Handgrip Test Research Articles

Association Between Euthyroidism and Muscular Parameters in Adults with an Excess of Fat Mass: A Preliminary Study

Background/Objectives: Thyroid hormones (THs) are correlated with body composition regardless of the presence of thyroid dysfunctions, whereas little is known regarding THs’ influence on muscular fitness components. This cross-sectional study investigated whether THs may affect muscular parameters in adults who are overweight and affected obesity. Methods: One hundred and five volunteers (65 females and 40 males, BMI: 33.5 (8.0) kg/m2) in an euthyroid state were enrolled. Body composition was evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Muscular parameters of interest were grip strength—evaluated using the handgrip test (HG) and muscular performance –evaluated using the 10-repetition chair-stand test (CST). Free-triiodothyronine (FT3), free-thyroxine (FT4) and their ratio (FT3/FT4) were evaluated to assess thyroid function. Results: In the female group, the Pearson linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between FT3 and HG (R = 0.261, p = 0.036) and a negative correlation between FT3/FT4 and CST (R= −0.266, p= 0.032). In the male group, a positive correlation between FT3 and skeletal muscle mass was found (R = 0.354, p = 0.025). No correlations were found between THs of interest and adiposity indexes (BMI, fat mass) in either group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio levels in euthyroidism may influence muscular parameters differently in females and males affected by an excess of fat mass. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind this correlation and whether THs could be a potential biomarker for muscle-related parameters.

P1231 Cross-sectional assessment of body composition and muscle function in Crohn's disease patients, stratified by presence and extent of intestinal resection

Abstract Background Crohn's disease (CD) is a leading cause of short bowel syndrome (SBS) in adults, which can result in intestinal failure (IF) when intravenous nutritional or electrolyte supplementation is required. SBS is frequently associated with sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle mass and function, which adversely impacts quality of life and increases the risk of complications. This study aimed to evaluate differences in body composition and muscle strength among CD patients at varying risk levels for SBS. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study involving consecutive CD outpatients. The participants were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of CD patients diagnosed with SBS and patients who had undergone two or more bowel resections, or a resection of more than 50 cm. Group B included patients who had never undergone surgery or those who had undergone a resection of less than 50 cm. Body composition was assessed using bioimpedance analysis (BIA), and muscle strength was measured via hand grip testing with a dynamometer, recording the best result of three attempts with the dominant hand. We administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess eating habits. Statistical analyses, including t-tests or Mann-Whitney tests, were used as appropriate, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results The study cohort included 150 patients (mean age 53 years [±19,2]; 24% female). Group A showed an average BMI of 23,7±4 kg/m2, whereas group B showed an average BMI of 24.6±5 kg/m2. Muscle strength measured between groups was reduced in group A showing significant differences in hand grip test compared to group B (p-value<0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in BIA parameters, including muscle mass, or in eating habits across the groups. Conclusion Our study revealed that SBS patients and CD patients resected two or more times or with a resection greater than 50 cm had reduced muscle strength without a corresponding reduction in muscle mass, indicating impaired muscle function. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between Crohn's disease-related resections and their impact on both muscle quality and quantity. Funded by:2.1 "Rafforzamento e potenziamento della ricerca biomedica del SSN",finanziato dall’Unione europea–NextGenerationEU, CUP C53C22001140007. 2022 PNRR Project "Changing the future of intestinal failure in intestinal chronic inflammation:towards innovative predictive factors and therapeutic targets"code:PNRR-MAD-2022-12376791

Effectiveness of the handgrip test for assessing readiness in national level basketball players: a cohort study.

