Peak Torque Prediction Using Handgrip and Strength Predictors in Men and Women With Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
Frederico Ribeiro Neto ◽  
Jefferson Rodrigues Dorneles ◽  
João Henrique Carneiro Leão Veloso ◽  
Carlos Wellington Gonçalves ◽  
Rodrigo Rodrigues Gomes Costa
Keyword(s):  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Shoulder Abduction ◽  
Trunk Flexion ◽  
Predictive Equations ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Complete Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Hand Dynamometry

Objectives: To establish predictive equations for peak torque of muscle groups with totally and partially preserved innervation in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI), based on hand dynamometry and strength predictor variables. Methods: The cross-sectional study conducted at a rehabilitation hospital consecutively recruited 108 men and women with SCI. All participants performed maximum peak torque tests for shoulder abduction/adduction (isokinetic), trunk flexion/extension (isometric), and handgrip strength testing (hand dynamometer) to establish predictive peak torque equations. The primary outcomes were peak torque variables. Handgrip strength, age, injury level, time since injury, age at injury, body mass, height, body mass index, and physical activity level were the secondary outcomes used as strength predictor variables. Results: Handgrip strength was a predictor variable for shoulder abduction/adduction peak torque. The best predictive models for shoulder abduction/adduction peak torque exhibited R2 = 0.57 and R2 = 0.60, respectively (p ≤ .05). Injury level showed the highest significant predictive capacity for trunk flexion/extension peak torque models (R2 = 0.38 and R2 = 0.29; p ≤ .05). Conclusion: Shoulder abduction/adduction peak torque predictive equations may be an alternative for use in an accessible strength tool (hand dynamometry) to evaluate training and rehabilitation programs. Trunk flexion/extension peak torque equations exhibited moderate correlations and high standard error of the estimates and should be used with caution.

Neuromuscular efficiency of men with high and low spinal cord injury levels compared with non-disabled participants

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Frederico Ribeiro Neto ◽  
Rodrigo Rodrigues Gomes Costa ◽  
Ricardo Antônio Tanhoffer ◽  
Josevan Cerqueira Leal ◽  
Martim Bottaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Latissimus Dorsi ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Shoulder Abduction ◽  
Trunk Flexion ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Trunk Extension

BACKGROUND: The neuromuscular efficiency index (NME) is defined as the individual ability to generate force in relation to the muscle activation level and might be useful to the assessment of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and might elucidate the modifications in strength after an SCI compared to non-disabled subjects (CG). OBJECTIVE: Verify if the NME of fully and partially preserved muscles discriminate men with low and high levels of SCI and a matched non-disabled CG. METHODS: Fifty-four men with SCI were stratified into the high (HP), and low (LP) paraplegia groups and twenty-seven non-disabled individuals were selected (CG). All subjects performed maximum strength tests in the isokinetic dynamometer for shoulder abduction/adduction (isokinetic) and trunk flexion/extension (isometric). Surface electromyography was measured to calculate the NME, and discriminant analysis was carried out to identify which NME variables would be able to discriminate HP, LP, and CG. RESULTS: There were no NME significant differences between groups for the primary muscles of the shoulder abduction/adduction. All NME data failed at discriminant tolerance test to compare HP from LP. The latissimus dorsi NME during trunk extension discriminated CG from HP and LP. CONCLUSIONS: The latissimus dorsi NME during trunk extension might be used as an assessment tool to compare SCI individuals and the non-disabled-matched controls. The authors recommend using the NME index for the analysis or comparisons between the same SCI levels.

Handgrip Strength Cutoff Points for Functional Independence and Wheelchair Ability in Men With Spinal Cord Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 60-69
Author(s):  
Frederico Ribeiro Neto ◽  
Rodrigo R. Gomes Costa ◽  
Jefferson R. Dorneles ◽  
Carlos W. Gonçalves ◽  
João H. C. L. Veloso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Cutoff Point ◽  
Performance Score ◽  
Predictive Equations ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Cutoff Points

