PALMARIS LONGUS MUSCLE CONTRIBUTION TO MAXIMUM TORQUE AND STEADINESS IN HIGHLY SKILLED GRIP AND NON-GRIP SPORT POPULATIONS

Background: The anatomy, origin, function, and appearance of the Palmaris Longus Muscle (PLM) in different populations are well studied. However, little is known about its contribution to wrist flexion movements in sports. This study investigates whether the existence or absence of the PLM affects maximal torque output or torque consistency of submaximal wrist flexion moment. Methods: One hundred ninety-seven well-trained sports students were clinically examined to ascertain the presence of the PLM. Forty of them from different sport disciplines were assigned to two groups (athletes in handgrip sports: HG, athletes in non-handgrip sports: NHG). Their 80 upper limbs were divided based on the PLM-presence/absence and hand-dominance/non-dominance. Maximal Isometric Torque (MIT) at 150º, 180º, and 210º wrist angle, and torque steadiness at 150º and 180º, at 25%, 50%, and 75% of MIT were measured on a Humac Norm dynamometer. Results: In all MIT tests, HGs significantly surpassed NHGs, independently of the dominant or non-dominant side in presence of the PLM (p <.05). Steadiness was significantly higher in HGs than in NHGs in dominant hands having the PLM, at 25% and 75% of MIT at both angles (p <.05). Conclusions: It is concluded that the existence of the PLM provides an advantage in sustained handgrip sports (throwers, racquet sports, basketball, handball players), contributing positively to decreased torque variability and higher maximal torque independently of muscular length. Important implications for sports performance and injury prevention have also resulted.

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The effect of the palmaris longus muscle on wrist flexion and extension strength

Isokinetics and Exercise Science ◽

10.3233/ies-171139 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 243-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ali Yavuz Karahan ◽

Suleyman Bakdik ◽

Kemal Emre Ozen ◽

Serdar Arslan ◽

Savas Karpuz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wrist Flexion ◽

Palmaris Longus ◽

Longus Muscle ◽

Palmaris Longus Muscle ◽

Flexion And Extension

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Non-adaptive evolution of the m. palmaris longus in the Homininae.

10.1101/015321 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Zach Throckmorton ◽

Nicole Forth ◽

Nathanial Thomas

Keyword(s):

Clinical Evidence ◽

Substantial Variation ◽

Anatomical Structures ◽

Muscle Belly ◽

Palmaris Longus ◽

Longus Muscle ◽

Palmaris Longus Muscle ◽

Double Muscle ◽

Different Populations ◽

Derived Data

The palmaris longus muscle is widely recognized for its notable variability in living humans. These variations include not only muscle belly reversal, distinct double muscle bellies, duplication and triplication, but also total uni- or bilateral agenesis (absence). A review of the literature and data novel to this study illustrate that different populations of humans exhibit remarkable variation in the frequency of palmaris longus agenesis, from less than 5% of Chinese to nearly 65% of Indians. Comparative dissection-derived data reveal substantial variation in palmaris longus agenesis (PLA) in populations of extant humans (H. sapiens), chimpanzees (Pan spp.), and gorillas (Gorilla spp.) - but not orangutans (Pongo spp.), which apparently always develop this muscle. From this pattern, we infer that palmaris longus is undergoing non-adaptive, stochastic evolution in the extant African Homininae, while it continues to have adaptive purpose in Pongo, likely due to the orangutans' greater degree of arboreality than the African apes and humans. Clinical evidence supports this conclusion, at least as it applies to humans. This study highlights the utility of comparative soft tissue data collection and interpretation in elucidating the evolution of anatomical structures that do not fossilize.

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The Prevalence and Patterns of Palmaris Longus Muscle Absence in an Iranian Population

International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine ◽

10.32598/ijmtfm.v9i4.26515 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 279-282

Author(s):

Mehdi Forouzesh ◽

Abdolrazagh Barzegar ◽

Fardin Fallah

Keyword(s):

Gender Difference ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Tendon Graft ◽

Iranian Population ◽

Geographical Variability ◽

Palmaris Longus ◽

Longus Muscle ◽

Palmaris Longus Muscle ◽

And Gender ◽

Gender Specific

Palmaris Longus (PL) is a muscle of the forearm, i.e., not functionally necessary and does not exist in all people. It is a choice for tendon graft and investigating its prevalence is of clinical importance. During April-October 2009, 102 cadavers (78 males, 24 females) were bilaterally necropsied for PL exploration in Zanjan City, Iran. PL Absence (PLA) was observed in 37 (36.3%) cases (28 males, 9 females). PLA prevalence was similar in men (36%) and women (37.5%). Of PLA cases, 19 (51%) were unilateral (14 males, 5 females), and 18 (49%) were bilateral (14 males, 4 females). In conclusion, PLA prevalence of 36.3% in our population was similar to other studies conducted in Iran. We found no gender difference in PLA prevalence and its patterns. Due to geographical variability in PLA rate, future regional and national studies with more magnificent sample sizes are recommended to determine the prevalence and gender-specific patterns of PLA.

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