Knee extension rate of torque development and peak torque: associations with lower extremity function

The aim was to compare torque and rate of torque development of lower limb muscles between older women with functional and slow gait speeds to determine which muscle group is the best predictor of functional gait speed, and to establish strength thresholds needed for functional walking speed. Torque and rate of torque development of hip, knee, and ankle muscles were measured in older women who were divided in 2 groups according to gait speed: slow gait speed (<1.22 m·s−1) and functional gait speed (≥1.22 m·s−1). For each muscle group, 3 maximal isometric contractions were performed, and peak torque and rate of torque development were recorded. Older women with slow gait speed had lower peak torque than older women with functional gait speed for hip extension (28%), knee flexion (15%), knee extension (14%), and plantar flexion (16%) (allPs < .05). Older women with slow gait speed had lower peak rate of torque development for hip flexion (29%), hip extension (37%), knee flexion (34%), knee extension (33%), and plantar flexion (19%) (allPs < .05). Knee extension peak rate of torque development and hip extension peak torque were the better predictors of functional gait speed with thresholds of 2.96 N·m·s−1·kg−1and 1.26 N·m·kg−1, respectively.

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Ultrasound Imaging of the Vastus Intermedius and Vastus Medialis Oblique Thickness for Assessment of Early Torque Development During Knee Extension

Journal of Medical Imaging and Health Informatics ◽

10.1166/jmihi.2020.3109 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1557-1561

Author(s):

Jaeho Yang ◽

Yong Woo An ◽

Eunwook Chang

Keyword(s):

Isometric Contraction ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Peak Torque ◽

Quadriceps Muscle ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Vastus Medialis ◽

Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction ◽

Rate Of Torque Development ◽

Vastus Intermedius ◽

Torque Development

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between knee extension torque (rate of torque development and peak torque) and quadriceps muscle thickness in healthy males and females. Thirty-six recreationally active and healthy individuals participated in the study. Portable ultrasound was used to image the dominant side of each quadriceps muscle (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus medialis oblique). After muscle thickness measurement, participants performed knee extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Rate of torque development was calculated from 0 to 50 (RTD50) and 0 to 200 (RTD200) milliseconds after onset of torque generation and peak torque was defined as maximum torque during maximal voluntary isometric contraction trials. A higher RTD50 value was found to be associated with greater vastus intermedius and vastus medialis oblique thicknesses, and a higher RTD200 with the thickness of all quadriceps muscles (p < 0.05). Finally, vastus medialis and vastus medialis oblique thicknesses were associated with a higher peak torque (p < 0.05). According to these results, the findings suggest to coaches that vastus intermedius and vastus medialis oblique thicknesses are critical to torque development during the early phase of knee extension contraction (RTD50), which is essential for executing athletic tasks and preventing injuries.

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Cigarette Smoking Is Associated With Lower Quadriceps Cross-sectional Area and Attenuation in Older Adults

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntz081 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 935-941 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elisa A Marques ◽

Martine Elbejjani ◽

Andrew W Frank-Wilson ◽

Vilmundur Gudnason ◽

Gunnar Sigurdsson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Peak Torque ◽

Quadriceps Muscle ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rate Of Torque Development ◽

Muscle Attenuation ◽

Torque Development

Abstract Introduction In addition to well-established links with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cigarette smoking may affect skeletal muscle; however, associations with quadriceps atrophy, density, and function are unknown. This study explored the associations of current and former smoking with quadriceps muscle area and attenuation as well as muscle force (assessed as knee extension peak torque) and rate of torque development—a measure of muscle power in older adults. Methods Data from 4469 older adults, aged 66–95 years at baseline in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study with measurements of thigh computed tomography, isometric knee extension testing, self-reported smoking history, and potential covariates were analyzed. Results Sex differences were observed in these data; therefore, our final analyses are stratified by sex. In men, both former smokers and current smokers had lower muscle area (with β= –0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = –0.17 to –0.03 and β = –0.19, 95% CI = –0.33 to –0.05, respectively) and lower muscle attenuation (ie, higher fat infiltration, β = –0.08, 95% CI = –0.16 to –0.01 and β = –0.17, 95% CI = –0.34 to –0.01, respectively) when compared with never smokers. Smoking status was not associated with male peak torque or rate of torque development. In women, current smoking was associated with lower muscle attenuation (β = –0.24, 95% CI = –0.34 to –0.13) compared to never smoking. Among female smokers (current and former), muscle attenuation and peak torque were lower with increasing pack-years. Conclusions Results suggest that cigarette smoking is related to multiple muscle properties at older age and that these relationships may be different among men and women. Implications This article presents novel data, as it examined for the first time the relationship between smoking and computed tomography-derived quadriceps muscle size (cross-sectional area) and attenuation. This study suggests that current cigarette smoking is related to higher muscle fat infiltration, which may have significant health implications for the older population, because of its known association with poor physical function, falls, and hip fractures.

