Outcome of Surgical Treated Isolated Pronator Teres Syndromes—A Retrospective Cohort Study and Complete Review of the Literature

Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the occurrence of postoperative carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the functional outcome of patients with primary pronator teres syndrome (PTS), and review complete literature regarding this topic. Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in patients with PTS at a single center. In all patients, a numeric Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Pinch-Test, Jamar hand dynamometer test (JAMAR), and the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score were analyzed preoperatively and at final follow-up to assess outcome. Additionally, a complete review of the literature was performed, including all data dealing with pronator teres syndrome. Results: Ten female and two male patients were included with a mean age of 49 years. Significant improvement in DASH and numeric VAS was detected at latest postoperative follow-up. In three patients, clinical signs of CTS pathology were detected during the follow-up period. One patient needed to be treated surgically, and in the other two patients, a conservative management was possible. In one patient (8%), a PTS recurrence was detected. All patients presented satisfied at latest follow-up. Conclusion: In one-fourth of our patients, a CTS occurred during the follow-up period. Therefore, focusing on double-crush syndrome in unclear or mixed symptoms is necessary to avoid multiple operations. Furthermore, it seems that assessment with NCV is not enough for diagnosing PTS; therefore, further research is needed to clarify this problem.

The Relationship Between Speed and Strength in the Beach Volleyball Serve

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between isometric force produced in different joints and its effects on the power kick serve speed in beach volleyball as a predictive aspect to improve sports performance. Seven athletes competing at national and international levels (mean ± standard deviation; age: 21.6 ± 3.20 years; body height: 1.87 ± 0.08 cm; body mass 80.18 ± 7.11 kg) were evaluated using maximum isometric force contractions (i.e., spinal and knee extension, grip by a hand dynamometer (handgrip), internal shoulder rotation, shoulder flexion, elbow flexion and extension, and wrist flexion). Speed of the ball was recorded with a pistol radar and force was measured with a strain gauge. Results showed a relationship between isometric force developed in the internal rotation of the shoulder and speed of the ball (r = 0.76*; p < 0.05). In the remaining isometric exercises, positive low to moderate correlations were found in the spine and knee extension (r = 0.56; p = 0.200) and elbow flexion (r = 0.41; p = 0.375). On the other hand, the remaining isometric exercises obtained weak or non-significant correlations. Force developed in the internal rotation of the shoulder highly correlated with the speed of the power kick, explaining, together with the elbow flexion and the extension of the knee and back, much of the variability of the power kick of beach volleyball athletes.

Influence of a multidimensional music-based exercise program on selected cognitive and motor skills in dementia patients—a pilot study

One of the most common causes of needing care in old age is dementia. In order to enjoy a pleasant retirement for people with dementia, it is essential for them to maintain their independence. Studies have shown that a combination of physical activity and music has positive effects on dementia patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing a multidimensional music-based exercise program for dementia patients and the effects on an intervention group (IG) compared to a control group (CG, usual care). The study design was based on a 12-week intervention with two (IG/CG) by two (pretest/posttest) parallel groups and block randomization with unequal group sizes. Participants had to be able to move independently or with a walker and not have severe cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrhythmias. Fifty-three blinded dementia patients (age: 83.63 ± 6.03 years) from inpatient facilities participated in the study and were assigned from the exercise instructors to IG (n = 34) and CG (n = 19). The primary outcomes were feasibility (Observation sheet), modified Chair Rising test, Timed Up and Go test, hand dynamometer test, FICSIT‑4 (Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques), and drop bar test. Secondary endpoints included: verbal fluency (“animals”), the Mini-Mental State Examination, memory, Trail Making Test A, and Qualidem. Forty-nine subjects were analyzed (IG = 32; CG = 17). There were significant differences between the groups in the modified Chair Rising test (p = 0.033), FICSIT‑4 (p = 0.035), and Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.005) at posttest, which showed improved performance of the IG compared to the CG. The IG additionally showed improvements in the modified Chair Rising test (p = 0.000), drop bar test (p = 0.033), hand dynamometer test (p = 0.001), Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.000), verbal fluency (p = 0.002) and Trail Making Test A (p = 0.04) after 12 weeks. There were no adverse events or side effects. The multidimensional music-based exercise program could be performed by the dementia patients and was well received. The improved functional mobility could contribute to a lower risk of falls and thus maintain independence. For the follow-up study, the number of subjects, randomization, and parameters should be considered.

