Muscle In Man Research Articles

Castration Levels of Testosterone Results in Atrophy of Androgen-Sensitive Perineal Muscles: A Potential Biomarker for Male Hypogonadism

ObjectivesTo evaluate MRI-based measurements of androgen-sensitive perineal/pelvic muscles in men with prostate cancer before and after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as a novel imaging marker for end-organ effects of hypogonadism. Diagnosing hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency (TD) requires both low serum testosterone and clinical symptoms, such as erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. However, the non-specific nature of many TD symptoms makes it challenging to initiate therapy. Objective markers of TD help to better identify patients who may benefit from testosterone supplementation; however, current markers, such as low bone mineral density, lack sensitivity. Previous studies suggest that decreased bulbocavernosus-muscle (BCM) thickness may be associated with TD, although it remains unclear if this is a correlative relationship. MethodsData was prospectively collected for patients with intermediate/high-risk localized prostate cancer enrolled in a phase II trial (NCT02430480). Patients received ADT before prostatectomy and underwent prostate MRI pre-/post-ADT. BCM, ischiocavernosus-muscle (ICM), and levator-ani-muscle (LAM) measurements were made using T2W-MRI. Paired t-tests evaluated changes in BCM/ICM/LAM width, and linear regression analyses evaluated relationships between changes in testosterone and muscle width. ResultsThirty-eight consecutive patients with pre-/post-ADT MRIs were analyzed. Baseline testosterone was 286.5ng/dl, and 36/38 patients had post-ADT testosterone <50ng/dL. Pre-ADT and post-ADT measurements of the bilateral BCM/ICM/LAM width were 7.16mm/7.95mm/5.53mm and 5.68mm/6.71mm/4.89mm, respectively (p<0.001). Decreases in testosterone predicted reduction in combined perineal muscle (BCM+ICM) width (p=0.032). ConclusionsAndrogen deprivation led to significant and relatively rapid decreases in BCM/ICM/LAM thickness. This objective biomarker of low testosterone states may help identify patients who will potentially benefit from testosterone replacement.

288 - Assessment of External Pressure Device for Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction and its Synergistic Role with Core Muscles in Men: Preliminary Results of an Experimental Study

288 - Assessment of External Pressure Device for Pelvic Floor Muscle Contraction and its Synergistic Role with Core Muscles in Men: Preliminary Results of an Experimental Study

The chest CT perspective on sarcopenia: Exploring reference values for muscle mass quantity/quality and its application in elderly adults

ObjectiveTo determine reference values for diagnosing sarcopenia through chest CT scans and evaluate their suitability for use among the Chinese elderly population. MethodsChest CT scans were obtained from 500 healthy individuals aged 19–39. Skeletal muscle mass was assessed on chest CT at the level of T4 by the skeletal muscle area (T4SMA), skeletal muscle index (T4SMI), T12 erector spinae muscle area (T12ESMA), and T12 skeletal muscle index (T12SMI), as well as skeletal muscle density (SMD) at T4 and T12 levels. The diagnostic threshold for sarcopenia was defined as a gender-specific value below 2 SD of the mean value in the young group. These cutoff values were then applied to a group of older adults aged 65 and over. ResultsDiagnostic thresholds for low skeletal muscle in men were 110.05 cm², 36.01 cm²/m², 29.56 cm², and 9.65 cm²/m² for T4SMA, T4SMI, T12ESMA, and T12SMI, respectively. For women, the thresholds were: 69.93 cm², 26.51 cm²/m², 17.84 cm²/m², and 6.87 cm²/m², respectively. Diagnostic thresholds for low SMD were 38.63HU in men, 34.74 HU for women at T4 level. At T12 level, the cutoff values were 40.94 HU for men and 36.63 HU for women. Sarcopenia prevalence in men, defined by T4SMA, T4SMI, T12ESMA, and T12SMI cutoffs, was 35.6%, 18.9%, 36.7%, and 23.7%, respectively. In women, sarcopenia prevalence was 5.1%, 3.2%, 3.2%, and 1.9%, respectively. ConclusionThis study established reference values for sarcopenia diagnosis through chest CT scans among the Chinese population, highlighting the importance of utilizing chest CT scans for sarcopenia detection and muscle health monitoring in older adults.

Neuromodulators in Men.

