Lower Limb Muscle Endurance Research Articles

Physical fitness levels and trends of kindergarteners in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background/objectivesThe study aimed to examine the physical fitness and activity levels of kindergarteners in Hong Kong during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. MethodsA total of 2052 kindergarteners (48% girls; 32.9% Grade 1, 34% Grade 2, and 33.1% Grade 3) were recruited from July 2020 to November 2021. Participants completed the physical fitness tests, including body composition, flexibility, lower-limb muscle strength, upper-limb muscle strength, lower-limb muscle endurance, and agility. Children's physical activity and overall well-being were examined using parental proxy reports. Parents also reported their physical activity and parental support to children's physical activity engagement, as well as their perception of children's kindergarten physical activity environment. Fitness differences by age and gender were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and ANCOVA measuring effect size with partial eta-squared. Additionally, correlations assessed the relationship between children's fitness and parents' proxy reports. ResultsThe results of the physical fitness tests were higher than those in previous studies conducted by the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong in 2015–2018. Gender-based differences were observed in most tests for children aged 4 years and older, with boys showing higher scores in the standing long jump, shot put, and balance tests, while girls had higher scores in the sit-and-reach test. Parents' proxy questionnaire answers indicated that children's continuous jump test performances were significantly related to their frequency of physical activity per week (r = 0.19, p < 0.001), and that children's health was significantly and positively correlated with their fitness level (r = 0.179, p < 0.009). Inadequate school physical activity was associated with poor upper-limb strength (r = 0.078, p < 0.005). Moreover, a high level of parental support for their children's participation in physical activity was correlated with a high level of parental participation in vigorous-intensity physical activities (r = 0.167, p < 0.005). ConclusionThe physical fitness of children in Hong Kong was less affected by the epidemic. Parents' healthy behaviors and support were related to children's participation in PA. Efforts to improve children's physical fitness and motor development should include parent education and physical activity involvement.

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.

EFFECTS OF GENETIC VARIATIONS OF MLCK2, AMPD1, AND COL5A1 ON MUSCLE ENDURANCE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although potential relationships with genetic variants of MLCK2, AMPD1 and COL5A1 have been detected in molecular studies evaluating sports performance from the genetic perspective, there are limited data in terms of muscle endurance and physical fitness. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to evaluate these variants in terms of lower limb muscle endurance and physical fitness in thirty-three soccer players. Genotypes were determined by High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis in qPCR after genomic DNA was isolated from buccal swab samples from the participants. Measurements of lower limb muscle endurance, the dynamic leap and balance test (DLBT), and the standing broad jump test (SBJ) were taken for all the participants. Results: Greater height (p = 0.006), higher DLBT (p = 0.016) and SBJ (p = 0.033) scores, as well as greater left hip adduction (p &lt;0.001), were detected in those with the CT genotype for AMPD1 as compared to those with CC. For MLCK rs28497577, it was found that the players carrying the AA genotype were taller (p = 0.046), heavier (p = 0.049), and had greater left knee extension (p=0.014) and left foot plantar flexion (p =0.040) than those carrying the C allele. Those with the CT genotype for COL5A1 rs12722 had greater right hip extension (p = 0.040) and right knee extension (p = 0.048) than those with the CC genotype. Conclusions: Our results showed that MLCK2 and COL5A1 gene variants are associated with body composition and lower limb muscle endurance, and the presence of the AMPD1 CT genotype may contribute positively to balance, correct positioning, controlled strength, and hip mobility. Evidence level II; Comparative prospective study .

