Strength Asymmetries in Young Elite Sailors: Windsurfing, Optimist, Laser and 420 Classes

Strength asymmetries in the upper and lower limbs may affect the body movements of the joints or limbs. Although asymmetries in the upper limbs have been studied in sailors, those in lower limbs have not been evaluated in this sport population. The aims of this study were: (i) to analyze lower limb asymmetries in young elite sailors in order to quantify the magnitude of asymmetry between limbs for variables that were established as reliable in a healthy population, and (ii) to evaluate the presence of differences between classes and sexes in inter-limb asymmetries in elite youth sailors. Sixty-eight young Spanish elite sailors (9–19 years of age) participated voluntarily in our study. Single-leg vertical countermovement jump (VCJ), single-leg horizontal countermovement jump and hand dynamometry tests were used to evaluate the strength of the upper and lower limbs. More than 50% of the sailors presented asymmetries in the lower limbs. The boys’ group and Optimist class presented a greater percentage of strength asymmetry.

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Unilateral and Bilateral Strength Asymmetry among Young Elite Athletes of Various Sports

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56120683 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (12) ◽

pp. 683

Author(s):

Maros Kalata ◽

Tomas Maly ◽

Mikulas Hank ◽

Jakub Michalek ◽

David Bujnovsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Knee Extensors ◽

Young Athletes ◽

Lower Limb Muscles ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Strength Asymmetry ◽

Main Factor ◽

Objective Type

Background and objective: Type of physical activity may influence morphological and muscular asymmetries in the young population. However, less is known about the size of this effect when comparing various sports. The aim of this study was to identify the degree of bilateral asymmetry (BA) and the level of unilateral ratio (UR) between isokinetic strength of knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) among athletes of three different types of predominant locomotion in various sports (symmetric, asymmetric and hybrid). Material and methods: The analyzed group consisted of young elite athletes (n = 50). The maximum peak muscle torque of the KE and KF in both the dominant (DL) and non-dominant (NL) lower limb during concentric muscle contraction at an angular velocity of 60°·s−1 was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. Results: Data analysis showed a significant effect of the main factor (the type of sport) on the level of monitored variables (p = 0.004). The type of sport revealed a significant difference in the bilateral ratio (p = 0.01). The group of symmetric and hybrid sports achieved lower values (p = 0.01) of BA in their lower limb muscles than those who played asymmetric sports. The hybrid sports group achieved higher UR values (p = 0.01) in both lower limbs. Conclusions: The results indicate that sports with predominantly symmetrical, asymmetrical, and hybrid types of locomotion affected the size of the BA, as well as the UR between KE and KF in both legs in young athletes. We recommend paying attention to regular KE and KF strength diagnostics in young athletes and optimizing individual compensatory exercises if a higher ratio of strength asymmetry is discovered.

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Light sheet microscopy-based 3-dimensional histopathology of the lymphatic vasculature in Emberger syndrome

Phlebologie ◽

10.1055/a-1191-8380 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (04) ◽

pp. 242-248

Author(s):

René Hägerling

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Lymphatic Vessels ◽

Light Sheet ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Vascular Pathology ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

3 Dimensional ◽

Light Sheet Microscopy ◽

Lymphatic Vasculature

Abstract Introduction Lymphovascular diseases represent a heterogenous group of inherited and sporadic disorders and refer to a range of possible underlying pathologies and pathogenesis.Emberger Syndrome, an inherited form of lymphedema, is characterized by bilateral lower limb lymphedema, however, upper limbs do not show any signs of swelling.To identify disease-associated histopathological alterations in patients with Emberger Syndrome and to elucidate potential histological differences between the lymphatic vasculature of upper and lower limbs, a detailed knowledge on the 3-dimensional tissue and vessel architecture is essential. However, the current gold standard in 2-dimensional histology provides only very limited spatial information. Material and methods To elucidate the underlying vascular pathology in Emberger Syndrome on the cellular level, we applied the 3-dimensional visualization and analysis approach VIPAR (volume information-based histopathological analysis by 3D reconstruction and data extraction) to entire wholemount immunofluorescence-stained human tissue samples. VIPAR is a light sheet microscopy-based imaging technique, which allows 3-dimensional reconstruction of entire tissue biopsies followed by automated and semi-automated analysis of vascular parameters in 3-dimensional space. Results Using VIPAR we could show that in Emberger Syndrome the dermal lymphatic vasculature is intact and non-disrupted.However, lower limbs showed an hypoplastic lymphatic vasculature with absence of lymphatic valves in pre-collecting and collecting vessels. In contrast to the lower limbs, the lymphatic vasculature of the upper limbs showed no morphological alterations of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic valves compared to healthy controls. Discussion Based on the 3-dimensional histopathological analysis we were able to perform a detailed phenotyping of lymphatic vessels in the upper and lower limb in Emberger Syndrome and to identify the underlying vascular pathology. In addition, we could show vascular alteration between the upper and lower limbs indicating a vascular heterogeneity of dermal lymph vessels causing the lower limb lymphedema.

