Lower Limb Muscle Strength Research Articles

Intrathecal administration of mesenchymal stem cells in patients with adrenomyeloneuropathy.

X-linked adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder associated with mutations in the ABCD1 gene and the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLFCAs) in plasma and tissues. Currently, there is no effective treatment for AMN. We have aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in patients with AMN. This is a small cohort open-label study with patients with AMN diagnosed and treated at the University Hospital in Olsztyn, Poland. All patients met clinical, biochemical, MRI, and neuropsychological criteria for AMN. MSCs derived from Wharton jelly, 20 × 106 cells, were administered intrathecally three times every 2 months, and patients were followed up for an additional 3 months. The primary outcome measures included a blinded assessment of lower limb muscle strength with the Medical Research Council Manual Muscle Testing scale at baseline and on every month visits until the end of the study. Additional outcomes included measurements of the timed 25-feet walk (T25FW) and VLFCA serum ratio. Three male patients with AMN with an age range of 26-37 years participated in this study. All patients experienced increased muscle strength in the lower limbs at the end of the study versus baseline. The power grade increased by 25-43% at the baseline. In addition, all patients showed an improvement trend in walking speed measured with the T25FW test. Treatment with MSCs in patients with AMN appeared to be safe and well tolerated. The results of this study demonstrated that intrathecal administration of WJ-MSC improves motor symptoms in patients with AMN. The current findings lend support to the safety and feasibility of MSC therapy as a potentially viable treatment option for patients with AMN.

Effects of a home-based exercise combined yoga and resistance training in enthesitis-related arthritis in China: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionEnthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) is a category of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The complications of JIA include pain, muscle weakness, limited movement and worsening quality of life. Yoga is an effective...

Efficacy and safety analysis of bupivacaine liposome for pericapsular nerve group block for postoperative analgesia in elderly patients with hip replacement

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of bupivacaine liposome for pericapsular nerve group block (PENGB) for postoperative analgesia in elderly patients with total hip replacement. Methods: A total of 42 elderly patients underwent total hip replacement were selected in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from May to July in 2023, including 19 males and 23 females, aged (68.8±6.3) years, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade Ⅰ to Ⅲ. They were divided into bupivacaine liposome group (observation group) and levobupivacaine hydrochloride group (control group) according to random number table, with 21 cases in each group. All the patients were anesthetized by lumbar anesthesia combined with PENGB. During PENGB, the observation group was injected with 10 ml (133 mg) bupivacaine liposome+5 ml normal saline, and the control group was injected with 10 ml (75 mg) levobupivacaine hydrochloride+5 ml normal saline. The primary outcome measures included the rest and movement visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h after operation, the sufentanil consumption in analgesic pump, the numbers of analgesic pump compressions, and the rates of additional parexib sodium use in ward. The secondary outcome measures were the changes in lower limb muscle strength, the length of hospital stay and the occurrence of adverse reactions. Results: There was no significant difference in the rest and movement VAS scores between the two groups at pre-operation and at 6 h after operation (P>0.05);but the rest and movement VAS scores at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h after operation in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05); the rest and movement VAS scores at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h after operation were lower than those at pre-operation in two group (P<0.05). The consumption of sufentanil in analgesic pump and parexib sodium usage in observation group were lower than those in control group at 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after operation (P<0.05). The total number of analgesic pump compressions, the number of effective compressions and the number of ineffective compressions in 48 h in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). The muscle strength of the lower limbs of all patients were able to move against gravity at 12 h after operation. The incidence of nausea in 48 h after operation in observation group was 9.5% (2/21), which was lower than 42.9% (9/21) in control group (P=0.014). No postoperative vomiting occurred in all patients. The length of the hospital stay was (9.3±2.2) d in observation group and (8.9±1.9) d in control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.500). Conclusion: Compared with levobupivacaine hydrochloride, liposomal bupivacaine in PENGB provides analgesic effects for up to 72 h after total hip replacement in elderly patients, reduces postoperative opioid and other analgesics usage, decreases the incidence of postoperative nausea, and has a minor effect on lower limb movement without prolonging hospitalization.

Effects of Aquatic Exercise and Floor Curling on Balance Ability and Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Pilot Study in China.