Physical fitness and frailty status of frail older adults in long-term care facilities after acupunch exercises: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Frailty is a complex geriatric syndrome and serves as an indicator for functional degradation in older adults. Regular exercise intervention could reduce the level of frailty and improve general physical fitness. The aim of this study was to test the effects of the Vitality Acupunch (VA) exercise on the promotion of physical fitness and the improvement of frailty status among frail older adults in long-term care facilities. This study was a cluster-randomized controlled trial adopted a pretest-posttest design. Using convenience sampling, 81 frail adults older than 65years of age from 10 long-term care facilities participated in this study. The older adults were cluster-randomized by facility into an intervention group (5 long-term care facilities, n=40) and a control group (5 long-term care facilities, n=41). The intervention group engaged in the VA exercise 3 times a week, each lasting 40min, for 24weeks. The control group maintained regular activities of daily living. The outcome measures for physical fitness were assessed before study began (pretest), at the 12th week (posttest 1), and at the 24th week (posttest 2) in the study. After a 24-week intervention, the frail older adults who engaged in the VA exercise program showed significant improvements in handgrip strength, upper-limb muscle endurance, lung function, shoulder flexibility, forward flexion, shoulder joint flexion, and shoulder joint abduction (all p<0.05) but not in lower-limb muscle endurance (p=0.502) compared against their pretest data. The intervention group had significantly better physical fitness and positive changes in frailty status than the control group (all p<0.001), except for the lower-limb muscle endurance (p=0.557). Regular engagement in the VA exercise program for 24weeks significantly improved the physical fitness and frailty status of frail older adults in long-term care facilities.

The usefulness of a simple field test to evaluate lower limb muscle endurance in baseball pitchers

The usefulness of a simple field test to evaluate lower limb muscle endurance in baseball pitchers

THE IMPACT OF BANANA CONSUMPTION ON THE LOWER EXTREMITY MUSCLE RESISTANCE (A Case Study from Male Student of Medicine Faculty, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani)

Increasing the endurance performance of the lower limb muscles can not only be helped by the type and method of exercise, but consumption of the right nutrition. Bananas are one of the nutrients with a source of carbohydrates, sugar and the mineral potassium which can help the process of muscles to contract during exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of giving bananas on lower limb muscle endurance. And also, what is the proper mechanism for banana consumption to increase muscle endurance in the lower extremities. This research method is a quasi experimental method, with a pre-test and post-test design. Subjects were taken through probability sampling techniques with simple random sampling method. Subjects filled out a list of questions and agreement sheets, then in the pre-test, the subject pedalled an ergometer until the research subject was unable to continue the test or reached a maximum heart rate. The post-test was continued two days later by being given a banana one hour before the test and then pedalling an ergometer bicycle until it reached the same limit as the pre-test. The research results were analysed using the t test. There is a significant effect by bananas consumption on the endurance of lower extremity muscles. This shows that giving bananas is very beneficial for individuals who will do sports so that they can increase their endurance. Consuming 2 bananas before doing activities, especially before exercising, can increase the endurance of lower limb muscles and physical fitness, except for people with kidney disease. The right time to consume bananas is 60 minutes before exercising. This consumption can be done again if you want to continue sports or other activities after experiencing fatigue. Further research is needed by measuring potassium levels in the body which affect the results of giving bananas on muscle endurance so that the results obtained are more objective. In addition, for further research, there is a need for a uniform cycling technique, especially the pedaling position with the bicycle ergometer test when measuring the endurance of the muscles of the lower extremities so as not to affect the results of the study. Keywords : Lower limb muscle endurance, Banana Consumption.

Effects of an Active Music Therapy Program on Functional Fitness in Community Older Adults.

Health problems common among older adults living in community settings include a lack of functional fitness. Many studies have confirmed that exercises and static music therapy improve physical and psychological health problems. Exercise programs involving music have a higher frequency of attendance and motivation than other exercise programs. Active participation in active group music therapy results in better therapeutic effects. This study was designed to test the effectiveness of a 3-month active group music therapy program on the functional fitness of community older adults in Taiwan. A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was applied. A convenience cluster sample of older adults was drawn from seven senior-citizen activity centers in southern Taiwan. All participants were assigned to either an experimental group (n = 77) or a comparison group (n = 69) based on the requests of each senior center. The experimental group participated in the active group music therapy program for 3 months (twice per week and 60 minutes per session). The comparison group maintained their daily activities. Each participant's level of functional fitness was measured at baseline and at 1 and 3 months after the start of the intervention. Seventy-one participants in the experimental group and 62 participants in the comparison group completed the 3-month study. At the 1-month measurement, the experimental group had greater improvements in cardiopulmonary fitness, upper body flexibility, lower body flexibility, upper limb muscle power, lower limb muscle endurance, and balance than the comparison group (all ps < .05). These significant improvements persisted through the 3-month intervention (all ps < .05). Active group music therapy is an effective complementary and alternative therapy for improving six items of functional fitness in community-dwelling older adults. Healthcare professionals may incorporate this active group music therapy program as a health promotion activity for older adults living in community settings.