Assessing player readiness is crucial in elite basketball. This study aims to provide a practical method for monitoring player readiness through the handgrip test and identify associations with wellness scales. Fifteen players (age: 25.3±3.3 years; weight: 92.2±11.8 kg; height: 1.94±0.09 m; BMI: 24.3±1.8 kg/m2; experience: 6.5±3.4 years) from an elite basketball team participated in this cohort study, which was conducted over 9 weeks of training and official competitions. All players were medically cleared and injury-free for three months prior. Daily psychometric questionnaires assessed different aspects of wellness using analog scales, combined with a handgrip test. Training cycles were developed according to the Game-Day method. All parameters investigated, except the handgrip test, (means ranging from 53.43±8.06 kg to 54.03±7.79 kg) showed significant variations in the weekly training cycle (P<0.05). The linear regression results indicate that while the overall model is statistically significant (P=0.039), the predictive power of the individual independent variables is not strong, with the model able to explain approximately 4.13% of the variability in the dependent variable "Handgrip." The calculation of the minimal detectable change (MDC) confirmed that for this variable, on average, significant changes (approximately 6.77 kg) are generally required to be noteworthy. This study demonstrates that the handgrip test is not an effective tool for objectively assessing player readiness in elite basketball. Regular monitoring using this method cannot help in making informed decisions about training and competition readiness. Conversely, psychometric have shown stronger sensitivity in determining player status during the weekly training cycle.

Prevalence of and risk factors for sarcopenia in patients with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder with a burden of comorbidities. Knowledge regarding sarcopenia prevalence and associated risk factors in patients with epilepsy remains limited, which prompted us to conduct the present study. This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with epilepsy from our epilepsy clinic and controls from the staff at National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan. Sarcopenia was defined using the criteria outlined by the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia and the 2010 European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Muscle mass (skeletal muscle mass index) was measured through bioelectrical impedance, muscle strength was assessed using hand grip tests, and physical performance was evaluated using the 6-m walk test. Hormone (testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1) and vitamin D levels were measured. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and identify sarcopenia risk factors in patients with epilepsy. This study enrolled 300 adults (mean age: 42.9 ± 14.7 years; women: 53.7 %). The epilepsy and control groups comprised 200 and 100 participants, respectively. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 31.3 % and it was significantly higher (p = 0.004) in women (20.7 %) than in men (10.6 %). The prevalence was higher in the epilepsy group than in the control group (36.0 % vs. 22.0 %, p = 0.014). Logistic regression revealed female, age (≥ 65 year) and low body mass index (BMI) were influenced the risk of sarcopenia in all participants. Importantly, epilepsy is significantly associated sarcopenia. The BMI, protein level, calf circumference, and use of enzyme-inducing antiseizure medications (EIASM) influenced the risk of sarcopenia in the epilepsy group. The prevalence of sarcopenia is significantly higher in patients with epilepsy than in the control participants. Low BMI, protein level, calf circumference, and the use of EIASM may increase the risk of sarcopenia in this population. Our findings underscore the need for mitigating sarcopenia risk in patients with epilepsy.

The Role of Diaphragmatic Ultrasound in Identifying Sarcopenia in COPD Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often complicated by sarcopenia, a condition of reduced muscle mass and function that adversely affects quality of life, lung function, and exacerbation rates. Ultrasonography could be an effective tool for detecting sarcopenia, notably by assessing diaphragmatic function, which may indicate muscle health in COPD patients. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic ultrasound in detecting sarcopenia among COPD patients. Thirty-five patients with COPD, with a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) between 30% and 80%, were consecutively enrolled in this cross-sectional and double-blind study. Sarcopenia was defined using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) criteria. Muscle mass was assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), muscle strength was assessed using the handgrip test and physical performance was assessed using a 4-meter gait speed test. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) (including maximum inspiratory pressure-MIP and maximum expiratory pressure-MEP) were performed. Diaphragm excursion and thickness at residual volume, functional residual capacity, and total lung capacity were measured using ultrasound. The diaphragm thickening fraction was calculated during normal (TF) and deep breathing (TLC-TF). Seventeen of 35 patients (48.6%) were found to be sarcopenic. Diaphragm thickness did not show significant variation between the groups. Both TF (27.43%) and TLC-TF (39.7%) were found to be lower in the sarcopenic group (p<0.05). The diaphragmatic excursion in the sarcopenic group was found to be 1.38 cm (p=0.078). There was no difference in median MIP and MEP values between the groups. Diaphragmatic TF may be a valuable tool for detecting sarcopenia in COPD patients, which may vary independently of PFTs. This study highlights TF as a potential auxiliary measure, but further research with larger sample sizes and additional parameters is needed to confirm its clinical utility.