Children with intellectual disabilities often face challenges in balance ability and lower limb muscle strength, which negatively impact their daily lives and motor function. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance the balance ability and lower limb muscle strength of children with intellectual disabilities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week aquatic exercise and floor curling intervention on the balance ability and lower limb muscle strength of children with intellectual disabilities. Forty-two participants were randomly assigned to the aquatic exercise group, floor curling group, and control group. The aquatic exercise and floor curling groups received a 12-week intervention, while the control group engaged in supervised free activities. The participants' balance ability and lower limb muscle strength were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale and a muscle strength testing device before and after the intervention. The results showed significant improvements in balance ability and lower limb muscle strength for both the aquatic exercise group and the floor curling group after the intervention. The aquatic exercise group demonstrated an average improvement of 10.84% in balance ability and an overall average improvement of 16.28% in lower limb muscle strength. The floor curling group showed an average improvement of 9.04% in balance ability and an overall average improvement of 15.67% in lower limb muscle strength. These improvement results were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and ranged from medium to large effect sizes (d = 0.5~0.8). The findings of this study validate the positive effects of aquatic exercise and floor curling on the balance ability and lower limb muscle strength of children with intellectual disabilities. These interventions can be considered effective approaches for functional rehabilitation in children with intellectual disabilities.

The Contributions of Knee Extension Strength and Hand Grip Strength to Factors Relevant to Physical Frailty: The Tanno-Sobetsu Study.

Sarcopenia is the core factor of frailty. This study specifically focused on lower limb muscle strength and examined muscle indices that indicate the risk of frailty or pre-frailty in older adults. The study included 327 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years (43.7% male) who participated in the cohort. Frailty was defined based on five symptoms: weight loss, low activity level, exhaustion, weakness and slowness. Participants were classified into frail (three or more applicable), pre-frail (one to two applicable) and non-frail groups. Muscle strength (knee extension strength, toe grip strength and hand grip strength) were assessed, and appendicular muscle mass was assessed via a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of muscle indices for with frailty (frail group vs. pre-frail group) or pre-frailty (pre-frail group vs. non-frail group) were calculated. The prevalence of frail and pre-frail was 7% and 40%, respectively. Adjusted for age, sex, albumin and medical history, knee extension strength was significantly associated with frailty (odds ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.98), while hand grip strength was associated with pre-frailty (odds ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.88-0.97) but not with other muscle indices. This study is significant for identifying knee extension strength as a factor relevant to frailty in older adults considered pre-frailty, emphasizing the importance of this specific muscle measure in predicting and managing frailty.

Factor analysis for construct validity of a trunk impairment scale in Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study.

To investigate the construct validity of the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), which was developed to assess trunk impairment in patients with stroke, in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This retrospective, cross-sectional study enrolled consecutive PD inpatients. Correlation analysis was performed to clarify whether the TIS assessment was related to other balance functions, lower extremity muscle strength, or walking ability. Factor analysis was performed to see how the background factors of TIS differ from balance function, lower limb muscle strength, and walking ability. Examining the data of 471 patients with PD, there were relationships between TIS and the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (r = 0.67), Barthel Index (r = 0.57), general lower limb extension torque (r = 0.51), two-minute walk test (r = 0.54), Hoehn and Yahr stage (r = -0.61), and Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III total points (r = -0.59). Factor analysis showed that TIS items were divided into three factors (an abdominal muscles and righting reflex component; a perception and verticality component; and a rotational component), differing from other scales that included clinical assessment items. The TIS can be useful for assessing the underlying trunk impairment as a basis for activities of daily living, gait function, and balance ability in patients with PD.

Assessment of lower limb muscle strength can predict fall risk in patients with chronic liver disease.

Falls are caused by a combination of factors, including loss of lower limb muscle strength (LMS), and associated with declined performance status (PS). Age-related sarcopenia is generally associated with decreased muscle mass and strength of lower limb muscle but without a noticeable loss of those of upper limb or trunk muscle. However, no reports have focused on falls or LMS in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. This study is the first to analyze the risk factors for falls in patients with CLD, focusing on LMS measurement using the Locomoscan. This study enrolled 315 CLD patients whose LMS was measured. The patients who experienced falls more than 1 year ago or during the observation period were classified as those who experienced falls. We found that risk factors for falls were PS1/2 and decreased LMS (< 0.32N/kg). The group with sarcopenia had a higher frequency of decreased LMS (54 vs. 26%, p = 0.001) and falls (24 vs. 4.4%, p < 0.001) compared to the non-sarcopenia group. This study found that decreased LMS was an independent risk factor for falls. Assessment of LMS may be used as a better marker associated with the risk of falls in patients with CLD.

