A Custom-Made Electronic Dynamometer for Evaluation of Peak Ankle Torque after COVID-19.

Iulia Iovanca Dragoi,Carmen Tatu,Mihai Ionac,Cosmina Ioana Bondor,Romulus Fabian Tatu,Florin Alexa,Neil D Reeves,Frank L Bowling,Teodor Petrita,Florina Georgeta Popescu

doi:10.3390/s22052073

Abstract

The negative effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the musculoskeletal system include symptoms of fatigue and sarcopenia. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on foot muscle strength and evaluate the reproducibility of peak ankle torque measurements in time by using a custom-made electronic dynamometer. In this observational cohort study, we compare two groups of four participants, one exposed to COVID-19 throughout measurements and one unexposed. Peak ankle torque was measured using a portable custom-made electronic dynamometer. Ankle plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle strength was captured for both feet at different ankle angles prior and post COVID-19. Average peak torque demonstrated no significant statistical differences between initial and final moment for both groups (p = 0.945). An increase of 4.8%, p = 0.746 was obtained in the group with COVID-19 and a decrease of 1.3%, p = 0.953 was obtained in the group without COVID-19. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.797). There was a very good test–retest reproducibility between the measurements in initial and final moments (ICC = 0.78, p < 0.001). In conclusion, peak torque variability is similar in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups and the custom-made electronic dynamometer is a reproducible method for repetitive ankle peak torque measurements.

Highlights

Sarcopenia is lately defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in OlderPeople (EWGSOP) as a muscle disease diagnosed by the presence of reduced muscle mass and strength or low muscle mass along with reduced physical performance [1]
Placing the foot with the ankle joint axis of rotation right rightabove abovethe thedynamometer’s dynamometer’spivotal pivotal point marked with a and lateral lateral ankle malleoli) point marked with a red red on the plate
The mild form of COVID-19 had no impact on ankle peak torque

Summary

Introduction

People (EWGSOP) as a muscle disease diagnosed by the presence of reduced muscle mass and strength or low muscle mass along with reduced physical performance [1]. Twostandard deviations below the sex-specific means were recommended for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in younger groups. In 2019, EWGSOP agreed on physical performance as a parameter used to categorise the severity of sarcopenia and not as a diagnostic tool. Probable sarcopenia is suspected when reduced muscle strength is diagnosed. The hand-grip strength (HGS) test is a valuable clinical tool that can be used to diagnose sarcopenia for both clinical and research purposes. In case HGS test cannot be used due to other conditions affecting upper limb and hand functional abilities, lower limb strength can be assessed [2]

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