Assessment Of Muscle Endurance Research Articles

Traditional Chinese Medicine Huanglian Improves Muscular Endurance in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Type 2 diabetes often leads to compromised muscle endurance. Herein, we have explored the effect of Huanglian, a traditional Chinese medicine herb, on muscle endurance in patients with type 2 diabetes. To this end, type 2 diabetes patients aged 18–60 years were recruited and treated with anti-diabetic drugs, or anti-diabetic drugs plus 20 g of Huanglian daily, for one month. All subjects were instructed in muscle endurance assessment guided by the videos from the App in the clinic setting. The baseline and post-intervention muscle endurance values were recorded through the app and compared. The treatment group receiving Huanglian had higher muscle endurance than the control group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that lower limb muscle endurance (OR = 4.282, 95% CI: 1.537–11.928) and upper abdominal muscle endurance (OR = 4.632, 95% CI: 1.847–11.618) were correlated with Huanglian treatment. In conclusion, the level of muscle endurance of the lower limbs and upper abdominals is positively correlated with Huanglian decoction treatment in diabetic patients. The sensitivity of this video-guided test method is comparable to that of traditional equipment and more conducive to clinical application.

Decreased muscle strength and scapular muscle endurance associated with shoulder function after neck dissection.

Shoulder disability is a common problem following neck dissection. Even if nerve structures are preserved, this may occur after the surgery. The primary aim was to research changes in rotator cuff and scapular muscles strength, and scapular muscle endurance after neck dissection in patients with head and neck cancer. The secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between these changes and postoperative shoulder function. This cross-sectional and prospective follow-up study included 14patients who underwent neck dissection (9unilateral and 5bilateral). Evaluations were performed preoperatively and at 3months postoperatively. Muscle strength measurements, including trapezius, serratus anterior, and rotator cuff muscles, were obtained using a handheld dynamometer. The scapular muscle endurance test was used for muscle endurance assessment. Postoperative shoulder function was evaluated using Constant-Murley shoulder score. A decrease in muscle strength and the scapular muscle endurance test was found at 3months postoperatively, except for the subscapularis muscle strength (p< 0.05). There were moderate to strong correlations between Constant-Murley shoulder score and percentage changes in muscle strength and the scapular muscle endurance test, except for the upper trapezius muscle strength (p< 0.05). Muscle strength and scapular muscle endurance may reduce following neck dissection. These reductions are associated with postoperative shoulder function. Thus, muscle strength and endurance training may be beneficial for early postoperative rehabilitation in patients with head and neck cancer.

Muscle strength and endurance in high-level rock climbers

ABSTRACT The relative importance of key performance factors is poorly studied in high-level climbers. This study aimed to (1) determine the role of forearm muscle strength and endurance in high-level rock climbing, (2) and provide suitable dynamometric test parameters for muscle endurance assessment in high-level climbers. Six higher elite (redpoint Fr.9a) and eight elite/advanced (redpoint Fr.8a+) climbers performed one finger flexor maximal strength test and three finger endurance tests: a 30 s all-out test and a continuous and intermittent test at 60% of maximal voluntary contraction. Higher elite climbers had higher (p < 0.05) maximal strength, all-out test average force and continuous test force-time integral (all relative to body mass) than the elite/advanced climbers. These parameters correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with climbing performance, which has not been observed so far for continuous test scores. Unlike in previous research, intermittent test force-time integral neither distinguished climbing ability groups nor correlated significantly with climbing performance. Nevertheless, regression models comprising of intermittent and maximal strength test scores more strongly determined climbing performance than models including continuous or all-out test scores. Intermittent muscle endurance is among the performance factors in difficult rock climbing but appears to be less important than maintaining high forces during sustained muscle contractions.

Sustainable inspiratory pressure and incremental threshold loading for respiratory muscle endurance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A pilot study.

A prolonged mismatch between the demand for respiratory muscle work and the capacity to meet that demand in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can result in symptoms of dyspnea and the development of muscle fatigue. The purpose of this study was to compare two different respiratory muscle endurance assessment methods of sustainable inspiratory pressure (SIP) and incremental threshold loading (ITL) in COPD. Thirty-four patients diagnosed with COPD were included in the study. Physical and demographic characteristics of the subjects were recorded. Pulmonary function testing (PFT), modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD assessment test, inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP, respectively) measurement and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were used to assess subjects. Two different respiratory muscle endurance tests (SIP and ITL) were performed within 48 hours apart, and each test was repeated two times on the same day. There was no correlation between the SIP and ITL tests (r = 0.069, P = .699). According to the test-retest reliability analysis, both tests were reproducible (ICC = 0.843; P < .001 for SIP, ICC = 0.905; P < .001 for ITL). Finding no differences between repeated tests showed that tests are not affected by learning effect. The SIP and ITL tests are used for the same purpose but have different characteristics. Regarding the relationship between the other parameters and tests, the ITL is well tolerated and reflects the differences in respiratory muscle endurance better.