Objectives: To determine optimal handgrip strength (HGS) cutoff points for greater functional independence and wheelchair skills in men with spinal cord injury (SCI), and to establish predictive equations for functional independence and wheelchair ability in men with SCI, based on demographic characteristics, HGS, and functionality. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted at a rehabilitation hospital, 54 men with SCI were recruited and stratified into high and low paraplegia groups. All participants performed a maximum HGS test to determine cutoff points for the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM-III) and Adapted Manual Wheelchair Circuit (AMWC). The primary outcomes were the SCIM-III, AMWC, and HGS. Demographic characteristics obtained from participants’ electronic medical records were the secondary outcomes, used as predictor variables of functional independence. Results: The SCIM-III scale, performance score, and 3-minute overground wheeling test presented significant regression equations (R = 0.45, R = 0.69, and R = 0.72). The HGS showed a cutoff point of 102.5 kilogram force (kgf) to achieve a score of 70 on the SCIM-III and a 3-minute overground wheeling distance of 270 m. The HGS cutoff point to obtain a performance score of 23.7 seconds was 93.0 kgf. Conclusion: The HGS was a significant predictor for the SCIM-III score, AMWC performance score, and 3-minute overground wheeling test. Three significant predictive equations were established based on HGS. The cutoff points could be adopted as parameters for optimal functional independence and wheelchair skills.

scholarly journals The effect of slalom practice on handgrip strength of water-skiing athletes with paraplegia

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (41) ◽  
pp. 139-148
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Sitting Position ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Advanced Level ◽  
Percentage Decrease ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Complete Spinal Cord Injury

In water skiing, people who experience paraplegia ski in a sitting position, and they rely on hand grip strength (HGS) to grab the tow rope handle and run slalom passes. This study evaluated the immediate effects on maximum HGS after the practice of disabled water skiing, a still unknown aspect. In the dominant hand, maximum HGS was measured by hand-grip dynamometry after 14 practices of four male water skiers with complete spinal cord injury participating in a national championship, with mean age (standard deviation) of 37.2 (7.3) years and 2.5 (1.3) years of experience in water skiing. After practice, maximum HGS was reduced (pre-practice: 48.4 (3.6) kg; post-practice: 39.1 (8.7) kg) (p <0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen dz> 1.15). The lowest percentage decrease, 9.8 (8.3)%, was observed for the only skier with advanced level and highest maximum HGS pre-practice, while the skier with lowest maximum HGS pre-practice and an intermediate level showed a reduction of 38.9 (10.6)%. In the set of practices of the four skiers, the maximum HGS reduction after a mean grip time of 20.5 min was 18.5%, with no correlation between these variables (r = 0.49, p = 0.076). Practising slalom water-skiing in sitting position by people experiencing paraplegia leads to a decrease in the maximum HGS of the dominant hand, the percentage decrease may be in relation to competitive level and physical fitness of the skiers.

scholarly journals Differences in Trunk Strength Between Weightlifters and Wrestlers

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Ben Moussa Zouita ◽  
Sghaier Zouita ◽  
Catherine Dziri ◽  
Matt Brughelli ◽  
David G. Behm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Average Power ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trunk Flexion ◽  
Extensor Muscles ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Angular Velocities ◽  
High Level ◽  
Trunk Extension ◽  
Trunk Strength

AbstractInvestigations of trunk strength with high-level athletes are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare maximal concentric isokinetic trunk extension and flexion torque, power, and strength ratios between high-level weightlifters (n = 20), wrestlers (n = 20) and a control (n = 25) population. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to evaluate peak torque, power and strength ratios during seated trunk extension/flexion actions at 60°/s and 180°/s. There were no significant anthropometric differences between groups. Overall, trunk isokinetic force variables as a function of the increase in angular velocity, showed a decrease in peak torque, but an increase in power (athletes and controls). Compared to the control group, athletes demonstrated significantly higher trunk extension torque (+67.05 N·m, ES = 0.81) and power (+49.28 N·m, ES = 0.82) at 60°/s and 180°/s, respectively. Athletes produced significantly greater trunk flexion-extension ratios at 60°/s and 180°/s (ES = 0.80-0.47) than controls. Weightlifters and wrestlers exhibited significantly higher extensor than flexor torque at all angular velocities. Weightlifters demonstrated greater torque (ES = 0.79) than wrestlers at 60°/s. The wrestlers’ average power was significantly higher (ES = 0.43) than weightlifters at 180°/s. There were no significant ratio differences between wrestlers (66.23%) and weightlifters (72.06%). Weightlifters had stronger extensor muscles at 60°/s, whereas wrestlers had higher power at 180°/s for extensor muscles. It was postulated that the extensor muscles were stronger than the flexors to ensure trunk stabilisation, and for prevention of injuries. These differences seem to be associated to the movements that occur in each sport in terms of both muscle actions and contractile forces.

