Assessment of the musculoskeletal performance with squat tests and performance-oriented measurements in older adults

BACKGROUND: Balance and mobility impairments, declined musculoskeletal strength and performance, limited range of motion, and poor flexibility are fairly common among older adults. OBJECTIVES: To determine the lower extremity muscle force and to verify the correlation with the gait characteristics and balance in community dwelling older adults. METHODS: Seventy-five adults with a mean age of 75.07 ± 6.28 years were included in the study. All participants were evaluated with the following tests: half squat (HS), decline squat (DS), foot print analysis (step length, step wide, stride length, walking velocity and cadence) and Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). RESULTS: HS and DS test scores were significantly correlated with Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment scores and gait characteristics, except step wide (p< 0.01). The results of this study showed that the participants who have higher scores in the squat tests, showed higher scores in terms of POMA (p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: Appropriate and direct assessment of lower limb power and performance in balance and gait tests should be done to identify functioning of the older adults. Half and eccentric decline squat tests used in this study were useful, cheap and easy. The squat tests can be used to determine the relationship between balance and gait characteristics, in addition to predicting the musculoskeletal performance in older adults.

Does photobiomodulation therapy combined to static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) promote ergogenic effects even when the exercised muscle group is not irradiated? A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background The direct application of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and light emitting diodes (LEDs) combined with a static magnetic field (sMF) (PBMT-sMF) to target tissues is shown to improve muscle performance and recovery. Studies have reported possible PBMT effects when a local distant to the target tissue is irradiated. Notably, the extent of these effects on musculoskeletal performance and the optimal site of irradiation remain unclear, although this information is clinically important since these aspects could directly affect the magnitude of the effect. Therefore, we investigated the effects of local and non-local PBMT-sMF irradiations on musculoskeletal performance and post-exercise recovery before an eccentric exercise protocol. Methods This randomized, triple-blind (participants, therapists and assessors), placebo-controlled trial included 30 healthy male volunteers randomly assigned to the placebo, local, and non-local groups. Active or placebo PBMT-sMF was applied to 6 sites of the quadriceps muscle of both legs. An eccentric exercise protocol was used to induce fatigue. The primary outcome was peak torque assessed by maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The secondary outcomes were delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), muscle injury assessed by serum creatine kinase activity (CK), and blood lactate levels. Evaluations were performed before the eccentric exercise protocol (baseline), as well as immediately after and 1, 24, 48, and 72 h upon protocol completion. Results Ten volunteers were randomized per group and analysed for all outcomes. Compared to the placebo and non-local groups, irradiation with PBMT-SMF led to statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) with regard to all variables in the local group. The outcomes observed in the non-local group were similar to those in the placebo group with regard to all variables. The volunteers did not report any adverse effects. Conclusion Our results support the current evidence that local irradiation of all exercised muscles promotes ergogenic effects. PBMT-sMF improved performance and reduced muscle fatigue only when applied locally to muscles involved in physical activity. Trial registration NCT03695458. Registered October 04th 2018.

Does photobiomodulation therapy combined to static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) promote ergogenic effects even when the non-exercised leg is irradiated? A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background The direct application of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) combined with a static magnetic field (sMF) (PBMT-sMF) to target tissues is shown to improve muscle performance and recovery. Studies have reported possible PBMT induced systemic effects. Notably, the extent of these effects on musculoskeletal performance and the optimal site of application remain unclear, although this information is clinically important because these factors directly affect the magnitude of the effect. We investigated the effects of PBMT-sMF on musculoskeletal performance and post-exercise recovery of muscles in exercised and non-exercised legs before the implementation of an exercise protocol.Methods This randomized, triple-blind placebo-controlled study included 30 healthy men randomly assigned to the placebo, exercised-leg, and non-exercised leg groups. Active or placebo PBMT-sMF was applied to 6 sites of the quadriceps muscle of both legs. An eccentric exercise protocol was used to induce fatigue. The following parameters were analyzed to evaluate exercise performance: peak torque assessed by maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), delayed muscle pain assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS), muscle injury assessed by serum creatine kinase (CK), and fatigue assessed by serum lactate levels. Evaluations were performed before implementation of the eccentric (baseline) exercise protocol, as well as immediately after and 1, 24, 48, and 72 hours upon protocol completion. The Bonferroni post-hoc ANOVA test was used considering the level of statistical significance p <0.05.Results Compared to the placebo and systemic groups, irradiation with PBMT-SMF led to statistically significant improvement (p <0.05) with regard to all variables in the exercised-leg group. Results of irradiation in the non-exercised leg group were similar to those in the placebo group with regard to all variables.Conclusion Our results support the current evidence that irradiation of all exercised muscles produces ergogenic effects. PBMT-sMF improved performance and reduced muscle fatigue only when applied locally to muscles involved in physical activity.

How Much Training Is Too Much?

Managing training practices in elite performance domains is recognised to play an important role in preventing musculoskeletal overload, and hence reducing the risk of overuse-related injuries. In international studies spanning four decades, the duration of playing, especially in combination with sudden increases in playing and inadequate rest breaks, remains one of the most common causes of injuries. With musculoskeletal performance in occupational and sports domains, both the work:rest ratio and the acute:chronic workload ratio are considered critical in making an approximate determination in the length of training sessions. However, there are many complex underlying mechanisms that interact with the duration of training and how long a performing artist may safely rehearse or practice. Instead of trying to set rigid timelines, particularly for personal practice/training, recognising mental and physical signs of fatigue may be more useful to inform the performing artist when to stop and rest rather than to persist.