Self-directed home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with advanced cancer and poor performance status: a feasibility study

PurposeConcurrent neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) involving sub-tetanic low frequency and tetanic high frequency which targets aerobic and muscular fitness is a potential alternative to conventional exercise in cancer rehabilitation. However, its safety and feasibility in patients with advanced cancer are unknown. The aim of this feasibility study was to determine safety and feasibility and evaluate changes in functional and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) outcomes in individuals with advanced cancer and poor performance status after concurrent NMES. These results should help inform the design of future studies.MethodsParticipants with advanced cancer and poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale ≥ 2) (n = 18) were recruited. The intervention included a novel NMES intervention implemented over a 4-week period. Functional exercise capacity, lower limb muscle endurance and HR-QoL were measured by 6-min walk test (6MWT), 30-s sit-to-stand (30STS) and European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life questionnaire core-30 (EORTC QLQ C30) pre and post-intervention. Participants unable to complete the 6-min walk test completed the timed up and go test. Participant experience and the impact of the intervention on daily life were investigated through semi-structured interviews.ResultsTen of 18 participants completed the intervention. No adverse events were reported. Seven of 8 participants improved 6MWT performance (2 of 2 improved timed up and go), 8 of 10 participants improved 30STS and 8 of 10 participants improved Global quality of life. Perceived benefits included improved mobility and muscle strength.ConclusionsNeuromuscular electrical stimulation appears safe and feasible in advanced cancer and may improve physical and HR-QoL outcomes. Future prospective trials are warranted to confirm these findings prior to clinical implementation in an advanced cancer setting.

Cardiopulmonary Endurance of Hospitalized Older Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could lead to poor cardiopulmonary endurance, which affects quality of life and increases the risk of rehospitalization or mortality. However, studies investigating associated factors of cardiopulmonary endurance for COPD inpatients are scant. The aim of the study was to investigate whether and how age, gender, COPD severity, body composition, dyspnea, respiratory muscle strength, and lower limb muscle strength and endurance were related to cardiopulmonary endurance in elderly inpatients with COPD. This was a cross-sectional study using a systematic sampling of older inpatients. Data of demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and disease severity were collected, and body mass index was calculated. Degrees of dyspnea were assessed by the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale. Respiratory muscle strength was reflected by the maximal inspiratory pressure and the maximal expiratory pressure. Lower limb muscle strength and endurance were assessed by a handheld dynamometer and a 30-second sit-to-stand test, respectively. Finally, cardiopulmonary endurance was assessed by a 6-minute walk test. A total of 83 older COPD inpatients participated. The mean age was 74.01 ± 6.93 years. Cardiopulmonary endurance was associated with age, COPD severity, dyspnea, respiratory muscle strength, lower limb muscle strength, and endurance. Predictors of cardiopulmonary endurance were disease severity, dyspnea, and lower limb muscle endurance. These predictors explained 53% of the variance in cardiopulmonary endurance in older inpatients with COPD. Cardiopulmonary endurance of hospitalized older adults with COPD should be strengthened by improving conditions of disease severity, dyspnea, and lower limb muscle endurance.

The impact of sensory and/or sensorimotor neuropathy on lower limb muscle endurance, explosive and maximal muscle strength in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AimsThe purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of diabetic neuropathy (dNP) on lower limb endurance, explosive and maximal muscle strength in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). MethodsFifty-four participants, aged between 55 and 85, were enrolled in this observational comparative study. The patients with T2DM had an average HbA1c of 7.4% (±1.03) and diabetes duration of 13 years. Participants were classified by means of electroneuromyography as T2DM without dNP (dNP-; n = 8), T2DM with sensory dNP (dNPs; n = 13), T2DM with sensorimotor dNP (dNPsm; n = 14), and healthy controls without neuropathy (C; n = 19). Maximal muscle strength and muscle endurance of the dominant knee and ankle were measured by dynamometry, while explosive muscle strength was evaluated by mechanography. ResultsMuscle endurance “total work” in knee extension and ankle plantar flexion was higher in the healthy controls compared to dNP-, dNPs and dNPsm, in knee flexion compared to dNPs and dNPsm, and in ankle dorsiflexion compared to dNPsm only (p<0.05). Furthermore, relative explosive muscle strength “total power/body weight” and relative maximal muscle strength “peak torque/lean body mass of the dominant leg” considering knee flexion, ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, were higher in healthy controls compared to the dNPsm group, and for maximal muscle strength ankle dorsiflexion even between dNP- and dNPsm (p < 0.05). ConclusionsMuscle endurance is impaired in patients with T2DM, independent of the presence of dNP. Explosive and maximal muscle strength are more likely affected by the presence and severity of dNP.

Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Lower-Limb Muscle Endurance Following an Acute Bout of Aerobic Exercise in Young Men.

We aimed to determine whether creatine supplementation influences lower-limb muscle endurance following an acute bout of aerobic exercise (AE) in young healthy men. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, 11 men (26.5 ± 6.2 years, body mass index 26.6 ± 2.1 kg/m2),with 12 months of experience in strength training (three times/week) and AE (two times/week) were randomized to receive creatine (20 g/day plus 20 g/day maltodextrin) and placebo (40 g/day maltodextrin) for 7 days, separated by a washout period of 14 days, before performing an acute bout of AE (30 min on treadmill at 80% baseline maximum velocity) which was followed by four sets of bilateral leg extension endurance exercise using a 10-repetition maximum protocol (10 RM)). There was a significant decrease in the number of repetitions performed in the third (Placebo: −20% vs. Creatine: −22%) and fourth set (Placebo: −22% vs. Creatine: −28%) compared with the first set (p < 0.05), with no differences between creatine and placebo. Additionally, no differences were observed between creatine and placebo for the total number of repetitions performed across all four sets (Placebo: 33.9 ± 7.0 vs. Creatine: 34.0 ± 6.9 repetitions, p = 0.97), nor for total work volume (Placebo: 3030.5 ± 1068.2 vs. Creatine: 3039.8 ± 1087.7 kg, p = 0.98). Short-term creatine supplementation has no effect on lower-limb muscle endurance following an acute bout of aerobic exercise in trained young men.

Effects of chair yoga therapy on physical fitness in patients with psychiatric disorders: A 12-week single-blind randomized controlled trial

IntroductionSince falls may lead to fractures and have serious, potentially fatal outcomes, prevention of falls is an urgent public health issue. We examined the effects of chair yoga therapy on physical fitness among psychiatric patients in order to reduce the risk of falls, which has not been previously reported in the literature. MethodsIn this 12-week single-blind randomized controlled trial with a 6-week follow-up, inpatients with mixed psychiatric diagnoses were randomly assigned to either chair yoga therapy in addition to ongoing treatment, or treatment-as-usual. Chair yoga therapy was conducted as twice-weekly 20-min sessions over 12 weeks. Assessments included anteflexion in sitting, degree of muscle strength, and Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) as well as QOL, psychopathology and functioning. ResultsFifty-six inpatients participated in this study (36 men; mean ± SD age, 55.3 ± 13.7 years; schizophrenia 87.5%). In the chair yoga group, significant improvements were observed in flexibility, hand-grip, lower limb muscle endurance, and MFES at week 12 (mean ± SD: 55.1 ± 16.6 to 67.2 ± 14.0 cm, 23.6 ± 10.6 to 26.8 ± 9.7 kg, 4.9 ± 4.0 to 7.0 ± 3.9 kg, and 114.9 ± 29.2 to 134.1 ± 11.6, respectively). Additionally, these improvements were observable six weeks after the intervention was over. The QOL-VAS improved in the intervention group while no differences were noted in psychopathology and functioning between the groups. The intervention appeared to be highly tolerable without any notable adverse effects. ConclusionsThe results indicated sustainable effects of 20-min, 12-week, 24-session chair yoga therapy on physical fitness. Chair yoga therapy may contribute to reduce the risk of falls and their unwanted consequences in psychiatric patients.