Botulinum toxin treatment is gaining popularity among men for cosmetic purposes driven by workplace competition and a desire for confidence and youthfulness. Because of the unique features of male facial anatomy, careful consideration is necessary during assessment and treatment execution. The peer-reviewed literature on male facial anatomy in relation to neuromodulator treatment was analyzed with a particular emphasis on studies involving male subjects and the use of botulinum toxin type A. Anatomic differences in muscle mass and contraction patterns between men and women help guide treatment. Men appear to require higher doses for effective treatment of facial wrinkles and, in the case of glabellar lines, often require double the standard dose for women. Treatment of the frontalis muscle in men, responsible for forehead creases, requires precise dosage and placement to avoid brow ptosis. The lateral canthal wrinkles are often the first area that men seek consultation for. Although FDA approval for lower face regions is lacking, off-label use can still be considered. Successful botulinum toxin treatment in men necessitates understanding facial anatomy, customized treatment plans, and appropriate dosing. Further research is warranted to refine protocols and enhance outcomes for male patients.

Toward a Robust Definition of Sport Sex.

Elite individual sports in which success depends on power, speed, or endurance are conventionally divided into male and female events using traditional binary definitions of sex. Male puberty creates durable physical advantages due to the 20- to 30-fold increase in circulating testosterone producing a sustained uplift in men's muscle, bone, hemoglobin, and cardiorespiratory function resulting from male puberty and sustained during men's lives. These male physical advantages provide strong justification for a separate protected category of female events allowing women to achieve the fame and fortune from success they would be denied if competing against men. Recent wider social acceptance of transgender individuals, together with the less recognized involvement of intersex individuals, challenge and threaten to defeat the sex classifications for elite individual female events. This can create unfair advantages if seeking inclusion into elite female events of unmodified male-bodied athletes with female gender identity who have gained the physical advantages of male puberty. Based on reproductive physiology, this paper proposes a working definition of sport sex based primarily on an individual's experience of male puberty and can be applied to transgender and various XY intersex conditions. Consistent with the multidimensionality of biological sex (chromosomal, genetic, hormonal, anatomical sex), this definition may be viewed as a multistrand cable whose overall strength survives when any single strand weakens or fails, rather than as a unidimensional chain whose strength is only as good as its weakest link.

The relationship between estimates of puborectalis muscle shear modulus made with shear wave elastography and electromyography in healthy men

Aims:This study aimed to: (i) describe a method to estimate shear modulus of the male puborectalis muscle using shear wave elastography (SWE); (ii) investigate the relationship between changes in shear modulus and electromyography (EMG) of the left and right puborectalis muscle; (iii) investigate whether measures made at rest differ before and after a maximal voluntary contraction; and (iv) investigate whether rest measures are consistent over repeated submaximal contractions. Materials and Methods:Eleven males with no history of pelvic symptoms participated. Puborectalis muscle SWE was recorded using a transperineal ultrasound. Puborectalis EMG was recorded with a custom electrode stabilized to the anal mucosa with suction. Measures were made during rest and contractions at 10, 20, 30, 50 and 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (EMG). Correlation between normalized EMG and shear modulus data over contraction intensities was calculated (left; right). Amplitude of each measure at rest was compared before and after maximum voluntary contraction and before each submaximal contraction. Results:Group data showed strong linear correlations between shear modulus and EMG for the left r2=0.71 [SD 0.16; 95% CI 0.61−0.81], and right r2=0.56 [0.33; 0.35−0.76] puborectalis and there was no difference in the correlation between sides (p = 0.17), or between rest values of EMG or shear modulus before and after maximal and submaximal contractions (all p>0.31). Conclusions:This study confirms the viability of SWE for measurement of the puborectalis muscle in men and validity of changes in SWE as an estimate of shear modulus/stiffness of this muscle. Healthy men returned to rest values after contraction at different intensities.

