scholarly journals A novel methodology for the synchronous collection and multimodal visualisation of continuous neurocardiovascular and neuromuscular physiological data in adults with long COVID

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Xue ◽  
Ann Monaghan ◽  
Glenn Jennings ◽  
Lisa Byrne ◽  
Tim Foran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Orthostatic Intolerance ◽  
Muscle Contractions ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Muscle Pump ◽  
Wide Range

Reports suggest that adults with post-COVID-19 syndrome or long COVID may be affected by orthostatic intolerance syndromes, with autonomic nervous system dysfunction as a possible causal factor of neurocardiovascular instability (NCVI). Long COVID can also manifest as prolonged fatigue, which may be linked to neuromuscular function impairment (NMFI). The current clinical assessment for NCVI monitors neurocardiovascular performance upon the application of orthostatic stressors such as an active (i.e. self-induced) stand or a passive (tilt table) standing test. Lower limb muscle contractions may be important in orthostatic recovery via the skeletal muscle pump. In this study, adults with long COVID were assessed with a protocol that, in addition to the standard NCVI tests, incorporated simultaneous lower limb muscle monitoring for NMFI assessment. To accomplish such an investigation, a wide range of continuous non-invasive biomedical technologies were employed, including digital artery photoplethysmography for the extraction of cardiovascular signals, near-infrared spectroscopy for the extraction of regional tissue oxygenation in brain and muscle, and electromyography for assessment of timed muscle contractions in the lower limbs. With the novel technique described and exemplified in this paper, we were able to integrate signals from all instruments used in the assessment in a precisely synchronized fashion. We demonstrate that it is possible to visualize the interactions between all different physiological signals during the combined NCVI/NMFI assessment. Multiple counts of evidence were collected, which can capture the dynamics between skeletal muscle contractions and neurocardiovascular responses. The proposed multimodal data visualization can offer an overview of the functioning of the muscle pump during both supine rest and orthostatic recovery and can conduct comparison studies with signals from multiple participants at any given time in the assessment. This could help researchers and clinicians generate and test hypotheses based on the multimodal inspection of raw data, in long COVID and other clinical cohorts.

scholarly journals Effects of Dominant and Nondominant Limb Immobilization on Muscle Activation and Physical Demand during Ambulation with Axillary Crutches

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Kara B. Bellenfant ◽  
Gracie L. Robbins ◽  
Rebecca R. Rogers ◽  
Thomas J. Kopec ◽  
Christopher G. Ballmann
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Bipedal Walking ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Physical Demand ◽  
Limb Dominance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of how limb dominance and joint immobilization alter markers of physical demand and muscle activation during ambulation with axillary crutches. In a crossover, counterbalanced study design, physically active females completed ambulation trials with three conditions: (1) bipedal walking (BW), (2) axillary crutch ambulation with their dominant limb (DOM), and (3) axillary crutch ambulation with their nondominant limb (NDOM). During the axillary crutch ambulation conditions, the non-weight-bearing knee joint was immobilized at a 30-degree flexion angle with a postoperative knee stabilizer. For each trial/condition, participants ambulated at 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mph for five minutes at each speed. Heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored throughout. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to record muscle activation of the medial gastrocnemius (MG), soleus (SOL), and tibialis anterior (TA) unilaterally on the weight-bearing limb. Biceps brachii (BB) and triceps brachii (TB) sEMG were measured bilaterally. sEMG signals for each immobilization condition were normalized to corresponding values for BW.HR (p < 0.001) and RPE (p < 0.001) were significantly higher for both the DOM and NDOM conditions compared to BW but no differences existed between the DOM and NDOM conditions (p > 0.05). No differences in lower limb muscle activation were noted for any muscles between the DOM and NDOM conditions (p > 0.05). Regardless of condition, BB activation ipsilateral to the ambulating limb was significantly lower during 0.6 mph (p = 0.005) and 0.8 mph (p = 0.016) compared to the same speeds for BB on the contralateral side. Contralateral TB activation was significantly higher during 0.6 mph compared to 0.8 mph (p = 0.009) and 1.0 mph (p = 0.029) irrespective of condition. In conclusion, limb dominance appears to not alter lower limb muscle activation and walking intensity while using axillary crutches. However, upper limb muscle activation was asymmetrical during axillary crutch use and largely dependent on speed. These results suggest that functional asymmetry may exist in upper limbs but not lower limbs during assistive device supported ambulation.