The role of exercise therapy in reducing respiratory symptoms in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review

Background/Aims Respiratory-related complaints such as dyspnoea, shortness of breath and inability to perform their activities of daily living have been reported by people who have contracted COVID-19. Physiotherapy can play a vital role in management of these symptoms. The aim of this review study was to systematically evaluate the role of exercise therapy in reducing respiratory symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Methods A search of PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases was conducted from December 2019 to November 2022. Studies were included if: the study design was a randomised controlled trial or quasi-experimental; participants had COVID-19 disease; the intervention was exercise therapy; and respiratory symptoms were evaluated as outcome measures. The quailty of included studies was independently evaluated by two authors using the PEDro scale. Results A total of 11 articles were selected for final analysis, which included both face-to-face therapy and telerehabilitation. Without considering their scientific rigour, the findings of the studies reported that exercise therapy, such as breathing exercises, strengthening exercises, aerobic exercises, lower limb muscle strength exercises and stretching exercises, had significant effects in reducing dyspnoea and increasing physical capacity and lung function. Conclusions Exercise therapy interventions could be effective in improving respiratory symptoms including lung function, dyspnoea and physical capacity. While some studies examined face-to-face exercise therapy and showed improvement in symptoms, it is suggested that the effect of telerehabilitation should be investigated in future studies. Implications for practice Physiotherapists can use exercise therapy alongside other physical therapy interventions for patients with COVID-19 and other similar respiratory viruses.

Dual-modality smart shoes for quantitative assessment of hemiplegic patients’ lower limb muscle strength

Stroke can lead to the impaired motor function in patients’ lower limbs and hemiplegia. Accurate assessment of lower limb motor ability is important for diagnosis and rehabilitation. To digitalize such assessments so that each test can be traced back at any time and subjectivity can be avoided, we test how dual-modality smart shoes equipped with pressure-sensitive insoles and inertial measurement units can be used for this purpose. A 5 m walking test protocol, including the left and right turns, is designed. The data are collected from 23 patients and 17 healthy subjects. For the lower limbs’ motor ability, the tests are performed by two physicians and assessed using the five-grade Medical Research Council scale for muscle examination. The average of two physicians’ scores for the same patient is used as the ground truth. Using the feature set we developed, 100% accuracy is achieved in classifying the patients and healthy subjects. For patients’ muscle strength, a mean absolute error of 0.143 and a maximum error of 0.395 are achieved using our feature set and the regression method; these values are closer to the ground truth than the scores from each physician (mean absolute error: 0.217, maximum error: 0.5). We thus validate the possibility of using such smart shoes to objectively and accurately evaluate the muscle strength of the lower limbs of stroke patients.

Clinical Outcomes of Exercise Rehabilitation for Degenerative Tibial Meniscal Tears: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of exercise rehabilitation therapy for patients with Degenerative Meniscal Lesions of the Tibia (DMLT), providing more effective and safer treatment options for DMLT patients and offering more reliable evidence-based medical recommendations. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, this research conducted a literature search through databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, and Cochrane, with the search cut-off date being January 2024. Following the PICOS principles, a comprehensive search was conducted. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data. Using R software, effect size analyses were conducted on indicators such as pain, knee joint function, lower limb muscle strength, and physical function in DMLT patients, with the significance level set at P<0.05, aiming to comprehensively assess the impact of exercise therapy on the rehabilitation outcomes for DMLT patients. The study included 12 randomized controlled trials, encompassing 1336 DMLT patients. Based on the quality assessment using the modified Jadad scale, the overall quality of the included studies was determined to be moderate.The meta-analysis showed that exercise therapy significantly reduced pain (WMD=-5.50, P<0.05), improved lower limb muscle strength (SMD=0.05, P<0.05), and enhanced physical function (SMD=0.65, P<0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that, compared to surgery alone, exercise therapy combined with surgery had a significant effect on improving muscle strength and physical function. Functional training and home-based exercises showed more pronounced effects on specific indicators. The study results indicate that exercise therapy alone has limited effectiveness in improving knee joint function, and combining exercise with surgery does not show a significant advantage (P > 0.05). Additionally, subgroup analysis revealed no significant impact of intervention duration, exercise type, or patient age on functional improvement. Exercise therapy has shown potential in alleviating pain, enhancing lower limb muscle strength, and improving mobility in patients with degenerative meniscal lesions of the tibia (DMLT). Functional training and varied rehabilitation exercises may provide effective pathways for long-term recovery in these patients. This study has been registered in a prospective registry platform with the registration number: CRD42024518643.