Faktor risiko FAKTOR RISIKO ERGONOMI TERJADINYA KELUHAN MUSCULOSKELETAL PADA PEKERJA DI INDUSRTI

Studies from the Ministry of Health in the profile of health problems in Indonesia show that about 40.59% of illnesses suffered by workers are work-related. Health problems experienced by workers based on research conducted on 9,482 workers in 12 districts/ cities in Indonesia showed the highest number, namely musculoskeletal disorders (16%) followed by cardiovascular disorders (8%), nervous disorders (596). respiratory disorders (3%), and ENT disorders (1.5%) (Sekaaram &amp; Ani, 2017).&#x0D; This research method uses a Literature Review or literature review with a Systematic Literature Review approach by searching for articles through search engines such as Google Scholar. The keywords used in the search for articles in research on ergonomic risk, age, gender, MSDs, NBM.in selecting articles using inclusion criteria and journal analysis.&#x0D; The results of the literature review on age obtained 5 journals where 4 of these journals had a relationship and I of these journals had no relationship between age and musculoskeletal complaints in industrial workers. Meanwhile, the results of the literature review on gender obtained 5 journals where 2 of these journals had a relationship and 3 of them had no relationship between gender and musculoskeletal complaints in industrial workers.&#x0D; The conclusion states that there is a relationship between age and musculoskeletal complaints, while there is no relationship between gender and musculoskeletal complaints. Suggested it is preferable for women workers aged 30 years to differentiate between working period and working time because women's muscle strength is different from men's muscle strength as well as work methods and work rotation regularly so that skeletal muscle complaints can be minimized.

The dose-response relationship of quercetin on the motor unit firing patterns and contractile properties of muscle in men and women.

Quercetin is one type of ergogenic aid and its effects on the neuromuscular system have recently attracted interest, but its dose-effect is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different doses of quercetin ingestion on motor unit firing patterns and muscle contractile properties in humans. Thirteen young males and females conducted neuromuscular performance tests before (PRE) and 60 min after (POST) ingestions of 500 or 200 mg of quercetin glycosides (Qg500/Qg200, respectively) or placebo (PLA) on three different days. At PRE and POST, motor unit firing rates were calculated from high-density surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis muscle during 120-s isometric contraction of knee extension at 10% of maximal voluntary contraction. Electrically elicited forces in knee extensor muscles were also measured. After 60 s of voluntary contraction, motor unit firing rates, normalized by the exerted muscle force at POST, were significantly lower at POST than PRE with Qg500 and Qg200 (p < 0.05), but not with PLA (p > 0.05). Changes in motor unit firing rates normalized by the exerted force from PRE to POST were significantly greater with Qg500 than Qg200 at the end of contraction (p < 0.05). Under all three conditions, the electrically elicited force did not significantly change from PRE to POST (p > 0.05). These results suggest that both 500 and 200-mg quercetin ingestions alter motor unit firing patterns, and that quercetin's effect is at least partially dose-dependent.

Effect of 8-Week Use of Knee Braces on the Electrical Activity Frequency of Lower Limb Muscles in Men With Genu Varus While Walking

Background and Aims Genu varus is one of the most common lower limb deformities that can affect a person’s daily activities and sports performance. This study aims to investigate the effect of the 8-week use of knee braces on the electrical activity frequency of muscles in men with genu varus during walking. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study on 30 male college students with genu varus (aged 20-30 years) who were randomly divided into control and intervention groups. Corrective exercises were performed for 8 weeks using knee braces in the intervention group. The electrical activity of selected muscles was recorded by an electromyography system. For statistical analysis, ANCOVA was used. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results During the loading phase, the results showed a lower frequency of biceps femoris muscle in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.041). The frequency of muscles did not show any significant difference between groups in the mid-stance and push-off phases (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion Given the decrease in the frequency of biceps femoris muscle activity in men who used knee braces, it can be concluded that the 8-week use of these brace can be effective in reducing shock absorption in the lower extremity.