Muscle endurance deficits in myositis patients despite normal manual muscle testing scores.

It is unclear whether quantitating muscle endurance adds nonredundant information useful for the care of patients with muscular disease. Records were retrospectively reviewed for all Johns Hopkins Myositis Center patients with a muscle endurance assessment (n = 128, 226 patient-visits). Muscle endurance and strength were quantitated with the Myositis Functional Index-2 (FI2) and manual muscle testing (MMT), respectively. Composite FI2 muscle endurance scores were comparable in inclusion body myositis (n = 58), dermatomyositis (n = 31), and polymyositis (n = 39). Overall, muscle endurance correlated with and evolved similarly to strength, inversely to serum creatine kinase. However, in patients with normal or near-normal strength (mean MMT > 9.75/10), muscle endurance was typically abnormal and highly variable (mean FI2, 5.6/10; interquartile range, 3.3-7.8/10). Muscle endurance testing may identify muscle impairment inadequately described by MMT, particularly in patients with high MMT scores. Muscle Nerve 59:70-75, 2019.

Clinical Assessment Of Muscle Endurance

Evaluation of muscle endurance is important for many clinical populations. PURPOSE: Evaluate the utility of a clinical assessment of muscle endurance that uses twitch electrical stimulation and accelerometer-based mechanomyography (aMMG). METHODS: Twenty healthy participants (9 males; 11 females) and three participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) were tested. Muscle twitch acceleration was measured using an accelerometer placed over the surface of the muscle. The relationship between acceleration and torque was measured during twitch stimulation of the vastus lateralis muscle. Muscle endurance of the forearm and gastrocnemius was measured during 9 minutes of twitch electrical stimulation, in three stages (3min/stage) of increasing frequency (2Hz, 4Hz, and 6Hz). Endurance Index (EI) was calculated as the percent of acceleration at the end of each stimulation stage relative to the peak acceleration. Oxygen saturation was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy. RESULTS: Acceleration correlated with torque during twitch electrical stimulation of the vastus lateralis(mean R2= 0.96±0.04; p<0.05). Measures of EI reproducibility were CV= 2.49±3.67% for the 2Hz stage, CV= 7.36±8.11% for the 4Hz stage, and CV= 4.30±3.09% for the 6Hz stage. EI was significantly higher in the gastrocnemius at the 4Hz (EI =96.1±2.9%) and 6Hz (EI =95.5±2.03%) stages compared to the forearm (4Hz: EI =87.1±9.3%; 6Hz: EI =68.3±17.6%) in healthy controls (p<0.01). Muscle oxygen saturation was not reduced during stimulation of the forearm (72.6±9.8% at 2Hz, 73.2±11.6% at 4Hz, and 71.0±12.5% at 6Hz) compared to baseline (74.3±15.1%; p>0.1). Participants with MS had significantly lower gastrocnemius muscle endurance at the 2Hz (EI =83.6±10.2%), 4Hz (EI =57.2±5.1%), and 6Hz (EI =20.6±8.7%) stages compared to healthy controls (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Muscle endurance as measured by twitch electrical stimulation and aMMG has the potential to evaluate endurance in various muscles and clinical populations.

Torso Muscle Physical Capacity and Functional Movements Interfaces

Darbo tikslas – įvertinti liemens raumenų fizinį pajėgumą, funkcinių judesių atlikimą ir išanalizuoti sąsajas tarp šių komponentų. Dažniausiai vertinamas vienas segmentas: judesio amplitudė, asmens fiziniai duomenys, tam tikra raumenų grupė, tačiau nėra analizuojamos sąsajos tarp gautų rezultatų, o tai sunkina asmens fizinio parengtumo lygio ir atliekamo judesio kokybės visapusišką įvertinimą. Šis tyrimas apima kompleksinį požiūrį į žmogaus organizmą, jo fizinį pajėgumą ir funkcinius judesius. Lietuvos ir užsienio mokslininkai, pastaraisiais metais atlikę daug jauno amžiaus asmenų sveikatos tyrimų, teigia, kad mažėja žmonių, turinčių puikią sveikatą, kartu daugėja asmenų, turinčių įvairių sveikatos sutrikimų. Viena blogėjančios sveikatos priežasčių – mažas fizinis aktyvumas, prevencijos nebuvimas. Pasikeitė gyvenimo būdas, jis tapo sėslesnis, laisvalaikis leidžiamas pasyviau, taip pat pakito ir kasdieninės veiklos įpročiai, buvę prieš 15–20 metų. Prastėjant sveikatai, prastėja ir fizinis pajėgumas bei funkcinių judesių atlikimas. [...]