Importance of muscle strength to maintain mobility, but not to maintain postural balance in older women: Cross-sectional study

BackgroundAcknowledging the relationship between postural control and muscle strength in lower limbs is important to find persons with high fall risk and to design fall prevention exercise programs. ObjectiveTo investigate the connection between knee muscle strength, semi-static postural balance, and functional mobility in irregularly active older women. MethodsOne hundred and ten older women aged 60 to 85 years underwent a semi-static postural balance test in a force and functional mobility measured by Timed Up & Go (TUG) with and without Cognitive Tasks (CT). Muscle strength of the knee was assessed by isokinetic dynamometry at 60°/s. ResultsA negative correlation between the functional mobility (TUG with and without CT) and the muscular strength of the knee was observed. Regarding semi-static balance, there was a low negative correlation with peak torque corrected for body weight of the extensors with the following variables with eyes open: Mean Velocity Dominant limb (D) (r = -0.19; p = 0.03); and anteroposterior range Non-Dominant limb (ND) (r = -0.19; p = 0.04); with eyes closed: mediolateral range ND limb (r = -0.21; p = 0.02) and Mean Velocity ND limb (r = -0.18; p = 0.05). ConclusionsThis study found that better functional mobility was associated with greater muscle strength in the knee in elderly women. There were weak negative correlations between knee extensor strength and some measures of semi-static postural balance, suggesting that different motor control actions are required to maintain semi-static balance and mobility. In the case of semi-static balance, a lower level of muscle response is required than in functional mobility.

Genetic markers and predictive model for individual differences in countermovement jump enhancement after resistance training.

This study aims to utilize Genome-Wide Association Analysis (GWAS) to identify genetic markers associated with enhanced power resulting from resistance training. Additionally, we analyze the potential biological effects of these markers and establish a predictive model for training outcomes. 193 Han Chinese adults (age: 20 ± 1 years) underwent resistance training involving squats and bench presses at 70% 1RM, twice weekly, 5 sets × 10 repetitions, for 12 weeks. Whole-genome genotyping was conducted, and participants' countermovement jump (CMJ) height, lower limb muscle strength, and body muscle mass were assessed. CMJ height change was used to assess changes in power and subjected to Genome-Wide Association Analysis (GWAS) against genotypes. Employing Polygenic Score (PGS) calculations and stepwise linear regression, a predictive model for training effects was constructed. The results revealed a significant increase in CMJ height among participants following the resistance training intervention (Δ% = 16.53%, p < 0.01), with individual differences ranging from -35.90% to 125.71%. 38 lead SNPs, including PCTP rs9907859 (p < 1 × 10-8), showed significant associations with the percentage change in CMJ height after training (p < 1 × 10-5). The explanatory power of the predictive model for training outcomes, established using PGS and phenotypic indicators, was 62.6%, comprising 13.0% from PGS and 49.6% from phenotypic indicators. SNPs associated with power resistance training were found to participate in the biological processes of musculoskeletal movement and the Striated muscle contraction pathway. These findings indicate that individual differences in the training effect of CMJ exist after resistance training, partially explained by genetic markers and phenotypic indicators (62.6%).

Osteoporotic phenotype of body composition: Relationship with nutritional status and physical condition in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Aim of the study – to assess the relationship of the osteoporotic phenotype of body composition with nutritional and physical status in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Material and methods. 104 women (average age 59.5±8.7 years) with RA were enrolled. The examination included clinical, laboratory and instrumental (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) methods. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutrition Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), physical status – using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), “Chair stand test”, handgrip strength, “Timed Up and Go test” and gait speed.Results. Osteoporotic phenotype was diagnosed in 38.5% of patients. Malnutrition and risk of malnutrition according to MNA-SF had 51.0% of women. Low and moderate level of physical activity according to IPAQ – 51.9% of patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent factors associated with osteoporotic phenotype were determined: walking &lt;30 minutes a day (odds ratio (OR) – 1.34; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.11–17.32), low muscle strength of the upper extremities (handgrip strength less than 16 kg) (OR=7.12; 95% CI: 1.02–49.57) and lower extremities (“Chair stand test” more than 15 seconds) (OR=4.45; 95% CI: 1.08–18.42), body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m2 (OR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.04–1.85).Conclusion. A high frequency of the osteoporotic phenotype of body composition was revealed in patients with RA, among whom almost half of the examined individuals had insufficient nutrition and/or reduced physical activity. Walking &lt;30 minutes a day, low upper and lower limb muscle strength, and BMI&lt;25 kg/m2 were associated with the osteoporotic phenotype.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength in middle-aged and elderly individuals: a retrospective, propensity score-matched study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the muscle strength of the elderly. This retrospective, propensity score-matched study included 160 middle-aged and elderly individuals from a community in Beijing, China. The control group (n=110) received health education and lifestyle guidance, while the intervention group (n=50) was given oral vitamin D supplementation in addition to health education and lifestyle guidance. All participants underwent laboratory tests, muscle function, and physical function at baseline and follow-up. In the propensity score-matched cohort of 41 patients per group, the levels of serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in both groups were improved significantly by the end of the study (p<0.05), with the intervention group showing a more significant improvement. The muscle strength of the left lower limb in the intervention group significantly increased after the intervention (p<0.05). The results also showed that the grip strength and pinch strength of the patients in both groups increased after the intervention, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). The findings of this study suggest that vitamin D supplementation, in conjunction with lifestyle guidance and health education, is beneficial for enhancing the upper and lower limb strength of patients.