Fatty acid amides as potential circulating biomarkers for sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive decrease in skeletal muscle mass and function with age. Given that sarcopenia is associated with various metabolic disorders, effective metabolic biomarkers for its early detection are required. We aimed to investigate the metabolic biomarkers related to sarcopenia in elderly men and perform experimental studies using metabolomics. Plasma metabolites from 142 elderly men, comprising a sarcopenia group and an age-matched control group, were measured using global metabolome profiling. Muscle and plasma samples from an aging mouse model of sarcopenia, as well as cell media and cell lysates during myoblast differentiation, were analysed based on targeted metabolome profiling. Based on these experimental results, fatty acid amides were quantified from human plasma as well as human muscle tissues. The association of fatty acid amide levels with sarcopenia parameters was evaluated. Global metabolome profiling showed that fatty acid amide levels were significantly different in the plasma of elderly men with sarcopenia (all Ps<0.01). Consistent with these results in human plasma, targeted metabolome profiling in an aging mouse model of sarcopenia showed decreased levels of fatty acid amides in plasma but not in muscle tissue. In addition, the levels of fatty acid amides increased in cell lysates during muscle cell differentiation. Targeted metabolome profiling in men showed decreased docosahexaenoic acid ethanolamide (DHA EA) levels in the plasma (P=0.016) but not in the muscle of men with sarcopenia. DHA EA level was positively correlated with sarcopenia parameters such as skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and handgrip strength (HGS) (P=0.001, P=0.001, respectively). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) for DHA EA level≤4.60 fmol/μL for sarcopenia was 0.618 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.532-0.698). DHA EA level≤4.60 fmol/μL was associated with a significantly greater likelihood of sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR]: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.03-4.30), independent of HGS. The addition of DHA EA level to age and HGS significantly improved the AUC from 0.620 to 0.691 (P=0.0497). Our study demonstrated that fatty acid amides are potential circulating biomarkers in elderly men with sarcopenia. DHA EA, in particular, strongly related to muscle mass and strength, can be a key metabolite to become a reliable metabolic biomarker for sarcopenia. Further research on fatty acid amides will provide insights into the metabolomic changes relevant to sarcopenia from an aging perspective.

Usefulness of muscle ultrasound in appendicular skeletal muscle mass estimation for sarcopenia assessment.

The measurement of skeletal muscle mass is essential for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Muscle ultrasonography has emerged as a useful tool for evaluating sarcopenia because it can be used to assess muscle quality and quantity. This study investigated whether muscle ultrasonography is effective for estimating appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and screening for sarcopenia. This study prospectively enrolled 212 healthy volunteers aged 40-80 years. ASM was measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis. Muscle thickness (MT) and echo-intensity (EI) were measured in four muscles (biceps brachii, BB; triceps brachii, TB; rectus femoris, RF; biceps femoris, BF) on the dominant hand. A hold-out cross-validation method was used to develop and validate the ASM prediction equation. In the model development group, the ASM prediction equations were deduced as follows: estimated ASM for men (kg) = 0.167 × weight (kg) + 0.228 × height (cm) + 0.143 × MT of BF (mm)- 0.822 × EI to MT ratio of BB- 28.187 (R2 = 0.830) and estimated ASM for women (kg) = 0.115 × weight + 0.215 × height (cm) + 0.139 × MT of RF-0.638 × EI to MT ratio of BB- 23.502 (R2 = 0.859). In the cross-validation group, the estimated ASM did not significantly differ from the measured ASM in both men (p = 0.775; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.948) and women (p = 0.516; ICC = 0.973). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the ratios of EI to MT in the BF and RF muscles in men and MT in the BB muscle in women could be valuable parameters for sarcopenia screening. Therefore, our study suggests that muscle ultrasound could be an effective tool for estimating ASM and screening sarcopenia.

Comparison of the Effect of Therapeutic Exercise Protocol With and Without Kinesiotype and Manual Therapy on Pain and Disability and Muscle Function of Men With Cervicogenic Headache

Background and Aims Headache is one of the most common problems in adults and almost 47% of the world's population suffer from some kind of headache. High percentage of these headaches come from neck muscles these are called cervicogenic headaches. The purpose of this study is Comparison of the effect of comprehensive therapeutic protocol with and without manual treatment and kinesiotaping on pain and disability, postural and electrical activity of some neck muscles in men with non-traumatic cervicogenic headache. Methods 43 men aged 35 to 55 years with non-traumatic cervicogenic headache were selected for this study and randomly divided into four groups.Forward head angle, pain and disability and power of neck superficial muscle activation measured by using the photogrammetry, neck pain and disability scale (NPDS) and surface electromyography respectively in pre-test and after six weeks in post-test. Statistical methods, Shapiro-wilk and then repeated measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA and paired t-test, repeated measure variance and finally and Bonferroni were used (α≤0.05). Results The results showed a significant decrease in pain and disability, forward head angle and also a decrease in the activity of the superficial neck muscles in the experimental groups after six weeks of intervention. (P=0.00). Comparing the above three experimental groups, the comprehensive exercise therapy group with manual therapy had the highest statistical significance in reducing pain and disability, reducing the angle of head forward and reducing the activity of superficial neck muscles. (P=0.00). Conclusion comprehensive exercise therapy intervention with manual therapy had the greatest effect on improving the symptoms of men with non-thromatic cervicogenic headache.