Enhancing Biophysical Muscle Fatigue Model in the Dynamic Context of Soccer.

In the field of muscle fatigue models (MFMs), the prior research has demonstrated success in fitting data in specific contexts, but it falls short in addressing the diverse efforts and rapid changes in exertion typical of soccer matches. This study builds upon the existing model, aiming to enhance its applicability and robustness to dynamic demand shifts. The objective is to encapsulate the complexities of soccer dynamics with a streamlined set of parameters. Our refined model achieved a slight improvement in the R2 score in the maximum hand-grip test, increasing from 0.87 to 0.89 compared to the existing model. It also demonstrated dynamic change robustness in a soccer-specific 1 min drill and 15 min treadmill protocol extracted from the literature. Through individualized fitting on a 10-repetition 80 m sprint test for a soccer player, the model exhibited R2 scores between 0.62 and 0.80. Furthermore, when tested with actual soccer match data, it maintained a robust performance, with the average R2 scores ranging from 0.70 to 0.72. The proposed approach holds the potential to advance the understanding of tactical decisions by correlating them with real-time physical performance, offering opportunities for more informed strategies and ultimately enhancing team performance.

The effects of a 24-week exercise intervention and detraining on individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract Objetive Regular physical exercise can promote physical fitness, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, increase independence and success in daily activities, and promote quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). On the one hand, if this exercise practice is discontinued or interrupted, the associated beneficial effects can be lost. The aim of this study was to examine possible changes in body composition and physical and functional fitness variables after regular practice of a physical exercise program, as well as after the same period of detraining. Materials and Methods This study followed a quasi-experimental methodology of 6 months of physical exercise, followed by 6 months of interruption. The sample consisted of 10 individuals with IDD, with an average age of 43.2 years (SD=9.47). Weight, body mass index, handgrip, Timed Up and Go and Sit to Stand were assessed at initial intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up. Results Participants improved in all variables after the intervention program, but only significantly in the handgrip test (Bonferroni corrected: t=1.05; p=0.019; W=0.21). After 6 months without regular exercise, the participants showed a decline in physical and functional fitness variables, but only in handgrip significantly (p=0.044). Conclusions Although there are some gains from physical exercise program, there seems to be a loss of these gains after the end of the program. It is therefore recommended to avoid the period of detraining, which is fundamental to promoting the benefits of exercise, healthy ageing, independence, success in carrying out activities of daily living and quality of life.

Physiological effects of hand grip and cold pressor tests in young Saudi adults.

The risk of cardiovascular disease differs among various ethnic groups, highlighting disparities in cardiovascular health among different populations. While multiple studies from other countries have looked at changes in physiological parameters during autonomic function tests like isometric handgrip and cold pressor tests, no correlational research has been done in Saudi Arabia. This lacuna underscores the importance of examining the relationship between cardiorespiratory parameters in young Saudi Arabian individuals during these tests. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the isometric handgrip and cold pressor tests and physiological parameters in healthy young Saudi Arabian college students. A single-arm interventional study was conducted with a cohort of 65 healthy young adult Saudi college students, including male and female participants. A point estimate was calculated with a 95% confidence level. Physiological parameters were analyzed and compared at rest and during isometric handgrip and cold pressor tests. The study involved participants with an average age of 21.12 ± 1.02, predominantly male students. A significant impact was observed only in respiratory rate (P = 0.007) during the isometric handgrip and cold pressor tests. In contrast, blood pressure parameters and arterial oxygen saturation values showed no statistical significance during both tests. This sheds light on their autonomic responses to physiological stressors and contributes to our understanding of cardiovascular health across diverse populations, guiding future interventions for global improvements in cardiorespiratory outcomes.

Handgrip strength, cardiometabolic risk and body composition in youth with type 1 diabetes: the Diactive-1 Cohort Study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the association between handgrip strength, cardiometabolic risk (CMR) and body composition in youth with type 1 diabetes.MethodsFor this prospective cohort study, muscular fitness was assessed...

Handgrip and its relation to age, fragility fractures, and BMD between sexes in a population aged 50+ years.

A decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) accompanied by muscle weakness during aging significantly increases the probability of low-energy fracture occurrence, but it can also happen in those with a non-osteoporotic score (treatment gap). To improve the identification process of those at risk, the authors proposed using the interconnectivity between bone mineral density and muscle tissue. A total of 20,776 patient records were collected from the database in the period 2008-2021. After applying inclusion criteria, a total of 7159 records were used in the study. Questionnaires regarding patients' history were collected at admission. Patients underwent lumbar spine and/or femoral neck DXA examination and handgrip testing with a handheld dynamometer. Statistical analysis was conducted using tests suitable for the distribution of the data. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in a total of 1914 patients. Depending on the diagnosis there was a significant (p < 0.001) difference in handgrip strength (HGS) between the BMD statuses (norm-osteopenia-osteoporosis). HGS was significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with both BMD neck (r = 0.2) and spine (r = 0.1) in females, and with BMD neck (r = 0.11) in the male population. In our study group HGS was significantly (p < 0.001) higher for all the analysed fractures in the no-fracture group of women. There was no such relationship in reference to the male population. Due to its relationship with BMD, its low cost, and availability, HGS might prove useful in identifying women at risk of a fragility fracture.

Enhancing Physical and Cognitive Efficiency in Elderly Individuals at Risk for Dementia Using Whole-Body Electrostimulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the impact of a 12-week intervention of two 20-min sessions per week, combining aerobic exercise with whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), on physical and cognitive performance in the elderly. Methods: A total of 61 participants (age = 71 ± 5.64 years), healthy or at risk for dementia, were randomly assigned to an experimental training group (ETG, n = 33) and a control group (CON, n = 28). Participants underwent 20-min aerobic training sessions, with intensity increasing from 60% to 80% of heart rate reserve (HRR), with and without continuous WB-EMS stimulation (35 Hz, 350 μs). Results: Significant time/effects for both the ETG and CON were found in the physical performance tests, with significant time*group interactions favoring the ETG for the arm curl test (p < 0.001) and the sit-to-stand test, with significant differences between groups (p = 0.001), as well as for the hand grip test (p < 0.001) and the 6-min walking test (p < 0.001), with significant time*group interactions (p = 0.003). Both groups improved their performance on the soda pop test (p < 0.001). ETG outperformed CON in memory performance (PROSA, p = 0.046; RAVLT immediate recall, p < 0.001) and on selective attention and visuospatial processing (attention matrices, p = 0.014). Some cognitive tests showed no significant improvement, likely due to the short intervention period for cognitive function (MMSE, p = 0.628; TMT, p = 0.698; Stroop error, p = 0.188) or memory performance (PROSA, p = 0.338). Conclusion: The absence of decline suggests a protective effect of physical activity. WB-EMS, combined with aerobic training, enhances the benefits of physical activity and helps counteract cognitive decline in older adults.

Isolated and Combined Effects of Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity on Muscle Strength in Older Adults: AProspective Cohort Study.

We aim the isolated and combined effects of sedentary behaviour exposure time and physical activity levels on muscle strength in older adults. This prospective observational cohort study, analytical in nature, using exploratory survey methods and physical performance testing. With 5-year longitudinal follow-up (2015-2020). A total of 459 older adults participated in the baseline, with a total of 224 being included/located again in the follow-up. We evaluate muscle strength using handgrip tests and sit-to-stand tests. The international physical activity questionnaire was used to measure physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Generalised Estimation Equations tested both independent and combined effects, reporting results as β coefficients and confidence intervals. Older adults exhibiting low sedentary behaviour displayed enhanced handgrip strength compared to those with high sedentary behaviour. Notably, older adults who were sufficiently active with low sedentary behaviour, sufficiently active with high sedentary behaviour, and insufficiently active with low sedentary behaviour showed increased handgrip strength compared to their counterparts who were insufficiently active with high sedentary behaviour. This trend was consistent for lower limb strength. Interventions that encourage a reduction in sedentary behaviour and an increase in physical activity are essential to maintain muscle strength among older adults. The findings of this study underscore the importance of addressing both sedentary behaviour and physical activity levels in clinical interventions aimed at preserving muscle strength in older adults. Routine assessments of physical activity and sedentary behaviour could help tailor personalised exercise programs, potentially enhancing functional independence and reducing the risk of frailty and disability in older patients. Patients were involved in the sample of the study. This study was conducted in accordance with the Strengthening Research in Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.

