Isokinetics and Exercise Science - Volume 16, issue 4

Authors: Ayan, Irfan | Tursen, Umit | Gurer, Burak | Colak, Mehmet | Usta, Aysegul

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Behcet's disease is predominantly an inflammatory disease with oral and genital ulcus, uveitis and erythema nodosum. It is a chronic disease with unprecetended remission and activation periods. Behçet's disease may also affect extremities in the form of arthritis, myositis, enthesis, tenosynovitis and dactylitis. The most affected joints are knee, wrist – hand, ankle and elbow. A history of sytemic inflammatory disease in a patient with a hand disease or a one who is a candidate …for hand surgery may affect the surgical procedure and post-operative rehabilitation. Thus recognition of this condition is essential for the hand surgeon, physiotherapist, and the patient. Objective: To evaluate the impact of Beh\c{c}et's disease on grip and key pinch strength. Subjects: Fifty (31 male, 19 female) patients with Behçet's disease and 50 (32 male, 18 female) controls. Results: Hand grip and key pinch strength of Behçet's patients did not differ from that of normal subjects. Conclusions: Behçet's disease does not seem to affect grip and pinch strength. Show more

Keywords: Hand grip, key pinch, Behçet's disease, hand

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0310

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 207-211, 2008

Authors: Duvigneaud, Nathalie | Bernard, Eric | Stevens, Veerle | Witvrouw, Erik | Van Tiggelen, Damien

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: To investigate prospectively the influence of muscular parameters on the development of the patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) in women during a basic military training. Methods: Before the military training, 62 healthy female recruits, aged 18–34 years, without a history of PFPS, underwent an isokinetic test (concentric contractions of knee flexors and extensors at 60°/s and 240°/s, eccentric contractions at 30°/s). They also completed a questionnaire and performed a single-leg horizontal hop test. After …basic military training, they underwent a clinical evaluation to assess PFPS. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to evaluate whether any significant difference existed prior to the development of PFPS between females with and without PFPS. Results: The incidence of PFPS was 42%. Significantly lower peak torque of the extensors at 60°/s and 240°/s were observed in females with PFPS compared to the control group. The relative peak extensor torque per body weight and BMI, the ratio peak torque flexors/extensors and the sports participation were also significantly lower in the PFPS group. Conclusions: Decreased quadriceps strength and insufficient sports participations seem to be risk factors for the development of PFPS. Consequently, strengthening of quadriceps seems an important parameter in the treatment and prevention of PFPS. Show more

Keywords: Isokinetic, strength, anterior knee pain, female, military

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0311

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 213-219, 2008

Authors: Larsson, Barbro | Karlsson, J. Stefan | Gerdle, Björn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to compare isokinetic muscle performance of the knee extensors including surface EMG during repetitive maximum contractions between children with hemiplegic CP and healthy controls. A group of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) (16 boys and eight girls; mean age 11 years with SD 2; range 7 to 15 years) and a control group (14 boys and eight girls; mean age 10 years with SD 2; range 7 to 15 years) …participated. The relationships between maximum peak torque and the surface electromyography (EMG) variable root mean square (RMS) were obtained during 100 concentric knee extensions at 90°/s. Surface EMG was recorded from rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris. The children with CP were also tested using Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). There were no differences between the groups in muscle endurance for the younger children. The results indicated that the children with CP had less strength enhancement in the hemiplegic leg during puberty. Peak torque correlated with GMFM and with RMS in rectus femoris and vastus lateralis. Co-activation was found in biceps femoris, but it did not affect muscle strength. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, muscle endurance, knee extension, dynamic, electromyography