The effect of lower limb muscle contractions on the impact acceleration behaviour of medial knee in low-speed pedestrian impact

2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
Junghwa Hong ◽  
Sung Ki Min ◽  
Gwang Mun Eom ◽  
Byung Kyu Park ◽  
Soo Won Chae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Contractions ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Medial Knee ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Impact Acceleration ◽  
Pedestrian Impact ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Effects of an Eight-Week Stepladder Exercise Protocol on Lower Limb Muscular Strength of Apparently Healthy Young Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oladapo Michael Olagbegi ◽  
Babatunde Olusola Adegoke ◽  
Candice Jo-Anne Christie ◽  
Olufemi Samuel Bolarinde ◽  
Joseph Adeiza Jegede
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Joint Stress ◽  
Apparently Healthy

AbstractPurpose. Backward descent of stairs is associated with improved muscle strength and reduced joint stress, but the effect of backward ascent of stairs on lower limb muscle strength has not been reported. This study compared the effects of forward and backward stair climbing on lower limb muscle strength in apparently healthy young adults. Methods. The total of 31 young volunteers were allocated to either forward or backward stair climbing group (n = 16 and 15, respectively). Dynamic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength was assessed in addition to thigh girth at baseline and at weeks 4 and 8 with the use of the repetitive maximum method and tape measure, respectively. Results. Between baseline and week 8, muscular strength in both groups (quadriceps: 14.4 ± 3.6 to 16.4 ± 3.4 kg; 14.0 ± 2.9 to 15.3 ± 2.7 kg; hamstring: 12.2 ± 3.2 to 13.4 ± 3.2; 11.7 ± 2.5 to 12.9 ± 2.7 kg) increased significantly (p < 0.05) while the increase in thigh girth was not significant (p > 0.05). The groups were comparable in all three measures post intervention. Conclusions. Forward and backward stair climbing protocols are effective for improving the dynamic strength of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles of apparently healthy young adults. Thus, either protocol could be used for the improvement of lower limbs dynamic muscle strength.

scholarly journals Relationship between strength and muscle mass in middle-aged and elderly women: a cross-sectional study

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 660-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine Fernandes de Souza ◽  
Mariana Carmem Apolinário Vieira ◽  
Rafaela Andrade do Nascimento ◽  
Mayle Andrade Moreira ◽  
Saionara Maria Aires da Câmara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Objective: to analyze the relationship between handgrip strength and lower limb strength and the amount of segmental skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged and elderly women. Methods: an observational, cross-sectional, observational study of 540 women aged between 40 and 80 years in the cities of Parnamirim and Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, was performed. Sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, handgrip dynamometry, knee flexors and extensors of the dominant limbs, as well as the segmental muscle mass of the limbs were evaluated. Data were analyzed using Student's t-Test, Chi-square test, Effect Size and Pearson's Correlation (CI 95%). Results: there were statistically significant weak and moderate correlations between handgrip strength and upper limb muscle mass, knee flexion strength and lower limb muscle mass, and between knee extension strength and lower limb muscle mass for the age groups 40-59 years and 60 years or more (p<0.05). Conclusions: muscle strength correlates with skeletal muscle mass. It could therefore be an indicator of the decrease in strength. It is not the only such indicator, however, as correlations were weak and moderate, which suggests the need for more studies on this theme to elucidate which components may also influence the loss of strength with aging.

Short-Term Effects of Rolling Massage on Energy Cost of Running and Power of the Lower Limbs

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1337-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Giovanelli ◽  
Filippo Vaccari ◽  
Mirco Floreani ◽  
Enrico Rejc ◽  
Jasmine Copetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Power ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Maximal Power ◽  
Endurance Running ◽  
Running Performance ◽  
And Control

Purpose: Self-myofascial release (SMFR) is a type of self-massage that is becoming popular among athletes. However, SMFR’s effects on running performance have not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SMFR on the cost of running (Cr). In addition, the authors evaluated the effects of SMFR on lower-limb muscle power. Methods: Cr and lower-limb muscle power during squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) were measured before (PRE), immediately after (POST), and 3 h after (POST 3h) an SMFR protocol (experimental condition). In the control-condition testing session, the same measurements were performed without undergoing the SMFR protocol. Experimental and control conditions were tested in a randomized order. Results: Cr at POST trended to increase compared with PRE (+6.2% [8.3%], P = .052), whereas at POST 3h, Cr was restored to PRE values (+0.28% [9.5%], P = .950). In the experimental condition, no significant effect of time was observed for maximal power exerted during SJ. By contrast, maximal power exerted during CMJ at POST and at POST 3h was significantly higher than that observed at PRE (+7.9% [6.3%], P = .002 and +10.0% [8.7%], P = .004, respectively). The rate of force development measured during CMJ also increased after SMFR, reaching statistical significance at 200 ms from force onset at POST 3h (+38.9%, P = .024). Conclusions: An acute use of foam rollers for SMFR performed immediately prior to running may negatively affect endurance running performance, but its use should be added before explosive motor performances that include stretch-shortening cycles.

scholarly journals Log-linear Adjusted Lower Limb Muscle Power of Boys and Girls

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
Michael CHIA ◽  
Jin Jong QUEK
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Power ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Wingate Anaerobic Test ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
Anaerobic Test