Skeletal Muscle Transcriptomic Comparison Between Men and Women in Response to Acute Sprint Exercise.

Background: Acute sprint exercise is a time-efficient physical activity that improves cardiorespiratory fitness in younger and middle-aged adults. Growing evidence has demonstrated that acute sprint exercise provides equal to or superior health benefits compared with moderate-intensity continuous training, which will dramatically increase aerobic capacity, insulin sensitivity, and muscle capillarization. Although the beneficial effects of acute sprint exercise are well documented, the mechanisms behind how acute sprint exercise prevents disease and benefits health are less understood. Method: We obtained differentially expressed genes in muscle (vastus lateralis) from men and women before and after an acute sprint exercise. Then, we identified hub genes from the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and key transcription factors in men and women related to acute sprint exercise. Finally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses are performed on DEGs and sex-biased genes, respectively. Results: First, we identified 127 sexually dimorphic genes in men (90 upregulated and 37 downregulated) and 75 genes in women (90 upregulated and 37 downregulated) in response to acute sprint exercise. Second, CEBPB, SMAD3, and CDKN1A are identified as the top three hub genes related to men-biased genes. Accordingly, the top three hub genes related to women-biased genes are JUN, ACTB, and SMAD7. In addition, CLOCK, ZNF217, and KDM2B are the top three enriched transcriptional factors in men-biased genes, while XLR, SOX2, JUND, and KLF4 are transcription factors enriched most in women-biased genes. Furthermore, based on GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, we identified potential key pathways in regulating the exercise-related response in men and women, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, we found the difference in gene expression and enrichment pathways in muscle in men and women in response to acute sprint exercise. These results will shed new light on the mechanism underlying sex-based differences in skeletal muscle remodeling and metabolism related to acute sprint exercise, which may illustrate the mechanisms behind how acute sprint exercise prevents disease and benefits health.

The effect of ageing on fat infiltration of thigh and paraspinal muscles in men

BackgroundMyosteatosis, skeletal muscle fat infiltration, is associated with inflammation and fibrosis. The age-related increase of myosteatosis is an important characteristic of sarcopenia and contributes to fragility.AimsTo investigate the impact of healthy aging on intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and muscle fat fraction (FF) in the thigh and the paraspinal muscles in males.MethodsIn 54 healthy males (age 20–70), all active hobby golfers, magnetic resonance imaging was performed to determine volume of IMAT, volume of muscle tissue (MT) and of percentage of FF.ResultsBetween ages 20–70, at the thigh, IMAT/MT volume and MT FF increased annually by 2.9% and 1.3%, respectively. At the psoas IMAT/Psoas volume did not change with age. MT FF increased by 1.5% annually. At the erector spinae IMAT/Erector volume decreased by 0.3% and MT FF increased by 2.8% annually.DiscussionWith increasing age, in males, thigh muscle atrophied, muscle tissue was partly replaced by adipose tissue and remaining muscle tissue also contained more fat. Similar effects were observed in the erector spinae. The psoas muscle did not atrophy, although MT FF also increased with age. Overall correlations with age were weak to moderate with higher correlations observed in the paraspinal muscles.ConclusionsAge-related increases of muscle fat infiltration were observed in the thigh and in the spine. Muscle atrophy did not occur in the psoas. In cross-sectional studies, an adjustment of volumetric parameters by muscle volume is advisable when comparing age-dependent results.

Impaired Ability to Relax Pelvic Floor Muscles in Men With Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.