Effects of weight-bearing dance aerobics on lower limb muscle morphology, strength and functional fitness in older women.

To investigate the effects of 12-week weight-bearing dance aerobics (WBDA) on muscle morphology, strength and functional fitness in older women. This controlled study recruited 37 female participants (66.31y ± 3.83) and divided them into intervention and control groups according to willingness. The intervention group received 90-min WBDA thrice a week for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained normal activities. The groups were then compared by measuring muscle thickness, fiber length and pennation angle by ultrasound, muscle strength using an isokinetic multi-joint module and functional fitness, such as 2-min step test, 30-s chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, TUG and single-legged closed-eyed standing test. The morphology, strength, and functional fitness were compared using ANCOVA or Mann-Whitney U test to study the effects of 12 weeks WBDA. Among all recruited participants, 33 completed all tests. After 12 weeks, the thickness of the vastus intermedius (F = 17.85, P < 0.01) and quadriceps (F = 15.62, P < 0.01) was significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group, along with a significant increase in the torque/weight of the knee flexor muscles (F = 4.47, P = 0.04). Similarly, the intervention group revealed a significant improvement in the single-legged closed-eyed standing test (z = -2.16, P = 0.03) compared to the control group. The study concluded that compared to the non-exercising control group, 12-week WBDA was shown to thicken vastus intermedius, increase muscle strength, and improve physical function in older women. In addition, this study provides a reference exercise program for older women.

The mechanism of static postural control in the impact of lower limb muscle strength asymmetry on gait performance in the elderly.

Abnormal gait is prevalent among the elderly population, leading to reduced physical activity, increased risk of falls, and the potential development of dementia and disabilities, thus degrading the quality of life in later years. Numerous studies have highlighted the crucial roles of lower limb muscle strength asymmetry and static postural control in gait, and the reciprocal influence of lower limb muscle strength asymmetry on static postural control. However, research exploring the interrelationship between lower limb muscle strength asymmetry, static postural control, and gait performance has been limited. A total of 55 elderly participants aged 60 to 75 years were recruited. Isokinetic muscle strength testing was used to assess bilateral knee extension strength, and asymmetry values were calculated. Participants with asymmetry greater than 15% were categorized as the Asymmetry Group (AG), while those with asymmetry less than 15% were classified in the Symmetry Group (SG). Gait parameters were measured using a plantar pressure gait analysis system to evaluate gait performance, and static postural control was assessed through comfortable and narrow stance tests. First, participants in the AG demonstrated inferior gait performance, characterized by slower gait speed, longer stance time and percentage of stance time in gait, and smaller swing time and percentage of swing time in gait. Spatial-temporal gait parameters of the weaker limb tended to be abnormal. Second, static postural control indices were higher in AG compared to SG in all aspects except for the area of ellipse during the comfortable stance with eyes open test. Third, abnormal gait parameters were associated with static postural control. Firstly, elderly individuals with lower limb muscle strength asymmetry are prone to abnormal gait, with the weaker limb exhibiting poorer gait performance. Secondly, lower limb muscle strength asymmetry contributes to diminished static postural control in the elderly. Thirdly, the mechanism underlying abnormal gait in the elderly due to lower limb muscle strength asymmetry may be linked to a decline in static postural control.