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Cross-Sectional Survey of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Workers Practicing Traditional Methods of Underground Coal Mining

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17072566 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 2566

Author(s):

Madiha Ijaz ◽

Sajid Rashid Ahmad ◽

Muhammad M. Akram ◽

Steven M. Thygerson ◽

Falaq Ali Nadeem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coal Mining ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Underground Mines ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Underground Coal Mining ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

R Programming

Background: In subcontinental underground mines, coal mining is carried out manually and requires many laborers to practice traditional means of coal excavation. Each task of this occupation disturbs workers’ musculoskeletal order. In order to propose and practice possible ergonomic interventions, it is necessary to know what tasks (drilling and blasting, coal cutting, dumping, transporting, timbering and supporting, loading and unloading) cause disorder in either upper limbs, lower limbs, or both. Methods: To this end, R-programming, version R 3.1.2 and SPSS, software 20, were used to calculate data obtained by studying 260 workers (working at different tasks of coal mining) from 20 mines of four districts of Punjab, Pakistan. In addition, a Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) sheet were used to collect data and to analyze postures respectively. Results: In multi regression models, significance of the five tasks for upper and lower limb disorder is 0.00, which means that task based prevalence of upper and lower limb disorders are common in underground coal mines. The results of the multiple bar chart showed that 96 coal cutters got upper limb disorders and 82 got lower limb disorders. The task of timbering and supporting was shown to be dangerous for the lower limbs and relatively less dangerous for the upper limbs, with 25 workers reporting pain in their lower limbs, and 19 workers reporting pain in their upper limbs. Documented on the RULA sheet, all tasks got the maximum possible score (7), meaning that each of these tasks pose a threat to the posture of 100% of workers. The majority of participants (182) fell in the age group of 26 to 35 years. Of those workers, 131 reported pain in the lower limbs and slight discomfort (128) in the upper limbs. The significance value of age was 0.00 for upper limb disorder and was 0.012 for lower limb disorder. Frequency graphs show age in direct proportion to severity of pain while in inverse proportion with number of repetitions performed per min. Conclusions: All findings infer that each task of underground coal mining inflicts different levels of disorder in a workers’ musculoskeletal structure of the upper and lower limbs. It highlighted the need for urgent intervention in postural aspects of each task.

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Epidemiology of sports injuries in basketball: integrative systematic review

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000468 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. e000468 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Carlos Vicente Andreoli ◽

Bárbara Camargo Chiaramonti ◽

Elisabeth Biruel ◽

Alberto de Castro Pochini ◽

Benno Ejnisman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Sports Injuries ◽

Knee Injuries ◽

Musculoskeletal Injuries ◽

The Body ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Integrative Review ◽

Ankle Injuries ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Sources Of Information

IntroductionBasketball is a contact sport with complex movements that include jumps, turns and changes in direction, which cause frequent musculoskeletal injuries in all regions of the body.ObjectiveThis is an integrative systematic review of the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in basketball.MethodsThis is an integrative review based on the following sources of information: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, BBO-Biblioteca Brasileira de Odontologia, IBECS-Índice Bibliográfico Espanhol em Ciências da Saúde, nursing journals, dental journals and core clinical journals in the last 10 years with studies addressing the general epidemiology of sports injuries in basketball.ResultsIn total, 268 articles were selected, of which 11 were eligible for the integrative review. A total of 12 960 injuries were observed, most of which occurred in the lower limbs (63.7%), with 2832 (21.9%) ankle injuries and 2305 (17.8%) knee injuries. Injuries in the upper limbs represented 12%–14% of the total injuries. Children and adolescents received head injuries more often compared with the other age and skill categories. In the adult category, there was an increased prevalence of injuries in the trunk and spine. In the upper limbs, hands, fingers and wrists were affected more frequently than the shoulders, arms and forearms. In the masters’ category, there was an increase in the incidence of thigh injuries.ConclusionThe lower limbs were the most affected, with the ankle and knee joints having the highest prevalence of injuries regardless of gender and category. Further randomised studies, increased surveillance and epidemiological data collection are necessary to improve knowledge on sports injuries in basketball and to validate the effectiveness of preventive interventions.