Nonvolitional assessment of muscle endurance in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: There is no relationship between patient‐reported fatigue and muscle fatigability

We investigated whether muscle endurance differs between IIM patients and controls and if a relationship exists between perceived fatigue and poor muscle endurance. Quadriceps contractility, measured using femoral nerve stimulation (TwQ), and strength, measured using maximal voluntary contraction (MVCQ), were assessed in 20 IIM patients and matched controls. Quadriceps endurance was assessed using repetitive electrical stimulation (3 minutes). Time for force to fall to 70% initial force was determined (T70). Reported fatigue was measured using the FACIT-F/Fatigue Severity Scales. TwQ and MVCQ were lower and perceived fatigue greater for patients. There was no difference in T70 between groups. No relationships were observed between perceived fatigue and endurance (T70). IIM patients reported more fatigue and were weaker than controls, but there was no difference in muscle endurance. Endurance and strength were unrelated to reported fatigue measures. Mechanisms driving perceived IIM fatigue are likely to be multifactorial.

A Comparison of 2 Assessment Protocols to Specifically Target Abdominal Muscle Endurance

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare 2 variations of a test designed to evaluate abdominal muscle endurance. Methods This study included 21 healthy adults (10 men and 11 women) aged 23.2 ± 3.3 years. Participants recruited from a chiropractic institution performed 2 fatiguing protocols (with a lordotic posture or free of instructions), each immediately preceded and followed by a maximum voluntary contraction. Force data and surface electromyography of 6 muscles were recorded. The influence of posture on endurance time as well as the effect of posture on MedF/time slopes for each individual muscle throughout the first 4 30-seconds time segments was assessed. Results Mean time until exhaustion was 261.3 ± 149.8 seconds for the lordotic condition and 358.8 ± 206.4 seconds for the free condition. The lordotic condition induced significantly more fatigue than the free condition in 3 muscles during the first 30 seconds. However, both conditions induced similar levels of fatigue for the following 30 seconds. After the first 60 seconds, no significant differences in fatigability were noted between the 2 experimental conditions. Conclusion For the subjects studied, lumbar lordosis had a significant influence on trunk muscle fatigue during abdominal muscle endurance assessment. Specifically targeting the abdominal muscles during an endurance task remains a challenge.

Soleus Adaptation to Combined Exercise and Heat Acclimation

Adaptation to heat (acclimation [ACC]) and exercise training (EX) require global changes at all levels of body organization to enhance muscle performance. In this investigation, we combined these stressors and examined physiological and genomic aspects of adaptation in skeletal muscle (soleus). Rats were divided into four groups: C (controls), ACC--acclimated to heat only at 34 degrees C, EX--aerobic exercise on a treadmill at 24 degrees C, and EXAC--acclimated to combined heat and aerobic training. The ACC period was 30 d. Isometric force generation was measured using isolated muscle preparations stimulated at 1-100 Hz, allowing assessment of muscle endurance. Global genomic responses of homeostatic genes were detected using a complementary DNA (cDNA) Atlas array (Rat 1.2; Clontech Laboratory, Palo Alto, CA). Significantly elevated force generation (P < 0.05) was only found in the EXAC group along with a marked decrease in relaxation velocity. Both heat-treated groups (ACC and EXAC) demonstrated less of a drop in power at stimulation frequencies above the highest force generation (P < 0.05). Gene reprogramming was noted in all treatment groups with stressor-specific dynamic profiles. Improved force generation in the EXAC soleus coincided with significant up-regulation in expression levels of genes encoding sarcoplasmic Ca2+-transporting proteins (SERCA2 and inositol triphosphate receptor), glycolysis rate-limiting enzyme (phosphofructokinase), mitochondrial lipid metabolism (CPTII), and stress proteins with antiapoptotic or apoptotic activity. Our data suggest that EXAC-specific gene up-regulation and cross talk between genes assigned to their gene ontology categories (transport, metabolism, and stress) differ in abundance and/or expression level (compared with other treatment groups) and contributed to the physiological advantage demonstrated by the EXAC soleus.

Paraspinal muscle EMG fatigue testing with two methods in healthy volunteers. Reliability in the context of clinical applications

Objective. Comparison of the accuracy of surface electromyogram for back muscle endurance assessment with two different tests. Design. Test–retest measurements in 16 healthy volunteers on two separate occasions for each test under controlled conditions. Background. Back muscle endurance is considered important in low back pain rehabilitation. Reliability of paraspinal muscle endurance assessment is a pre-requisite for accurate and meaningful clinical applications of the technique. Methods. All participants performed each test twice. A direct comparison was made between two popular fatigue testing methods, the modified Biering–Sørensen and a 60% maximum voluntary isometric contraction in the upright position during which time fatigue was assessed from the electromyogram spectral and amplitude analysis. Results. Reproducibility of initial median frequency was excellent for both tests. Normalised median frequency slope values were more reliable with the 60% maximum voluntary contraction upright test. The clinical applicability of these measures in detecting significant differences after patient rehabilitation is recommended. Root mean square had very large between-day error for both tests. Relevance This paper provides information on the accuracy level of power spectral analysis for use as an endurance outcome measure in back muscle rehabilitation studies.