Effects of a remotely supervised resistance training program on muscle strength and body composition in adults with cystic fibrosis: Randomized controlled trial

AbstractIntroductionAmong the limited studies on physical exercise interventions in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF), few have specifically addressed the improvement of peripheral muscle strength and body fat‐free mass. The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of a remotely supervised, individualized 8‐week resistance training program of moderate to high intensity on strength and body composition in these subjects.MethodsThis was a randomized controlled trial performed in adults with CF. The exercise group (EX) performed three 1‐h resistance training sessions per week over 8 weeks. The control group (CON) followed the physical activity recommendations of their physician. The main outcomes were muscle strength and body composition, with secondary measures including pulmonary function and quality of life. Two‐way repeated measures analysis was used.ResultsIn 23 participants (age 32.13 ± 7.72 years), the intervention showed a significant beneficial effect on leg press strength, with a large effect size, both in absolute (p = 0.011; = 0.281) and relative (p = 0.007; = 0.310) terms. Large intervention effects were observed on total fat mass (p &lt; 0.001; = 0.415), body adiposity index (p &lt; 0.001; = 0.436), and fat mass index (p &lt; 0.001; = 0.445), all showing reduction in the EX group. In addition, significant large size effects were detected on total fat‐free mass (p = 0.046; = 0.177), trunk fat‐free mass (p = 0.039; = 0.188), and fat‐free mass index (p = 0.048; = 0.174), all favoring exercise. No significant effects were observed on pulmonary function and quality of life.ConclusionsAn 8‐week remotely supervised resistance training program, with moderate to high intensity, effectively improved lower limb muscle strength and body composition.

Impact of a Tailored Self-Management Education Programme for Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis in a Multi-Ethnic Country

Self-management education program (SMEP) is essential in the knee osteoarthritis (OA) management. While the benefits of tailored SMEP have been highlighted in the literature, evidence on the effects of tailored knee OA SMEP for multi-ethnic populations, such as in Malaysia, remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct an intervention study on a tailored SMEP among Malaysian older adults with knee OA. Participants aged 60 years and over with a diagnosis of knee OA were recruited. The intervention comprised four weekly structured group SMEP which was developed specifically for the multicultural population in Malaysia. Symptom’s severity and functional performance were assessed at baseline and six-week follow-up using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score questionnaire (KOOS), 30 seconds sit to stand (30sST), time up and go (TUG), chair sit and reach (CSR), back stretch (BS), handgrip strength (HGS) and two-minute walk (2MW) tests. Of the 32 individuals recruited, 30 participants, mean age of 66.77 (±6.42) years, completed the post-intervention assessment. Improvements in mean KOOS domains scores were observed by between 1.3% - 8.6% from baseline to follow-up. Significant differences between baseline and follow-up scores were identified for 30sST (p &lt; 0.05), TUG ( p &lt; 0.001) and 2MW (p &lt; 0.001) tests. A 4-week tailored SMEP delivered face to face by a physiotherapist, improved lower limb muscle strength, mobility, balance and endurance. Larger randomized controlled trials regarding the long-term effects of SMEP for older adults with OA is warranted.

Lower limb muscle strength is associated with disability in non-specific chronic low back pain

Low back pain is one of the most common health problems that affects daily living activities of most people at some time in their lifetime. Non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP) can be seen in 85-95% of the population. Although it is known that disability and lower limb muscle strength are affected in patients with NS-CLBP, no study investigated the relationship between these variables. The aim of this study was to identify association between disability and lower limb muscle strength in these patients. 79 patients with NS-CLBP were enrolled. The strength of knee extensor and ankle dorsiflexor muscles were measured using a hand-held dynamometer. The disability was assessed using Oswestry Disability Index. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that there were negative significant correlations between Oswestry Disability Index score and right knee extensor muscle strength, left knee extensor muscle strength and left ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength (r=-0.290, p=0.009; r=-0.408, p

농촌지역 여성노인의 신체적 여가활동 참여가 신체적 기능과 삶의 질에 미치는 효과

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of a physical leisure activity program on the physical function and health-related quality of life of elderly women in rural areas. Methods: One hundred and thirteen elderly women living in rural communities participated using a one-group pre-post design. The physical leisure activity program was conducted for 16 group activities over 8 weeks. To determine changes in the physical function of the elderly after participation, muscle strength, flexibility, and balance ability were measured, and the 8 domain Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8) was used to examine changes in quality of life. Results: The physical function of the participants in the program was significantly increased in upper and lower limb muscle strength, balance, and flexibility (p &lt; 0.05). The total score of QOL of elderly women who participated in the program also improved from 335.73 ± 52.93 points to 395.42 ± 28.79 points, and significantly changed in all sub-items (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Participation in leisure activities was confirmed effective not only in improving the physical health of the elderly women, but also in improving their quality of life. In the future, we look forward to the development and support of various participatory activity programs suitable for rural areas.