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The Acute Effects of Fast-Paced Walking on Isometric Peak Torque and Rate of Torque Development in Regularly Exercising and Inactive Older Women

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2021-0123 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Ty B. Palmer ◽

Jarrod Blinch ◽

Ahalee C. Farrow ◽

Chinonye C. Agu-Udemba ◽

Ethan A. Mitchell

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Women ◽

Peak Torque ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Acute Effects ◽

Rate Of Torque Development ◽

Isometric Knee Extension ◽

Before And After ◽

Inactive Group ◽

Torque Development

This study aimed to examine the acute effects of fast-paced walking on isometric peak torque and rate of torque development (RTD) in regular exercising and inactive older women. Ten regular exercising (67 ± 4 years) and 10 inactive (68 ± 4 years) older women performed three isometric knee extension contractions before and after a control condition (quiet resting) and an experimental condition of fast-paced walking for 6 min. Peak torque and early (RTD100), late (RTD200), and maximum (peak RTD) RTD measurements were obtained from each contraction. Results showed no significant changes in peak torque, peak RTD, or RTD200 after walking for either group (p > .050). A significant decrease in RTD100 was observed after walking for the inactive group (p = .005) but not for the regular exercisers (p = .909). These findings highlight the importance of physical activity and suggest that a task as simple as walking may impair the rapid strength capacities of inactive older women.

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Validation of Smartphone Accelerometry for the Evaluation of Sit-To-Stand Performance and Lower-Extremity Function in Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2020-0428 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Yuwei Song ◽

Momotaz Begum ◽

Sajay Arthanat ◽

Dain P. LaRoche

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Force Plate ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Whole Body ◽

Lower Extremity Function ◽

Fast Speed ◽

Motion System ◽

Sit To Stand ◽

Extremity Function

This study tested the concurrent and construct validity of smartphone accelerometry measurement of sit-to-stand (STS) performance in individuals aged 65–89 years. Normal and fast STS times were recorded by smartphone accelerometer, force plate, and video motion systems concurrently, and isokinetic knee extension power and STS whole-body power were obtained. Normal and fast speed STS times from a smartphone accelerometer agreed closely with force plate and motion system methods (mean difference = 0.04 s). Normal and fast STS times were inversely related to isokinetic knee extension power (r = −.93, p < .001 and r = −.82, p < .001, respectively) and STS whole-body power (r = −.76, p < .001 and r = −.70, p < .001, respectively). The STS time obtained from a smartphone accelerometer was equivalent to the established, precise measures of STS time and was related to lower-extremity power, making it a potentially useful metric of lower-extremity function.

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Effects of Exercise on Lower Extremity Muscle Function After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.22.1.33 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 33-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Christopher Kuenze ◽

Jay Hertel ◽

Joseph M. Hart

Keyword(s):

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Muscle Function ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Lower Extremity Function ◽

Significant Group ◽

Lower Extremity Muscle ◽

Extremity Function ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Purpose:Persistent quadriceps weakness due to arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) has been reported after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Fatiguing exercise has been shown to alter lower extremity muscle function and gait mechanics, which may be related to injury risk. The effects of exercise on lower extremity function in the presence of AMI are not currently understood. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of 30 min of exercise on quadriceps muscle function and soleus motoneuron-pool excitability in ACL-reconstructed participants and healthy controls.Methods:Twenty-six (13 women, 13 men) healthy and 26 (13 women, 13 men) ACL-reconstructed recreationally active volunteers were recruited for a case-control laboratory study. All participants completed 30 min of continuous exercise including alternating cycles of inclined-treadmill walking and bouts of squats and step-ups. Knee-extension torque, quadriceps central activation ratio (CAR), soleus H:M ratio, and soleus V:M ratio were measured before and after 30 min of exercise.Results:There was a significant group × time interaction for knee-extension torque (P = .002), quadriceps CAR (P = .03), and soleus V:M ratio (P = .03). The effect of exercise was smaller for the ACL-R group than for matched controls for knee-extension torque (ACL-R: %Δ = −4.2 [−8.7, 0.3]; healthy: %Δ = −14.2 [−18.2, −10.2]), quadriceps CAR (ACL-R: %Δ = −5.1 [−8.0, −2.1]; healthy: %Δ = −10.0 [−13.3, −6.7]), and soleus V:M ratio (ACL-R: %Δ = 37.6 [2.1, 73.0]; healthy: %Δ = −24.9 [−38.6, −11.3]).Conclusion:Declines in quadriceps and soleus volitional muscle function were of lower magnitude in ACL-R subjects than in healthy matched controls. This response suggests an adaptation experienced by patients with quadriceps AMI that may act to maintain lower extremity function during prolonged exercise.

