do Grupo A1 antes e depois da experiência. Conclusão: A análise dos dados experimentais mostra que o treinamento de força central melhora significativamente a velocidade de reação dos atletas de Taekwondo. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: El taekwondo es un evento de confrontación orientado a la habilidad. La condición física de los atletas y los cambios flexibles en las habilidades y tácticas se han convertido en la piedra angular de la victoria de los atletas. Objetivo: El objetivo de este artículo era explorar la influencia del entrenamiento de fuerza en la velocidad de reacción de los atletas de taekwondo. Método: se seleccionaron 8 atletas de taekwondo de clase magistral, 16 atletas de taekwondo de primera clase y 30 atletas de taekwondo de segunda clase de una determinada provincia como grupos A, B y C. Los grupos de control fueron los grupos A1, B1 y C1. Se consultó a doce expertos de alto nivel en este deporte para que colaboraran en la elaboración de un protocolo de entrenamiento de fuerza rápido, basado en los hallazgos científicos y puesto a prueba durante 6 meses. Las inferencias estadísticas se obtuvieron utilizando el software SPSS19.0 para ordenar, contar y analizar los datos obtenidos en el experimento. Resultados: Los atletas del grupo B mostraron cambios significativos en la patada frontal y en la altura de elevación de las piernas. Los atletas del grupo C mostraron cambios muy significativos en la fuerza rápida. Después del entrenamiento de fuerza rápida tradicional en el grupo de control, todos los atletas del grupo C1 tuvieron cambios significativos en la prueba. Sin embargo, los atletas del Grupo B1 sólo presentaron cambios significativos en las patadas frontales hacia abajo y hacia arriba. No hubo cambios significativos en todos los índices de los atletas del Grupo A1 antes y después del experimento. Conclusión: El análisis de los datos experimentales muestra que el entrenamiento de la fuerza central mejora significativamente la velocidad de reacción de los atletas de taekwondo. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Effects of high-intensity multi-modal exercise training (HIT-MMEX) on bone mineral density and muscle performance in postmenopausal women. A Pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine the effects of high-intensity multimodal exercise training on bone mineral density and muscle performance in postmenopausal women. METHODS: The two-armed, parallel, pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted from November 2020 to July 2021 at Riphah Rehabilitation Centre, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised women aged 45-70 having been in the post-menopause phase for at least 3 years, with body mass index <30, community ambulant and willing to have exercise therapy. The subjects were randomised into two equal groups. The experimental group A received supervised high-intensity resistance, weight-bearing, balance and mobility training twice weekly for 8 months. The control group B received low-to-moderate intensity exercises. Femoral neck and lumbar spine bone mineral density (g/cm2) were taken through a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Muscle performance was measured using 1 repetition maximum for leg and trunk extensors, and 30 sec sit to stand test. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 101 women screened, 28(27.7%) were enrolled; 14(50%) in group A having mean age 53.36±6.28 years, and 14(50%) in group B having mean age 51.71±4.82 years (p>0.05). Group A showed significantly more improvement than group B both with respect to lumbar spine bone mineral density and muscle performance (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Supervised high-intensity multimodal exercise training protocol had a positive effect on lumbar spine bone mineral density and muscle performance in postmenopausal women. Clinical Trial Number: NCT04653350, Link https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04653350.

Handgrip Strength Assessment and Its Associated Factors among Hospitalized Elderly in Klang Valley Hospitals

@#Introduction: Handgrip strength is a crucial biomarker of aging. Poor handgrip strength among hospitalized elderly increases the risk of health complications leading to a higher risk of hospital readmissions and mortality. This study aimed to determine handgrip strength among hospitalized elderly in Klang Valley hospitals alongside its associated factors. Methods: A total of 57 subjects were recruited for this study. Face-to-face interviews and physical assessments were conducted to obtain data on sociodemographic factors, medical background, anthropometry assessments and biochemical markers level. Dietary intake was obtained through two days of 24-hour dietary recall while tools such as Global Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and Mini Nutrition Assessment- Short Form (MNA-SF) were used to assess perception towards oral health and malnutrition risk, respectively. Reference value from the Asian Working Group of Sarcopenia (2014) was used to compare handgrip strength. Results: 94.7% of the subjects were found to have low handgrip strength with a mean value of 8.28 + 6.92 kg/force. Factors including age (r=- 0.370, p=0.005), educational level (r=0.471, p=<0.0005), perception towards oral health (r=0.370, p=0.005) and energy intake (r=0.367, p=0.005) were significantly associated with handgrip strength. Meanwhile, other variables were not significantly associated. Conclusion: The majority of the subjects had poor handgrip strength. Factors such as age, educational level, perception towards oral health and energy intake were significantly associated with handgrip strength while the rest were non-significantly associated. Thus, more research and intervention strategies should be done to improve handgrip strength among hospitalized elderly to achieve a healthy aging nation.