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0312

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 221-230, 2008

Authors: Timson, Benjamin F. | Falls, Harold B. | Wilson, Thad E. | Zimmerman, Scott D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the plateau occurrence rate in a cycle ergometer VO_{2max} test in two groups of subjects, one biased toward low muscle strength relative to cardiovascular fitness (low muscle strength/cardiovascular fitness ratio) and the other biased toward high muscle strength relative to cardiovascular fitness. The subjects, 7 collegiate distance runners (DR) and 6 collegiate football linemen (FL), performed a multiple stage cycle protocol ranging in power output from …60--484 W. VO_{2} was averaged over 15 sec intervals during each stage. Stage VO_{2} was recorded as the average of the steady state values on the VO_{2} /time curve. Each subject performed a VO_{2max} test that consisted of two parts, a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase. Leg strength was assessed by 1RM leg press using a hip sled. Plateau occurrence rate was not different between groups (6/7 DR and 6/6 FL; p = 0.538). Absolute VO_{2max} was similar in DR and FL (4.34 ± 0.4 vs. 4.63 ± 0.5 L/min; p = 0.266), relative VO_{2max} was greater in DR than FL (65.6 ± 5.6 vs. 38.9 ± 5.5 ml/(kg/min); p < 0.001). Absolute leg strength was greater in FL than DR (342.0 ± 36.0 vs. 158.1 ± 31.8 kg; p < 0.001), as was the leg strength to body mass ratio (2.85 ± 0.22 vs. 2.38 ± 0.37; p = 0.034). The leg strength to cardiovascular fitness ratio, expressed in kg/(ml/min), was greater in DR than FL (9.02 ± 2.2 vs. 2.46 ± 2.2; p < 0.001). These data suggest that leg strength does not affect the occurrence rate of a plateau in VO_{2} /power output curve. Show more

Keywords: VO_{2max} , VO_{2max} testing

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0313

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 231-237, 2008

Authors: Aytar, Aydan | Tüzün, Emine Handan | Eker, Levent | Yürük, Zeliha Özlem Baştuǧ | Daşkapan, Arzu | Akman, M. Nafiz

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of low dose pulsed ultrasound for the treatment of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods: Ninety female university students participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. The subjects were randomly assigned into three equal groups. DOMS was induced in the non-dominant elbow flexors of all subjects with voluntary eccentric contractions on a dynamometer. Group 1 was treated with pulsed ultrasound (spatial average-temporal peak intensity: 0.8 W/cm^{2} , spatial average-temporal …average: 0.16 W/cm^{2} , pulse ratio 1:4 for 10 minutes over 5 consecutive days). Group 2 received sham pulsed ultrasound and the control group received no treatment. The results of therapy were assessed by evaluating perceived muscle soreness, elbow flexor muscle strength, range of motion, and creatine kinase activity. Results: A Friedman's repeated-measures test for muscle soreness results demonstrated a significant change in the mean of perceived muscle soreness in all groups. The first significant decrease in muscle soreness occurred 144 hours after exercise in the experimental and control groups and 120 hours after the exercise in the placebo group. At the end of treatment, there were no significant differences in muscle soreness among the 3 study groups. Conclusion: Low dose pulsed ultrasound therapy did not significantly reduce the effects of DOMS on soreness perception, active-elbow flexion angle, or muscle strength. Show more

Keywords: Delayed onset muscle soreness, randomized control trial, therapeutic ultrasound, eccentric exercise

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0314

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 239-247, 2008

Authors: Koller, Arnold | Sumann, Gunther | Leichtfried, Veronika | Schobersberger, Wolfgang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: A shift in the angle of peak torque (APT) during maximal voluntary isokinetic concentric knee flexions and extensions has been demonstrated following eccentric and stepping exercise. Objective: To test the hypothesis that downhill marathon running is associated with a shift in the APT towards longer muscle length. Methods: Twelve male runners performed an isokinetic muscle test three to four days before and 18 hours after a downhill marathon. Both legs were …tested and the testing protocol consisted of concentric and eccentric quadriceps and hamstring contractions at 60°/s. Results: There were no significant differences between quadriceps peak torque (PT) before and after the race. There was a bilateral shift in the APT of the quadriceps to a more extended position in the concentric but not in the eccentric testing mode. Conclusion: Running a downhill marathon is not associated with concentric and eccentric quadriceps fatigue. Prolonged downhill running could result in changes in muscle properties expressed in a shift in the APT towards shorter muscle lengths without significant force deficits in the concentric testing mode. By contrast, there was no shift in the APT in the eccentric testing mode challenging the functional significance of moving the angle of peak maximal voluntary concentric torque of the quadriceps muscles in connection with a downhill marathon. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0315