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Developmental Changes in Coordination of Infant Arm and Leg Movements and the Emergence of Function

Journal of Motor Learning and Development ◽

10.1123/jmld.2013-0033 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 69-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wen-Hao Hsu ◽

Daniel Miranda ◽

Diana Young ◽

Kelly Cakert ◽

Mona Qureshi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Location ◽

The Body ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Developmental Changes ◽

Longitudinal Change ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Relative Timing ◽

Kinematic Study ◽

Leg Movements

We conducted a longitudinal kinematic study of spontaneous arm and leg motions in 4 supine infants at 3, 4½, and 6 months of age. The study addressed two questions: (a) whether there was a longitudinal change in the synchronization of joint rotations at the hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows, indicating that the arms and legs were moving more independently of each other; and (b) whether, during this period, the spatial location of the hands relative to the shoulders was different from that of the feet relative to the hips, indicating that the infants were beginning to use their upper limbs differently than their lower limbs. We found that, in general, the arms and legs were moving more independently of each other by 6 months of age. At the same time, the infants were more likely to hold their hands away from the body in preparation for making contact with an object in the midline, but they brought their feet close to the body to maximize propulsive kicks. Thus, a reorganization of the relative timing of joint rotations appears to be related to the emergence of different arm and leg functions.

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Design and Analysis of a Lower Limb Rehabilitation Training Component for Bedridden Stroke Patients

Machines ◽

10.3390/machines9100224 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 224

Author(s):

Xusheng Wang ◽

Yongfei Feng ◽

Jiazhong Zhang ◽

Yungui Li ◽

Jianye Niu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Interventional Therapy ◽

The Body ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Linkage Mechanism ◽

Training Module ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Rehabilitation Training ◽

Limb Rehabilitation ◽

Lower Limb Rehabilitation

Carrying out the immediate rehabilitation interventional therapy will better improve the curative effect of rehabilitation therapy, after the condition of bedridden stroke patients becomes stable. A new lower limb rehabilitation training module, as a component of a synchronous rehabilitation robot for bedridden stroke patients’ upper and lower limbs, is proposed. It can electrically adjust the body shape of patients with a different weight and height. Firstly, the innovative mechanism design of the lower limb rehabilitation training module is studied. Then, the mechanism of the lower limb rehabilitation module is simplified and the geometric relationship of the human–machine linkage mechanism is deduced. Next, the trajectory planning and dynamic modeling of the human–machine linkage mechanism are carried out. Based on the analysis of the static moment safety protection of the human–machine linkage model, the motor driving force required in the rehabilitation process is calculated to achieve the purpose of rationalizing the rehabilitation movement of the patient’s lower limb. To reconstruct the patient’s motor functions, an active training control strategy based on the sandy soil model is proposed. Finally, the experimental platform of the proposed robot is constructed, and the preliminary physical experiment proves the feasibility of the lower limb rehabilitation component.

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Interlimb neural interactions in corticospinal and spinal reflex circuits during preparation and execution of isometric elbow flexion

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00705.2019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 124 (3) ◽

pp. 652-667

Author(s):

Atsushi Sasaki ◽

Naotsugu Kaneko ◽

Yohei Masugi ◽

Matija Milosevic ◽

Kimitaka Nakazawa

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Elbow Flexion ◽

Motor Preparation ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Spinal Reflex ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Limb Muscle ◽

Motor Execution ◽

Lower Limb Muscles ◽

Neural Interactions

We found that upper limb muscle contractions facilitated corticospinal circuits controlling lower limb muscles even during motor preparation, whereas motor execution of the task was required to facilitate spinal circuits. We also found that facilitation did not depend on whether contralateral or ipsilateral hands were contracted or if they were contracted bilaterally. Overall, these findings suggest that training of unaffected upper limbs may be useful to enhance facilitation of affected lower limbs in paraplegic individuals.

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Inter-Limb Coordination Variability in Ice Climbers of Different Skill Level

Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences ◽

10.33607/bjshs.v1i80.342 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (80) ◽

Author(s):

Ludovic Seifert ◽

Leo Wattebled ◽

Maxime L’Hermette ◽

Romain Herault

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Skill Level ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Environmental Constraint ◽