Impaired muscle capacity of the hip and knee in individuals with isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to compare the capacity of the knee and hip muscles between individuals with and without isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) and to evaluate the impact of PFOA on pain, stiffness, and physical function. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated muscle capacity of the hip and knee using an isokinetic dynamometer. The isokinetic variables used in the statistical analysis were peak torque, total work, and average power. Pain, stiffness, and physical function were assessed using questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 26 individuals participated in the study (13 with PFOA and 13 controls). The PFOA group exhibited lower peak torque, total work, and average power for knee extension and flexion in the concentric mode (p ⩽ 0.01) as well as lower peak torque and total work for knee extension (p ⩽ 0.005) and lower total work for knee flexion (p = 0.05) in the eccentric mode. The PFOA group exhibited lower peak torque of the extensor, abductor, adductor, and internal rotator muscles of the hip (p ⩽ 0.05), less total work of the abductor and adductor muscles (p ⩽ 0.04), and lower average power of eccentric adduction of the hip (p = 0.01) compared with the healthy controls. Compared with the control group, the PFOA group had a higher level of pain, stiffness, and compromised physical functioning self-reported (p ⩽ 0.005). CONCLUSION: Participants with PFOA exhibited impairments regarding muscle capacity of the hip and knee, higher level of pain and stiffness as well as compromised physical functioning in comparison with healthy controls.

ARHGEF3 Regulates Skeletal Muscle Regeneration and Strength through Autophagy.

Skeletal muscle regeneration after injury is essential for maintaining muscle function throughout aging. ARHGEF3, a RhoA/B-specific GEF, negatively regulates myoblast differentiation through Akt signaling independently of its GEF activity in vitro. Here, we report ARHGEF3's role in skeletal muscle regeneration revealed by ARHGEF3-KO mice. These mice exhibit indiscernible phenotype under basal conditions. Upon acute injury, however, ARHGEF3 deficiency enhances the mass/fiber size and function of regenerating muscles in both young and regeneration-defective middle-aged mice. Surprisingly, these effects occur independently of Akt but via the GEF activity of ARHGEF3. Consistently, overexpression of ARHGEF3 inhibits muscle regeneration in a Rho-associated kinase-dependent manner. We further show that ARHGEF3 KO promotes muscle regeneration through activation of autophagy, a process that is also critical for maintaining muscle strength. Accordingly, ARHGEF3 depletion in old mice prevents muscle weakness by restoring autophagy. Taken together, our findings identify a link between ARHGEF3 and autophagy-related muscle pathophysiology.

Relationship between ultrasonographic hand muscle thickness measurements and muscle strength following median or ulnar nerve reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ultrasonographic hand muscle thickness measurements and hand muscle strength in patients who underwent median or ulnar nerve reconstruction. METHODS: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, intrinsic hand muscle thicknesses were measured using ultrasound with a 4- to 13-MHz linear-array probe. Measurements of hand strength were performed using a dynamometer and a pinchmeter. RESULTS: In the median nerve group (n = 11), a moderate correlation (r = 0.694; P = .018) was observed between lateral pinch strength and transverse thenar thickness. In the ulnar nerve group (n = 11), longitudinal thenar thickness below the flexor pollicis longus tendon was moderate to highly correlated with pinch and handgrip strengths (r = 0.726-0.893; P < .05); whole transverse thenar thickness was moderate to highly correlated with pinch strengths (r = 0.724-0.836; P < .05). DISCUSSION: Sonographic measurements of intrinsic hand muscle thickness may be a useful tool for the assessment and follow-up of patients with median or ulnar nerve injury.