Volar plating: functional recovery of the pronator quadratus

Purpose The pronator quadratus (PQ) is reflected in the surgical approach to the distal radius. This study explores the functional strength of PQ, 12 months after volar plating without repair of PQ. Methods A total of 135 patients were identified from our prospectively collected database. All volunteers had grip strength and pronation power tested in the treated and contralateral forearms at 45, 90 and 135 degrees of elbow flexion using a custom-built torque measuring device and hydraulic hand dynamometer to evaluate forearm pronation. Results Twenty-seven participants were included in the study. No significant difference was identified in mean peak pronation torque between the volar plated and non-treated forearms. Pronation strength was identified as being independent of angle of elbow flexion. Grip strength was correlated with forearm pronation showing no significant difference between groups. Conclusions Our results suggest adequate long-term (15–32 months) functional recovery of the pronator quadratus after volar plating. Level of Evidence III.

Normative data for handgrip strength in Iranian healthy children and adolescents aged 7–18 years: comparison with international norms

Background Grip strength is an essential component of physical fitness. The objective of this study was to develop normative handgrip strength data for Iranian healthy boys and girls comparing their handgrip strength with international reference values. Methods Handgrip strength was measured in 2637 healthy children/adolescents (1391 boys and 1246 girls), aged 7–18 years, using a standard adjustable Jamar hand dynamometer (Model 5030 J1, Sammons Preston Rolyan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA). Body mass (kg) and stature (cm) were measured and body mass index was computed in kg/m2. The sample was stratified by gender, age, and hand preference. Results Handgrip strength increased with age and was considerably higher in boys than in girls for all age groups (p < 0.001). Grip strength had a parallel and linear growth for both genders until the age of about 11 years and showed a steeper upward slope in boys than in girls thereafter. The findings of the current investigation were significantly different from those of the previously published normative data, especially for boys over the age of 12 years and girls in the age range of 7–18 years (p < 0.001). This difference was mainly in such a way that the Iranians had lower handgrip strength. Conclusions The differences between present results and those of similar available in the literature in this field emphasize the significant role of using normative data specific to a particular population in research or clinical settings.

Effects of backhand stroke styles on bone mineral content and density in postmenopausal recreational tennis players: a cross-sectional pilot investigation

Background One-handed backhand (OB) and two-handed backhand (TB) styles are commonly used in tennis, but only TB generates loadings on the non-dominant arm and a greater extension torque on the rear leg, leading to a greater axial torque involving rotation of the hip and trunk. The current study investigated whether those effects can further affect bone area (BA), bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) in postmenopausal recreational tennis players. Methods BA, BMC and BMD of the lumbar spine, hip and distal radius were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in TB, OB, and swimmers’ group as a control (SG) (all participants self-reported for at least 5 years of exercise history, n = 14 per group). Muscular strength was assessed with a hand dynamometer. Among these three groups, the BA, BMC and BMD of distal radius and muscle strength were assessed using one-way ANOVA, and those of the lumbar region and the hip joint were tested by one-way ANCOVA. Results TB showed higher BMC and BMD for both lumbar spine and femoral neck than SG (all, p < 0.05). Both OB and TB showed greater BMD inter-trochanter than SG (both, p < 0.05). OB demonstrated greater inter-arm differences in the distal radius, which involved 1/3 distal for BMC and mid-distal radius for BMD compared to the TB and SG (all, p < 0.05). In addition, greater inter-arm asymmetry of grip strength was found in OB compared to TB and SG (both, p < 0.05). Conclusion For postmenopausal women, performing two-handed backhand strokes, leads to higher BMC and BMD in the non-dominant arm, the lumbar region, and hips, indicating potential benefit to maintain bone health and strength. Whether this result leads to reducing the risk of osteoporosis needs to be investigated in further research.