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 249-253, 2008

Authors: Everett, Russell | Strutton, Paul H. | McGregor, Alison H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Trunk flexor-extensor asymmetry has been attributed a role in spinal function. However, left-right asymmetry within muscle groups (extensors or flexors) has received little attention. Objective: To examine left-right symmetry within trunk extensors and flexors and the influence of different sporting tasks on this symmetry. Method: Thirty-five subjects (21 males) were recruited and written informed consent obtained; 12 subjects participated in unilateral (UL) sports e.g. tennis, 13 in bilateral (BL) activities e.g. …running and 10 controls (C) who were not involved in sport. Isokinetic and isometric trunk flexions and extensions including a fatiguing isometric hold were performed using a Cybex isokinetic dynamometer synchronised with bilateral electromyographic (EMG) recordings from the erector spinae at L4 and rectus abdominis at T10. A ratio of left-right EMG activity was calculated for each set of muscles, to examine asymmetry. Results: No differences were seen in left:right extensor EMG ratios across any of the test protocols. However, the UL group had higher (P < 0.05) left:right flexor EMG ratios than the BL group during pre-fatigue (UL: 1.32 ± 0.15 vs BL: 0.84 ± 0.07) and post-fatigue (UL: 1.30 ± 0.18 vs BL: 0.84 ± 0.07) isometric flexion. Torque data showed that the trunk extensor-flexor ratio was larger (P < 0.05) in the BL group compared to the C in the isokinetic exercises at the 30°/s (BL: 1.27 ± 0.05; C: 1.00 ± 0.06) and at the 90°/s (BL: 1.28 ± 0.05; C: 0.95 ± 0.08), but no differences were seen during isometric testing. Conclusion: This study suggests that participation in different activities such as sports may generate asymmetry in the trunk flexors, the importance of which requires further research. Show more

Keywords: Erector spinae, abdominal muscles, left:right symmetry, electromyography, isokinetic and isometric testing

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0316

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 255-262, 2008

Authors: de Barros Souza, Fabiano | Pacheco, Marcos Tadeu T. | Strottmann, Ingrid Brasil | Teixeira, Cristiane Guedes Pinto | Fortes, Carlos Eduardo Araújo | Lyon, Juliana Pereira | Moreira, Leonardo Marmo | Osório, Rodrigo Alexis Lazo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare, in normal women, metabolic and cardiorespiratory variables at rest with those obtained during horseback riding at a walking gait. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory parameters were measured employing a portable VO2000 Medgraphics gas analyzer. The results demonstrated a significant increase in oxygen uptake, caloric expenditure, METs and heart rate at the beginning of the exercise. Maintenance of the activity was followed by a decrease in these values which became stable …until the end of the riding. The results indicate that the postural adjustments induced by horseback riding are sufficient to produce metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses in the rider. Show more

Keywords: Horseback riding, physical and ergorespirometric oxygen uptake

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0317

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 263-267, 2008

Authors: Deslandes, Samuel | Mariot, Jean-Pierre | Colin, Denis

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In many sports activities, the neck is highly stressed and therefore painful syndromes can develop after long periods of repetitive, intense exercise. Quite a number of studies have looked into the isometric strength of the cervical spine but only a few explored the dynamic profile of these muscles. While commercial devices are available for assessing isokinetic movements of the knee, ankle and trunk none exist for the neck. In this paper we describe an attachment to …a commercially available isokinetic dynamometer that is meant for static and dynamic testing of cervical muscles strength in the frontal and sagittal planes. Show more

Keywords: Biomechanics, muscles, ergometer

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0318

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 269-273, 2008

Article Type: Correction

Abstract: Erratum to https://dx.doi.org/10.3233/IES-2008-0303

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2008-0320

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 275-275, 2008