Efeito da auto liberação miofascial na força muscular em atletas de futebol feminino: ensaio clínico randomizado / Effect of self-myofascial release on muscle strength in female soccer athletes: randomized clinical trial

A variável força muscular (FM) na prática esportiva, sobretudo no futebol, é de extrema importância em atividades como chutes, disputas de bola, arrancadas e saltos. Além disso, permite identificar indivíduos que estão em grupos de risco para lesões. Assim, técnicas, como a auto liberação miofascial (ALM), vêm sendo utilizadas para o aprimoramento do desempenho esportivo e para prevenir lesões. OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito crônico da ALM na FM em atletas de futebol feminino. METODOLOGIA: Este estudo trata-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado. Participaram do estudo 14 atletas de futebol feminino. Inicialmente foram realizadas avaliações no aparelho dinamômetro isocinético dos extensores e flexores de joelho. As participantes foram divididas em dois grupos, um grupo intervenção (GI) e um grupo controle (GC). As participantes do GI realizaram um aquecimento associado à ALM com um foam roller. Já as participantes do GC, realizaram o mesmo aquecimento, porém sem a associação da ALM. Após 48 horas da última intervenção, foi realizada uma reavaliação no aparelho dinamômetro isocinético. RESULTADOS: Não foram verificados efeitos significativos entre os grupos no pós-teste. Na comparação pré e pós-teste entre os grupos, houve uma piora significativa na variável pico de torque de extensão do membro inferior dominante no grupo que não fez a ALM (p = 0,013). CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que uma abordagem crônica de ALM não foi capaz de gerar mudanças significativas na FM dos extensores e flexores de joelho. Mais estudos são necessários para apoiar esses achados. Registro ReBEC: RBR-7qnxty.

The variable muscle strength (MS) in sports practice, especially in football, is extremely important in activities such as kicks, ball disputes, sprints and jumps. In addition, it allows identifying individuals who are at risk groups for injuries. Thus, techniques, such as selfmyofascial release (SMF), have been used to improve sports performance and to prevent injuries. OBJECTIVE: To verify the chronic effect of SMF on MS in female soccer athletes. METHODOLOGY: This study is a randomized clinical trial. 14 female soccer athletes participated in the study. Initially, evaluations were performed on the isokinetic dynamometer device of knee extensors and flexors. The participants were divided into two groups, an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). IG participants performed a warm-up associated with SMF with a foam roller. CG participants, on the other hand, performed the same warm-up, but without the association of SMF. 48 hours after the last intervention, a reassessment was performed on the isokinetic dynamometer device. RESULTS: There were no significant effects between groups in the post-test. In the pre- and post-test comparison between the groups, there was a significant worsening in the peak torque variable of the dominant lower limb extension in the group that did not perform SMF (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that a chronic SMF approach was not able to generate significant changes in the MS of knee extensors and flexors. Further studies are needed to support these findings. ReBEC Registration: RBR-7qnxty.

Acute effect of flexible bar exercise on scapulothoracic muscles activation, on isometric shoulder abduction force and proprioception of the shoulder of individuals with and without subacromial pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no evidence about the effects of neuromuscular facilitation after the use of a flexible bar on scapulothoracic muscle activity in individuals with subacromial pain syndrome. The study aimed to assess the acute effect of flexible bar exercise and subjective fatigue on scapulothoracic muscle activity, shoulder proprioception, and shoulder abduction force of subjects with and without symptoms of subacromial pain syndrome. METHOD: Fifty subjects with subacromial pain syndrome and 50 asymptomatic subjects were recruited. A short-term flexible bar exercise was performed to assess the vibratory stimulus effects on scapulothoracic muscle activity, shoulder proprioception, and shoulder abduction force, and the same exercise was performed on a long-term basis to assess the effects of subjective fatigue. The activities of the serratus anterior and three portions of the trapezius muscle were investigated using surface electromyography during arm elevation. The active joint position sense error was assessed to determine shoulder proprioception using a laser pointer. A hand-held dynamometer was used to assess isometric shoulder abduction force. FINDINGS: No significant intra-group differences were found in scapulothoracic muscle activity, as well as in active joint position sense error and isometric shoulder abduction force in either group (p >0.05). INTERPRETATION: The acute effects of flexible bar exercise and subjective fatigue were unable to influence scapulothoracic muscle activation, shoulder joint position sense, and isometric shoulder abduction force in subacromial pain syndrome.