Research Results ◽

Grade 5 ◽

Limb Coordination ◽

Left And Right ◽

Mode Of Coordination

Research background and hypothesis. Ice climbers determine their own ascent paths by creating holes with their crampons and ice tools. The coupling of upper and lower limbs thus emerges from the icefall environment without prescriptions for one mode of coordination. Research aim. The aim of this study was to analyse the upper / lower limb coordination of ice climbers of different skill level and to explore how the environmental constraint (ice fall shape) is used by the climbers to adapt their motor behaviour.Research methods. Six elite ice climbers and ﬁ ve beginners climbed a 30m icefall, respectively in grade 5 / 5+ and grade 4. Frontal camera videotaped the ﬁ rst 15m of the ascent, then the left and right ice tools and the left and right crampons were digitalised in order to analyse the upper limbs coupling, the lower limbs coupling and the upper / lower limb coordination. Research results. The results indicated that in-phase mode of upper / lower limb coordination was the main attractor for both groups. However, elite climbers showed greater variability in their behaviour, exploring larger range of upper and lower angles (particularly vertical and crossed positions) and types of movement (ice tool swinging and ice hole hooking). Discussion and conclusions. It was concluded that holes in ice fall, and more globally ice fall shape, were affordances that induced variable upper / lower limb coordination in elite climbers, whereas beginners used a basic and stable motor organization in order to maintain body equilibrium.Keywords: upper / lower limb coordination, environmental constrains, types of movement.

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Exercises using the upper limbs hyperinflate COPD patients more than exercises using the lower limbs at the same metabolic demand

Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease ◽

10.4081/monaldi.2009.372 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

E.F. Porto ◽

A.A.M. Castro ◽

M. Velloso ◽

O. Nascimento ◽

F. Dal Maso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Ventilation ◽

The Body ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Upper Body ◽

Dynamic Hyperinflation ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Lower Body ◽

Metabolic Demand ◽

Inspiratory Capacity ◽

Upper Body Exercise

mandatory constituents of a rehabilitation programme for patients with COPD. However, it is not known how much these exercises may induce pulmonary dynamic hyperinflation (DH). Objective. To evaluate the DH in patients with COPD exercising the upper and lower parts of the body at the same metabolic demand. Methods. Sixteen patients aged 63 ± 13 years and with a FEV1 of 1.5 ± 0.7 L (41 ± 11% pred) were studied. Patients initially performed a maximal exercise test with the arms using the diagonal movement technique. The lower limbs were exercised on a treadmill at the same metabolic demand. Results. Inspiratory capacity decreased 222 ± 158 ml (9.8%) after the upper body exercise (p < 0.0001) and 148 ± 161 ml (7%) after exercise with the lower body (p = 0.0028) and a difference between the two groups was found (p < 0.05). There was no difference between resting IC before upper and lower limbs exercises (p = 0.8); increase in minute ventilation and in pulmonary ventilation in percentage of maximum voluntary ventilation and reduction of expiratory time were larger in the upper limbs exercise (p < 0.05). Dyspnea as measured by the Borg Scale was higher in the upper body (3.9 ± 2.2) than in the lower body (2.3 ± 1.3) at the end of the exercise (p = 0.033). Pulmonary ventilation and inspiratory capacity were correlated (p = 0.0001; r = 0.82). Conclusion. Exercise with the upper part of the body causes more DH and dyspnea than exercise with the lower part of the body at the same metabolic demand.

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Neural coupling between upper and lower limbs during recumbent stepping

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01350.2003 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 97 (4) ◽

pp. 1299-1308 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

Helen J. Huang ◽

Daniel P. Ferris

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Gait Rehabilitation ◽

Upper Limbs ◽

Neurologically Impaired ◽

Resistance Level ◽

Neuromuscular Activation ◽

Lower Limb Muscles ◽

Robotic Devices

During gait rehabilitation, therapists or robotic devices often supply physical assistance to a patient's lower limbs to aid stepping. The expensive equipment and intensive manual labor required for these therapies limit their availability to patients. One alternative solution is to design devices where patients could use their upper limbs to provide physical assistance to their lower limbs (i.e., self-assistance). To explore potential neural effects of coupling upper and lower limbs, we investigated neuromuscular recruitment during self-driven and externally driven lower limb motion. Healthy subjects exercised on a recumbent stepper using different combinations of upper and lower limb exertions. The recumbent stepper mechanically coupled the upper and lower limbs, allowing users to drive the stepping motion with upper and/or lower limbs. We instructed subjects to step with 1) active upper and lower limbs at an easy resistance level (active arms and legs); 2) active upper limbs and relaxed lower limbs at easy, medium, and hard resistance levels (self-driven); and 3) relaxed upper and lower limbs while another person drove the stepping motion (externally driven). We recorded surface electromyography (EMG) from six lower limb muscles. Self-driven EMG amplitudes were always higher than externally driven EMG amplitudes ( P < 0.05). As resistance and upper limb exertion increased, self-driven EMG amplitudes also increased. EMG bursts during self-driven and active arms and legs stepping occurred at similar times. These results indicate that active upper limb movement increases neuromuscular activation of the lower limbs during cyclic stepping motions. Neurologically impaired humans that actively engage their upper limbs during gait rehabilitation may increase neuromuscular activation and enhance activity-dependent plasticity.

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