Excessive pelvic floor muscle activity has been suggested as a source of pain in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Our objective was to determine whether men with CP/CPPS have changes in neural drive that impair their ability to relax pelvic floor muscles. We recruited 90 men (42 with CP/CPPS and 48 in the control group [without a history of pelvic pain]). All completed the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). We quantified the ability to relax by comparing resting pelvic floor muscle activity under 2 conditions: a "rest-only" condition, in which participants were instructed to simply relax, and a "rest-between-contraction" condition, in which participants were instructed to rest for several seconds between voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions. We used multivariate mixed-effects models to examine differences between the groups (men with CP/CPPS and men in the control group) as well as the effect of 6 symptoms captured by the NIH-CPSI: pain related to location (perineum, testicles, penis, suprapubic region) and activity (urination, ejaculation). Men with CP/CPPS were significantly different from men in the control group; men with CP/CPPS had higher resting activity in the rest-between-contraction condition than in the rest-only condition, whereas men in the control group had similar resting activities in both conditions. This effect was strongest in men who reported ejaculation-related pain, which was 70% of the CP/CPPS group. Men without a history of pelvic pain were able to relax their pelvic floor muscles back to baseline after performing voluntary pelvic floor muscle contractions. In contrast, men with CP/CPPS, particularly those with ejaculation-related pain, had an impaired ability to relax their pelvic floor muscles. This study may support the investigation of more personalized physical therapist approaches for CP/CPPS that enhance the ability to relax pelvic floor muscles as a mechanism for pain reduction.

Development of a method using transperineal ultrasound movies for automatic evaluation of the contraction of pelvic floor muscles in men after radical prostatectomy

Development of a method using transperineal ultrasound movies for automatic evaluation of the contraction of pelvic floor muscles in men after radical prostatectomy

Comparison of the Effects of Systemic Cryotherapy and Kinesiotaping on the Trunk Muscles of Men Practising Targeted Physical Training

Aim: was to compare the effects of systemic cryotherapy and kinesiotaping on the flexibility and strength of trunk muscle of men practising, due to their job, targeted and specialized physical training. They were members of special groups: Government Protection Bureau, Anti-Terrorist Organization Bureau and Grom group. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 30 men [age 27-55 (AVG 40 +/- 7)]. Motor fitness assessment recognized in the Health-related fitness system: flexibility – measured by the depth of the trunk forward bend from a straight sit. A positive result was defined as a value measured in centimeters below the toes, and a negative result, when the subject did not reach the toes, the better result from two attempts was accepted for analysis. Dynamic strength of the abdominal muscles – this feature was determined by the number of scull sit-ups performed from the supine position within 30 seconds Taping of the rectus abdominis muscle was performed using the supine position muscle method. Base - above the pubic symphysis (above the hairline), abdominal tension through inhalation, tail to the cartilage of the fifth rib, parasternal. On the other side , the same way of application, then the test was performed. Taping of the dorsal extensor muscle, using the muscle method – standing position, base - on the sacrum, bending the torso forward, tape tails along the spine, then the test was performed. After a week’s break, each subject received a series of 10 treatments at -130°C, each treatment lasted2 minutes. Treatments took place once a day – from Monday to Friday, excluding Saturdays and Sundays. After each cryostimulation treatment, the patient exercised on a stationary cycloergometer for 20 minutes. Results: The use of kinesiotaping and systemic cryostimulation improves flexibility. The increase of the motoric feature was greater after the treatments at the applied cryogenic temperature -130°C. The dynamic strength of the abdominal muscles increased after both types of therapy, i.e. Kinesiotaping and systemic cryotherapy. Statistically significantly more sculling sit-ups were performed after cryostimulation treatments. Conclusions: The conducted pilot studies showed statistically significant differences in flexibility and dynamic strength of abdominal muscles after the taping and systemic cryostimulation. It is reasonable to continue research that varies in terms of the number of treatments and cryogenic temperatures. Studies of other human motor characteristics should also be carried out.

Effect of gender, muscle type and skinfold thickness on myometric parameters in young people.