Progress on the Muscle Function Evaluation and Its Forensic Application.

Accurate evaluation of muscle function helps to understand the recovery of muscle, bone, nervous system diseases or injuries, especially for muscle dysfunction caused by peripheral nerve injury. Therefore, the methods of muscle function evaluation have been the focus of researchers, with new methods having been constantly proposed. Muscle strength testing is an important part of muscle function evaluation. Besides hand muscle strength assessment, currently used muscle function assessments include simple instrumental test, isokinetic muscle test, electrophysiological test, etc. In addition, the application of needle electromyography, motor unit number estimation, motion unit index in muscle function evaluation has also been reported for several times. This paper reviews the research progress and practical application of these methods.

Effects of an integrated health education and elastic band resistance training program on physical function and muscle strength in community-dwelling elderly women: Healthy Aging and Happy Aging II study.

AIM: In the present study, we determined the effect of an integrated health education and elastic band resistance training program on body composition, physical function, muscle strength and quality in community-dwelling elderly women. METHODS: We recruited participants with eligibility inclusion criteria, and randomly assigned them to either the control group (n = 19) or the intervention group (n = 19). The integrated intervention program comprised of health education and individual counseling, and elastic band training for 18 weeks (8 weeks of supervised training and 10 weeks of self-directed training). We assessed body composition, muscle strength and quality, and physical function at pre-, after 8 weeks (mid-) and 18 weeks (post-training). RESULTS: After the intervention, there were no significant changes in skeletal muscle index, fat free mass, total lean mass and total fat mass for both the control group and intervention group. However, the interaction effect was significantly different in SPPB score (P < 0.05), isokinetic strength (60 deg/s, P < 0.001; 120 deg/s; P < 0.05) and muscle quality (P < 0.05) after 18 weeks of intervention relative to the baseline of the control and intervention groups. The supervised elastic band training of 8 weeks did not improve short physical performance battery score and isokinetic strength, whereas there was a significant increase of those outcomes (10.6% improvement, 9.8~23.5% improvement) after 10 weeks of following self-directed exercise compared with the baseline. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the effectiveness of following self-directed resistance training with health education after supervised training cessation in improvement of short physical performance battery and leg muscle strength. This intervention program might be an effective method to promote muscle strength and quality, and to prevent frailty in elderly women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 825-833.

Influência da obesidade na força muscular de membros inferiores e superiores em adolescentes / Influence of obesity on the upper and lower body muscular strength in adolescents

Comparar a força muscular de membros inferiores e superiores entre adolescentes obesas e não-obesas e verificar a associação da força muscular com as variáveis antropométricas e da composição corporal. Participaram 36 adolescentes, do sexo feminino, com idade entre 13-17 anos, divididas em três grupos: obeso (n=13), sobrepeso (n=13) e eutrófico (n=10). Foram medidos massa corporal, estatura, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e a circunferência da cintura. A composição corporal foi mensurada pelo método de impedância bioelétrica e a força muscular estimada pelo teste de uma repetição máxima. As adolescentes obesas apresentaram maiores valores de força muscular absoluta nos membros inferiores (F=10,43; p=0,0003) e nos superiores (F=4,72; p=0,01) que as não-obesas. O IMC, a massa gorda (MG) e a massa livre de gordura (MLG) foram direta e significativamente correlacionados com a força muscular de membros inferiores (r= 0,66, p<0,01; r= 0,58, p<0,01; r= 0,54, p<0,01) e superiores (r= 0,54, p<0,01; r= 0,43, p<0,01; r= 0,57, p<0,01), respectivamente. A regressão linear mostrou que o IMC explicou 44% da variação da força muscular absoluta dos membros inferiores (?=4,81, p<0,01) e a MLG explicou 32% da variação da força muscular absoluta dos membros superiores (?=0,52, p<0,05). A obesidade afetou a força muscular absoluta de membros inferiores e superiores em adolescentes e a magnitude deste efeito foi maior nos membros inferiores. O IMC foi a variável que melhor explicou a variação da força muscular absoluta dos membros inferiores em adolescentes obesas e não-obesas na amostra estudada...