Effects of school-based high-intensity interval training on health-related fitness in adolescents.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) in school settings has been much less studied in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of HIIT on health-related fitness in adolescents. The total sample consisted of 60 adolescents (age 16.33 ± 0.62 years) from secondary Grammar school, randomly divided into two groups: the experimental (EG) (30) and the control group (CG) (30). The experimental program (12-weeks; 2 times per week) involved two Tabata sessions during one physical education class lasting 4 min each. Participants were tested for health-related fitness components-cardiorespiratory fitness (The Shuttle Run Test (SRT) and strength, hand grip test, standing long jump (SLJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ). Both the EG and the CG experienced significant positive changes in SRT (meters) and VO2max values compared to baseline value (p < 0.05), however, the increase in the EG was significantly higher than that in the CG (SRT - ηp 2 = 0.111; VO2max - ηp 2 = 0.111, p < 0.01). The EG showed significant improvement in SRT (meters) and VO2max values compared to the CG (p < 0.01). Regarding the hand grip test results, a significant time × group interaction was found only for right hand (p < 0.01). Moreover, the improvements in SLJ and CMJ values was greater in EG than that in the CG group (SLJ- ηp 2 = 0.182; CMJ- ηp 2 = 0.112, p < 0.01). Findings indicate that HIIT implemented into physical education classes can result in significant improvements in selected health related fitness components in adolescents.

Incidence of post-intensive care syndrome among patients admitted to post-ICU multidisciplinary consultations: the retrospective observational PICS-MIR study

To determine the prevalence of functional, respiratory and renal impairments and of post-intensive-care-syndrome (PICS) among patients who had attended a post-ICU multidisciplinary consultation (post-ICU-MC) around 3 months after ICU discharge, we performed a retrospective, monocentric observational study, at Clermont Ferrand University hospital, France. We included patients who had attended a post-ICU-MC. Their characteristics during ICU stay and at the post-ICU-MC were collected. Functional status was assessed by the 6-min-walking test, handgrip test and peak inspiratory pressure, respiratory function by exploratory functional outcomes, mental status by SF-36 score, and quality of life by SF-36 score and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions questionnaire. Overall, we enrolled 67 patients, of whom 70%, 74%, and 68% had functional, respiratory, and renal impairments, respectively, at the post-ICU-MC. Additionally, 40%, 28%, 19%, and 2.5% had three, two, one, and none of these impairments, respectively. All patients experienced mental disorders and a decline in quality of life. Functional impairment correlated with frailty score and sex, and respiratory function with age. To conclude, the prevalence of PICS in our cohort was high, as was that of functional, respiratory and renal failure.

Health status and quality of life before critical illness: Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study.

Previous findings support the claim intensive care unit (ICU) patients have a higher rate of comorbidities and reduction of health- and functional status compared with the normal population. In this prospective observational study, our aim was to determine those health-related factors at the age of 31 years which were associated with a later critical illness among previously un-hospitalized individuals by exploring data obtained from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966). NFBC1966 is a Finnish birth cohort, which includes 12,058 live births with expected dates of delivery during 1966. The study was conducted among cohort participants who had not been hospitalized for any reason before the cohort follow-up visit at the age of 31. The study group included NFBC1966 participants who were admitted to the ICU of the Oulu University Hospital. The control group included participants who were treated for any reason in regular hospital wards. The data considering the participants' health status and behavior at the age of 31 were collected from the NFBC1966 database. The gathering of ICU and hospitalization data was concluded on December 31, 2016. 849 NFBC1966 participants met the inclusion criteria: 69 were treated in the ICU (study group) and 780 on regular hospital wards (controls). In the study group, the rate of neurological diseases (26% vs. 16%, 95% CI: -21.8%, -0.2%), malignancy (3% vs. 0.7%, 95% CI: -9.7%, 0.0%), alcohol abuse (4.5% vs. 1%, 95% CI: -11.5%, -0.3%) and smoking (77% vs. 65%, 95% CI: -21.6%, -0.3%) were higher compared with the control group. The patients in the ICU group were also more prone to violent injuries, (17% vs. 7%, 95% CI: -20.2%, -1.9%), practiced less hard physical activity (65% vs. 78%, 95% CI: 2.1%, 25.3%) and had lower maximal muscle strength according to the hand grip test (30 vs. 34 kg, 95% CI: -8.2, 8.6 kg). In this study examining previously un-hospitalized patients, the main factors associated with future critical illness were neurological comorbidities, malignancy, alcohol misuse, smoking, low maximum muscle strength, and less frequent physical exercise compared with those with hospitalization not requiring ICU admission.