Differences of Relative and Absolute Strength of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury From Able-Bodied Subjects: A Discriminant Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 699-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederico Ribeiro Neto ◽  
Rodrigo Rodrigues Gomes Costa ◽  
Ricardo Tanhoffer ◽  
Martim Bottaro ◽  
Rodrigo Luiz Carregaro
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Elbow Extension ◽  
Absolute Strength ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Different Levels

Context:Strength training is one of the most common interventions employed to increase functional independence during rehabilitation of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, in the literature, different results have been reported in terms of strength modifications after a SCI compared with a control group (CG).Objective:This study aimed to verify whether discriminant analysis using relative and absolute strength is able to discriminate individuals with different levels of SCI from a CG and to compare strength values of men with different levels of SCI with a CG.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Rehabilitation hospital setting.Participants:A total of 36 individuals with SCI stratified in tetraplegia (TP; C6–C8), high paraplegia (HP; T1–T6), and low paraplegia (LP; T7–L2), and 12 matched control subjects were enrolled in the study.Main Outcome Measures:The subjects performed a maximum strength test of elbow extension/flexion and also shoulder abduction/adduction and flexion/extension in an isokinetic dynamometer. Discriminant analysis was carried out to identify which strength variables would be able to discriminate the TP, HP, or LP groups from the CG. A 1-way analysis of variance was performed to compare peak torque and agonist/antagonist ratio means.Results:Shoulder adduction, followed by elbow extension peak torque, was the best variable for discriminating the TP group from the CG (function coefficients: −0.056 and 0.051, respectively, Wilks Λ = 0.41,P ≤ .05). There were no significant differences between the HP group, LP group, and CG.Conclusions:The strength similarity of the paraplegic groups and the CG should not be extrapolated for activities of daily living or sports. The TP group demonstrated lower peak torque for all movements than the CG.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Responses to Electrical Stimulation-Induced Leg Exercise in Spinal Cord Injury

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (04/05) ◽  
pp. 372-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Sutton ◽  
A. J. Thomas ◽  
G. M. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Cardiac Output ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Leg Exercise ◽  
Leg Muscle

Abstract:Electrical stimulation-induced leg muscle contractions provide a useful model for examining the role of leg muscle neural afferents during low-intensity exercise in persons with spinal cord-injury and their able-bodied cohorts. Eight persons with paraplegia (SCI) and 8 non-disabled subjects (CONTROL) performed passive knee flexion/extension (PAS), electrical stimulation-induced knee flexion/extension (ES) and voluntary knee flexion/extension (VOL) on an isokinetic dynamometer. In CONTROLS, exercise heart rate was significantly increased during ES (94 ± 6 bpm) and VOL (85 ± 4 bpm) over PAS (69 ± 4 bpm), but no changes were observed in SCI individuals. Stroke volume was significantly augmented in SCI during ES (59 ± 5 ml) compared to PAS (46 ± 4 ml). The results of this study suggest that, in able-bodied humans, Group III and IV leg muscle afferents contribute to increased cardiac output during exercise primarily via augmented heart rate. In contrast, SCI achieve raised cardiac output during ES leg exercise via increased venous return in the absence of any change in heart rate.

scholarly journals Reliability of a New Portable Dynamometer for Assessing Hip and Lower Limb Strength

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3391
Author(s):  
Jan Marušič ◽  
Goran Marković ◽  
Nejc Šarabon
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Lower Limb Strength ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Strength Tests ◽  
Hip Abduction ◽  
Maximal Peak

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intra- and inter-session reliability of the new, portable, and externally fixated dynamometer called MuscleBoard® for assessing the strength of hip and lower limb muscles. Hip abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, internal and external rotation, knee extension, ankle plantarflexion, and Nordic hamstring exercise strength were measured in three sessions (three sets of three repetitions for each test) on 24 healthy and recreationally active participants. Average and maximal value of normalized peak torque (Nm/kg) from three repetitions in each set and agonist:antagonist ratios (%) were statistically analyzed; the coefficient of variation and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC2,k) were calculated to assess absolute and relative reliability, respectively. Overall, the results display high to excellent intra- and inter-session reliability with low to acceptable within-individual variation for average and maximal peak torques in all bilateral strength tests, while the reliability of unilateral strength tests was moderate to good. Our findings indicate that using the MuscleBoard® dynamometer can be a reliable device for assessing and monitoring bilateral and certain unilateral hip and lower limb muscle strength, while some unilateral strength tests require some refinement and more extensive familiarization.

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