To compare the muscle strength of upper and lower limbs among adolescent obese and non-obese and the association of muscle strength with anthropometric and body composition. Thirty-six adolescent girls, with 13-17 years-old, participated in the study and were divided into three groups: obese (n = 13), overweight (n = 13) and healthy (n = 10). Body mass, height, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were evaluated. Body composition was measured by the bioelectric impedance method. Muscular strength was estimated by 1RM. Obese girls showed higher absolute muscle strength in the lower (F = 10.43, p = 0.0003) and higher (F = 4.72, p = 0.01) than non-obese. The BMI, fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) were directly and significantly correlated with lower limb muscle strength (r = 0.66, p<0.01; r = 0.58, p<0.01; r = 0.54, p<0.01) and higher (r = 0.54, p<0.01; r = 0, 43, p<0.01; r = 0.57, p<0.01), respectively. Linear regression showed that BMI explained 44% of the variation in absolute muscle strength of the lower limbs (? = 4.81, p <0.01) and FFM explained 32% of the variation in strength absolute muscle of the upper (? = 0.52, p <.05). Obesity affected absolute muscle strength of the lower limbs and in the upper teens and the magnitude of the effect was greater in the lower limbs than in the upper. BMI was the variable that best explained the variation in absolute muscle strength of the lower limbs in adolescent obese and non-obese in the assessed sample...

Effect of Horizontal Multi-joint Arm Continuous Passive Motion on Tension and Strength of Biceps Brachii of Patients with Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

@# Objective To observe the effect of horizontal multi-joint arm continuous passive motion (CPM) training on muscle tension and strength of biceps brachii of patients with stroke. Methods 60 patients with stroke were divided into treatment group (n=30) and control group (n=30). All the patients accepted routine medication and rehabilitation. The treatment group accepted horizontal multi-joint arm CPM training in addition. Their surface electromyography of biceps brachii was analyzed with surface electromyography analysis system: tension and strength before and after treatment. Results The tension and strength of biceps brachii improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The horizontal multi-joint arm CPM training may relieve the muscle tension and enhance the strength of biceps brachii after stroke

Influência do alongamento muscular e da mobilização neural sobre a força do músculo quadríceps / Influence of muscle stretching and neural mobilization on the quadriceps muscle strength

Introdução: A mobilização neural e o alongamento muscular estático têm o objetivo de promover a amplitude de movimento. Objetivo: Comparar a influência do alongamento muscular e da mobilização neural na força isométrica de quadríceps. Metodologia: Participaram 39 voluntários, gênero masculino, entre 18 e 27 anos. Foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos com 13 indivíduos cada. Um grupo submetido ao alongamento estático de 30 segundos (GAE), um à mobilização neural (GMN) e um grupo controle (GC) que não fez nenhuma intervenção. O nível de significância estatística adotado foi p?0,05. Resultados: Houve melhora significativa da força muscular no GMN e diferença importante na força antes e após os atendimentos, comparando-se o grupo movimentação neural com o alongamento e com o controle. Conclusões: A mobilização neural foi efetiva para aumentar a força muscular de quadríceps e após a realização do alongamento estático houve redução da força.

Introduction: The neural mobilization and stretching static aim to promote range of motion. Objective: To compare the influence of muscle stretching and neural mobilization in isometric strength of quadriceps. Methods: Thirty-nine patients, male, between 18 and 27 years old were selected. They were divided randomly into three groups with 13 individuals each. The group subjected to static stretch for 30 seconds (SSG), the group submitted to neural mobilization (NMG) and the control group (CG) who made no intervention. The level of significance was p ? 0.05. Results: We observed a significant improvement in muscle strength, and an important difference in strength before and after the sessions, comparing the NMG with the SSG and with the CG. Conclusions: The neural mobilization was effective to increase quadriceps strength, and after the static stretching the force decreased.