Rate of Force Development During a Handgrip Task Is Correlated with the Post-Impact Ball Speed of the Flat Serve.

The aim of the present research was to test the hypothesis that rate of force development (RFD) during a handgrip task of the dominant arm in three different positions is associated with maximal post-impact ball speed of flat serve (PIBS). Altogether 23 elite junior boys (aged 14.84 ± 2.47 years; weight 59.51 ± 13.83 kg; height 170.47 ± 16.34 cm) tennis players participated in the study. To assess the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and RFD during the task, four handgrip tests and a serve test were applied to estimate PIBS. Spearman's rank correlation showed a significant positive correlation between RFD of dominant arm in each three position and PIBS (r = 0.82-0.86; p < 0.001). A very large, significantly positive correlation was also found between MVC of the dominant arm and PIBS (r = 0.88; p < 0.01). The result of the present study indicated that rapid force generation of muscles in the forearm and wrist may probably play a role in the formation of a stable contact point, and it is in connection with PIBS. It is in contrast to the slow maximal force exertion that much rather characterizes the general strength state of players. Therefore, measurement of the RFD during a handgrip task is suggested in the testing session of the flat serve of junior tennis players.

Impact of maternal muscle strength on cesarean delivery outcomes: a comparative study of nulliparous women.

This study explored the correlation between maternal muscle mass and strength and the mode of delivery in childbirth. Specifically, it focused on full-term nulliparous pregnant women, analyzing ultrasonographic measurements of the quadriceps femoris muscle together with serum myostatin levels and muscle strength as determined by a handgrip test. The aim was to discern whether these factors could influence the likelihood of delivering vaginally or via cesarean section. This study included 86 healthy nulliparous women at term, categorizing them into two groups based on their mode of delivery: vaginal delivery (58 women, Group 1) and cesarean section (28 women, Group 2). Comparative analyses of demographic information, delivery characteristics, ultrasonographic measurements of the quadriceps femoris, limb circumferences, handgrip strength, and serum myostatin concentrations were conducted. The findings revealed that women in Group 1 had less gestational weight gain but greater handgrip strength compared to Group 2. Additionally, women who underwent cesarean section due to nonprogressive labor had greater arm and calf circumferences relative to those who had vaginal deliveries. The data of this study suggest a trend whereby lower maternal muscle strength and mass are associated with a decreased likelihood of vaginal delivery in pregnant women.

The Effect of Parkour Activities on Specific Physical Fitness and Grit in the Population of Healthy Youth Football Athletes

This study investigates the effects of parkour activity (PA) on physical fitness and grit for youth soccer athletes. True experimental research with a random control trial design for 12 weeks was adopted in this study. There were 78 male youth soccer athletes involved in the experimental (PA, n = 39) and control group (CG, n = 39) groups. The PA intervention program was carried out three times a week for 12 weeks. Pre-post-intervention tests were carried out to assess physical fitness and grit. The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed that there were significant effects of time, group, and time*group interaction on physical fitness (all, p &lt; .05) and grit (all, p &lt; .05). Meanwhile, Student’s paired t-test results show that the PA group experienced significant differences scores between pre-and post-test in physical fitness (all, p &lt; .05) and grit (all, p &lt; .05), but in CG the differences were significant only occurred in sprint test 30m (p &lt; .05), Illinois agility test (p &lt; .05), hand grip test (p &lt; .05) and there was no other difference, including grit (p &gt; .05). In conclusion, we highlight that PA is the valid method to promote physical fitness and grit in youth soccer athletes.

