Muscle strength evaluation of limb dominance in prepubescent swimmers boys and girls

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the lower limb muscle strength in terms of gender and limb dominancy in prepubescent swimmers. Material and Methods: Seventy-four prepubescent swimmers (mean age: 11.01±1.58 years; 42 boys; 32 girls) who were training for at least 8 hours a week and without current lower limb pain participated in the study. Isometric muscle strength of lower limb was measured by hand-held dynamometry. Independent samples-t test was used to determine the difference between genders, while paired samples-t test was used for dominant-nondominant side comparison. The significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Results: Knee flexion (p<0.001), extension (p<0.001) and ankle dorsiflexion (p=0.003) muscle strength were stronger on the dominant side than on the non-dominant side. Knee flexion/extension strength ratio was similar (p=0.957); while ankle plantar flexion/dorsiflexion strength ratio was significantly different (p=0.011). Boys swimmers had stronger isometric muscle strength in the dominant side together with knee flexion (p=0.018) and knee flexion extension strength ratio (p=0.007) than girls swimmers. Conclusion: Boys swimmers had higher dominant side knee flexion muscle strength compared to female peers. Gender and lower limb dominancy might be important for lower limb muscle strength to show varieties in prepubescent swimmers before planning a training program.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ISOMETRIC STRENGTH OF SIX LOWER LIMB MUSCLE GROUPS AND MOTOR SKILLS AMONG NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2015.70 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

F. BUCKINX ◽

J.L. CROISIER ◽

J.Y. REGINSTER ◽

J. PETERMANS ◽

E. GOFFART ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Motor Skills ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Lower Limb Muscle ◽

Limb Muscle ◽

Muscle Groups ◽

The Relationship ◽

Isometric Muscle

This research aimed to assess the correlation between isometric muscle strength of the lower limb and motor skills. This is a cross sectional study performed among volunteer nursing home residents included in the SENIOR (Sample of Elderly Nursing home Individuals: an Observational Research) cohort. The present analysis focused on isometric muscle strength of 6 lower limb muscle groups (i.e. knee extensors, knee flexors, hip abductors, hip extensors, ankle flexors and ankle extensors), assessed using a validated hand-held dynamometer (i.e. the MicroFET2 device), and motor skills evaluated using the Tinetti test, the Timed Up and Go test, the Short Physical Performance Battery test (SPPB) and the walking speed. The relationship between all these parameters was tested by means of a multiple correlation, adjusted on age, sex and body mass index. 450 nursing home residents (69.8% of women) with a mean age of 83.1±9.4 years were included in this study. Our results showed a significant inverse correlation between lower limb muscle strength and the time required to perform the TUG test or gait speed, except for ankle flexors and ankle extensors. The relationship between the Tinetti test or the SPPB score, and lower limb muscle strength was significant, except for ankle flexors and ankle extensors. In conclusion, a positive association between lower limb muscle strength of the four main muscle groups and motor skills of the elderly nursing residents was found in this research. Therefore, special attention should be given to these muscle groups during rehabilitation programs.

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Comparison of Lower Extremity Muscle Flexibility in Amateur and Trained Bharatanatyam Dancers and Nondancers

Medical Problems of Performing Artists ◽

10.21091/mppa.2018.1005 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 20-25

Author(s):

Monica Sharma ◽

Shibili Nuhmani ◽

Deepti Wardhan ◽

Qassim I Muaidi

Keyword(s):

Internal Rotation ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Knee Flexion ◽

External Rotation ◽

Lower Limb Muscle ◽

Limb Muscle ◽

Lower Extremity Muscle ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Flexion Extension ◽

Hip Flexion

OBJECTIVE: This study compared lower limb muscle flexibility between amateur and trained female Bharatanatyam dancers and nondancers. METHODS: Subjects consisted of 105 healthy female volunteers, with 70 female Bharatanatyam dancers (35 trained, 35 amateurs) and 35 controls, with a mean (±SD) age of 16.2±1.04 yrs, height 155.05±4.30 cm, and weight 54.54±2.77 kg. Participants were assessed for range of motion (ROM) in hip flexion, hip extension, hip abduction and adduction, hip external rotation, hip internal rotation, knee flexion, knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion (DF), and ankle plantar flexion (PF) by using a standardized goniometer. To assess for significant difference between groups, one-way ANOVA was applied, and multiple comparisons were made using Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Trained dancers had a significantly greater hip flexion, extension, abduction, and external rotation ROM than amateurs and nondancers (p<0.05). Also, internal rotation and adduction were markedly less in trained dancers (p<0.05). Knee flexion, extension, and ankle DF were higher and ankle PF ROM was lesser in trained dancers. However, not much variation was found in ankle DF and PF between amateur dancers and nondancers (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Results showed that there are significant differences in lower limb muscle flexibility between trained and amateur Bharatanatyam dancers and nondancers. These differences may be due to individual dance postures such as araimandi and muzhumandi.

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