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.The study investigated the log-linear muscle power of the lower limbs in a group of 13 to 14 year old boys and girls. Participants were 48 boys (stature: 1.69±0.05m; body mass: 57.9±11.8kg; lower limb muscle mass: 16.4±2.5kg) and 38 girls (stature: 1.59±0.06m; body mass: 57.7±7.6kg; lower limb muscle mass: 12.5±1.2kg). Lower limb muscle mass (LLMM) was determined using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometric (DEXA) procedure. Participants completed a 30s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) where peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) were expressed in relation to LLMM using log-linear adjustment procedures. Boys and girls had similar log-linear adjusted PP (495W vs. 488W, p>0.05) and MP (423W vs. 422W, p>0.05) when they were expressed in relation to LLMM. However, common b exponents that defined the allometric relationship between PP and MP, and LLMM in both boys and girls were 1.26 (SE 0.15), and 1.21 (SE 0.15), respectively. These were markedly different from the b exponent of 1.0 used in the ratio standard, or the 0.67 value predicted from geometric similarity theory. Despite a similar interpretation of data (i.e. no sex difference in lower limb muscle power in boys and girls) using either allometric modeling, allometric modeling of sample-specific exercise data is recommended to produce an appropriate size-independent variable, to allow appropriate comparisons in performance between boys and girls.本文以對數一線性修正法對13 — 14歲少年下肢力量進行了研究。測試對象為48名男孩(身高為1.69 ± 0.05米，體重為57.9 ± 11.8公斤，下肢去脂體重為16.4 ±2.5公斤）和38名女孩(身高為1.59 ± 0.06米，體重為57.7 ± 7.6公斤，下肢去脂體重為12.5 ± 1.2公斤）。以雙光能X光吸收儀(DEXA)測定受試者下肢的去脂體重。受試對象在自行車功率儀上完成30秒溫蓋特無氧功率測試 (Wingate Anaerobic Test, WAnT)，以對數-線性修正法表示最高功率和平均功率與下肢去脂體重的關係。其結果顯不，男孩與女孩的最高功率分別為495瓦與488瓦(p>0.05)，平均功率分別為423瓦與422瓦(p>0.05)。根據對數-線性修正法所得的最高功率和平均功率與下肢去脂體重關係的b指數分別1.26 (SE為0.15)與1.21 (SE為0.15)，男女相同。此結果與常用標準比b指數為1，或應用幾何相似理論推測值0.67等方法所得的結果明顯不同。應用異速生長模型(對數-線性修正法)可測得與其實驗對象和運動形式相適應的形態機體指標，因而可較正確地比較少年男女之間的運動能力。

Relationships Between Olympic Weightlifting Exercises, Peak Power of the Upper and Lower Limb, Muscle Volume and Throwing Ball Velocity in Elite Male Handball Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (02) ◽  
pp. 104-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souhail Hermassi ◽  
Karl Stefan Delank ◽  
Georg Fieseler ◽  
Thomas Bartels ◽  
Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Muscle Volume ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Absolute Power ◽  
Ball Velocity ◽  
Force Velocity

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate relationships between peak power (PP) as measured by upper limb (PPUL) and lower limb (PPLL) force velocity tests, maximal upper limb force assessed by clean and jerk (1RMCJ) and snatch (1RMSE) exercises, estimates of local muscle volume and throwing ball velocity. Methods Thirty elite male handball players volunteered for the investigation (age: 20.3 ± 2.1 years; body mass: 82.5 ± 10.5 kg; height: 1.85 ± 0,07 %; body fat: 13.1 ± 2.1 %). Lower and upper limb force velocity tests were performed on appropriately modified forms of a Monark cycle ergometer with measurement of PPUL and PPLL, and the corresponding respective maximal forces (F0UL and F0LL) and velocities (V0UL and V0LL). Snatched (SN) and clean and jerk (CJ) exercises were performed to one repetition maximum (1RM). Handball throwing velocity was measured with jump shot (JS) without run-up (TW) and 3 steps shot (T3 step). Muscle volumes of the upper and lower limbs were estimated with a standard anthropometric kit. Results The 1RM CJ proved to be the most important predictor for throwing velocity. All types of throwing showed a high correlation with this parameter (JS: r = 0.75; TW: r = 0.62; T3 step: r = 0.66). The highest relation was detected between jump shot and 1RM snatch technique (r = 0.82). The PPUL muscle volume correlated highly with PPUL absolute power (r = 0.70). In contrast, we did not find any comparable relations for the lower limb (muscle volume vs. PPUL absolute power: r = 0.07). Conclusions Our results highlight the contribution of both lower and upper limbs to handball throwing velocity, suggesting the need for coaches to include upper and lower limb strength weightlifting exercises and power programs when improving the throwing velocity of handball players.

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