Effects of Revascularization on Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With Chronic Stable Angina.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) leads to cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN), affecting blood flow and heart rateregulation eventually causing chronic stable angina (CSA). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can correct autonomic dysfunctions and improve myocardial perfusion. This study aimed to assessCAN using heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiovascular reflex tests in T2DM patients with CSA before and after PCI. From cardiology outpatient clinics, 30 patients with T2DM with CSA were recruited. Before and after PCI, the following HRV parameters like low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), LF:HF ratio, total power (TP), square root of mean square differences of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD), standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (SDNN), and percentage of adjacent NN intervals that differ from each other by more than 50 seconds (pNN50) were measured for every patient. Cardiovascular reflex tests, including the deep breathing test, the isometric handgrip test, the 30:15 ratio, the Valsalva ratio, and the lying-to-standing test (LST), were performed on the patients both before and after PCI. SPSS version 21.0(IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), a licensed statistical program, was used to compile and analyze the data. When compared to the pre-PCI group, 30 patients with T2DM with CSA, age range between45 and 70 years, both gendersdemonstrated a significant increase in post-PCI HRV frequency domain parameters, such as LF (239.52±67.21ms2 vs. 307.62±74.17 ms2) and HF (249±25.21 ms2 vs. 379.67±76.55 ms2). The time domain parameters showed a significant increase in post-PCI values compared to pre-PCI values. These included RMSSD (33.97±3.96 ms vs. 8.005±3.25 ms), SDNN (41.4±9.78 vs. 31.74±7.04ms), NN50 (13.241±3.07 vs. 5.20±6.63), and TP (1130.08±320.10 ms2 vs. 754.54±96.93 ms2). In cardiovascular reflex tests, pre-PCI groups had significantly lower delta HR (DBT) (10.47±1.76 bpm vs. 14.20±2.09), E:I ratio (DBT) (1.14±0.042 vs. 1.20±0.026), and Valsalva ratio (1.10±0.071 vs. 1.22±0.084) than post-PCI groups. The pre-PCI group showed a substantial decrease in both the systolic blood pressure (LST) (-6.13±4.85 mmHg vs. -1.01±3.63 mmHg) and the 30:15 ratio (1.13±0.074 vs. 1.09±0.067) when compared to the post-PCI group. The handgrip test (18.73±4.31 mmHg vs. 15.31±4.27 mmHg) did not yield statistically significant results. Before PCI, T2DM patients with CSA experienced autonomic dysfunction, but after revascularization, their functions improved by reestablishing basal cardiac autonomic tone and autonomic reactivity. HRV and cardiovascular reflex tests are useful noninvasive tools for assessing CAN and stratifying a prospective risk factor for estimating the morbidity and death from cardiovascular illnesses in T2DM with CSA.

Metric Stability of One Month Handgrip Maximal and Explosive Isometric Strength Measured by Classic and Impulse Contractions

Abstract The aim of this study is to determine the metric stability of the one-month handgrip test (HGT) in order to define the contractile characteristics of the biological variation of maximal isometric strength (F max) and maximal isometric rate of force development (RFD max) of the handgrip in two different testing regimes (classic and impulse). The study was conducted with a total of 16 participants (11 men and 5 women). Testing was performed using an isometric handgrip probe with a standardized test protocol and equipment sports medical solutions (SMS). The results of F max showed a low relative standard error of the mean (RS = 1.33 %), a high value of inter-class correlation (ICC = 0.996), and no statistically significant change in trend (p &gt; 0.05) during the testing period. Therefore, can conclude that the HGT procedure in classic mode can be used as a stable parameter in a human subject sample. However, the RFD max results showed a low RS (2.13 %) and a high ICC value (0.996), but a statistically significant change of trend (p &lt; 0.05) during the measurement period. The regression constant (RCO) trend was 42.629 N/s, which can be attributed to learning or to the adaptive effects of the test procedure, which triggered similar adaptation processes as the training. In general, it can be concluded that the handgrip can be used to sensitively measure the effects of different long-term health improvements, or the effects of different medical/health exercises, rehabilitation programs, effects of medication applications, or dietary supplements for F max. However, further research should be conducted for the RFD max considering the metric stability parameters.