Analysis of Athletic Fitness of Elementary Schools Who Participated in Sports Talented Gifted Education Program

Purpose: Analyze enhancement in athletic fitness of male/female elementary school students who participated in a sports talented gifted youth education program. Methods: Korea Sports Talent Assessment System was used to measure physique and athletic fitness of 50 elementary school students in grade 2-6 (male: 30, female: 30) who participated in 27 week 2014 Gifted Youth Athletes Program of C University. two-way ANOVA was performed to analyze the interactions among independent variables and independent samples t-test was performed on variables that exhibited an interaction. Also, paired sample t-test was performed to conduct a before/after test on the effect of the program on students. Results: First, Two-way ANOVA on athletic fitness on the students showed that: for gender, a significant change was found in upper limb muscle endurance, lower limb endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility; for before/after effect, a significant change was found in upper limb muscle endurance, upper limb flexibility, abdominal endurance, lower limb muscle endurance, agility and flexibility; for gender and before/after effect, a significant change were found in upper limb muscle endurance. Second, an analysis on the difference between athletic fitness of male and female student showed that a significant change was found in upper limb muscle endurance, upper limb flexibility, abdominal endurance, lower limb muscle endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, agility and flexibility for male students; and upper limb muscle endurance, upper limb flexibility, abdominal endurance, and flexibility for female students. Third, an analysis of before/after effect of the program on the students showed that a significant change was found in upper limb muscle endurance after the program; lower limb flexibility, after the program; cardiorespiratory endurance, after the program; and flexibility, both before and after the program. Conclusion: The conclusion of this research shows that the gifted youth education program enhanced athletic fitness of both male and female students. It implies that various athletic activities and sports major education programs can help enhance athletic fitness of elementary school students with athletic gift.

Health Promotion Outcomes of a Newly Developed Elastic Band Exercise Program for Older Adults in the Community: A Pilot Test.

Studies indicate that the incidence of disease, the mortality rate, and medical costs are significantly higher in people aged 65 years and over who do not engage in physical activities than in their peers who do engage in these activities. Therefore, promoting appropriate physical activity among older adults in the community is essential to delaying the health implications of aging. This pilot test was developed to assess the effectiveness of a newly developed Senior Elastic Band (SEB) exercise program on the health of older adults in community care stations. A quasiexperimental design was used. A convenience sample of 20 participants from a community care station was recruited. The SEB intervention included three phases (warm-up, aerobic motion, and static stretching) and was conducted three times per week, 40 minutes per session for 1 month. Twelve health indicators in three categories (functional fitness, self-perceived health status, and sleep quality) were examined before and immediately after 1 month of SEB exercises. Participants showed improved performance at the end of the 1-month study for the following indicators: lung capacity, cardiopulmonary fitness, upper and lower body flexibilities, upper limb muscle power, lower limb muscle endurance, and self-perceived physical health status (all ps < .05). No significant differences were identified for the other indicators. The SEB exercise program shows preliminary and promising effects on improving the health of older adults in a community care station. Healthcare professionals who work with older adults living in the community may consider the SEB exercise program as a health promotion modality to recommend and implement with this population. However, we recommend further testing the long-term effects of this program on a larger population.

Cognitive functional approach to manage low back pain in male adolescent rowers: a randomised controlled trial

Background Low back pain (LBP) is prevalent among adolescent rowers. This study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive functional approach to reduce LBP in this population. Methods Thirty-six adolescent male...

A Meta-analysis of the Effect of Walking Exercise on Lower Limb Muscle Endurance, Whole Body Endurance and Upper Body Flexibility in Elders

The purpose of this study was to determine whether walking exercise improved physical function in elderly people using meta-analysis. Medical and nursing literature databases were searched to identify the studies on the effectiveness of walking exercise on physical function. In the databases, there were 16 articles reporting 21 interventions. Overall effect sizes for three outcome variables, elders' physical function in lower limb muscle endurance, whole body endurance and upper body flexibility, were calculated. Effects of study characteristics on outcome variables were analyzed. The meta-analysis showed that walking exercise generally had positive effects on CST (chair stand test), 6MW (6 min walking), and SRT (standing or sitting reach test) with overall weighted effect sizes of 1.06, 0.41 and 0.29 respectively. This study also showed that the chronic disease status of the elders, intervention methods, and type of residence had different effects on CST, 6MW and SRT. The results indicate that walking exercise improves physical function in elders. Walking exercise which can be done at any time and any location is indeed a very effective exercise for elderly people.

Aerobic capacity and skeletal muscle function in children with asthma

BackgroundPeripheral muscle strength and endurance are decreased in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases and seem to contribute to patients' exercise intolerance. However, the authors are not aware of any studies...