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Mediating effects of lower extremity function on the relationship between night sleep duration and cardiovascular disease risk: a cross-sectional study in elderly Chinese without cardiovascular diseases

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e046015

Author(s):

Hui Zhang ◽

Xiaoyu Chen ◽

Peipei Han ◽

Weibo Ma ◽

Yuanyuan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Indirect Effect ◽

Night Sleep ◽

Lower Extremity Function ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Extremity Function ◽

Elderly Chinese ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of physical performance on the relationship between night sleep duration and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in elderly Chinese without CVD.Methods782 participants without CVD over 65 years (average: 70.82±3.86 years, 448 women) were included in this study. CVD risk was calculated by the Framingham Risk Score and participants were divided into four groups of night sleep duration (in hours): <7 hours, ≥7–8 hours, >8–9 hours and >9 hours. Upper extremity function was measured by grip strength and lower extremity function was measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), consisting of balance, 4 m walk and chair stands tests.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, long night sleep duration (>9 hours) and CVD risk were significantly positively associated compared with moderate night sleep duration (≥7–8 hours) (β=1.152; 95% CI 0.05 to 2.25). SPPB total score (indirect effect ab=−0.122; 95% CI −0.291 to –0.0008) rather than grip strength partially mediated the relationship between long night sleep duration and CVD risk, in which chair stands played a major mediating role (indirect effect ab=−0.171; 95% CI −0.040 to –0.0006), while balance (indirect effect ab=−0.016; 95% CI −0.100 to 0.063) and 4 m walk (indirect effect ab=0.048; 95% CI −0.066 to 0.201) did not.ConclusionsLower extremity function, especially lower limb muscle strength, partially mediates a positive association between long night sleep duration and CVD risk in the elderly without CVD. Suitable interventions for physical performance and sleep may minimise the risk of subsequent CVD.

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The Impact of a Ten Week Training Program on Lower- Extremity Function and Fear of Falling

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181397041002145 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 1369-1369

Author(s):

Darryl G. Humphrey ◽

Laszlo Stumpfhauser

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Training Program ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Lower Extremity Function ◽

Extremity Function ◽

The Impact

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Work Ability and Employment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of Muscle Strength and Lower Extremity Function

International Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.1155/2018/3756207 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Carolin Berner ◽

Sandra Haider ◽

Igor Grabovac ◽

Thomas Lamprecht ◽

Karl Heinrich Fenzl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Work Ability ◽

Employment Status ◽

Knee Extensor ◽

Lower Extremity Function ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hand Grip ◽

Extremity Function ◽

Knee Extensor Strength

Objective. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between muscle strength, lower extremity function, employment status, and work ability in RA patients. Methods. One hundred seropositive RA outpatients of working age were included in this cross-sectional study. Employment status was assessed by interview and work ability by the Work Ability Index-Single Item Scale (WAS). Muscle strength was determined using dynamometer measurement of isometric hand grip and knee extensor strength. Lower extremity function was measured using the short physical performance battery (SPPB). Regression models estimate the association between unemployment, work ability and muscle strength, and lower extremity function, controlling for sociodemographic and disease-related factors. Results. Forty-one percent of the RA patients were not gainfully employed, and their median work ability had a good WAS value (7.00 [4.00-7.00]). Patients with better knee extensor strength (OR=1.07, 95% CI [1.02-1.12) and better physical performance (OR=1.71, 95% CI [1.18-2.49]) had a significantly better chance of gainful employment. The odds for hand grip strength remained significant when adjusted for sociodemographic (OR=1.5, 95% CI [1.00-1.09]), but not for disease-specific variables. Better hand grip strength (β=0.25, p=0.039) and better knee extensor strength (β=0.45, p=0.001) as well as better lower extremity function (SPPB) (β=0.51, p<0.001) remained significantly associated with work ability following adjustment for sociodemographic and disease-specific variables. Conclusions. The association of employment status and work ability with parameters of physical fitness suggests that improvement in muscle strength and lower extremity function may positively influence work ability and employment in individuals with RA.

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