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to compare the mechanical properties of three human skeletal muscles: biceps brachii (BB), rectus femoris (RF), and tibialis anterior (TA) at rest measured by myoton device in males (n = 16, mean age 21.2 ± 0.6 years) and females (n = 16; 21.2 ± 0.9 years) and to investigate the influence of skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness (skinfold thickness, SFT) and gender on myometric parameters of the three skeletal muscles.MethodsWe measured the following mechanical and viscoelastic muscle properties using MyotonPRO®: frequency (F [Hz]), decrement (D [log]), stiffness (S [N/m]), relaxation time (R [ms]) and creepability (C [De]). The values of SFT for all selected muscles were assessed by caliper. A mixed-design analysis of variance with gender as between subject comparison was used for assessing the differences between gender and muscles in SFT and each of the myometric parameters separately (F, D, S, R and C). Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between SFT and myometric parameters was conducted for males, females and males and females together. The level of statistical significance was set at α ≤ 0.05 with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.ResultsThe SFT over the RF, TA, and BB muscles in women was statistically significantly larger compared with that of males. In females and males, the SFT over the RF was larger than over the TA and BB, and the SFT over the TA was larger compared with over the BB. The values of F and S recorded for the TA muscle were the highest among the three muscles, while D, C, and R were lowest in TA but highest in the RF muscle in men and women. The values of F and S were smaller in females than in males. Gender comparison of D, C, and R values showed that only D for the RF was significantly lower in females than in males, and C for the RF and TA was significantly larger in females than in males. Some correlation between SFT and myometric parameters were different between males and females. For example, there was a significant, negative correlation between SFT and F for all muscles in females, and a significant, positive correlation between these parameters for BB and TA (not for RF) in males. For pooled data (males and females together), a negative significant correlation between SFT and F was observed for RF and TA (not significant for BB muscle).DiscussionIt is concluded that the TA compared with the BB and RF has significantly greater F and S but the smallest D and C and the shortest R. Gender and muscle differences in the SFT may affect the measurements of muscle properties using MyotonPRO®. The relationship between SFT and myometric parameters is different in males and females in the RF, TA, and BB muscles. Therefore, the myometric data should be analyzed in males and females separately.

Evaluate the Immediate Effect of High- power Pain Threshold Ultrasound on Treatment of Upper Trapezius Active Myofascial Trigger Points

Introduction: The most critical clinical presentation in myofascial pain syndrome is trigger points. Trigger points are the main problem in 30% of the patients presenting to general internal medicine practice. One of the treatments used for trigger points is ultrasound therapy. The high- power pain threshold ultrasound (HPPTUS) technique is one of the therapeutic ultrasound modifications used to treat trigger points. The present randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the immediate effect of high-power pain threshold ultrasound on treating active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle in men with mechanical neck pain. Materials and Methods: Fourteen men with mechanical neck pain (Mean±SD age: 34.50±5.24 years) who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria participated in this study. The visual analog scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and range of motion of cervical lateral flexion (CLF) were assessed before and after the treatment. The ultrasound probe was placed on the trigger point. The frequency was set to 1 MHz, and the intensity increased from 0.5 to 2 until the patient reported an unpleasant sensation. The probe was held there for 4 seconds. Then, the intensity was reduced by 50%, and the probe was moved over and around the trigger point. This process was done several times for three minutes. Results: Analysis of pre-treatment and post-treatment findings showed that the VAS (P&lt;0.001), PPT (P=0.001), and CLF (P&lt;0.001) improved significantly after applying the HPPTUS to trigger points. Conclusion: Ultrasound significantly improved the muscular symptoms of the trigger points.

Correlations of the rectus abdominis muscle anatomy with anthropometric measurements.

The anterior abdominal muscle wall has a strong aesthetic connotation, primarily because of the classical anatomical description of the rectus abdominis muscle in the collective consciousness. However, the morphological reality of the general population considerably deviates from this description. Therefore, we investigated the anthropometric characteristics correlated with the anatomy of the rectus abdominis muscle. We performed a computed tomography scan anatomical study of recti abdominis muscles in 86 patients with no history of abdominal surgery. We noted the transverse and anteroposterior measurements of the rectus abdominis muscle, the transverse measurement of the linea alba, and the cutaneous and muscular abdominal perimeters. We compared these morphological elements with anthropometric data (sex, age, weight, height, and body mass index [BMI]). BMI was positively correlated with cutaneous abdominal perimeter (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) and muscular abdominal perimeter (r = 0.7, p < 0.001). The correlation of BMI with cutaneous abdominal perimeter was not influenced by sex (r = 0.90 and r = 0.89 in men and women, respectively). The correlation of BMI with muscular abdominal perimeter was greater in men than in women (r = 0.80 vs. r = 0.75). The muscular abdominal perimeter was more strongly correlated with the transverse measurement of the rectus abdominis muscle in men than in women (r = 0.75 vs. r = 0.59). The muscular abdominal perimeter was more strongly correlated with the linea alba in women than in men (r = 0.51 vs. r = 0.31). The anatomy of the anterior abdominal wall correlated with anthropometric data, including BMI. Rectus abdominis muscles and linea alba structures differed between men and women.