Gender Differences in Absolute and Relative Values of Hand Dynamometer Test with 9 and 10-Year Old Children From the Skopje Region in R.N. Macedonia

Background. Handgrip strength test is applied both to adults and children to indicate muscular fitness as well as the nutritional and health status. It differs in adults and adolescents depending on the gender. However, it is not clear whether a difference exists also in children at 9 to 10 years of age, and what are the factors that influence it. The goal of the research was to determine the absolute and relative values of the hand dynamometer test with healthy Macedonian boys and girls aged 9 and 10 from the Skopje region as well as to determine the factors that affect the handgrip strength at that age. Materials and methods. The research was conducted on a sample of 775 children (boys n = 386; girls n = 389), whereby the following characteristics were measured: handgrip strength, weight, height, body fat percentage, muscle mass percentage and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The maximum handgrip strength was measured with a digital Takei TKK 5101 dynamometer. Results. The research found that there are statistically significant differences in the absolute values obtained in the hand dynamometer test between healthy boys and girls in Macedonia at 9 and 10 years of age. On the basis of the results obtained from the research, one can conclude that the results of the hand dynamometer test are affected by age, gender and body composition. Conclusion. Based on the increasing predominance of children’s obesity, the present study can provide clinicians and researchers with an insight how body composition influences muscular fitness, and can serve policy-makers to develop gender-specific strategies about body-weight management and promotion of muscular performance among children and adolescents.

Hand Strength Deficit in Patients with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) is a chronic painful and disabling condition. Patients complain about upper-limb paresthesia or weakness. Weakness has been considered one of the diagnostic criteria of NTOS, but objective comparisons to healthy controls are lacking. We compared the grip and the key pinch strengths between NTOS patients and healthy controls. Grip strength was evaluated with a hydraulic hand dynamometer and the key pinch with a pinch gauge. All the patients with NTOS completed a QuickDASH. We included prospectively 85 patients with NTOS, 73% female and 27% male. The mean age was 40.4 ± 9.6. They were compared to 85 healthy subjects, 77.6% female and 22.4% male. Concerning the grip, symptomatic hands of NTOS patients had significantly 30% less strength compared to control hands (p ≤ 0.001), and 19% less strength compared to asymptomatic hands (p = 0.03). Concerning the key pinch, symptomatic hands of patients with NTOS had significantly 19.5% less strength compared to control hands (p ≤ 0.001). Grip and key pinch strengths had a significant correlation with the QuickDASH (r = −0.515 and r = −0.403, respectively; p ≤ 0.001). Patients with NTOS presented an objective hand strength deficit compared to healthy controls. This deficit was significantly correlated to the upper-limb disability. These findings confirm the interest of hand strength evaluation in the diagnostic process of patients with NTOS.

Correlation between Handgrip Strength and Depression in Older Adults—A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis

Background: Depression remains an important health problem among older adults and it may be correlated with the deterioration of physical fitness, whose chief indicator is hand grip strength (HGS). The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between depression and HGS among older populations using the available literature. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were as follows: written in English and published after 2009, subject age: ≥60 years, HGS measured using a hand dynamometer, assessment of the depressive symptoms using a validated tool. The following articles were excluded: studies conducted among institutionalized subjects and/or populations with a specific disease. Results: The total combined effect of 33 results presented in 16 studies included in the meta-analysis, converted to the correlation coefficient, was OEr = −0.148 (SE = 0.030, 95%CI: −0.206–−0.091), indicating a weak, negative correlation between HGS and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The review of the literature and the meta-analysis demonstrated a relationship between low muscle strength and intensified depressive symptoms in older populations. Bearing in mind that depression is often unrecognized or underdiagnosed among older patients, lowered muscle strength should be an important sign for physicians and an incentive to screen them for depression.

Physical Fitness of Female Soccer Players Based on Playing Position

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into female soccer players’ physical performance profiles by observing their position in the field. The sample consisted of 17 athletes who were involved in regional training at the Papua National Sports Week (PON) 2021. The players were divided into three subgroups based on their position, including specific strikers, midfielders, and backs. The samples performed 10 item tests measuring physical performance components. Based on the playing position, there was no difference of BMI among the strikers, midfielders, and backs (F = 0.174, p 0.05). The results of the bleep test showed no difference (F = 0.466, p 0.05). The results of leg dynamometer (F = 0.898, p 0.05), back dynamometer (F = 1.350, p 0.05), and sit and reach (F = 0.543, p 0.05) also showed no difference. There was also no difference in measurement results of hand dynamometer pull (F = 0.028, p 0.05) and push (F = 1.107, p 0.05). Moreover, the result of 50-meter sprint (F = 0.404, p 0.05), sit up (F = 0.493, p 0.05), push up (F = 2.204, p 0.05), and shuttle run (F = 0.991, p 0.05) also showed no difference. We believe that a female football player athletic ability is unaffected by their position in the field. The absence of variation in physical ability observed among female soccer players may be attributed to BMI. Coaches may use these results as reference data to classify strengths, select players, and monitor the preparation.